Anxious post surgery

[EthelsAuntie]

I had emergency surgery 9 days ago. I had been feeling unwell for a couple of weeks, progressing to unbelievable stomach pain and unable to keep even water down. Turned out that I had a perforated bowel and sepsis. I was taken for surgery opened right down my middle and had a right sided hemicolocetomy, so part of my bowel removed. They then reattached me so I don't have a stoma. The surgery went as well as it possibly could have although apparently it took longer than expected.
I have made excellent progress since the surgery and I'm now home but I'm still so scared. I probably would have preferred to be monitored in hospital a bit longer. I was out on day 6 post surgery. However, the hospital are so stretched, it was all over the news that they were having to shut wards and you could see the strain on the nursing staff.
Dh is working from home and being a very attentive nurse. I'm being well looked after. Friends and family are all rallying round and helping us with the kids etc.
I think because it happened so fast, I didn't have time to process it. I'm terrified I will die and leave my children. I'm scared to eat, can't think about much else other than analysing every ache that I get. I'm googling everything about the surgery and how to aid healing. I am doing everything I can to be a model patient but I just cannot get past the fear. I'm very weepy and emotional. Has anyone experienced something similar? I'm usually a very positive but this has left me an anxious wreck.
There are absolutely no signs that anything is setting back my recovery but I'm just constantly terrified and it is quite exhausting.
Any advice about coping strategies, greatly received.

Hi

Sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I can see this from both sides really. I have worked in this area as and also had emergency surgery (different type) as a patient.

Day 6 post op is a reasonable discharge date. You sound like you are doing really well. It's really important to try and eat well and follow any dietary advice given. A good diet will help healing.

Be kind to yourself and patient. Some days will be better than others and the fatigue can last a while. I had an emergency 9 hour op and like you it all felt so fast and like I didn't get time to process it- I later realised it wouldn't have made much difference anyway as I wouldn't have had a choice! It all sinks in eventually.

Great you have been anastomosed (joined up)- it's one less thing to have to learn and get to grips with.

Wishing you a healthy road to recovery!

Hello
Glad to read that your surgery went well and that you are healing well (physically) at home. I just wanted to say that It is completely normal to suffer anxiety and low periods so soon after majorly surgery. This is normal. However, it's important for your continued physical recovery that your mental recovery is monitored too. I would speak to your gp about post surgery counselling or therapeutic support through this period. Also, check out 'MIND' or local therapists. Talking it out and receiving reassurance will help you greatly as you recover. 6 days post op is very very early and you will still be feeling the effects of the post surgery / anaesthetic blues.

On a lighter note, keep a small gratitude journal (first thing in the morning and last thing at night) over the next few weeks and immerse yourself in feel good movies etc. It does work. This will pass. I've been there - didn't feel myself weeks after major surgery and ended up with a therapist who helped immensely.

Above all, know that what you are feeling is absolutely, 100% normal. It sounds like you have a wonderful husband and family too.

Wishing you well 🙏

Always better to recover at home as soon as you can. With your loved ones. You'll be absolutely top dollar soon. It's probably just the shock of it all. It's unnerving. It sounds all good to me. 💐

Feeling low, anxious, moody or even angry is very normal after such a serious life threatening situation. Both body and mind need to heal. If it does not improve after a few weeks though or you feel you can’t cope, get support from GP or mental health charities.

Thanks! I just feel so not me. I'm the one everyone looks to for the positive twist. I'm usually very upbeat but this has hit me like a train.
I'm a million times more comfortable here. Can't wait to be off the steroids so that my sleep isn't so interrupted but I'm being treated like a Queen here.
It is reassuring that it takes time to just process everything. I'm just not a very patient person. I'm a doer. I hate relying on others or asking for help.
I just realised that I need to talk to the gp anyway about my sick note, how long until I can drive etc so I will make an appointment in the morning. Hopefully it can be arranged around the time I get my staples out from the nurse at the surgery.
Now I'm going to try and get some more sleep before my dds start waking.

I know this is a very very old thread but I've also had this surgery and curious to know what your life is like now? I've never met anyone that's had a hemicolectomy like myself.