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Waiting is torture

Princess69
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I was diagnosed with womb cancer on 14th February . Since then I have been attending hospital for pre op assessment  and various other appointments. I'm due to have total hysterectomy on 30th March. The waiting is torture I can't sleep and worry that surgery will be cancelled because of coronavirus.  I have had 5 pre ops and 2 ops cancelled in 6 weeks for various reasons. I'm so so stressed  I'm petrified of a GA due to a previous bad experience and am really struggling with it all .

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    HI princess

    So sorry you find youself here. Waiting is difficult, I had to wait four months for my operation and I can't tell you how relieved I was when it was all over with, finally able to think about other things other than cancer. I can't see them cancelling a cancer operation but if they do perhaps you could be asked to be transferred to another team at a hospital that can accomodate you. I was really anxious about going under a GA but someone told me I had more risk driving to the hospital for my GA than the GA itself anf that calmed me down plus focusing on the outcome of the operation (iei all the cancer gone) rather than focusing on the operation helped a lot also. The checks they do now ensures only those who would survive a GA would get one.and the meds they use are so much safer now than any other time. try not to worry, easier said than done but I managed to take my mind off it by keeping busy. Hope everything goes well and let us know how you get on- take care x

  • Offline in reply to Magpiemaggie

    Thank you for your reply x waiting 4 months must if been a nightmare. I am trying to keep busy but finding it hard to concentrate. I had a bad experience  with a GA before and spent 3 days in ITU. It was many years ago but the memory is like it was yesterday. I have a real abject terror x Am trying to stay upbeat and positive but as I become closer to operation day I'm struggling  . Xx

  • Offline in reply to Princess69

    I have PTSD from theatre experience hence why I asked my GP for some Diazepan to take nigh before operation and on morning of operation, important if you do this to tell the anaesthetist. The second operation was worse in terms of anxiety but asked theatre team for a pre-med before going into theatre. Important that you know the health professionals are there to help you, they will help you through this, trusting your health experts takes the weight off the patient and should lesson the anxiety. x

  • Offline in reply to Magpiemaggie

    Thank you for your advice. I was thinking of asking for something to calm me down beforehand. Am waiting to meet with aneasthetic so will try to explain my abject terror xxx

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