How to prepare for surgery

The surgery (procedure) went well. The doctors were pleased and I was released Thursday morning, no complications, with instruction to rest and take care of myself. What a difference a few years make! When I first had surgery in this area, I was delighted at how tough I was and how quickly I started back up with my regular routine.

I took lessons from the first experience and applied what I learned to this second go-round. This entire process has felt like a healing. I am really, truly beyond grateful and wanted to share what worked for me in terms of being prepared and feeling safe and “ready” for the surgery and being in the hospital.

1. Ask lots of questions. After the doctor discovered pre-cancerous tissue, I did obsessive amounts of research on the internet in order to have the most information possible when I discussed options with my doctor. When we finally sat down to talk, I had a list of questions and requests to discuss. I had also done lots (and lots) of work around my distrust of doctors, so I was able to approach that meeting from a place of calm and clarity. I was also able to build rapport and really hear what they were telling me.

2. Stay calm. This can be so hard. Especially if you have any prior crap experiences with the medical system. I bumped up my meditation and Yoga practice as soon as I got the pre-cancer diagnosis, and I mentally cleaned house each morning by journaling (which is a great way to find the thoughts that need work). It helped. A lot. But I still worked an insane amount on my business, which was a great distraction.

3. Know your desired outcome. I don’t think I can say enough about Peggy Huddleston’s book, Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster. I read this book multiple times and listened to the visualization track daily for months (I had the luxury of a long lead time). I wrote my desired outcomes down on a 3 x 5 card and kept it with me. When I started having crazy “what if” thoughts, I imagined changing the TV channel in my mind, and returning to the “healing thoughts” channel. I truly believe this was critical. The odds of me getting pancreatitis with this procedure were quite high and I absolutely think that this visualization work helped prevent it.

4. Ask for what you need. Also hard, huh? At least for me. Despite my initial resistance, I asked everyone I know to send me healing thoughts on Tuesday and Wednesday, the two days that were most critical. I also asked my favorite sound healer, Fabeku, to do a session to support my healing – which he did Tuesday morning. Without a shadow of a doubt, I felt supported, safe, and loved the entire time I was in the hospital. As woo woo as it might sound, I honestly felt like I was surrounded by love the whole time. It felt luxurious – like being wrapped in a cashmere blanket.

In addition to the people who were supporting me remotely, I have some amazing friends locally who were just incredible in their offers of help. Seriously, due to the kindness of friends, Clara had an amazing time while I was gone. I’m not even sure she missed me!

5. Listen to your body. Ugh. Did you just know I was going to say this? What an overused and trite statement. But, that doesn’t make it any less important.

I don’t take any sort of pain medication because I broke up with alcohol and any sort of mind-altering substance, oh, 9 years ago. But Wednesday night I was having some pretty uncomfortable pain and I couldn’t sleep. I laid in bed for two hours, unable to get comfy, and decided to ring the nurse. She brought me a really mild pain killer and I was able to sleep. I woke up the next morning feeling fine. I’ve read enough to know that being in pain decreases our ability to heal, so I chose sleep over my dislike of pain medication. I’m pretty sure, if I’d toughed it out, I would have been tired and stressed out Thursday morning and might have still been in pain.

Since I’ve come home, I’ve been diligent in honoring my body by resting when I need to. This is new for me. Maybe it sounds ridiculous, but my M.O. in the past has been sort of like whistling in the dark – if I’m up and at ‘em, that must mean I’m okay. Well, I say, screw that. I want my body to have everything it needs to heal and I recommend that to you, too, if you are undergoing surgery. Rest. Eat healing foods. Let your loved ones take good care of you so your body heals quickly and easily.

In closing, I will leave you with a loving-kindness aspiration for healing…

May you be well,
May you be happy,
May you be filled with peace.

Photo courtesy of Mike Baird via Creative Commons License.