How to manage anxiety before surgery

fishfish

I will undergo a day surgery of excisional biospy next week. I heard it is pretty much indifferent than the actual surgery when you have cancer. Even my doctor said it is just safe to remove my tumor and he said I can even go back to work the next day ( I work in child care) he also said my tumor is so small it's not even a big surgery. I know the surgery is nothing compare to my preopt tests and the stress of dealing with the hospital.

However, I feel I'm kind of scare because doctor said I need genreal anesthesia. I don't like the feeling of losing control not waking up from sleep...etc. I already deal with some sort of depression (I cant really tell the nurse about it because i was diagnosed two years ago and havent check it again ever since). Anyways, i still tend look at things very pessimistic as i also feel there will be something going in with my operation. Im angry that this might not even cancer why i have to deal with such stress. I don't know how to deal with the stress and anxiety.. cam anybody give me some hints ? Especially can somebody gives me some geneal anesthesia experience?

borogirl

One thing that helps me when I get too stressed is to get outside. Take a walk in a nice park, sit on a park bench and feed the ducks, sit by a stream. Sometimes we get too cocooned in our houses or place of work that we lose perspective on life and the world. One of my favorite things to do is sit along the shoreline at the beach at sunset. It just drains away my stress. Unfortunately I don't live near the beach so I have to make do with simply sitting on the front porch or back patio. Breath in the fresh air, look at the clouds in the sky, listen to the sounds of nature.

I've had anesthesia several times and never had a problem. I too like to feel in control, but in this situation I realize the doctors and medical staff know what they are doing and there's nothing I can contribute to the process. I try to look at it as a short nap, and turn it all over to them. They will usually start with an IV that has something to relax you a little. Sometimes I'm out before I even get to OR. I've been awake when rolled into OR and they put a mask over my mouth and nose and it only took a couple of deep breaths to knock me out. Coming out of it afterwards is a little weird - fuzzy and trying to focus, but it's I didn't find that part scary at all.

I am also a woman of faith, and know it is all in God's hands, and His hands have all the power and comfort. I pray for comfort, peace and healing for you.

Snickersmom

I had a BMX last year and several biopsies before the surgery. I don't like anesthesia either but I was fine. When I had my BMX, the anesthesiologist said he was going to give me something just to relax me and when he put it in the IV, I went right to sleep and didn't wake up until I was in my hospital room. I don't even remember waking up in recovery but my husband said I was awake.

Ask your doctor for something like Valium or Xanax for the anxiety before your surgery if you are having a hard time. I had Xanax before my surgery and it really helped.