Snowflake Posted April 21, 2004 Share Posted April 21, 2004 I originally wrote this for someone approaching surgery, but thought it might be nice to have it stick at the top.... Tips to make it go easier - (it's as easy as A-B-C) Ask for the drugs when it hurts! Be nice to the nurses, they are your link to drugs....and baths...and visitors Call your General Practitioner and see about anti-anxiety medication or sleeping pills - you need to sleep BEFORE the surgery Don't jump to cancer conclusions until you know for sure Exercises - breathing exercises after surgery Find a person to be your advocate, to go to all appointments and take notes Get acquainted with your spiritual side, you'll be visiting Help your doctor help you, follow all instructions and ask questions if you aren't clear Ignore cancer statistics - they're outdated and dismal Just try to relax Kid around Laugh - it feels better to hurt when you're laughing than to just hurt Make the most of every day Never give up Obtain what you need to get you through (mentally/emotionally/physically) Promise yourself you'll get better Quit procrastinating Rely on others - healing takes some time Strength - you have it, find out how to get to it Teddy Bear - to hold when you cough, sneeze or laugh Understand you won't be back to 100% a week after the surgery Value the talent your doctors have, but seek others if you aren't happy Waiting is the hardest part Xrays for the rest of your life (or so it seems) You CAN do it Zen - that inner peace, again... Seriously, though, it hurts. One of the most painful surgeries there is, no doubt. Take the medication in the hospital, you are NOT a wimp if you need pain medication. Be nice to the nurses, they control the "temperature" of your stay - "please" and "thank you" go a long way. If you are getting bad care (i.e. a blood draw where they can't reach a darn vein) ask for someone else. Deep breathing and relaxation techniques help. Don't expect to sleep comfortable on your "normal side" anytime soon. Laughing hurts, coughing hurts, sneezing is a real bit*h...but laugh when you can, humor helps. Blood coming from anywhere is bad - let someone know immediately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted April 21, 2004 Share Posted April 21, 2004 Snowflake, You just amaze me. You are witty, wise, wild and wonderful. How do you manage to be all that all at one time? Thank you for being here. Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharKats Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 Wow! That's an incredible "essay" you wrote - I'm very impressed. I'm sclc so surgery isn't an option but if it were, this would be printed out in BIG, boldletters and it would be read daily. If I ever know anyone who is having any type of major surgery, I'm gonna give them a copy of this as it can apply for many different surgeries. Great job!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debaroo Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 OK, Becky, I am printing your ABC list and bringing a copy to my dads/moms oncologists office for handouts!!!! You ROCK!!!!! Great words of wisdom, great words of advice. You said it all. Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellakc2 Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 Snowflake, You never cease to amaze me. Did you ever consider writing a book? Seriously! You have a wonderful talent. You go girl!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeTaa Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 Becky - I was so glad to see this again. I just cut-and-pasted it into an e-mail document to my SIL to give to James' Mom up in Iowa. I know she'll appreciate it. Katha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamblerpl Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 I cut and pasted it and printed it on a real pretty piece of paper, framed it and now it's sitting on my desk at work. Thank you so much for these beautiful words of wisdom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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