Hi everyone. I don't post here too often, I read more than anything, but I am feeling a bit nervous today. My son is having his second j-pouch surgery on Thur. aug. 2. I've been doing fine, but I just can't believe it's only 2 days away now. I am really starting to get scared and worried all over again. I can't wait till this is over.

Wouldn't be nice to be unconscious like the patient when a family member is in surgery so you would not have to spend all that time wringing your hands? Having Deja Vu? It happens to all of us. You can't just forget your past experiences no matter how much you tell yourself to relax. I bet your son is perfectly calm....

Time to start digging up all your soothing/calming methods so you can be Mrs. Cool & Collected for the upcoming surgery. Pitch all the excess stress so you can concentrate on healing thoughts for your son.

And of course, when that does not work, come here and vent!!

Good luck to you guys!

Jan

Good luck to Aaron, yourself and your family on Thursday. We'll all be thinking of you guys and wishing Aaron a successful surgery and speedy recovery.
There are lots of us here that have been through the stress, worry, fretting, nervousness, agitation, fidgeting, edginess etc of the waiting while a loved one is in j-pouch surgery. While he's in remember to try to relax as much as you can, have a calming herbal tea and before you know it you will see his smiling face in his room/recovery and he'll be well on his way to healthy, better times.
Will you have someone with you to talk to while you wait? Support for the caregiver is very important so don't forget to take great care of yourself so that you can be in great shape to look after Aaron. He's lucky to have a fabulous mom like you!
Please let us know how it goes.
Nicole

Hi Melinda,
Just wanted to send good thoughts your way...I know you're a bundle of nerves, but try to trust that everything will be just fine...and Aaron will come through with flying colors! Stay strong, please let us know how things go.
All the best!

Thank you everyone and Jan.... your exactly right. My son is perfectly calm. Everything is fine for him and here I am scared to death. This is his second J-pouch and I am really filled with uncertainty. I can't help but think about how the rest of his life is going to be, but I am hopeful that he will have more healthy times now.

Nicole, my husband is meeting me at the hospital tonight. We are checking in this morning and he is coming right after work. His parents will also be there for a good part of the day thursday. I don't think I would be able to go through this alone. I have a very wonderful and loving husband and he will be right there for me as always. I am very fortunate in that aspect.

Well I have to stop procrastinating and get ready to leave now. I will post an update here somewhere after the surgery.

well.... now I am feeling like an idiot! My son's doc got a little mad at me earlier. He told me that when I came here for Aaron's consult over 2 weeks ago that he told me I would have to put Aaron on clear liquids the day before he was admitted for surgery. I honestly only remember him saying this would be done at the hospital... he is here a full 24 hours before the surgery. I called the hospital yesterday.... a day before we we're to be admitted... and I asked them if there was anything I needed to do.... I guess I spoke with the dancing monkey cause he didn't know anything.

Long story short.... their trying to clean him out and it's looking pretty good, but the doc said he would cancel the surgery if he didn't feel he was clean enough and he really seemed pissed at me. I told him he doesn't know what I go through or everything that has happened at my house in the past week. The last time Aaron had surgery my refrigerator quit while he was in the hospital and this time my hot water tank quit a couple of days ago.... so I had to hurry up and get that fixed before we came here.

The good news.... the dancing monkey that just came into our room said his output looked pretty clear, but i'm still mad. Maybe I shouldn't be, but I didn't need anyone giving me heck today.

Yep, I'd be grumbling too. But on the other hand, I'm sure you did this on purpose so you could go through this whole process at a later time, right? And you enjoy putting Aaron through this as well. I'm also sure the surgeon gave you WRITTEN instructions which you promptly lost just to irritate him!

You should explian to him that since you did all this on purpose, perhaps he'd make sure to give his future patients instructions - in writing - and have someone on his staff call before admittance to make sure everything is done. I'm also thinking this is especially important to do for his 'future' patients/parents since you're already a lost cause.

Yep, I'd be grumbling!

I'll keep everything crossed that everything continues to run clear.

kathy

Hi Melinda,
I found this and thought it might help
http://www.growingupibd.org/
Tell Aaron he is not alone

Thanks Holly... i'm checking out this site now. I haven't checked this thread in several days.
Melinda