HELP - Suddenly scared of complications

[HopeandAgony 566]

I've completed almost all requirements. My last evaluation is the first week in September.

About a week ago I had a sudden strong sense of dread set in about being one of the small few who suffer serious complications. I try to keep abreast of the complication stories so I am prepared and I think now that I'm close to go time, the complications page has finally scared me...significantly and seriously. I don't want to end up in the ICU for weeks or months. I can't be away from my family like that. I can't be away from work like that. I've been thinking that I shouldn't do this.

I have had 7 prior surgeries. I've never been scared, but I've also never sought out stories on complications either for those other surgeries.

Please talk me off this ledge. I am a very rational person and I know this is good for my future. I know chances of complications are low. I have worked so hard over the last 6 months, I can't give this progress up, but I also can't shake this sense of dread. Anyone else go thru this and how did you cope with the fear?

Edited August 27, 2015 by HopeandAgony

[Bndtoslv 292]

Research your surgeon and follow his or her instructions. My surgeon said that 50% of leaks are caught while you are still in the hospital. The second half are generally caused by not following the rules (50% of the remaining complications). That leaves very good odds of being fine!

[dsheive 100]

Follow the rules in hospital and at home. They do a test the day after surgury to check for leaks you wear compression sox and they check on you continuously. There are no guarantees but trust your care givers and surgeon.

[wantingabetterlife 364]

I was scared prior to surgery, really scared. BUT, my primary doctor had told me that I was a walking time bomb. I could have had a stroke or heart attack on any given day. Living with that feeling every day was scarier to me than the risks of surgery, At least I felt like I had some control of one of the situations! I finally realized that I could sit back and do nothing or take a risk and get healthy.

[Babbs 14,681]

Risk vs benefit, my dear. The benefits FAR outweigh the risk.