Jim,
Thanks, I'll try not to obsess over it! But you're right, I do think about it often! I try to distact myself, I have taken to praying that helps for a while, until I fall asleep, then I dream irrational thoughts.
Would you recommend that I meditate? I already see two therapists.
Mike
Mike ~
Because I had only a very short time period between my AN diagnosis and debulking surgery (
barely 3 weeks) and my
only option was the surgery (
Retrosigmoid) I didn't spend too much time worrying, although I was, naturally, concerned. However, I did a lot of praying and many others prayed for me, which was a major source of comfort. Some stress will be relieved once you have a doctor, facility and treatment plan firmly in place. At least it was for me although anxiety often increases as The Big Day draws closer.
Based on my experience, I don't have any concrete suggestions for the best way for
you to deal with your fears other than to make peace with the reality of the tumor and be confident that it will be removed with no real complications. I can mention that focusing on others instead of yourself is usually something that helps alleviate stress. If meditation has worked for you (
to relieve stress) in the past, than you should certainly employ it. I'm sure other posters will offer calming techniques for you to consider.
Going into surgery I had the attitude that I was going to be O.K. and was determined to 'get my life back', post-op. However, I understood that this operation was an unavoidable risk that I
had to take. No one, including my doctor, could guarantee a complication-free outcome. I was fortunate in that I suffered no real complications from the surgery (
or later FSR). I certainly hope this will be your experience.
Jim
