Pre-Op Days

Five days until the laparoscopy. I can't wait until this cyst is out of my body. But as it gets closer my anxiety grows stronger. Aside from getting my wisdom teeth extracted when I was 18 way back in the 80s, I have never had surgery. It is the fear of the unknown that makes me most nervous.

Three days ago I went for a pre-op appointment at the hospital where the surgery will be performed. A nurse went through my medical history. She told me that I can't eat solid food the day before. Fine, I can handle a day of broth, jello, and apple juice. Bring on the clear fluids. Then she mentioned that the doctor has requested that I have an enema the evening before surgery. Yikes! Oh, boy. She said it's not so bad and that it makes me clean down there before the operation. I've never had one before, and I have no idea what to do. Here's hoping it comes with good directions. Perhaps I should start stretching exercises.

At the end of the pre-op I met with the anesthesiologist. When he walked in the room my immediate reaction was: "Are you old enough to be a doctor?" He looked to be in his mid-20s. Maybe he was a child prodigy, or perhaps he just has a baby face because his chin-length hair looks very 1990s. He was very professional and eased my fears about anesthesia by going through the process with me.

I just want to get this cyst out of my body and move on.