When it comes to your health, things can change in an instant if something isn’t right. One minute you are in the emergency room and the next you are wheeling down to the OR for emergency surgery.
That’s the exact situation I found myself in a few months ago. I wanted to share my story with you all in case you find yourself in a similar situation. Hopefully my experience and advice will help you feel prepared, and less scared, should you need it.
My Emergency Surgery Story
Flashback to August with me for a second. I had been having awful stomach discomfort for a little over a week. The doctor didn’t seem too worried and told me to take Ibuprofen.
The next day I just couldn’t take the discomfort and pain anymore and went to the hospital. I just knew something was wrong. After a bunch of tests, including a CT Scan and ultrasound, they determined what was causing everything.
It turned out that I had gallstones and my gallbladder was in bad shape. The doctor came in and said I need to get my gallbladder removed and my response was, “okay, when?” When he told me, “as soon as possible” I couldn’t believe it! I’d had surgeries before but they were always planned far in advance. I didn’t know what to think.
Processing The News
I should say that I went to the hospital around noon and didn’t get admitted to a room until around 7PM. Not only had I not eaten anything since breakfast, I also couldn’t really eat anything until after my surgery the next day. To say I was hungry, concerned, and tired would be an understatement.
Thankfully I was able to eat some Jello, and drink water of course. I talked it through with my mom, she had gallbladder surgery when she was around my age, and called family to update them. Then I just slept and waited for my surgery to come. Did I mention this surgery was taking place the day before my birthday? Talk about bad timing.
Recovering From Emergency Surgery
The surgery was a success and my recovery went smoothly. I stayed in the hospital for an extra night and got to go home on my birthday. Sleeping was uncomfortable at first, and getting up and down was definitely a chore.
Day by day I got better though. I ended up going back to work a few days later, with promises to take it easy. Overall the experience wasn’t too bad, although I wouldn’t want to do it again.
What I Learned Through My Emergency Surgery Experience
This was my first, and hopefully last, experience having emergency surgery. Even though I had no idea what to do or how the process would go, there are a few things I did that I believe helped me tremendously. I’m sharing it with you today so you are more prepared than I was if it happens to you.
1) If you think something is wrong, trust yourself
I can’t imagine how much worse things would have been if I kept going without having a check as soon as I did. I could have had a gallstone attack, or worse. All that to say, trust your instinct and advocate for yourself if you feel something is wrong.
2) Ask questions
While you are with the doctor, surgeon, and/or nurses be sure to ask whatever is on your mind. They are there to ease your nerves and can tell you how the process is going to go.
3) Try to remain as calm as you can
The situation of emergency surgery is for sure scary, especially if you’ve never had surgery, or if going under is scary to you. It’s important to stay calm through it though. Getting overworked and anxious is only going to make you feel worse.
4) Lean on your support system
I’m thankful I had my mom there since she had experience already. It eased my nerves, but I know that doesn’t always happen. Let your loved ones know what is going on and be honest with how you are feeling.
They will hopefully be able to keep you calm. After the surgery, have someone help you recover by taking you home and set into your new, temporary routine.
5) Don’t go on an internet deep dive
I know it’s tempting to search online about your surgery. Let’s be honest, that may even be how you found this post. I promise you your search will only do more harm than good.
Save the research for after your recovery starts. All you are going to do is get yourself worked up by listening to horror stories from others’ experiences.
When I finally did start researching to learn about my new normal without an important organ, all I saw were horror stories. That would have definitely freaked me out before surgery.
6) Find a way to ground yourself throughout an emergency surgery
Whether you believe in praying to God, enjoy meditation, or like to journal about big feelings, find something in this avenue to help ground you. You’ll likely be feeling overwhelmed. I know for me, praying for a successful surgery eased my mind in a way that nothing else could.
7) Take your recovery seriously & slow
This goes without saying, but don’t force yourself to be as good as new too soon. Give yourself time to heal and become used to your new normal. For me that meant spending a few days laying down, and a few weeks of restrictions at work.
I tried to keep moving a little through my days because I was told that would help. Other than that I took a pause on my life and let the healing process do its thing. Before I knew it I was feeling as good as new.
Final Thoughts on Managing an Emergency Surgery
I wouldn’t have picked the day before my birthday to get my gallbladder surgery, or any day really. I’m glad all went well, and continues to go well though. Any surgery is scary, especially emergency surgery. Hopefully you’ll feel a bit more prepared if it happens to you.
About the Author
Kelly graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Even though it took her a little while to find her career path, she was always meant to be in Communications. She remembers writing poems and songs when she was a little girl and pitching to my parents the reasons why I should have a cell phone when I was a teenager. She currently has a blog (budding-joy.com) where she talks about her weight-loss journey, mental health and personal development. Her hope is to encourage and inspire readers and let them know they are not alone. Reading blog posts like that are what helped her in tough times and she wants to pay it forward. She loves dance fitness, listening to music, and creating layouts in her bullet journal. She's a big fan of planning, especially when cute notebooks and pens are involved. Her dream job has changed so much over the years; right now she'd love to co-own a dance studio.
Website: budding-joy.com