How do you calm your mother's fear about operations?
By tanniebabe78
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
United States
June 3, 2008 6:09pm CST
My mom goes in for gallbladder surgery tomorrow and she is talking nonsense about dying. There is a greater risk if they have to open her up the old fashioned way, but I don't anticipate them having to do that. She's not obese or anything.
So other than just being there, how else can I calm her down?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@Desierra1004 (1213)
• Malaysia
4 Jun 08
Hie Tannie,most elderly are folks like that.I have experienced it with my own parents ( other surgeries ), they would get so worried and couldn't sleep for days. I reassured them by being honest all the time and answered their the questions they had besides encouraging them to voice out what were in their minds about the surgery - what will be going on every step of the way and that they are in goods of the experts.
And I also see to that whatever stuffs or favourites of theirs - food,things, were brought along to the hospital and requests were done as they wanted. At least these would alleviate some part of their stress that they were going through.
The most important of all is to be with her on day of the surgery as to give the full emotional and moral support. And better still with the presence of other family members or close friends.
Ensure that the room she is going to stay is comfortable, cozy and welcoming - place some flowers, those get well balloons to create a cheerful atmosphere. Jokes or humor will surely lighten up the tension.
Hope this do help and best wishes to you and mum - a speedy recovery :)
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
• United States
4 Jun 08
She isn't terribly old. 56. I just have no idea what is going on in her mind. You have some good ideas though. Thank you for sharing.
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
• United States
4 Jun 08
I understand. So far we have just talked about it online, but now the thoughts are there and it is hard to get rid of them. I have full confidence that things will be ok. Praying helps tremendously and all we can do is offer up our prayer and have faith that He will see to it. I have and I am.
@Cocoa33 (921)
• United States
4 Jun 08
hi. these days they have other ways of doing surgery. technology is getting better all the time. i would tell my mom she is going to be a sleep when they do the surgery. she will be feeling brand new. i would tell her to think of the end result. her health will be better. she can get back to normal before she found out she needed to have the surgery.
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
• United States
4 Jun 08
I think deep down she knows all this, but right now fear is overriding common sense.
@lilaclady (28227)
• Australia
3 Jun 08
I think fear of medical things is asomething that is hard to control, I know because I am like that and I know nothing that anyone says would help me, some feelings are just there, I guess you can just assure her that it is a routine thing that the doctors do all the time...I wish her luck with it..
