Anyone else with an upcoming surgery worried about cancelation?

[Kathi_S]

After reading another post, I'm now a little bit worried about my surgery date getting postponed.

The real bugger is I had the option of Aug 4th, but I was worried that because it was exactly 3 months from original consult, it was cutting it too close for Medicare.

Now I have to wait until the 11th, and anything can happen between now and then.

Luckily, in our area, covid cases are up, but not too bad. Restrictions are getting tighter again.

I had covid in May last year. It was early in the process, and no one really knew what to do. We were really careful so I don't even know how I got it.

I woke up one morning and when I took off my sleep apnea mask, I couldn't breathe. I had to get up to use restroom and went back to bed, but could not catch my breath.

My husband woke up, was scared to death, poor guy. I have an inhaler for asthma, so I used that and it helped some. I then put my mask back on and went back to sleep.

We called the doctor later and were told that if we went to the ER they would test me and put me in isolation. I could not get tested any other way, as there was a shortage of tests.

We knew from watching the news that a lot of hospitals were using cpap machines instead of ventilators because of not having ventilators. My machine is not a cpap, it is an asv machine which is better than a cpap (I have complex sleep apnea, both obstructive and central).

Anyway, I was told to go to ER if I could not complete a sentence without taking a breath, or walk from one room to another without taking a breath. I pretty much ignored this advice.

I know me. The worst possible thing for me would be to put me into isolation for any amount of time with no available treatment.

So I stayed home, self isolated myself, used my machine and inhaler. My fever got as high as 104.5. I was sick for 40 days.

I was miserable, mostly because I couldn't go anywhere. The breathing was only bad at the very beginning and at the very end. After all my symptoms ended, I remained isolated for 3 more weeks, just in case.

The only human contact I had was with my husband and he never got it. He was tested for the antibodies and had some, but not enough to definitively say he had it.

When the vaccine became available, my doctor advised me not to get it because of the side effects people who had the virus experience. But because of concerns of my daughters, and the fact that I was going visit my new grandson, and hopes that the economy might get going again, I decided to do it.

After the 1st vaccine I felt like I was hit by an 18 wheeler. I was down for a week. After the 2nd vaccine I felt like I was hit by a train! I was down for at least a week and thought I might not get back up!

Now I am wondering why I put myself through this. Is anyone else as frustrated as I with this whole covid thing?

 

[missyinacage]

I am extremely frustrated by the whole covid thing. Especially since until we get everybody vaccinated, it's just going to keep mutating. Eventually, we mayget a variant that is either more deadly, highly resistant to the vaccine or even more contagious. Although they are now saying Delta is as contagious as chickenpox?!?
That being said, I would not think that you have to worry about your surgery being postponed at this point. It's relatively soon, being less than 2 weeks away and I'm not sure that anyone in charge would be willing to shut everything down again unless it's absolutely necessary to stop overcrowding of hospitals. The group at the highest risk to become severely ill and/or need hospitalization is also the group that has the highest rate of vaccination, which should help.

 

[3momchaos]

I’m legitimately extremely stressed about covid more now than last summer or before my surgery. My husband, 12 yo son, and I are vaccinated. My 10 yo twins aren’t age eligible. They all did virtual school last year, but they want to go back this year and I completely support that decision for their emotional and social well being. They decided last year what they wanted to do as well, and I was fine with it because the school district didn’t know how to handle quarantine. The district is at this time mask optional, and that’s what scares me. My twins are good with wearing masks since they’re unvaccinated. But, if the 12 yo contracts covid or carries it at all, he’ll be ok, but the twins won’t. My daughter has weak lungs and I am so frightened of what this could do to her. I’ve encouraged my 12 yo to wear a mask when school starts, but I also have to acknowledge that middle school kids can be jerks and if he’s bullied or made fun of for wearing a mask, I will be dealing with issues surrounding that. It’s a no win situation. I can’t wait until my twins can be vaccinated. I wish the district would mandate masks until all k-12 students qualify for the vaccine.

 

[Jniz]

Kathi sorry it hit you so hard but i agree with missy & 3 mom 100%.

I know 6 people quite well who have died from Covd. My neighbor said he would never get the vaccine in great health his respiratory system is now probably compromised for life. His family is now vaccinated.

If nothing else it is our responsibility not to infect others.

J

 

[Kathi_S]

I'm not saying people shouldn't get vaccinated. I got vaccinated (against my doctor's advice) not because I necessarily needed to, but for the comfort of those around me and in hopes it would help recover the country. Every member of my family was vaccinated.

I'm just frustrated by the whole situation. I worry not only about the health of our people, but the future of our country.

The problem is, people are afraid of the vaccine. They don't trust the government to tell us the truth. Day after day we hear conflicting reports on what is going on.

Please don't misinterpret what I am a saying. I am frustrated with wearing masks, and social distancing. I think these things are destroying the mental health of our country. But I do comply with restrictions 100%. I don't always agree with them, but I would never put the health of someone else above my convenience.

Keep in mind, the reason the masks and social distancing are so hard for me is that I suffer from social anxiety. When I walk into a store of masked people I see a store of armed kidnappers. The social distancing has taken away years of progress I have made with learning to interact with strangers.

 

[JudyNY]

I think we are all getting Covid fatigued. This has gone on for way too long and it could get worse before it gets better. Just when you think that it's safer, there is more reason to be concerned even if you have been vaccinated. Still, it is better to be vaccinated then not.

Kathi, I applaud you for getting the vaccine to protect others even though you were warned against it personally for you. So sorry that you experienced Covid last year.

I hope that the under 12 kids get the go ahead for the vaccine soon, I think they said maybe September. 3Mom, I certainly understand your worry. May they stay safe and healthy!

 

[Roni]

I am vaccinated I wear a mask anyways. I don’t trust those who don’t wear a mask. I live at a central transit area and next door to Missouri only about 100 miles from the ozarks a high transmission hot spot. No one there gives a hoot about taking precautions. Get a mask print on it I am vaccinated I don’t trust you. With Delta even the vaccinated can be carriers.

 

[3momchaos]

Kathi I totally understand what you’re saying. I know people who had covid and are now refusing the vaccine. But I know more people who had covid and happily got the vaccine even though it knocked them down a little. It’s all frustrating. I want to go out without a mask and not worry about bringing something home to my kids, but it’s not that time yet. I hope we get there sooner than later because too many people are dying who didn’t have to.

I’m editing this post to add this-I understand there are medical reasons as to why people cannot get vaccinations, so when I stress about vaccines, I’m talking about those who can and should for themselves and others. If everyone were to care for themselves like they do the person they love most in this world, we’d live in a different type of society. So Kathi getting the vaccine not because you thought it necessary for you, but for the safety of others is exactly what this pandemic needs.

 

[love2read]

I found out my surgery will be postponed if the hospital doesn't have the staples by tomorrow. My surgery date is August 16. I live in an extremely isolated area. I've finished two days of the preop diet. I hope I don't have to repeat those two days.

I am vaccinated I wear a mask anyways. I don’t trust those who don’t wear a mask. I live at a central transit area and next door to Missouri only about 100 miles from the ozarks a high transmission hot spot. No one there gives a hoot about taking precautions. Get a mask print on it I am vaccinated I don’t trust you. With Delta even the vaccinated can be carriers.

My workplace is moving toward no social distancing. I shall practice social distancing. On the news it said that 9% of hospital COVID admissions are vaccinated. No vaccine is 100% effective on everyone.

 

[Kathi_S]

Sorry to hear about your postponement. I hope you don't have to wait long.

 

[love2read]

Sorry to hear about your postponement. I hope you don't have to wait long.

It's 4 to 6 weeks, they think they can get staples here by then. I think it's going to be much longer because of supply chain logistics. Thank you.

 

[love2read]

I’m legitimately extremely stressed about covid more now than last summer or before my surgery. My husband, 12 yo son, and I are vaccinated. My 10 yo twins aren’t age eligible. They all did virtual school last year, but they want to go back this year and I completely support that decision for their emotional and social well being. They decided last year what they wanted to do as well, and I was fine with it because the school district didn’t know how to handle quarantine. The district is at this time mask optional, and that’s what scares me. My twins are good with wearing masks since they’re unvaccinated. But, if the 12 yo contracts covid or carries it at all, he’ll be ok, but the twins won’t. My daughter has weak lungs and I am so frightened of what this could do to her. I’ve encouraged my 12 yo to wear a mask when school starts, but I also have to acknowledge that middle school kids can be jerks and if he’s bullied or made fun of for wearing a mask, I will be dealing with issues surrounding that. It’s a no win situation. I can’t wait until my twins can be vaccinated. I wish the district would mandate masks until all k-12 students qualify for the vaccine.

Wow, that all sounds very difficult. It sounds like things will get better after your twins are vaccinated. I hope they can do that soon.

 

[love2read]

I'm not saying people shouldn't get vaccinated. I got vaccinated (against my doctor's advice) not because I necessarily needed to, but for the comfort of those around me and in hopes it would help recover the country. Every member of my family was vaccinated.

I'm just frustrated by the whole situation. I worry not only about the health of our people, but the future of our country.

The problem is, people are afraid of the vaccine. They don't trust the government to tell us the truth. Day after day we hear conflicting reports on what is going on.

Please don't misinterpret what I am a saying. I am frustrated with wearing masks, and social distancing. I think these things are destroying the mental health of our country. But I do comply with restrictions 100%. I don't always agree with them, but I would never put the health of someone else above my convenience.

Keep in mind, the reason the masks and social distancing are so hard for me is that I suffer from social anxiety. When I walk into a store of masked people I see a store of armed kidnappers. The social distancing has taken away years of progress I have made with learning to interact with strangers.

Social anxiety can be very difficult to deal with. I don't like going to the bank because I scan the place for anything out of the ordinary, because I'm so concerned about the bank being robbed while I'm there. There was a drunk man in the bank, and I couldn't understand why other people didn't notice and pay attention to what he was doing. Decades ago, it was very hard for me to go to the bank because I had so much anxiety about it. Now I'm only hypervigilant.

I hope that you can get your confidence back when COVID-19 is gone. Some people are helped by counselors, you could think about it. Some people use a meeting app and communicate with a therapist that way due to COVID-19. You are the only person who knows what's best for you. Take Care.

 

[Kathi_S]

Social anxiety can be very difficult to deal with. I don't like going to the bank because I scan the place for anything out of the ordinary, because I'm so concerned about the bank being robbed while I'm there. There was a drunk man in the bank, and I couldn't understand why other people didn't notice and pay attention to what he was doing. Decades ago, it was very hard for me to go to the bank because I had so much anxiety about it. Now I'm only hypervigilant.

I hope that you can get your confidence back when COVID-19 is gone. Some people are helped by counselors, you could think about it. Some people use a meeting app and communicate with a therapist that way due to COVID-19. You are the only person who knows what's best for you. Take Care.

I talk to a therapist weekly. I have been in and out of therapy for years. I restarted therapy during covid, as I could see the isolation was setting back years of previous therapy.