A Private Comment from a Good Friend

What follows is a private comment to the last post.  The person who sent this is very familiar with health problems, pain, surgery, and trusting God.  I appreciate her comment so much I wanted to share it with you.  The only changes I have made were to make her post anonymous.  Let me know if her wisdom shines a light on you like it does on me.
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Surgery is scary. I have had a zillion and I still get scared. Here are a few things I have learned:

1. Start praying now for your doctor, your surgeon, your anesthesiologist, and most importantly your nursing staff. The nurses are who really make a difference in how you feel before during and after! I found when I prayed for them and I had others praying for them I trusted them more...I guess that seems weird...but I did. Recently I find myself brave enough to tell them and my last team prayed for me with their hands on me. I slipped under with that going on around me...amazin!,

2. Your last question was the hardest one for me. Can I lean on others?   I am lousy lousy lousy at that! I hate asking for help, I hate not being able to do for myself, I hate feeling weak. That has changed some for me in the last two years. My husband was out of town and I had to have a rather painful procedure done and I couldn't be alone. I called a friend from church and she drove me and stayed with me for a while. When she left SHE thanked ME. She said it was an honor to be able to help and that I allowed her to be used by God.  Hmmmm...never thought about it that way. When I give in and ask for help I am not imposing I am giving them the chance to do what they've been wanting to do. It is still hard and I still don't ask when I should...but my attitude is changed.

3. I told you this once before...but I am going to say it again. Do not try to be brave and tough it out. Surgery hurts...quite a bit usually...and they give you pain meds to make it better. You will heal faster if you are not also fighting pain. Take the meds the way they tell you and you won't be addicted...you will heal.

4. Plan to do something special for Susan. Before your surgery,  make sure you have folks around that will support her, who will take her out to dinner, who will load the dishwasher...you know what I mean. Also make sure you let her know how much you appreciate her. Sometimes my husband gets worn out, but he won't tell me. Sometimes Susan will need permission to talk to someone about her fears and her exhaustion...help her find that person if she hasn't already.