I’ve made myself a very personalized to-do list in preparation for my upcoming surgery. In no particular order:
- Make sure all my loosest, most comfortable clothes are clean and ready beforehand.
- Check out some good mystery novels from the library.
- Go hot tubbing with my husband. I love water and won’t be able to bathe or swim for six weeks (showers are allowed, ).
- Have sex. I’ve been told numerous times “nothing in the vagina for six weeks.” Okay then. I am going for it while I can. Even if I dissociate some (a lot) of the time, my body enjoys it. Plus I think I have a fear it won’t be the same afterwards.
- Finish as much yard work as possible beforehand. See if I can get the spinach and lettuce planted.
- Take my dogs to the river to play.
- Write a short letter to the floor nurses in the hospital, expressing my need to know exactly what is happening before they touch me.
- Pick out glasses frames. I have had a new prescription for my glasses for three months and haven’t made time for frame shopping. But it will feel good to have new glasses; it will make it easier to read those mystery novels.
- Schedule a massage for the day before surgery, and go out for sushi that night.
- Go to the grocery store ahead of time and buy my favorite fruits and vegetables.
- Update my Netflix list.
- Thank my uterus for its years of service. Maybe not for all the period cramps, but certainly for growing my two children.
- Send loving thoughts to the child that started to grow in my uterus but who never came to be. I haven’t forgotten.
- Tell my abdomen I’m sorry for complaining so much that it should be smaller, instead of appreciating its smooth skin. Promise it that I will learn to make friends with the new scars, too, since they will remind me that I can take care of my health.
- Spend time every day doing breathing meditations. Make them a little longer than usual.
Sage Burning 
Best of luck for the hysterectomy. I’m sure you’ll get out of it safe and sound.
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That’s the idea! Thanks for the good wishes.
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Great comforting list Q. I found the worst part of my surgery was the anticipation and worry. Once I had it, there were lovely drugs, and all I had to do was lie around and recover and heal. It may be similar for you. So try not to worry! (If you are.) take care.
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I’m worrying less now than when I first found out I needed it. I’m actually looking forward, not to the surgery, but to the time to rest. It’ll be okay, I think.
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What a wonderful list! It’s so good to see how well you are taking care of yourself and planning ahead for this.
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I really am committed to taking better care of myself (in between periods of self-loathing and self-harm–which at least are not lasting as long as they used to when they show up).
The hot tubbing was today, in a private outdoor setting with high walls, and gorgeous weather, really wonderful.
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Really thoughtful list – I imagine even if just one item on here gets done, it will help so much with the recovery period. Sending support for you, Q!
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What a good idea, writing your list – feels like you are touching base with everyday life and love. Sure the extra time meditating helps.
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Good job on the lists. List making is a good skill.
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[…] the last two years or so. I don’t feel I’ve ever fully recovered my energy after my pelvic organ surgery, almost 23 months ago […]
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