Saturday, March 3, 2012

my pretty little surgery bag

This week I'm heading to the hospital for exploratory surgery. It's a minor procedure but it may end with me having my 4th c-section to clean up all the scar tissue from my previous deliveries.

I've been having a lot of anxiety over this. My first child's delivery was a pretty traumatic one for me and I ended up having some PTSD due to it. Thankfully after some therapy I was able to deal with my fears and have two more little ones.
But this time it's different, I will be going in for exploratory surgery and don't know the outcome and findings until it's finished. That scares me...a lot! Some of my old feelings and fears have been coming back. I'm working through them and know that everything will turn out just fine. At least I will finally have the answers that I have needed. Anyways, I thought that if I made myself a new pretty little surgery bag then I would feel better about the whole situation, or at the very least, sewing it will help me relax my nerves and calm my fears.
I'm pretty happy with the finished product but I do have to be honest, there are a ton of mistakes on this bag. For some reason I had a hard time with this one. I'm not sure if it was the pattern or me. The pattern was a little vague at times and I guess I just needed an easy sew. Ever feel that way?
I may not be excited for surgery but I sure am excited to tote around my pretty little surgery bag, even if it is to the hospital. So what does one pack in a surgery bag? I'm not sure but I'm all about filling mine with some trashy magazines, rice krispie treats, lip gloss, new yoga pants and my favorite hoodie. So what would you bring? Any good tips for lessening my anxiety?






at

16 comments:

  1. CarenMarch 3, 2012 at 10:13 PM

    Christina, I feel for you. I say go ahead and pack some of your very favorite cappuccino, flossers, chap stick, and ear plugs. Oh, and don't get down on yourself about flaws in the sewing - one word for ya: MOMMY-BRAIN! (Or is that two words?). I have some PTSD over the birth of my firstborn, too, so I know its hard. Do what you can, and leave the rest to God.

    ReplyDelete
  2. mustangkaylaMarch 3, 2012 at 10:22 PM

    *BIG HUGS* Your bag is adorable! I'd pack a favorite DVD or two (just in case there is a DVD player in your room), my kindle (or a good book), a crossword book, hot tomales....Slippers....don't forget slippers!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Feral TurtleMarch 4, 2012 at 12:59 AM

    Hugs from me too! Your bag is amazing, and I love the fabric choice. You will be the most fashionable one there! I agree with mustangkayla....slippers, and my own personal favorite, chocolate! I will be thinking about you and I am sure everything will go well! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. La PantiganaMarch 4, 2012 at 7:20 AM

    Espero que todo vaya bien.
    La bosa, preciosa y los fallos, si los hay, no se notan. Llénala de lo que te haga feliz.
    Pensaré en ti y te enviaré mucha energía para afrontarlo.

    ReplyDelete
  5. BeeSewSweetMarch 4, 2012 at 8:06 AM

    I sure hope all goes well for you. I can definitely relate to traumatic birth experience. You are doing all the right things by talking about the feelings coming back up and doing something you find soothing like sewing your bag. The bag is gorgeous by the way! I would also pack music - relaxing and calming. I always find music to be therapeutic. My thoughts will be with you and your little one.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownMarch 4, 2012 at 9:17 AM

    Sorry for the surgery, but just focus on the bright side a new baby! C-sections can be hard, even though I think mine went well I am still afraid to go through the pregnancy experience again. For the bag...i would make sure I had my iPhone for after surgery...it can be boring... I would also take flip-flops for the shower and slippers just in case and a baby outfit to, you kinda have to prepare for the surprise of a new baby or keeping they kiddo in longer too...and some pictures of your kids and other happy things just in-case you get too nervous before the surgery..something to focus on during pre-op. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  7. LynnMarch 4, 2012 at 11:42 AM

    Like your other friends here in blogland I will you well during your hospital stay. Your bag is lovely and I would include music for sure. It always has a calming influence on me...and, chocolate never goes astray either. God Bless you...

    ReplyDelete
  8. IsabelleMarch 4, 2012 at 2:11 PM

    Best of luck with your surgery! I think earplugs are a must, as sleep in a hospital is an elusive thing - stuff going on all around you! I also agree with the recommendations for reading material, DVDs and favourite teabags/coffee - it's the little things that help with stress. I hope all goes well and you are able to plan for a new little one very soon.

    ReplyDelete
  9. christinaMarch 4, 2012 at 5:29 PM

    thanks ladies you all are so sweet and kind. i dont normally talk about such things on my blog, but just felt that maybe talking about my feelings and such would help lessen my fears. and just to clarify, i am not preggers. they may be doing a c-section to get rid of scar tissue from my previous c-sections. golly gee, no babies in this belley:) although it would make the whole process easier.

    ReplyDelete
  10. BelindaMarch 4, 2012 at 7:06 PM

    ((Hugs)) All the best for you surgery. I will be keeping you in my thoughts.
    What a gorgeous bag! I love the fabric. What is it?
    I would have to pack a book or two and some camomile tea.

    ReplyDelete
  11. SabrinaMarch 4, 2012 at 7:52 PM

    Love your bag!

    I didn't make me one but I made sure I had MY pjs in my bag. lol I was staying 2 nights and they said I could wear my own PJs as long as they were tight around my belly. I also took my Kindle and Laptop...though only used the Laptop. I slept most of the time. lol Good luck with your surgery! And just breath, it will all be ok! Praying for you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. MommaMoultonMarch 4, 2012 at 8:04 PM

    Seriously that bag is absolutely ADORABLE! LOVE the fabric choice!!! Again...make sure you remember me for play dates when you become famous for your talent! Girl, I am praying for you!! Take one minute at a time if you need to! HUGS!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. NikkiMarch 5, 2012 at 11:34 AM

    Good luck Christina!! I hope everything goes smoothly and that the surgery is helpful!!!
    I get anxiety over surgery as well, actually I get anxiety with anything medical related. The thing I always do is when I start thinking about it before and get anxious, I tell myself to put it from my mind and I'll deal with it when I get there, and I force myself to think about something else. Then when I get there, then I let myself get anxious, cuz let's face it, when you're there, there's no stopping the anxiety. But it does help with not overwelming yourself before-hand.
    Again, good luck, and I'll be thinking about you this week!
    (LOVE the bag by the way)

    ReplyDelete
  14. sjoeMarch 5, 2012 at 3:51 PM

    ohh, all the best for you! hope, all goes well!
    the bag is really nice!
    take some books, a MP3-player with your favourite music on it and chocolate!

    *hugs* from Germany!

    sjoe

    ReplyDelete
  15. Theresa T.March 6, 2012 at 2:20 AM

    Love the bag :) So cute! I always have my iPod, wherever I go...Gotta have the favorite tunes! :) Good luck with the surgery! Praying everything turns out ok!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Kim @ NewlyWoodwardsMarch 13, 2012 at 2:03 PM

    Thinking about you during your surgery. The bag is quite lovely - I think you are being too hard on yourself because I think it's fab.

    ReplyDelete