[amante]

ok, so I have a 3 year son who will go back to the same hospital that butchered me and left me disabled to have his tonsils out on this Tuesday. I saw my PDoc last night who felt that this will have a tremendous set back and impact on my PTSD. I am already a nervous wreck with the idea and thought of having to walk back into the place that ruined my life, wanted to ask if any of you can share some tips on how I can get through this difficult day on Tuesday. If you can share how you coped when faced with triggering factors I might be able to get through the day without having a mental breakdown, my son needs a strong, capable mother by his side for the operation, not a sniffling crying mess. Thanks for sharing.

[lynn P.]

I think I went through a period of 4 months where I had Pstd but I didn't know that's what it was. It happened after I was confronted by 2 men who broke into my house. Your situation is much worse though. Is there additional medication you could take that day and will you have someone else there with you.

I think you might find comfort in knowing, if you do this, you will feel better afterwards. Meaning when we confront what scares us, we feel better afterwards. I think it would help in knowing that it's normal to feel scared and it's okay to let the feeling come, but you don't need to runaway. Visualize yourself there by your son's side and supporting him. Maybe do some slow deep breathing. Have your son bring his favorite stuffed animal and you hold it for him during the surgery. I hope his surgery goes very well. I'll pray for both you.

[amante]

Thank you so much lynn, I will take a fav. teddy for him, and I hope that facing the hospital, I can help myself too, I know I'll be leaning on my faith in God, it sort of hits you hard when your T, tells you what impact it could have on you and that it could set you back. All I need is to move forward from the disabling event, not backtrack. Your advice is great and I plan on using the slow breathing and confronting my fears and panic. Thank god I don't have to do it alone, my Husband will be by my side. My biggest worry is that I might run into the surgeon who butchered me in the holding area before my son goes into the OR. yikes. I pray I can get through this.

[Catherine2]

Amanda,
Lynn's advice was spot on...
I'm glad your husband will be there with you...if necessary, he can take over if you absolutely have to leave.
My thought about your pdoc making that statement is yes, it is going to impact you but it does not have to be a setback. Perhaps as Lynn suggested, it can bring you a bit of strength and power...

Best wishes,
Catherine

[AtreyuFreak]

I don't really have any advice that hasn't already been shared with you. I just want to say that it must be awful knowing that someone who could hurt you like that is still in a position of power!! It would be so much easier if he'd been fired; if everyone's abuser could just vanish, it'd be a lot easier to deal with. Sorry I'm not much help lol :/