I haven’t written for a while, I’ve been helping my mother prepare for and recover from triple bypass surgery. Helping people prepare for surgery, using guided imagery and energy work or my CDs/mp3s Transforming Surgery and Transforming Cancer Surgery has been one of my sidelines for many years, but this was a little too close to home.
What did I learn from the experience? I learned the sweetness of sitting by her bed all night in the Intensive Care unit and holding her hand, tapping on her when she was scared and disoriented, holding an energetic space of love and safety around the person who did that for me when I was young. That the human body, even at her age, is still capable of miraculous healing. And that our hearts are so much bigger and stronger and more resilient than we think.
What does it mean to prepare for surgery?
I always look at things from the four levels – body, heart, mind and spirit – so for me, preparation is a fourfold process. As a nutritionist, I look at how to support the body for the trauma of surgery. Support the liver with liver protecting herbs like milk thistle to help it efficiently process and detoxify anesthesia and other medications. Fortify the body with antioxidants to counteract the free radical onslaught that surgery creates. Arnica formulations like Traumeel to minimize inflammation, swelling and bruising. Plenty of protein to re-build tissue, plenty of water to help your system flush out all the toxins.
But there is so much more to surgery than the physical. Mentally, emotionally we all have images of what it will be; usually images of wounding and invasion and trauma. And that’s where guided imagery can be so helpful – helping us to re-frame and transform our images and expectations and create a healing experience for ourselves.
Spiritually, any experience can be a powerful lesson, an opportunity for growth and healing on unexpected levels and surgery is no exception. One of my clients who worked with me before a mastectomy for breast cancer said of our work “… In our first meeting, my sense of dread was completely transformed, so that I now faced my surgery with a sense of adventure, embracing the opportunity for growth. The meditation and visualization work I did with Carol allowed me to tap into a core of strength and balance which continues to support me.” That is the transformational potential of surgery!
My mother came through her surgery and is recovering beautifully. At 85 years old, I am impressed with her spunk. I have been involved in many surgeries, many with clients, several of my own. This was a special experience, one that I was honored to be a part of. ~Carol
My husband had triple bypass in April 08. He did so well he was discharged early and scheduled to begin rehad with two days after being discharged. (He was 72.) He was doing well at cardiac rehab until Nov or Dec when he constantly made excuses not to go. I finally figured out the reason. Any exertion made he short of breath. His cardiologist said a stent would fix the problem. It didn’t. I made an app with a pulmonologist. He was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a condition found in smokers. He’s never smoked and neither have, yet we both are suffering the effects of having lived with a chain smoker for 42 yrs (my dad and first husband) and he from having been married to a chain smoker and playing in bands in clubs since he was 14, breathing all of the smoke that used to be present wherever liquor was served.
The scan done before his bypass clearly showed the fibrosis, which is a terminal condition. The surgeon never made any mention of it. This is just a word of caution in the event your mother begins to have shortness of breath and is taking good care of herself. Duke is on oxygen 24/7, but still cleaning carpets (his biz) and playing in bands.
My stress comes from not being able to convince him to stop the carpet cleaning, using chemicals that exacerbate his condition and the physical part is a big strain. I know in spite of what I and others close to him have tried to tell him, he won’t quit until he is no longer able to drive to the jobs. He left at 9:30 am to do a carpet job, telling me it would only take less than 2 hrs. It’s now 5 hrs since he left. I’ve tried to do all the stress reduction techniques, but watching my beloved husband shorten the time he has remaining is breaking my heart.
Thanks for listening and my best wishes to your mother.
Annette
Dr. Carol:
So good to read of your mother’s great recovery from the traumatic surgery she had to undergo. I’m sure your presence and work worked a big part in her healing.
Good health to all of you in the coming days.
Dr. Bob