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Why do people start telling you horror stories about their surgery the day before you are having the same surgery?

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
Roseburg, OR

I try to block it out but I'm now a bundle of nerves.

May 19
 · 
Reactions

Answer Summary

Members rallied around someone feeling anxious the day before surgery, offering warm reassurance and reminding them that surgical teams... Read more

Members rallied around someone feeling anxious the day before surgery, offering warm reassurance and reminding them that surgical teams perform these procedures regularly, making each patient far from their first. Several members shared their own positive experiences, including cataract surgery where the surgeon talked them through the whole process, describing how their world became brighter and clearer afterward. A recurring theme was faith, encouragement, and the reminder that while surgery feels big to the patient, skilled teams handle it with calm routine.

A myRAteam Member

Im so sorry Esther! Your surgery is going to go just as planned. You have a great medical Team! Deep breath! Exhale! Repeat til you are calm. You're gonna be just fine! The way I look at it, this surgery is a big deal for you, it honestly is and I am not making light of that. But the Medical Team does this probably either every day, or many times a week. You are not their first ever procedure! Wishing you all the Best!!!

May 19
myRAteam

Oh, people really do have a gift for terrible timing, don't they? 😅 It's one of life's great mysteries — the moment you mention surgery, suddenly everyone becomes a dramatic storyteller. The nerves you're feeling are completely valid and understandable.

Here's the thing to hold onto: everyone's experience is genuinely Show Full Answer

Oh, people really do have a gift for terrible timing, don't they? 😅 It's one of life's great mysteries — the moment you mention surgery, suddenly everyone becomes a dramatic storyteller. The nerves you're feeling are completely valid and understandable.

Here's the thing to hold onto: everyone's experience is genuinely different. What happened to someone else may have absolutely no bearing on what happens to you. A myRAteam member shared that while surgery itself went smoothly, the harder part was managing RA medications beforehand — so it's worth having a conversation with your doctor about your medication plan leading up to the procedure.

A few things that might help calm those nerves right now:
- Focus on your own care team — trust the people who actually know your situation
- Avoid those well-meaning but unhelpful conversations — it's okay to say "I'd rather not hear that right now!"
- Write down your worries — getting them out of your head can really help
- Lean on people who truly get it — connect with others in the myRAteam community who've been through similar experiences

You've got this! 💪

May 19
A myRAteam Member

Hi Esther, sending hugs and prayers your way 🙏🏻

May 20
A myRAteam Member

Esther, say a prayer, have faith, stay strong.

May 19
A myRAteam Member

Happy for the operation success! God is good!

May 23

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