I have a cold!

[MamaTo3inNH 100]

FML!! Surgery date is Monday and I've been battling a cold for three days. I'm not coughing except for a bit from post nasal drip. I am very prone to bronchitis - 9 times out of 10 a cold lands in my chest. I'm petrified my surgery is going to end up being cancelled. I am pushing airborne, zicam fast melts and zicam nasal spray... Along with lots of fluids and attempting to rest but that's tough with three kids lol.

Any input on what may lead a surgeon to cancel?

[anaxila 501]

I'm so sorry! There's someone posting in the January surgery forum that's going through the same thing, though i think her surgery is a week from Monday instead of Monday.

Time's getting pretty tight for a recovery. Have you talked to your surgeon's office? Have you seen a regular doctor? I think the likelihood of cancellation depends somewhat on the nature of the illness and how well it responds to treatment. If you go in to the doc, you may be able to get a massive dose of antibiotics or other treatment to speed things along.

[MamaTo3inNH 100]

I'm so sorry! There's someone posting in the January surgery forum that's going through the same thing, though i think her surgery is a week from Monday instead of Monday.

Time's getting pretty tight for a recovery. Have you talked to your surgeon's office? Have you seen a regular doctor? I think the likelihood of cancellation depends somewhat on the nature of the illness and how well it responds to treatment. If you go in to the doc, you may be able to get a massive dose of antibiotics or other treatment to speed things along.

I don't know if antibiotics will help a head cold? That's really all it is... Sniffles, slight hacking cough when I wake up from post nasal drip and sneezing. My head isn't even that congested. Im just nervous that between now and Monday it will travel to my chest kwim?

Im calling the surgeon tomorrow. My husband is like "Ifbyou have to push it off a week or two til his next opening its no big deal"... But I want to get this over with kwim?

[anaxila 501]

@@MamaTo3inNH, I totally know what you mean. In the grand scheme of things a week or two here or there doesn't matter, but once we get a date we WANT IT DONE ALREADY and any possible delay is grounds for a nuclear response.

It's a tough conversation to have with your surgeon to be sure. You don't want to oversell how sick you are and have them cancel, but you also don't want to undersell your symptoms and risk having a bad recovery. I think the only answer is to be as clear and precise as you can and see what happens. If it helps, know that they don't want to cancel your surgery either. There is an entire team of professionals and the highly-valuable operating room already booked, and there's no way to fill your slot on short notice if you can't be there. That's why I'm sure they'll have guidelines about what to do - to keep them honest too. Please let us know how the call goes!

[MamaTo3inNH 100]

Thanks anaxila... I'm calling first thing. I was just reading some forum (found on google search) someone took Benadryl for a few days leading up to surgery to dry out. I'm going to ask about that. I'll keep you posted after I speak to someone tomorrow!

[MamaTo3inNH 100]

I talked with my surgeon office. Was told since it is just a head cold (just my nose really) that it shouldn't be a problem. If I develop a fever or bad cough or really stuffy head to give them a call any time over the weekend. Also he said I should take Benadryl as regularly as I can tolerate over the weekend to dry out!

[anaxila 501]

@@MamaTo3inNH, that's fantastic news! It must be a huge relief. Now to just rest and get better before the big day on Monday!

[MamaTo3inNH 100]

@@MamaTo3inNH, that's fantastic news! It must be a huge relief. Now to just rest and get better before the big day on Monday!

Huge weight off my shoulders, so to speak