Thanks again! Devices charging, soothing items packed. I didn't think of listening to books in time, sadly. But could download, I guess. Any recommended addictive TV? Someone suggested Jane the Virgin.

Foyle's War - prob my favorite
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries - Australian - 1920s
Doc Martin - quirky main character
Inspector Morse - oldie but goodie - another quirky main character
Endeavour - Inspector Morse as a young man

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. And I'd suggest "Happy Valley" for addictive TV--be warned, though, there is not too much happy in that outwardly bucolic but drug-fueled West Yorkshire valley. Sarah Lancashire is amazing as the smart, no-nonsense police sergeant who has issues at home, and James Norton is superbly creepy as the easy-to-look at, but severely twisted, Tommy Lee Royce.

Best wishes for everything - rest up as much as you can. My memory of it was that the pain was fine - they keep you well medicated - but that I was overwhelmingly tired. Rest was the best cure. Take care of yourself.

Sending you wishes for speedy recovery.

Sending more good wishes your way!
My only advice - take whatever they offer you for pain. There are no prizes for toughing it out : )

I second "Happy Valley," as per Gaylene. Completely absorbing and riveting. It's okay if you fall asleep while watching, though, that's normal post-op. Oh, and don't forget the frozen lemon juice. I have been using it like mad -- thanks for the tip!

Best of luck! Get lots of rest and enjoy spending a week watching tv (Did you go for the open surgery, vaginal surgery or laparoscopy? If you chose either of the second two, it may even be less than a week).

I second JAileen's suggestion about Morse and Endeavour. (I used to love Morse!). I hear Outlander is very addictive. You could always break out the Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth, too

Thinking of you tomorrow! I know the timing will never be perfect, but you'll be ready to enjoy your "normal" active life that much sooner for getting it done now.

Couple of notes about music: music therapists use what's called the "iso principle." The idea is to begin with music that matches the energy level and mood of the listener, and gradually move toward the desired effect -- relaxation, energy to do that last set of chest presses, etc.
For some people "relaxing" music is extremely annoying when they're really feeling a bit anxious. Sometimes, playing something more upbeat can be a way managing that sense of "I want to run away, but I have to lie here in this bed." I listened to the most hardcore music I could stand during my gum surgery. My surgeon was a singer, and wanting to talk about elegant choral music. He imagined that I'd be listening to the Brahms requiem -- but --- just no!

With Spotify and Pandora, it's easy to switch music up quickly, and without preplanning!

For watching: The Johnny Worricker trilogy (BBC -- starring Bill Nighy). The first one is called "Page Eight."

For listening: Well into your recovery, when you're getting bored, you could listen to the soundtrack of the musical Hamilton. Huge amounts of history unfold during the two hours. Not sure if you'll like it? Sample the first song: "Alexander Hamilton" or "Not Gonna Lose my Shot." This is a hip-hop setting, so it won't be "calming," but it's full of lines that stay with me during the day. I walked into my board exam reciting a Bible verse (Joshua 1:9) and this Hamilton line: "No one has more resilience, or matches my practical tactical brilliance!" Both were helpful in their own way!

Aw Una, wishing you a successful op and a speedy recovery.

I personally find foreign to really relaxing and use Walter Presents to access most programmes, I personally loved the following:
The Returned (has to be the French rather than the US version)
Thicker than Water
Blue Eyes

Good luck with the surgery and wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery! We'll be thinking of you!

Beth Ann, what fun and interesting insights you have - your music knowledge contributes so much here!

Busy compiling lists. I made the mistake of scheduling myself to work the day of surgery (which is in the evening)...

Hey wait, Una. I just realised you can spend all your down time here! Lol.

Sending all good thoughts your way. The best place to be with surgery is to have it behind you and be recovering, rather than anticipating. Glad you have extra support on hand. We're here when you need a distraction.

It seems like the date just came up so much faster than what I thought it would be but now that it's here it's kind of exciting.
I so appreciate all the details you've provided of your thought process, I have a less large version of same and I'm older than you, but it's not impossible that I'll find myself preparing for treatment in the future.
How great will it be to feel more like yourself again? Best, best wishes for an uneventful surgery and speedy recovery!

Visualize how awesome you will be very soon!

OMG I had better be thinner! Am going to jokingly ask doctor if he can throw in some lipo and a tummy tuck. As he's my best friend's husband I may be able to bargain!

I really hope for you that you're thinner, but I will caution, my uterus was described as "huge" by the surgeon, I can't remember the exact size...and I was puffier below the navel for months afterwards. I read online it can take up to a year for the swelling to subside. It's been a year now for me and my belly shape is no different. Lot's of other upsides, but a thinner belly was not one for me.

The surgeon described it to me like a plate of spaghetti with a meatball in it. If you take away the meatball you still have a big pile of spaghetti and it just all slides in to fill where the meatball was.

Una, I am so glad you are having things taken care of sooner rather than later. I will be thinking of you and wishing you successful healing. As for the hospital stay, you really won't need much. You will be in recovery, likely on some medication, for a while, and you will be out before you know it. When I was in for my surgery, I rarely got out of bed except when they made me!

I agree about not holding back on the pain meds they prescribe. As was already mentioned, there are no prizes for toughing it out and living with the pain, so take your meds and relax a little. It will help your body to heal if you don't overdo things too early.

But as I mentioned before, it didn't take me long to be back on my feet. What time I did have I mostly spent sleeping, so I didn't have a lot of time for reading or the telly. Best of luck to you!

I haven't looked at all of the other replies, but my first choice of what to bring would be a soft blanket. Even if you can get enough warmth with hospital blankets, they usually aren't comfy and soft. I will be praying for you tomorrow that all goes well and you heal quickly!

Just popping in again to say I'm thinking of you today, Una!

You must be headed off now. Well, they always seem to make you go in at dawn...Enjoy the sleep

Thinking of you Una and sending all sorts of healing vibes.

Actually, surgery is in the afternoon so I'm at work trying not to eat or drink anything! I had to shower with some crazy surgery soap this morning and no makeup. Or lotion - that's the worst part for me! Pre-op stuff all done yesterday so today I just check in and wait. Will update when it's all over... I feel so much better with YLF vibes!

Good luck today, Una!

Its 2:20 EST hope all is going as planned and sending positive vibes:)

Even surgery gets easier when YLF has your back! The air around you must be positively electric with all the good vibes speeding towards you today.

All the best Una! Thinking of you.

Ooh looks like I'm not too late after all to send best wishes!

Also, pay attention when they tell you how long you have to take it easy afterwards. Google "pelvic floor" if you don't believe me. (Maintaining good muscle tone that ensures bladder continence for years to come could be adversely affected if you do too much too soon. I am harking back to your previous thread where you talked about how long to be off work, and I didn't speak up then.)

Hope all is going well ... thinking of you and sending good wishes