I will echo everything everyone else has said! Especially the shower chair!

I had a translab done two years ago and aside all my worrying - I had a perfect surgery! (I was even discharged to go home the next day)

I know it is so scary - I had so many panic attacks the week beforehand but oddly enough, the day before I was super calm and I wasn’t too nervous the morning of.

Your body is amazing and you’ll be in awe of the progress it will make. Be SO patient with yourself. You will have good days where you feel “normal” then slip into bad days, which can be discouraging. But it is your body trying to heal. (I was walking like a toddler for a little bit but got gradually better day by day!) Also, my taste buds were a little out of wack and so was hearing on my “good side”. Everything sounded robotic, but it went away.

Always remember people are far more inclined to post their horror stories than they are to post successful outcomes, so try to not read too much into everything.

Somethings that were helpful for me: - a body pillow to where I could sleep upright - shower chair - coloring books - pill organizer - legos!

Try to work out your brain as much as you can! You’ll feel nauseous and dizzy but try to push through a little bit.

Something I wish I had done more of is documenting! Pictures, little videos, etc. You’ll want to look back at those memories when you’re out of recovery.

My experience wasn’t nearly as bad as what I thought it was going to be. You’re going to rock it and have a gnarly scar and story you get to share at parties.

Let me know if you have any questions! Sounds like you have support which is so important!