As I write this today, I am preparing for the most significant surgical procedure that I've needed in my life.
On September 2nd, I'll undergo an ACDF. In plain English, that's spinal surgery on my neck to remove severely degenerated discs and have three vertebrae fused together with a titanium plate.
As I approach 59 in a few weeks, this is fairly early in life for this degree of degeneration and stenosis, but with four severe cases of whiplash between 1992 and 2024, here we are.
I am also reflecting back on 2007.
That was one of the most incredible years of productivity, change, and physical challenges in my life.
I was a single mother with two daughters at home, ages 12 and 17. I had just begun my training as a hypnotherapist. I was working full-time in Corporate America with two side jobs, and...
...I had THREE surgeries.
Needless to say, I made it through all of that with flying colors, but whoa, 2007 was full!
My first surgery that year was in early February. I had been suffering severe sinus infections for years, and the procedure was to correct my deviated septum. To this day, I reflect on that surgery as life-changing because I don't think I'd ever been able to breathe properly through my nose before then.
Then came the ACL reconstruction on my left knee due to an injury I'd incurred in late 2006 while sparring in an Enshin Karate class.
This procedure was set for March 28th, a Wednesday. I was in my first few weeks of hypnotherapy training and my instructor, the very gifted Zoilita Grant, offered to use me as a demonstration client for surgery preparation hypnosis on Saturday, the 23rd, an offer that I later realized was significant!
I was grateful, as this procedure was going to have me down for a couple of weeks, and I was much more nervous about this than the sinus surgery.
The protocol for this preparatory hypnotic process is to, once in trance, ask the subconscious permission to release any fears associated with the surgery or recovery and to walk the subconscious through a mental rehearsal of the best possible scenario.
As I sat down beside Zoilita to begin the demonstration, I shared my fears and trepidations; we talked about the procedure itself, and we began the session in front of the other students.
Zoilita is a true pioneer in the field of hypnosis. She is an author, military veteran, speaker, and the creator of hypnotic coaching, so trance came easily with her guidance.
One by one, Zoilita asked my subconscious permission to clear each fear, and it agreed. I could literally feel myself getting lighter as each fear lifted.
Then, she began the mental rehearsal.
She walked with my subconscious through the day before the procedure and told me how well I'd sleep that night. She told me how at ease I would be when I arrived at the facility. She went through a few aspects of the procedure itself and how skilled the doctor and staff would be. She began speaking about waking up from anesthesia with ease and having very little bruising or swelling, very little pain, and even said that I'd be able to walk the same day as the procedure!
ALL of which came true!
She verbally walked me from the day before the surgery to the six-month mark after the surgery and I had an amazing recovery!
Now, here's where this gets interesting...
In September of 2007, the meniscus in my right knee tore. The pain was far worse than the ACL tear!
However, the procedure to repair this surgically is far less in-depth than the other two. It takes literally about twenty minutes!
Knowing this was a less significant procedure, and that it was going to be conducted by the same orthopedic surgeon who did my left knee, I did not opt to do any hypnosis prior to this third surgery.
In the words of Julia Roberts from that famous scene from Pretty Woman, "BIG mistake... Huge..."
The pain, swelling, and difficulty walking were brutal. I was stunned. This was the simplest of the three, and I was supposed to be able to walk in a day or two. It took about a week or two and the pain endured for months.
So...
Lesson learned.
As I began my practice in October of 2007, of course, one of my offerings was surgical preparation hypnosis. It wasn't my primary offer, but anytime someone has a procedure coming up, I'll share the process with them and offer to conduct it because I know what a game-changer it is!
As I approach my surgery two weeks from today, I've done this process in self-hypnosis numerous times. I've become very versed in self-hypnosis and have added some significant metaphysical and spiritual aspects to this as well.
And while I welcome all the prayers, healing vibes, and offers of a casserole that have come my way from those I've shared about the procedure with, my intention in sharing it here today is to say that I've added Surgery Preparation Hypnosis as an official offering on my one-on-one session page.
Going from diagnosis to the arrival of this day has been an incredible ride of emotions.
I've felt disappointed in my aging body, then elated that it held up so well in a matter of minutes.
I've gone from fighting the idea of this surgery over the last two years since it was first recommended to complete relief that the process is available, which now comes with a clear knowing that it will create a much deeper security in my bodily strength and ability to age.
I've felt the fears relating to the risks and the pain I may experience during the recovery to a deep faith that years of divine connection and growth bring richly to the soul.
I feel supported spiritually, supported by loved ones, and supported by the capability of my own mind.
This is what inspired me to make this an official offer for you to keep in mind should you have to go through any procedure that makes you uneasy in the future.
"Not all angels have wings. Some wear scrubs."
-Unknown
And some are on standby for any reason you need them,
Paula~
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