Dear Teen Going Through Surgery
A Letter from Someone Who's Been There
So, you just got the news that you’ll need surgery. Your initial thoughts and feelings? Probably devastation, heartbreak, sadness, and frustration. I’ve been there and trust me, it’s normal to feel this way. You might think no one can understand what you’re going through, but as someone who has also been where you are, there are many who have felt the same.
The first thing I want to say is this: allow yourself to feel everything. Don’t shy away from the emotions that surface. If you need to cry, let the tears flow. If you need some time alone, take it. Sit with your thoughts and give yourself the space to process. Try not to stay stuck in those feelings, but let them move through you.
When I first heard I needed surgery, it took weeks to process. I remember standing in my high school gym class, and WHAM the tears hit me out of nowhere. My gym teacher asked if I was okay and even asked, “Is it about a boy?” Later, I laughed to myself. Oh how I wished it were that simple. Those moments will come unexpectedly, so prepare yourself with ways to cope when they do.
The Emotional Rollercoaster
Hearing you need surgery can feel like going through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance. At first, you might think, This can’t be real. Then comes the anger and the “Why me?” questions. Bargaining might sound like, Maybe there’s another way... maybe I don’t really need this. But eventually, sadness settles in as you realize what you’ll miss—dances, sporting events, movies with friends.
Then one day, something shifts. You recognize that this is your reality, and you accept it. Not because it’s easy, but because you’re stronger than you think.
Your Comeback Story
Now for the good part: what comes after a setback? You guessed it, the comeback. Everyone loves a good comeback story, and you’re about to write your own. The best news? So much of your journey is within your control. You can control how you prepare for surgery, the foods you eat to nourish your body, the rest you give yourself, the people you lean on, and how hard you work during recovery. No, it won’t be easy. But the greatest achievements in life rarely are.
This experience will change you in ways you can’t yet imagine. It will teach you resilience, deepen your gratitude for small joys, and show you just how much strength you have within.
Visualize Your Comeback
Here’s a challenge for you: take a few minutes each day to picture your comeback. Close your eyes and imagine what it will feel like to move past this chapter. Picture yourself at full strength, doing the things you love. Imagine the pride you’ll feel knowing you overcame something tough.
You can even write down a few words that describe you- strong, courageous, warrior etc. Keep those notes and that vision in your heart and return to them whenever the road feels tough.
You’ve got this. One step, one day, and one week at a time.
Rooting for you always,
Michaela
