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| What I Did Right During My Hysterectomy |
Date : 04-10-2003 - 10:09 AM - Readers : 41454 |
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I love lists and hearing what others did to prepare for their hysterectomy. Any more suggestions for me? I want to do this right.
There are countless things that can be done to prepare but here is a list the HysterSisters have compiled to send you in the right direction.- Arrange the furniture in your bedroom or other recovery room to make things as easy as possible. For example, move the clock so it's easy to see, move in a TV (with VCR and/or DVD player) if there isn't already one, make sure the lighting is good for reading.
- Do a thorough cleaning of the recovery room so that the little things (a streaked window, for instance) don't drive you crazy those first weeks after surgery when you won't be able to get up and take care of them.
- If it is possible, move your computer temporarily to your recovery room, or borrow a laptop computer to use for a while.
- Rent a hospital tray table from a local medical supply store or rental center. Rates are often very reasonable, and they will often deliver and pick up with no additional charge.
- You might consider asking your family or caregiver to stock a small cooler with ice and juice, jello and pudding cups, etc. the first week or so.
- Stock up on favorite quick-fix meals in advance. If you have the freezer space, make double recipes of family favorites the last few weeks before surgery. Eat half for dinner -- freeze the rest to use after surgery.
- Consider getting a bed wedge and/or a body pillow. The wedge makes it easier to get out of bed, and the body pillow is great as you transition to side or tummy sleeping after your surgery.
- Get caller ID. This helps to screen calls even from well-meaning friends and family when rest is needed.
- Buy "thank you" cards to have on hand to respond to any thoughtful gestures.
- Make sure you have comfy clothing on hand. Cotton jammies, nightshirts, and underwear are very comfortable. Many times sisters report that drawstrings are more comfortable than elastic waistbands. The HysterSisters cover-up, found in the HysterSisters store, is the perfect length.
- Take a shower or bath (as allowed) and put on clothes and makeup every day -- even if "clothes" means sweats and fuzzy slippers and even if "makeup" is only moisturizer and blush. This tends to make you feel better. However, if dresssing suggests to family that you are "all better", revert back to your nightgown.
- Think about crafts and activities you can do easily from your couch or bed. Many sisters report that they have started scrapbooking, organized photos and filled photo albums, organized family recipes, or renewed an old passion for knitting or crocheting while recovering from a hysterectomy. There's always reading, writing, or watching movies, too.
- Don't be afraid to limit visitors. As well-meaning as your co-workers may be, having them come in every day for lunch may exhaust you, even if they bring all the food! Start slow and keep the visits short at first.
- Keep in touch with family and friends via email and with sisters on the HysterSisters message boards.
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