TVH - That was it? - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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TVH - That was it?

TVH - That was it?

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I came to the Hyster Sisters site a few weeks before my TVH, to get as much information about it as I could. I also wanted to learn about others' experiences so I would know better what to expect. Boy, am I glad I did!

I went into the hospital with my mother at my side, at 8:30 a.m. Surgery was scheduled for 10:30. Got changed, don't you just love the nighties they give you? And then the nurses came in to take BP and other vitals, along with some blood. I wasn't nervous at this point. My mother and I chatted while we waited. Then the nurses came with the gurney. Next I'm taken to the holding room, with my mother right there next to me. Here, they started my IV and the anesthesiologist introduced himself, along with the other members of the surgical team. Everyone was friendly and reassuring. The anesthesiologist came back and put something into my IV, and said, "Now you're gonna feel like you had a couple martinis pretty soon." I answered, "Well, that will be a new one, I've never had those." My mother laughed. They put warm blankets over me which felt wonderful. I held my mother's hand. THIS was when I started feeling a tad nervous. My mother told me I was breaking out in little hives all over my face. I kept asking the nurses what they were doing, when they added something to my IV or did something. My mother and I kept chatting, and within a few minutes the hives went away. I guess those two martinis were taking effect! I kept talking to my mother and joking with the nurses who came to check on me.

I have no recollection of falling asleep. My mother tells me I was awake and talking when they wheeled me out of the holding room into surgery. Next thing I knew I was in recovery and the very first thing I said was "Water, water." I was monstrously thirsty. No pain. The nurses spooned ice chips into my mouth for me and I think they had to do that a lot before I was satisfied for the moment. No nausea, nothing, just very tired. I think I fell back asleep. Some time later, I woke up and they took my vitals again and said I was ready to go to my room. They wheeled me to the room, where my mother was anxiously waiting. My doctor had told her everything went fine and I was doing well, but you know how mothers are! She was happy to see me for herself. The nurses helped me get into the bed, started the BP cuff and set it to inflate every 30 minutes (I quickly grew to hate that thing!). I settled in. My dad came in to say hello, which was a wonderful surprise, my folks live an hour and a half from me, and my dad made this trip, just to see me for 10 minutes, and then drove back home. My mother and I talked a little bit but then I fell asleep. Next time I woke, my fiance was sitting in the room with my mother and they were both smiling at me. I was so TIRED! I kept dozing off in the middle of a sentence. Jerry, my fiance, laughed at me about that. During the afternoon, though, I started having difficulty with some pain, I couldn't sleep through it. The BP cuff was inflating every half hour and my mother said she could hear me swearing like an Irish sailor, LOL! My BP shot up, my pulse rate was going too fast and I even asked the nurse, "Why is my pulse going so fast when I'm not even breathing that fast?" She started looking real concerned but then a different nurse who was a good friend of mine came on shift. Rae took one look and immediately took over. She asked me if I was in pain and I said, well, yeah... and she asked why I hadn't complained about it. I said, well it's not like those horrid cramps I used to have, so I thought I could deal with it. She frowned at me and said I should have spoken up. She saw the pulse rate and the BP and asked the nurse who was on shift before her why they hadn't changed the meds, and she didn't seem to have a clear answer (maybe I don't remember what she said). Rae took charge, changed the meds and before long I was sleeping like a babe and it felt much better. My BP and pulse went back to normal and the pain was GONE. So ladies, if you're hurting, SAY SO! You need to sleep! The other nurse had me on Percocet which was just not doing the job. Rae switched me to something with Demerol and it was much better. I never had morphine.

Next time I woke up, my mother and Jerry were still there but it was dark outside. I felt much better. Rae checked on me and said I was looking better too. Supper was just bland broth and jello, stuff like that.

From then on, I kept feeling better. They took off the BP cuff. I started needing to use the restroom. The first few times, it hurt a little to pee, but after that it was okay. I had to get up almost every hour through the night to use the bathroom, but then around 3 a.m. I complained and begged the nurse to slow the IV drip so I could get a little more sleep in before I had to get up again, and she complied.

Morning came and I kept improving. I got to take a shower and was happy about that. My mother came to visit with me and so I went to the shower. It felt good, but boy, I was so TIRED by the time I came back! I was glad to crawl back into bed. Breakfast was good solid food. So was lunch. Then I started having gas. I walked around and I was SO embarrassed every time I had to let out a little one...every one laughed and said it was normal, not to worry. Doctor came in and said I looked really good. He asked how I felt about leaving the hospital. Although my insurance had auth'd 48 hours, I really was eager to be back home. He said I looked very good and was comfortable with releasing me that night after supper. Jerry came in the afternoon and I took walks in the hall with him and my mother.

When I got home, after hugging my kids, I promptly parked myself in my recliner and dozed off. I was on and off like that all evening but it felt good to be home. I worried a little about not having had a BM despite three solid meals, so I asked the nurse before we left the hospital what we should do. She recommended Gas-X and Metamucil, and prune juice. Not necessarily together, understand! I had some discomfort with that the first few nights, but Friday, three days later, I had my first BM and it was such a relief! Kept taking Metamucil and prune juice for a few days after that, and soon I was back to normal.

Now, it's 3 weeks later. It's interesting to note that I scarcely had any bleeding since the surgery. Just a little pink which faded to light brown to almost nothing, now.

I still get tired, so I have to rest a lot, and I even tried a little expedition to Target which lasted all of 20 minutes before I told Jerry, "Take me home NOW." I went in walking just fine, came out walking like a pregnant lady! So I know I'm far from fully back in shape but I'm well on my way, and I have no regrets about the surgery at all.

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TVH - Teresa's TVH

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