Abdominal Hysterectomy - TAH/BSO - Quinny's experience

		HysterSisters > Our Hysterectomy Stories Articles
Abdominal Hysterectomy - TAH/BSO - Quinny's experience

Abdominal Hysterectomy - TAH/BSO - Quinny's experience

Date : 04-06-2000 - 07:20 PM - Readers : 899

Printer Friendly Version

quinny
(12/16/99 10:16:47 am)

Quinny's experience......

11-28-99 Quinny (aka- Lisa)'s Hysterectomy
( written 4dayspost-op)---TAH/BSO-11-24-99

This all started about 5 years ago when the doctor spotted a fibroid on my uterus. After several more ultrasounds, and the growth of at least another fibroid, my uterus became the size of a 5-month pregnancy. I was wondering why I was feeling so much pressure in my abdomen! And I was beginning to
lose some bladder control when I sneezed or coughed ("oops"). I had been used to the heavy periods and the pain……he couldn't believe I had waited it out this long. Anyway, he did give me the option of a myomectomy (just removing the fibroids), which he said is a more complicated operation, with the chance of the fibroids coming back and leading to yet another operation.

Although I am "only" 39 years old, with no children, I opted for the Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (taking the uterus and cervix). I'm not married and I think I may be too impatient to become a parent at this age (I can always adopt, right?). I have worked with "troubled" children for 17 years, which may
have something to do with losing that maternal instinct.

So, I scheduled the "TAH" for the day before Thanksgiving---figuring I might lose a few pounds by skipping the turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes! And hoping I'd be well enough to participate in the upcoming Christmas parties!

(This is about the time I discovered the wonderful Hystersister's site. It has been so informative and the Princesses are so supportive)!

I prepared to live in my living room for a few weeks. I made my couch into a bed, filled a basket full of everything I could think I would possibly need, etc. My bedrooms and shower are upstairs-I sure didn't think I would be able to go "up there!"

The big day came (had my pre-op appointment the Monday before….and the doc said he didn't plan to take my ovaries -due to my age- unless he could see that there was something wrong with them when he "got in there)."

My mom took me to the hospital and I checked into my room (5:00 AM, thank you very much). The nurse gave me an enema and had me do a betadine douche. While I was in the bathroom doing my business, she started saying, "they're here, they're here….are you done yet??" I told her they'd have to wait another few minutes-and they'd be glad they did! In the rush, I poured the red douche solution all over the floor and my gown and had to change (lovely).

Then down to the "holding room" with about 6 others, waiting with our IV's and little blue hats. The anesthesiologist and his assistant came in to discuss how they were going to take "real" good care of me and I would "do just GREAT………but there is always the risk of complications…blah, blah, blah, including DEATH"!!! Both of these guys were really cute too-and about my age---I was wishing I had my makeup on and my little blue hat tilted at the best angle!

While in holding, the nurse shaved every dang pubic hair I had (I hate it when that happens)!

They took me into the operating room and strapped my arms down (out at my sides), like they were afraid I might jump up and punch them, in the middle of the operation or something! When the doctor came in, I asked him if he would put my uterus in a jar for me to keep (I thought it would make a great
conversation piece). He said he couldn't do that, but he would take a picture of it for me.

I woke up in recovering, feeling quite peaceful-must have been the Dilaudid. I
asked the nurse if they took my ovaries and she said yes. When I asked why, she told me to ask the doctor. He came in and said he took them because, "You told me to!" I told him I did not recall telling him THAT! Oh well, too late now. And I didn't feel like getting up and punching him at the time.

Went up to my room, where my mom and cousin were waiting. I smiled and waved at them. They seemed surprised I was so alert. The doctor had visited with them earlier and he had given them the picture he took of my uterus. It looks like a big ham---pretty neat! I felt pretty good all day---got some shots of Demerol in the butt……..just felt mild cramping. Had several visitors---one
friend brought me a purple feather boa---it made things quite festive (Matches my Hystersister T-shirt)!

The next day (Thanksgiving), the nurse took out my catheter and made me go to the bathroom. OUCH-that first time out of bed hurt---my incision was stinging and pulling. The other times were much easier, but I had the dang IV in and it was making me pee a lot. I had been on liquids and wasn't having any problem keeping anything down (I saved the Thanksgiving menu: Chicken broth, orange gelatin, grape juice and ice tea---Yummmm).. I even made several trips down the hall (upright).

The doctor came in Thanksgiving Day to tell me I was doing remarkably well----as well as anyone he's seen. I decided not to confront him about the ovary thing yet.

Later that night, I got my chart and found the Informed Consent I had signed, saying he was only doing a TAH. I happened to have a camera in my room and took pictures of it---and some other things in my chart! I felt like Agent 99.

Later, a friend, who is a RN, and was working in ICU, came to visit. We discussed the ovary "mistake," plus that I wanted to take out that dang IV. The doc hadn't answered his page of 5 hours before….She said, "Just take it out---people do it all of the time." Of course we knew by this time I really didn't need it and had already had my IV antibiotics, etc. and the nurse was trying to get a hold of the doctor to get the order to take it out. My friend helped me take it out and told me to call the nurse (because she couldn't turn off the IV----or they'd know she did it of course)! She left and I
called the nurse and told her I "tripped" and it came out (it had been plastered to my hand). She said, "uh huh….." and let it go at that. Amazing I didn't hurt myself anywhere when I "tripped."

The next day came and I was ready to GO HOME. I got dressed-in real clothes, walked to the gift shop with a friend, roamed the halls, etc. Later the doctor came in and gave me my HRT patch. I then asked about the ovary
"mistake" and he actually said he was wrong!! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.I'm still debating what to do about THAT!

I came home at 2:00 on Friday. I asked the nurses if they were going to escort me down in a wheelchair. They said, "I don't think so, honey." (I thought that was some hospital policy)?

Had lots of friends over the first day……….been lying on the couch milking it.
Then I went upstairs to my bed. I sent Mom home. I can hardly tell I've had anything done and I am feeling a bit guilty after hearing other stories.

I'm going to the mall today with a friend---I will use a wheelchair, just for the fun of making her wheel me around!

Quinntheskimo1@aol.com

Printer Friendly Version

HysterSisters is girlfriends with -- Moms Who Think - - Girls Get Going -