TVH/BSO - Home from the Castle - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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TVH/BSO - Home from the Castle

TVH/BSO - Home from the Castle

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Well fellow princesses, I had my TAVH with ovaries and tubes removed last Friday, 11/19 and now am home. Here is my castle experience as best as I can recall.

My surgery was set for 12 noon on Friday, which was later than what I wanted, but anyway, got up about 7:30 am on Friday, (Slept well the night before with a little help from my friend Prince Xanax LOL). Took a shower and was allowed clear fluids up until 8:00 am. Got to the castle with DH and son, daughter and her finance at 10:00 am. They kept me in the surgery waiting room until about 10:15 and then called my name and took me back to the preop area where I changed into the lovely gown and they started my IV. Once I was changed and the IV in place my family was allowed to come back with me and wait. I didn't think I was that nervous but my blood pressure was 162/92 and my pulse was about 108 which are both high. I didn't feel that scared but evidently I was!!!! The nurse was very nice and talked to me about what would be happening, etc. Everyone who came in repeated the same things and made me tell them exactly who my doctor was and what surgery I was having, just to make sure. Then the anesthesiologist came in and was a very nice younger man. He joked around a lot and explained all the risks, including according to him, "blindness, death, tornado's, hurricanes, monsoon's, armagedeon, the end of the world", etc. which made me and my family laugh. Finally he explained that he would put me way out and I told him anesthesia makes me sick so he promised he would try not to let that happen. They put a patch behind my ear to combat vomitting and then told my family time to go. That is when it got emotional for my DH and I. I kissed my children and my soon to be son in law and then DH kissed me over and over and we told each other how much we loved each other, very tough moment for both of us and then off I went to the OR. In the hallway to the OR the anesthesiologist put something in my IV (Versed) and then we got to the OR and the nurse made me scoot over onto the OR table. I remember that. And I remember huge, huge bright lights right above me. I also remember the anesthesiologist asking me where I wanted to go today and I said "Hawaii or Costa Rica" and he said "Let's go to Hawaii" and I told him great and that's all I remember. Next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery. Someone was saying "Tammy, Tammy" and I was struggling to open my eyes. I was amazed there wasn't much pain. After about 20 minutes I woke up enough that they decided to take me to my room. I was amazed I wasn't hurting more. I was slightly sick to my stomach however, and they gave me something in my IV and I felt better almost immediately. Once in my room my family was there and it was a great reunion. I felt good enough that about 2 hours after going to my room I wanted to walk and they got me up and DH and I walked around the floor. However, my doctor called and evidently she wasn't too happy about how far I walked and told the nurses "No more" for tonight. I had the boots on my legs the first 24 hours to prevent blood clots and the morphine drip which I used very little. The first evening I was only allowed a clear diet which I tried to eat but made me a little nauseated so I didn't finish it. My hubby was allowed to spend the night with me and he did both the first night and the second night. The morning following my surgery I was allowed a regular diet and needless to say I was starving. I got the cath out and the IV the day after my surgery and again I was surprised about how I wasn't hurting all that much even though I did take Percocet every 4 hours. I took a shower the day after my surgery and that made me feel so much better. I hardly bled at all after the surgery which again I was surprised. I was released on Sunday and was glad to leave the castle. They were very nice but frankly you just can't get much sleep there what with them coming in every hour or so to check vital signs, empty the cath bag, draw blood., etc. I am so glad I took some earplugs and eye mask to help drown out some of the noise and light from constant stream of nurses, aides, etc coming in the room at all hours. The worse part has been no bowel movement since last Friday (today is Wednesday) even with stool softners, but started Milk of Magnesia today so hopefully that will help. I had some trouble starting my urine right after they removed the cath, but run water in the sink and just sat there on the stool for about 10 minutues and once it started no problem since then. I have been drinking tons of water and trying to rest quite a bit since coming home. I am amazed at how little pain I have had, managing it for the most part with Ibuprofen, and rest. I hope everyone's surgery goes as well as mine and that everyone's outcome is what they wish. Turns out the cyst on my ovary was not cancerous but did have prolapsed uterus, and endometreosis in the fallopian tubes and what with my strong family history of ovarian cancer I don't regret them taking both ovaries. For me it was the right decision. Thanks for all the advice and posts, they truly helped me to prepare for this.

Tammy

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