TAH/BSO - Epidural endurance at the castle - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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TAH/BSO - Epidural endurance at the castle

TAH/BSO - Epidural endurance at the castle

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Over the last few years I tried everything to avoid the final option of a TAH/BSO for severe endometriosis - on the pill, off the pill, laproscopy, pain killers, etc. etc. In the end, my patience with all of the pills and waiting had run its course so I had a date.

Because there was the possibility of my intestines being involved, my doctor wanted everything as clean as a whistle so I got to do a couple of days on a liquid diet and then perform the home Fear Factor stunt of drinking 4 liters of thick, salty electrolytes (listen to your sisters, dears - ADD THE CRYSTAL LIGHT!!). I spent my last night before the surgery no more than 10 feet from the bathroom. So much for a little togetherness with my dh before the 6 week dry spell. The next morning we had to leave at 6 to get to the hospital by 8 (love that traffic!). I kissed my sons good-bye and prayed that they would stick to my carefully prepared checklists to get ready for school.

After talking with the anesthesiology team the week before, I had opted for an epidural. I'd had two c-sections previously, one with a general and one with an epidural. Even though I got a spinal headache with the epidural, I really felt like I'd bounced back much more quickly from the brain fog with that option. At the hospital the morning of my surgery, I began to have second thoughts, though, as the med student made three attempts to get the needle in right. The attending finally jabbed me just right and there went my ability to feel my legs. I kissed my dh good-bye and was wheeled into the operating room.

Waking up from the twilight sleep afterward was as gentle as I had hoped, and my dh had great fun tickling my feet without me knowing. I was greatly relieved to hear that my surgery had not been unnecessary - my left ovary had become fused to my colon and uterus, and my bladder had also gotten stuck to my uterus. My doctor said, "It was a real mess."

After an hour or so, I was wheeled across the street through long hallways to my room. Things were going well with the pain, and I was able to get all three balls up on my breathy-thingy that first night. I didn't need PCA since I was still kind of numb from the epidural. Later on, I would have just about killed for it. During the night, my lower back started to hurt and by morning I had pain around my hips and down into my thighs. To add to the discomfort, my catheter wasn't draining properly. Thank goodness I got rid of it early that morning. I was miserable laying down (there was no sleeping through the pain) but still too weak to stand or sit much. They tried a stronger pain killer, but that only made me nauseated. I threw up three times (my roommate and I took turns retching that day) and was in utter agony by late afternoon. Fears that the epidural had caused a hematoma began to surface so I was sent down for an MRI. I prayed so hard in that tube, flat on my back, for relief and strength. God gave me that and a hot flash. He's so funny.

The tests came back negative for internal bleeding so I got started on steroids for inflammation and a nerve soother used for epilepsy to quiet the irritated nerves in my back. Relief at last!! I got 6 hours of sleep that night, listened to the most amazing and welcome noises coming from my middle, and then was blessed with solid food for breakfast! I took a couple of walks up and down the hallway, met a nice man named Flavio who had just had part of his lung removed (we joked about a race), and then took a shower. Bliss! I felt so much better than I had the day before that the staff decided I was ready to go home. My guys arrived just after lunch with my special tummy pillow for the car ride and whisked me home.

I'm a week post-op now. I've already experienced what can happen when you overdo - total wipe-out the next day. My colon is learning how to function properly again but boy, is it painful. I've had to relearn Lamaze breathing to get through the 'birthing process' each morning. I can cruise around the block, roll over in bed without waking up, and managed to put away a decent Thanksgiving dinner at the neighbors' house today. Things are looking way up, and I can't wait to see how good I'll feel when I'm all healed and everything works the way it's supposed to. Listen to your sisters - they are wise, caring women. Don't try too much too soon, rest, walk, drink and repeat!

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