TAH/BSO - My Castle Stay - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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TAH/BSO - My Castle Stay

TAH/BSO - My Castle Stay

From the Abdominal Hysterectomy Stories Articles List

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Options to Hysterectomy
Pre-Op Hysterectomy
Post-Op Hysterectomy
Hormone and Menopause
Intimacy after Hysterectomy
Pelvic Floor
Fitness after Hysterectomy
GYN Cancer
Grief and Loss
Endometriosis
Uterine Fibroids
Hysterectomy Stories
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I'm now 3 weeks post-op from having a TAH-BSO for a 12 week fibroid uterus and some endometriosis. Everything went smoothly during my stay and I was treated so well by everyone I came in contact with. First I arrived at 8 AM on the ambulatory surgery unit accompanied by my DH and my mother. My surgery was scheduled for 10 AM. A nurses aid called me from the waiting room and took me back to the unit where I changed into a gown, slippers & robe. She took a set of vital signs, did a partial shave and had me go in the bathroom to take a Betadine douche. When she left the bathroom, she didn't lock the door and you can just guess what happened - Yep, another patient came through the door just as I was in the middle of my douche. I thought I would die, but I think she was probably more embarrassed than I was! Next, the nurse took my history and gave me a pair of TED stockings to put on. I started to get real nervous thinking this was the biggest procedure I had ever had done, but I knew it needed to be done and that I was in very good hands. I just couldn't take the pain, swelling, and 2-3 day absence from work any longer. I was actually becoming fearful of getting my period every month due to the pain. My mom & DH were allowed to visit with me for a short period before they took me to surgical hold. Once I was in surgical hold, I met my anesthesiologist. He actually topically numbed my hand before he inserted my IV which was great. I hardly felt a thing! Then a nurse anesthetist came over, introduced herself and said she would be working together with the anesthesiologist and that she was going to give me something to relax me. My Dr. came by and we chatted for a few minutes. Next, they were wheeling me across the hall into the OR. I must have dozed off because I only remember them banging my gurny on the door frame on the way out and we all laughed about it. I was out cold before I ever got to the OR. I was grateful that they also inserted my foley catheter once I was under anesthesia! Surgery was about 2 1/2 hours long and my Dr. told DH that I did fine, he made the incision where my c-section was done, and that one of the fibroids was the size of a tennis ball and had distorted the shape of my uterus. When I woke up in recovery, I felt something in my nose. I tried to brush it away and then I realized in was a nasal cannula for my oxygen. I was pretty out of it and never even opened my eyes, but I could hear them talking and someone said I did well and that I only had a 250cc blood loss. Then they took the clip to the pulse ox off my finger and told me they were taking me to my room. I woke up as they were wheeling me in my room and I was very pleased to see I was getting a private room. I had requested it even though we found out it was going to cost me $76/day. When I had to get from the cart to the bed I nearly cried from the pain. Plus, my lower back was aching me so! They must put you in some strange positions on the OR table! They took vitals, cleaned me up, put those pneumatic TEDS on me, showed me how to work my PCA pump and then let DH & my mom in to see me. I was really hurting, but still too groggy to remember to hit my PCA pump. The nurse helped me on my side, which made my back feel better. Then she came back with a shot of Vistaril and I fell back asleep. That helped get my pain under control and then the Dilauded in my PCA pump worked great. Later that night, the evening nurse helped me to sit on the edge of the bed to dangle my feet. I became nauseated, but didn't actually vomit. I was hooked up to so much stuff it was hard to move in bed or even get comfortable. The next morning (Fri.) the nurse came in and removed my catheter. Withing 10 minutes I had to go to the bathroom. Until my bladder got used to not having that foley, I was in that bathroom about every 15 minutes or so and that was annoying me. It was just too painful to have to get in and out of bed that much! I had been running a low grade fever that they were keeping a careful watch on. The next morning (Sat.) I took a stroll in the hallway with my IV pole. I was glad to have that to grab onto at times. I was on the maternity floor and I just loved walking down to the nursery window to see the babies! What a great incentive to get me up and moving! Late Sat. night, my nurse ran into my Dr. down-stairs and she asked if I could have my IV discontinued. From then on I could have Percocet for pain, which worked well. I had my first nightsweat that night and woke up feeling like a gummy bear. Shortly after I fell back asleep, but woke up about 2 hours later all wet again. Instead of putting on my call light, I walked down the hall to the nurses station to ask for a pain pill. I mentioned to the 2 nurses sitting there how I had woke up wet twice and they both nodded their heads and said how surgical menopause is very sudden. Same thing happened the next night and then a few mild hot flashes throughout the day. By Monday morning I was ready to go home. Tired, but ready to sleep in my own bed! So far, so good! I've been taking it easy. DH & kids are helping out a lot. Within a few days of coming home I caught a nasty cold which is still lingering on. Boy, coughing the way I do really made my incision hurt! I know my steri-strips could have come off 1 1/2 weeks ago, but in my mind I think they offer me some kind of support or protection when I cough, so I left them on. My first outing was Sat. evening to my son's football banquet. I rested up all day to prepare myself since I've noticed that I'm usually worn out or tired in the evenings. I was allowed to drive after Monday, but didn't really drive until Wednesday. And the only reason I did was because I need things for Thanksgiving. Even though I'm doing very well, I just don't quite feel comfortable driving around town yet. So, I guess I'll just keep taking baby steps for now. I'm suppose to return to work after the first of the year. I hope I'm ready by then. All in all, I couldn't ask for a better hospital experience. The care I received was prompt, kind & gentle. They really made me feel like a princess.

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TAH/BSO - My Castle Stay

TAH/BSO - My Castle Story

Find A Doctor Near You

Sean Kossari, M.D. 14901 Rinaldi Street Suite 320 Mission Hills CA 91345 818-365-1616	Aram Bonni, M.D. 25108 Marguerite Parkway Suite A-259 Mission Viejo CA 92692 949-916-2100	Quanita Crable, M.D. 8160 Walnut Hill Lane Ste. LL-001 Dallas TX 75231 (469)364-3764
Mark Richey, M.D. 1200 Airport Heights Ste 205 Anchorage AK 99508 9072724443	Francisco Garcini, M.D. 1870 Silver Cross Blvd Suite 210 New Lenox IL 60451 815-463-3000	Jennifer Hayes, M.D. Visionary Centre for Women 2695 Ulmerton Rd Clearwater FL 33762 727-540-0414
Wilfredo R. Ramos, M.D. 5301 F Street, Suite 210 Sacramento CA 95819 (916) 453-3440	Mayra J. Thompson, M.D. 5323 Harry Hines Blvd Dept OBGYN Dallas TX 75290 214-645-3888	Kimberly Newman, M.D. 10030 Edison Square Drive Suite 100A Concord NC 28027 704-403-7670

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