 TAH - Sandy's Story - sandyr |
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sandyr
(1/22/00 2:37:23 p.m.)
Sandy's TAH Story (long)
I had my TAH on 12/29 because of large fibroids and pain.
Here's my story: I stayed up late on Tuesday (the night before), did some chatting with friends
here, and waited until I got tired before getting a few hours of sleep. I got up early on Wednesday and took a nice hot shower. A friend came over to take care of the kids for the day (4.5 and 1.5) - the baby had the flu and had 103 fever most of the day. My wonderful DSO also had the flu and was at the hospital with a fever. I was worried about her but had to have her there for moral support - her not being there was just not an option as far as I was concerned. We didn't have to wait too long and I was tearful (I cry when I'm stressed) on and off. Actually, I was less anxious than I thought I'd be!
They called me back, started the IV, etc. and I met the anesthesiologist. My doctor and I chatted for awhile and I gave them my music CD. Then it was time to go. They gave me something to make me relaxed and that's the last thing I remember. I have no recollection of getting to the OR, getting on the table, etc. I had been terrified of waking up in horrible pain in the Recovery Room but it wasn't too bad. I did hurt, but it was manageable until they got the PCA pump started. The nurses put an abdominal "wrap" on me, which has been a godsend. I was groggy but awake when they rolled me up to my room and I saw my family there. I pushed my Morphine button LOTS in the beginning so that I could relax a bit.
Since my DSO (a nurse) was sick, she couldn't stay with me but another wonderful friend spent the night. That was a godsend because I had a hard time getting comfortable. She was able to turn me over, get pain meds from the nurses, etc. I think that I had an adverse reaction to the Morphine because I was very confused and anxious. I felt like I couldn't breathe and would jerk myself awake every few minutes because I thought I was gasping even though I wasn't. I also started itching all over even though there was no rash. We decided to discontinue the Morphine and I started Percoset pills and IV Toradol. That helped with pain and my head gradually cleared.
By Thursday morning, I was much more alert but totally exhausted. I took my Sister's advice and slept/dozed/zoned out a lot. I walked to the bathroom (and peed!!!) but my incision burned and I went right back to bed. My mom stayed with me for part of the day and we took a short walk after lunch. I was amazed that I had NO PAIN with this - I took it really slow and I was just fine. I was able to start on a liquid diet, began taking the gas pills, and tried to walk about 5 times that day. As long as I took things slow, walking was no problem. I had help to get in and out of bed but was able to do that by myself by Thursday night. I had some visitors (including my 4.5 year old) in the evening and enjoyed myself. I slept much better Thursday night and passed my first "gas bubble" on Friday morning. Water and walking really did the trick. The abdominal wrap has also been wonderful supporting my tummy muscles and I've had very little stomach swelling.
Friday I felt even stronger, slept a lot, ate a little, and got the OK to come home in the afternoon. The ride home was much better than I thought it would be. The advice about BIG pants was wonderful - I had no idea how tender and swollen my belly would be (I usually wear small or medium) but LARGE is the order of the day. I headed right for a chair after I got home and made my first trip up the stairs last night - no problem but took it very slow.
I have found pain control to be more challenging at home because I'm doing more even though I'm doing almost nothing - if you know what I mean. I got into a better "rhythm" today and am walking more easily. The only thing I'm waiting for is the first b.m. - I'm eating lots of fiber, eating apricots, drinking water, and praying!
One thing I realized after I had a chance to think about all of this is that, somewhere in my head, I believed that the pain medication would not be able to help me - I really thought that I would be dealing with it all on my own. That has just not been the case. The meds had worked well and the pain has not been nearly as bad as I expected. My hospital experience was quite good - the nurses were all helpful; the doctors were nice, etc. My partner and I did not have any trouble being "respected".
My doctor told me that the fibroids were bigger than expected and that the two largest were pressing backward...so VOILA I have no more back pain. YEAH!!!! I had a lot of doubts about the surgery because I haven't been in pain for years, didn't have a lot of bleeding, etc. But I am SO GLAD that I did this. The waiting was definitely harder than the recovery part - I know what I have to do and I'm doing it one wonderful day at a time.
Thanks for listening to my story...
Sandy
TAH 12/29
Related Titles
Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy- My LAVH/BSO Story - long story
My Story: Uterine Cancer - Katerskater's Story
My Story: Ovarian Cancer TAH/BSO - VickiA's Story
My Story: Ovarian Cancer - Maria951's Story
My Story: Cervical Cancer- jenny1119's Story
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