 TAH/BSO - All I want for Christmas is a TAH! |
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I knew in November that I would be having a TAH during Christmas break. After years of pain, heavy bleeding, clotting, and bladder issues I was ready to get back to a normal life that did not revolve around that time of the month that would leave me, a typically tough lady, in tears, and withdrawn from my family, friends, and coworkers. So, with much help from all the hyster sisters and lots of conversations with women who had been through this before me, I scheduled my castle appointment for December 14. And actually, I was looking forward to it!
I took your advice and planned ahead for not only the castle stay but the recovery. I cleaned, did laundry, wrapped gifts, froze meals, turned in final semester grades, set up a recovery area in our bedroom, and just relaxed and had fun with my husband the weekend before the big event. OK, the bowel prep and day of liquids only was not at all fun, and I arrived at the castle ravenous the next morning, but I was calm, confident, and in good spirits.
After the routine check-in at 8:30 am, I was brought back to change, get an IV started, and talk to the doctors. I had already done the shaving part at home, that was something I just did not want a stranger doing! As an added bonus the anesthesiologist was informative and quite cute, and I smiled at the thought that if all did not go well, I was fine with his being the last face, complete with warm brown eyes, that I would ever see. I did get returned to my husband for a last hug and to say goodbye. I let him know where to find a letter that I had written him in case this really was goodbye. Morbid? Maybe. But I felt good writing it the day before knowing my husband would read how much he and our marriage had meant to me. I also left out our wills and cemetary plot info. See, all this helped relax me! You should probably know that I was having two other minor surgeries done at the same time, so I planned for the best and the worst.
It was time to begin, and there was flurry of activity among the doctors and nurses. One minute I was in the middle of a conversation with my doctor, and the next I was out like a light. I have absolutely no memory of the four hours I was in surgery, or the first three hours in recovery. I awoke to cold hands pulling off the heart monitor pads, and the familiar stabbing pelvic pain that I had already been accustomed to. I kept reminding myself it was all going to get better. I was wheeled to my room, introduced to my new best friend, the morphine pump, and was greeted by my husband who just grinned and held my hand. Somewhere along the way I had inherited a catheter, so I did not have to worry about getting up that night.
What did I learn during my four-day castle stay? Being a queen-size princess, it was hard to get up and down, so I found it more comfortable to sleep in the recliner instead of the bed. I did like to walk the halls, so I did that often, but still had so much gas for three days that I thought I'd lift off and fly away like a helium balloon. The dainty and not so dainty neverending collection and passing of gas was the most excruciating part of my stay. It did not end until that first, long-awaited bowel movement at home. If you know the direction of your incision, buy your swelly belly band ahead of time. The one from the hospital was too tight, and the larger one could fit me and the nurse in it. A good fit really does help and makes all the difference with great support. And yes, bring your own pillows, nighties, and any special comforts from home. My arrival pants did not fit me, and I was glad to have packed some super-sized sweats. Hmm, removal of internal organs, no food for four days, and I left the castle eight pounds heavier.
So here I am, 5 days after surgery, moving about OK. The pain killers help, and each day does seem to bring improvement. Just take one day at a time and do what you can. Say no to what you can't do. Don't be afraid to ask others to help. This is the hard part for me, I usually take care of everyone else. But this is important, we only get one chance at healing correctly.
Best wishes to all of you with future castle visits planned. I got what I wanted for Christmas, and I hope you do too! A painfree life is priceless.
Donna
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1101 Madison St
Suite #400
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206-505-1300 |
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1932 Alcoa Hwy
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865-546-1642 |
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Clear Lake TX 77598
713-665-0404 |
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San Antonio TX 78229
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McAllen TX 78504
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Melodie Wilson, M.D.
3650 Joseph Siewick Dr. #203
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Gerald Harkins, M.D.
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717-531-6447 |
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