TAH - I have been crowned - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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TAH - I have been crowned

TAH - I have been crowned

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Since my first cycle I have always been in pain, the kind of pain one faints and throws up for hours. For many years I just went thru this thinking this was normal. Then finally a doctor put me on hormones to regulate and for the pain. Hormones seemed to help for a while only for the pain to return in a Vengence. This past August 2000 I saw a new gyn and she listened. Had to try birthcontrol pills one more time, mainly due to insurance would not approve surgery until all less invasive methods were tried. Went back to doctor in Jan. with no relief actually worse. She and I both agreed it was time for a hysterectomy. I have no children and have no desire so this decision for me was easily made.
Surgery was scheduled then the wait. grrrrrrrrr

Day One
Arrived at the hospital at 5am and was immediately taken to a private pre surg room to don the beautiful backless gown. I was allergic to the TEDS, so no TEDS but they gave me some footies to wear. A friend had taken me to the hospital so I laid there listening the her. I know she was trying to help and ease my fears but I really wanted her to leave. I was scared and emotionally and felt with her there I could not show the tears. From 5am to 6:30am nothing happened, just waited. Then everything started moving so fast. My friend went home. The nurses started getting me ready. I was given two gorgeous bracelets to wear, blood was drawn, answered even more questions and had a IV started and that embarrassing shave. I sorta freaked on that part. Not that the shaving hurt just that I don't do well with people having their hands close the "down" there. No lala juice yet either. Took two pills for drying up stomach and to prevent nausea. I was also wearing an anti-nausea patch that I put on at home.

Then time came to move me to the holding room. Met another and answered questions again. Met with the anesthesiologists. he asked if I wanted the versed lala juice or wait until I see my doc. I waited, I wanted to see my doc for reassurance. Once I saw her the lala juice was given IV and I remember nothing until I woke in my room about 2pm. In the room I would doze and wake up thinking I had slept for hours only to discover it had only been 10 min. By 3p I was alert and given the button to push for pain. (PCA-morphine) I woke to pain the my back and rib cage and would push the button. I was afraid to push really tho afraid of the morphine. Doc ran some test to rule-out internal bleeding since they were uncertain why I was in so much pain in the back and rib cage. Test came back normal. So concluded it was radiating pain. The pain was well managed with meds thru out. All night I felt like I needed to pee but knew had a catheter and nurse just kept saying I was feeling that. I sat up on the side of the bed and the nurse rubbed my back down with lotion.

Day Two Tuesday:
Catheter was removed at 6am, hooray. Went to bathroom immediately. I stayed very confused of what day and time, who called, who visited or what was only a dream or imagined. This was very scary to me. Then the itching began to the point I was causing red marks from scratching. I started hallucinating like the TV was talking to me altho it was on mute, the chair arms were growing longer and longer, I could not really concentrate and wasn't making any sense when trying to talk. Was told to walk and needed to pass gas. So I walked and walked. No gas passed. That afternoon the doc came by and d/c the morphine and replaced it with demerol/phengran. The PCA as d/c too and would take pain meds orally or by injection. I had to start writing down names of people that called or visited since I was still so confused on what was real or imagined. Walked the halls as much as possible but passed no gas.

Day Three Wednesday:
Got to take my first shower, hooray. Pain in the back and rib cage a little better. Still very confused on what, who etc..... Walked the halls several times and then set up routine of walking every hour on the hour. Still on the clear liquid diet. The only food I have had since before surgery is jello and broth. They will not give me "food" until I pass gas, which I still haven't. Received pain meds as needed and toradol IM as needed. By now I am afraid that I am taking too many pain meds and asked the doc if I should be cutting back. She reminded me that I just had major surgery and would still need meds even at home. And to not lie there in pain, but to ask for the meds. Doc still says before getting real food or going home I must pass gas. So prune juice was brought in, MilkMag, which I threw up, hot teas etc.. and still nothing. Walked and walked.

Day Four Thursday (the day I was scheduled to go home)
Doc came in early this morning. I was in much pain again in back and rib cage. Doc took off the bandage and said incision looks good. And the nurse will take out staples today. Doc would not be back this afternoon but told her back up that I could go home if passed gas. Still no luck. Spent the day walking, drinking prune
juice, hot teas just hoping for a little pass.
Nurse took out the staples ouch is all I can say.
Thursday night still no bowel action and still confused. Doc explained to me again it was from the narcotics and I am not use to them. On call doc came by and said I could not go home maybe Friday.

Day Five Friday
On call doc came by. I still haven't had any bowels actions so still can't go home. Walked and walked all day, drank prune juice hot teas and still nothing. The on call doc returned that evening and I begged to go home. He said ok but if not bowel activity this weekend to call and return to hospital. So I was home at 7:30pm Friday night. HOORAY.

Overall the experience was half as bad as I had expected. I had a private room and wonderful nurses. O, the nurses, docs and staff loved the bribe bowl or candy. I had written on the card that the more pain meds they gave me the more candy that got, lots of laughs on that.

I am glad that I had this done and have no regrets as of yet. I am only sore right now not really what I could call pain. But am taking the meds as told to aid in the healing.

Now to just get my emotions under control too.

Thanks to everyone for being such a support thru out ordeal. You all are greatly appreciated.

Rosepoem

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TAH - I got to have surgery and I'm HOME! Hooray!

TAH - I made it!!

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Steven McCarus, M.D. 400 Celebration Place Suite310 Celebration FL 34747 4073034190	Susan Carter, M.D. North Colorado Medical Center/ MCR 1800 15th Street, Suite 220 Greeley CO 80631 970 353 1335	David Shifrin, M.D. 3001 Coral Hills Dr., Suite 300 Coral Springs FL 33065 954-341-2916
Leonard Rosen, M.D. 3650 Joseph Siewick Dr. #203 Fairfax VA 22033 703-391-1500	Bruce Pierce, M.D. 2 Princess Road Lawrenceville NJ 08648 609-896-0777	Michele Cowling, M.D. 303 Nicollet Blvd Burnsville MN 55337 952.460.4000
Clifford Rogers, M.D. The Everett Clinic, Dept. of Surgery and Gynecology 1330 Rockefeller Ave, Suite 120 Everett WA 98201 425 339 5424	David Mainman, M.D. Desert Bloom Obstetrics & Gynecology 6452 E. Carondelet Drive, Suite A Tucson AZ 85710 520-885-5300	Keita Sakon, M.D. 7190 S. Cimarron Rd. Las Vegas NV 89135 702 870 3921

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