TVH - Home from the castle! - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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TVH - Home from the castle!

TVH - Home from the castle!

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I had been suffering from heavy and long periods (some lasting up to eight weeks!) for about a year and a half. My doctor diagnosed fibroids and gave me several options. I chose a hysterectomy because I knew that being so far from menopause, (I'm 43) having them removed wouldn't guarantee that I wouldn't get more. We scheduled the surgery for about two weeks later.

I had a lot going on the weekend before (Father’s Day, DD’s graduation, a big BBQ at my house), and being so busy kept my mind off surgery until the day before. That's when I got a little nervous.

My hyster sisters were sympathetic and helped calm my nerves. This site has been such a blessing. In retrospect, I wish I had asked my doctor for a mild sedative.

I did not have to do any kind of bowel prep, but I did eat something that would “go through me” for dinner on Sunday night.

The day of my surgery (Monday) arrived and I went to the castle at 9:15am (the requisite two hours early.) I had already pre-registered and had lab work done the Friday prior. When I got to the castle, I had to have a little more blood work done because there were two different sets of orders. How does THAT happen?

I was taken into a pre op area where my vitals were taken, I changed into a gown, was fitted for TED stockings, had weird little booties with tubes secured to my feet (more on those later) and waited to be taken up to surgery. Then I waited, and waited, and waited and waited.

Finally, a nurse came over and said that the OR had asked her to get an IV started since the room I was scheduled to be in was running so late. dI was supposed to have surgery at 11:15. It was 12:45 when I was finally taken into the OR area. Everyone there introduced themselves and made me feel as much at ease as possible. I had time to ask questions if I wanted. I had been stressed from waiting so long, so as the anesthesiologist started to administer the "sleepy drugs" (which burned like H**L!) my doctor rubbed my shoulder. During the hour and a half that I was "out" the doctor had a hard time removing my large uterus and cervix through my vagina. She later told my DH that she didn’t believe I had given birth to a 9lb 10oz baby (my DD) because I wasn’t “stretched.” During the surgery, they had taken a time out and discussed changing to an abdominal removal. I knew this was an option going into the surgery, but joked with the doctor that we were both on board with the vaginal removal.

When I woke up in the recovery room, I immediately felt my abdomen - no incision! But boy was I sooooooore! I also didn't have a catheter and had to pee really bad. So, they sat me on a little portable potty where I tried and tried, kinda in between dozing off, with no luck. My DH says I was in recovery for two hours, but it seemed like 20 minutes to me! I kept going in and out of lucidity.

Around 4:30 they took my up to my room. It was smallish, with one bed by the window and one bed by the hall. Each had its own TV and phone. There was a thin drape divider that separated the two beds. The bathroom was nearest the bed by the window. I got the hallway bed. I walked to the bathroom and tried to pee again, but still no luck. It didn’t help that the nurse kept asking “How are you doing, sweetie? My DM&D, DH, room mate and her hubby were all “monitoring me” Geez! No pressure! With still no luck, I agreed to a catheter. It didn't hurt at all going in and it was pure bliss to not have that pressure on my bladder! It was also nice that I wouldn’t have to get up to use the bathroom that night. The nurse showed me how to use the breathing exerciser. I used it a few times, and then settled in comfortably. I should mention at this point that I didn’t have any packing.

My castle doesn't use heating pads, so they brought me a heated, folded blanket for my tummy. They administer pain meds either by injection (not in the IV) or orally and gave me my first dosages of Vicodin, Motrin and stool softener. It was about 5:30pm and I was starving. Since I didn't have any nausea, they gave me the menu and told me I could order whatever I wanted. My castle treats meals like room service and is open 7am-7pm. I had been warned to stay away from raw veggies and gas producing foods. My dinner was delicious! I began drinking water. A LOT of water. I asked for a second pitcher so I could have two filled with ice water at once and keep drinking as much as I wanted.

The anesthesia made me very thirsty and my mouth was so dry. I noticed the booties on my feet were alternating compressing each foot. It felt really good, but made a little click each time.

I was really sleepy and wanted to take a nap. My roommate and her husband were cheering and watching World Cup Soccer on her TV. The TV was SO loud! My mom asked them to turn it down, which they did, but only a little. My DH asked the nurse for some ear plugs and then he and DM&D left for the evening. The nurse brought me earplugs and took me for a little walk. No big deal, just slowly walked the hall. When I got back, I put my ear plugs in and sleeping for two hours. I was woken up and offered more pain meds. My roommate had turned off her TV by then, and asked me if I knew what the clicking sound was. I told her it was my booties. She said “Oh, I made them take those off right away because I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep.” Then SHE asked for ear plugs. Turned out I got the last pair (isn’t that ironic)!

I couldn’t get back to sleep and took an Ambien. Even the Ambien took an hour and a half to work.

All through the night, my nurse came in to administer pain meds and/or take my vitals or my roommate’s nurse came in to administer her pain meds and/or take her vitals. Too bad they didn’t coordinate, because it seemed like one of them was in every hour. They kept closing the door all the way, which made the room stuffy. I woke up at one point with beads of sweat on my forehead. With the door being opened and closed so much, I was glad I had eye shades to shut out the bright hallway light. Setting the sleep timer on my iPod and using my earphones also allowed me to go to sleep without being distracted by hallway noise. At 4am, I asked the nurse to remove my booties, but she said she couldn’t yet.

Around 6am, the nurses came in for vitals and meds, my catheter was removed – it didn’t hurt at all – and my booties were removed. I was able to pee in the bathroom (yay!) I was just drifting back to sleep when my roommate’s husband came in. He opened the drapes all the way and said “Wake up sleepyhead.” I wanted to kill him!

I waited until room service was open and ordered breakfast. By that time, my DH was there and we begged the nurse to let me go down one floor to see my 18 year old DD who was getting ready to have an adenoidectomy (outpatient.) Although her favorite aunt was with her, she was thrilled to see me.

I went back to my room and about 15 mins later, my doctor came in. She said I was doing great and asked if I wanted to go home. The thought of spending another night with my rude room mate didn’t appeal (although she ended up going home). I asked if I could wait until my DD was out of surgery and the doctor agreed. DD’s surgery went very well and we both went home about 1pm.

When I got home, I took a quick shower, put on a clean nightgown and hopped into bed. My DH had put soft, clean sheets on, which felt so good. My dad went to get our meds (Vicodin, Motrin, Ambien and a stool softener for me, and various meds for my DD.) My first night at home I slept exceptionally well.

My tummy is a little swollen

and I feel like I gave birth to 20lb twins. I have had very little gas

and no constipation problems. I sent my mother out for a couple pairs of larger (two sizes) underwear. Mine were a little binding across the stomach. I have a teeny bit of drainage. Nothing a panitliner can’t handle. In the castle, I did not use my own jammies because I didn’t want to add to the laundry at home or get any blood/drainage on them. This turned out to be a good call.

I took my own pillow and was glad I did, because theirs were like two cottonballs in a pillowcase. I took lip balm with me. I had one bad gas pain at 4am (about 13 hours after surgery) and started taking Gas X. I would take one or two every time I’d take my pain killers.

Drinking TONS of water (easily five or six pitchers) while I was at the castle and then continuing since I’ve been home has helped my recovery in a couple different ways. I walked the moment I got to my room from recovery (to the bathroom), twice again that evening and then twice more in the morning.

I packed reading materials but didn’t read anything other than the menu. I also should have skipped taking all toiletries. I did brush my teeth, but since I was at the castle less than 24 hours total, it could have waited until I got home.

My experience has been a piece of cake so far. It’s only my sixth day post op, so it will be interesting to see how everything progresses. I’m glad it’s over.

Feel free to PM or email me if I can help you or answer any questions.

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TVH - Home from the Castle

TVH - Horrible castle stay

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