 TAH - 35 Years Old |
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TAH/BSO - 5 years since Hysterectomy, 3 years since BSO
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My story starts out a lot differently than others. I do not mean to scare anyone - but this story should push you to be as informed as possible, and get everything ready in advance - and check into your hospital's policy's.
My story starts with pain. A lot of pain that got increasingly worse over months. Pain where I was bedridden during my cycle, and everyday was filled with leg, back, hip, and bottom pain.
After a normal pap in May, my GP sent me to a specialist (GYN) about the pain.
After one visit, and a slew of blood tests, the doctor (a he) determined I had endometriosis and I should start taking Lupron shots immediately. I was told that Lupron had no side effects, and that a laparoscopy for diagnosis would only leaed to Lupron anyway for treatment.
A few days later, a day before I was due for my first 12 week Lupron shot, something in my gut did not feel right about this situation. I researched and discovered that much of what the doctor told me was a lie. In fact, the Lupron would have serious side effects with my neurological disorders. I called the doctors office and immediately stressed my concerns only to be told they lied to patients beause patients tended to get over worried.
The next day I found a new doctor (a she). We talked, and decided that the laparoscopy was the only way to correctly diagnose my condition.
On 7/14 I had my laparoscopy, the results were severe adhesions twisting and pulling my uterus into a retroverted position. Adhesions wrapped around my liver, ovaries, bowel, and many other places. AND Lupron was not going to help. I needed a total abdominal hysterectomy.
The TAH was scheduled for 7/28. I was so happy to have found a doctor that actually cared about me and diagnosing me appropriately that I went into the surgery NOT realizing how much work and pain it would be after. I went with trusting my new doctor, and the hospital that performed the laparosopy.
I fasted the night before, and arrived at the hospital on schedule to change into a gown, sit in a little curtained room and wait for the nurse to collect my info and connect my IV.
In the surgical waiting room I filled out more papers, met with all the nurses and slews of people assisting the surgery.
The anesthesiologist met with me and we discussed my IV, which I asked him to relocate during surgery because it was causing me a lot of pain. He assured me he would take care of it (and he did).
I remember being wheeled into a little operating room, sliding onto the surgery room table, and laughing at something - but who knows what. I told them all to put me to sleep so we could get this over with.
Next thing I knew I woke in recovery with a nice nurse asking me if I'd like something for pain, which I did - boy was there pain! She injected a nice dose of dilauded, and I went to sleep until I reached my room over an hour later. The gurney pushers asked me if I could get into my bed from the gurnery and I shouted a loud and clear NO. The pain was crystal clear at this time, and I wasn't feeling very friendly. I wanted the nice nurses back!
In a nutshell, my entire hospital expereince was a nightmare and it was my own fault. I failed to get the information in advance and set things straight beforehand regarding pain meds and nurse's assistance. Therefore, I had none. I had to ring the nurses station for everything I needed. All my meds, and help if I needed it, were at least a fifteen minute wait. I had no medication "push" to automatically deliver the nice dilauded to me as needed. I was in and out of sleep and I think conciousness, lol, for 24 hours.
Day 2 they took out the cath and said I could get up to walk to the bathroom. Without any help, of course.
Most of day 2, 3, were getting in and out of bed for the bathroom, desperately trying to find a comfortable position in the horrible bed, and trying to find some way to get some sleep. I wish someone had told me to put a pillow under my knees! OH, and CRYING for medication. Unfortunately I took the brunt of the pain in my hips, which are now suspected of having arthritis.
I never had enough water, enough ice, or any help in and and out of bed. No instruction on the correct way to get in and out of bed. Nothing.
Day 4, discharge day, time to get a shower. Again, with no help. Someone handed me a bottle of shampoo/shower gel and some towels, that was it. Doc gave me verbal instructions, I signed a sheet, and that was it. No written instructions on what I could or couldn't do, and when.
All I wanted at this point was out of that hospital! The wheelchair ride to the car was excruciating - I wish someone had told me to bring a pillow to hold over my stomach to help with the bumps through the halways! Same for the car ride home.
The first three days home were pretty much the same - confined to a small uncomfortable bed on the first floor of the house, getting up and down to go to the bathroom, and take pain meds.
By Day 5 post op I moved to the second floor to MY BED! Things got better from there! Other than getting the hormones figured out and slowly getting my moblity back, things are progressing as they should for 2 weeks post op.
I still have some bleeding, which is normal - that final long period from the internal incisions. My steri tape is off and my stiches all dissolved. I have my hormone patch, and some percocet for the remaining hip pain I still have.
No one in my family has come to see me, helped me with the house or meals, or taken care of my children. I did it alone (so can anyone of you if you need too).
I am looking forward to a better day each day. One more week and I can go to light stretching, two more and I can go back to light yoga!
If I could go back to before the TAH - I would keep my doctor, but would definitely take advantage of a Women's and Babies Hospital over the one I had. My experience is that a Women's hospital is just more geared towards helping women in these special situations. I would have been more specific about the type of care I expected. I would have researched the little things - taking a small pillow to hold to your stomach, a cold pack in a soft cover for the soreness on the belly, the little things.
If I had known about HysterSisters before my surgery, I think I would have had a much better experience. Read everything you can - make a list. Take little things with you to the hospital to make you more comfortable. Plan ahead for help around the house and with meals. HysterSisters has a lot of helpful tips and information - take it to heart - it will make your experience so much nicer!
Most of all - if I can come out of this feeling blessed for every day that God gives me to love and be loved, you can too. 
Related Titles
TAH/BSO - 5 years since Hysterectomy, 3 years since BSO
Chanda Reese, M.D.
3001 Coral Hills Dr., Suite 300
Coral Springs FL 33065
954-341-2916 |
Sean Kossari, M.D.
14901 Rinaldi Street
Suite 320
Mission Hills CA 91345
818-365-1616 |
Arnold Advincula, M.D.
Florida Hospital Celebration Health
400 Celebration Plac
Celebration FL 34747
407-303-4190 |
Chuong Pham, M.D.
18220 Tomball Parkway, SUite 320
Houston TX 77070
832-237-0222 |
Stephanie Cross, M.D.
1932 Alcoa Hwy
Knoxville TN 37920
865-546-1642 |
David Zisow, M.D.
2005 Rock Spring Rd Ste. 3
Forest Hill - Baltimore MD 21050
410-879-1139 |
John Lenihan, M.D.
314 ML King Jr. Way
Suite 104
Tacoma WA 98465
253-403-5432 |
Alison Clarke DeSouza, M.D.
3100 Coral Hills Dr. # 207
Coral Springs FL 33065
954-341-9777 |
Sherri Levin, M.D.
929 Gessner Suite 2100
Houston TX 77024
713-464-4111 |
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