TAH - My visit to the Castle! - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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TAH - My visit to the Castle!

TAH - My visit to the Castle!

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I've always had fairly heavy periods, but have gone through lighter ones after having children. During the last couple of years, though, they have become very heavy again. I teach elementary school and it's very difficult to get out of your classroom to the bathroom. I had to go home and change clothes twice this year; something I haven't done in over 20 years! I've always been a person with low energy, too. I realized it was getting worse, but just thought it was due to getting older. I'd been noticing bruises all over and teased my husband about being a rough sleeper! I also started noticing the dark circles under my eyes. In November I was put in the hospital for what I thought was an asthma attack. In a way it was. My iron level had dropped to a low 5. My blood could hardly carry the oxygen needed to other parts of my body. My regular physician said it was time to do some serious talking with my gynecologist.
I made the visit and heard the dreaded word "hysterectomy". I was already feeling old about the threads of gray showing up in my hair, but now this! I was too young...only 37! I decided to listen to my doctor since I was very careful when I chose her. I knew that she was a wonderful doctor and had done right by me for many years. She even talked to me several times after hours when I had nervous questions that needed answering.
My appointment was made for the first Friday, June 8th, after the ending of school. I had to be there at 5:30 am so I had to drop my children off at Grandma's house the evening before. I hated to leave them. It was so quiet in the car when my husband drove me in that morning. We walked into the pre-op area and waited for my name to be called. The nurse took me back. I changed into the lovely provided outift, had my blood pressure taken, and IV started. My husband came back after about 45 minutes. Then the anetheseologist came in to talk to me. I tried to explain to him how I felt suffocated when being put under. He assured me he would give me something that helped and he did! Then my doctor came in and "held my hand" for awhile and wheeled me back. The next thing I remember I was in recovery being fixed up for my room. I was in and out of sleep that first day, but by morning didn't feel groggy at all. The Morpheine drip helped alot the next day, but I didn't need it overly. After hearing lots of wonderful advice from other sisters I made sure and drank alot of water! The nurses came in and helped me walk back and forth from my bedroom door two times. That was it for that day! However, the catheter came out the next day and the pain pump (oh...and those leg stockings). I could really move now without all the attachments! At first I would walk around the nurses's station one time and then return to bed. I tried to do this about 3 or 4 times the next day. I also continued to drink lots of water. I had liquids for the first day and a half, but as soon as they let me eat real food I made sure and choose lots of whole grains, fruit, & veggies. I stayed away from the broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, cheese, and soft drinks. It must have paid off...I had a BM about 50 hours after surgery! I was so excited!
I'm five days post-op and feeling fine...slow and achy, but fine. The fears I had were much worse then the actual pain. The conversations and advice from others on this site were invaluable. Thanks for helping me return from the castle with my head held high!

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TAH - My very brief Castle stay

TAH - needle-phobes take note!

Find A Doctor Near You

John Welsh, M.D. 102 Handley Park Ct Goldsboro NC 27534 919-734-3344	Sherry L Neyman, M.D. Renaissance Women's Group 12201 Renfert Way Ste 200 Austin TX 78758 512-425-3875	Charles Miller, M.D. 120 Osler Drive Suite 100 Naperville IL 60540 630-428-2229
Terry Grogg, M.D. 4461 S Broadway Suite 200 Suite 200 Grove City OH 43123 614-875-0444	Laurence Orbuch, M.D. 202 Spring Street 2nd Floor New York NY 10012 212-343-3040	Aileen Caceres, M.D. Center for Specialized Gynecology/Florida Hospital 410 Celebration Place, Suite 302 Celebration FL 34747 407.303.4190
Richard W Farnam, M.D. 1700 N. Oregon Suite 520 El Paso TX 79902 9155335600	Mark Richey, M.D. 1200 Airport Heights Ste 205 Anchorage AK 99508 9072724443	Lino Montilla, M.D. 3650 Joseph Siewick Dr. #203 Fairfax VA 22033 703-391-1500

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