TAH/LSO - Wish I had done it sooner | Hystersisters Article

		HysterSisters > Our Hysterectomy Stories Articles
TAH/LSO - Wish I had done it sooner

TAH/LSO - Wish I had done it sooner

Date : 07-06-2001 - 12:45 PM - Readers : 779

Printer Friendly Version

Hi All,

Finally feel well enough to sit and type this. I had a TAH with the removal of my left ovary (right was removed before). I underwent this procedure due to Endometriosis and Adhesions.

I was on a Clear liquid Diet 24 hours before surgery, and had to drink that lovely sparkling Laxative in preparation of my Surgery Monday morning 6/18. I arrived at the castle at 6:00 AM, and by 6:15 I said goodbye to hubby, was changed and ready to go. Met the cutest anesthesiologist :-) along with the host of people including my Dr. and her assistant. They wheeled me in and put me under, but as always it took longer then they thought. But they did finally knock me out completely. I woke up in recovery with them putting the PCA button in my hand telling me how to operate it (no need used before filled with Demerol (G)). Next thing I was being wheeled to my room and their hubby was waiting there for me. He told me I was fine, that everything went as planned, but there were more adhesions then expected by Dr. got them all :-). Sent hubby home, when in pain and feeling bad, I like to be left alone. Then late afternoon Darling Dr. came in, and she told me that my left ovary was adhered to my pelvis and bowel and just about strangled off, and judging on the Endometriosis that she found that the ovary was probably not working very well. But found more adhesions then expected, but cleaned everything out except my appendix, which looked great (been trying to get that removed for eons). No impromptu tummy tuck either (G).... The next day went fine lots of visitors' came and brought flowers and balloons, looked like a florist shop in my room. But my Dear son (20) gave me the greatest cheer. He comes walking in that night (Tuesday), with a 3-LB container of red pistachio peanuts. Both hubby and I just left out a great laugh, when son says I thought you would have enough flowers.

That night is when the complications started setting in. I was real nauseous, and the shots were not working. By Wednesday morning, I was throwing up intermittently and by Wednesday night everything went to Heck. Early Thursday morning I was in X-ray and they discovered a major ileus (small bowel obstruction). With that I ended up with a N/G tube (which was not a happy thing, even though I do have to admit I felt better within hours). And I had to stop all pain medications, because they can add to the problem. So now we have to find other medication(allergic to lots of other meds), not only to help with the incision pain, but my chronic leg and back pain. The resident found a magic combination of 4 different drugs, that I would get IV every 2 hours rotating them. But it worked :-) Then to top it all off my DR had a vacation planned for Friday through the following Thursday. She arranged for her resident and other Drs. to cover. And the plan was I had to Monday to get things working. Well by Sunday morning, they were discussing surgery for Monday morning because nothing was working and the daily X-rays showed no improvement. So being depressed I told hubby to come in that night with a Pepsi and a straw (I would not advise this) come heck or high water I wanted a few sips before I under go surgery again. And I figured what the heck, the N/G Tube would bring it back up anyway, plus I knew in my heart that it would work in getting things going (G). Hubby shows up, and I had about a 1/4-cup total of Pepsi. Then about 45 minutes later I hear and feel those glorious rumblings. Called the Nurse and informed them to cancel the OR things are working (LOL). Well Monday morning yet another New Dr. shows up and couldn't believe it, and sent me for more X-rays and sure enough, showed things were going good, and I got to have toast for Lunch, then things were really going good. So I got to have a real dinner and breakfast and lunch on Tuesday, and then Tuesday Night the Dr. says I get to go home, now or in the morning, my choice. Well I called hubby at work and told him to come and get me, I was coming home. So I came home 8 days after I left for the castle sore battered and bruised, but happier none the less. And I would do it all again in a heartbeat, because the first thing I noticed when I woke up in recovery was that the left sided pain from my ovary and my leg cramps that were so familiar were gone. So now here I sit from time to time, just plain old bored to death, not trying to do anything. Which when you really think of it is very hard to do. So far I have crocheted just about everyone I know Christmas Kitchen towels, made a baby blanket, and started X-Stitching again. And like all the other princesses before me said, WAITING is the hardest part. At 16 days Post op, even with my complications (which were rare) I feel great. And look forward to doing what I want when I want it, not planing around something if you know what I mean. I also am on no HRT yet, and so far no menopause symptoms have showed up yet (knock on wood) and after speaking to Darling DR after her vacation, she said I might not get any, because of the condition of the ovary she removed. I see her on July 12th. Oh yeah, I get to collect my bet from her, because I told her I always get a UTI from catheters, and she assured me I wouldn't because they are very careful (G).... So hang in there girls things do get better.

Printer Friendly Version

HysterSisters is girlfriends with -- Moms Who Think - - Girls Get Going -