SAH - 4 days post-op, feeling well - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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SAH - 4 days post-op, feeling well

SAH - 4 days post-op, feeling well

From the Abdominal Hysterectomy Stories Articles List

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Options to Hysterectomy
Pre-Op Hysterectomy
Post-Op Hysterectomy
Hormone and Menopause
Intimacy after Hysterectomy
Pelvic Floor
Fitness after Hysterectomy
GYN Cancer
Grief and Loss
Endometriosis
Uterine Fibroids
Hysterectomy Stories
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It wasn't until 3 weeks before my surgery that I finally felt some peace in the decision to go ahead. It all started Jan 25/08, on the last day of a wonderful 2-wk vacation on the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. My period had started - of course - it visited every vac'n, because I could count on it's 8-9 day appearance every 23-24 days! They had gotten heavier, but this one was frightening when I woke up at 3am, aware I had to get to the bathroom fast, & despite the fact I'd put a folded towel under me, the flood started, soaked through the towel to the sheets, and ran down my legs as I ran to the toilet. It happened so fast, was so scary, & I was shaking & crying as I changed my super plus tampon. When I stood up, it looked like a murder scene!! There was blood all over the toilet, bloody footsteps! on the beautiful marble floors, & no paper towel! I had to sacrifice a towel to clean up the mess & clean it up the best I could, wondering what the cleaning staff would think by the light of day! I woke up my husband, & I know it scared him too, but he is always strong for me. Luckily, it calmed down for the flight home, but it was nerve-racking.
I got to my doctor that first week home, was sent for a trans-vaginal ultrasound (me, someone who avoided pelvic exams like the plague in the past, but put it all behind me because I knew I needed help). It revealed an enlarged uterus & 3 fibroids, one measuring 8 cm. Sent to the gynecologist next, but not till Apr 4. A thorough exam inc endometrial biopsy. That was not fun, but you get through it, because these events show that you need help & you want answers. I was stunned to learn I had an 18 wk uterus & likely adenomyosis, along with the fibroids. My option - hysterectomy! That was shocking & unexpected news, which takes a while to digest. So I started my online research, I've always been a researcher, & oh boy! did I have a topic now! I did call back & ask about the option of laparoscopic surgery, which my gyn does. So, I asked them to pencil me in - Sept 11 - so I would at least have a date if things got worse, & meanwhile I could research my options like crazy! It really did become all consuming, in part because I did not like my option, & because more & more symptoms were appearing. A ferritin level of 1 explained the exhaustion, but increasing tough were my leg aches. I was lucky this huge mess was not pressing on my bladder, but the leg aches & pelvic heaviness were tough at times. In the end, a long conversation with my gyn 3 wks before surgery gave me peace for the first time in the decision to go ahead. We decided on a sub-total adominal hys, as I wanted to keep my cervix (& ovaries), & although she would send me to a gyn performing my preferred LSH, she said with the fast growth of my fibroids she was not comfortable having them morcellated & possible seeding cancer cells in the very rare event I had a sarcoma. She is a very calm, patient doctor, with an excellent reputation in her field & with other patients, so I listened & agreed.
It's hard not to go crazy trying to get everything done pre-op, but you do need to conserve some energy. I scoured this website for all sorts of wonderful hints - new jammies for the Castle - yes!! do, you'll feel better about yourself! Ipod, pen & paper to jot questions, don't be afraid of bowel prep, no big deal in the end, & I sure wouldn't have wanted to endure gas pains any worse than I had.
Pre-op was scary, I was scared! My nurse was wonderful, the IV I'd dreaded forever was no problem. I negotiated with my gyn right to the end - minimal cauterizing of the cervix. She'd already patiently endured my 4 pages of questions/concerns our last visit. Waking up in post-op, the pain was incredible! I thought I was being cut open then! I did not come out of anesthetic well, & had pain/nausea problems for about 5 hrs, but once they got that under control, I steadily improved. By early evening, no pain from my 5"bikini incision - my gyn is apparently gifted in this dept - & I was sitting up talking to family. I had dreaded the whole concept of a catheter, but I never noticed it, & it was out 5am the next day. I was able to get up with minimal pain, sat on the toilet, went pee

even able to stop the flow of urine! I walked a lot that day as recommended, but the gas pain monster visited anyways. Rock hard belly, it is really awful. Warmed blankets helped immensely. I didn't "pass gas" until the 2nd post-op morning, & not a lot, so another day of gas pains. Kept up with the warmed blankets, & woke up to go home day (yesterday) feeling amazingly good, considering.... Pain med-wise, I was off the morphine pump the morning after my surgery, then took 3 regular (325 mg) Tylenols every four hours, with my last pain meds the morning of the 13th - 2nd post-op day! I know I've been very fortunate in that dept. I run for pain meds when I get a headache, but my incision pain has been tolerable, & nothing was being offered for the gas pains. Today, after taking a stool softener yesterday, had my first BM, & it was comfortable. I'm not moving fast, but so happy to be home with my family, & my furry family of 4 golden retrievers is very happy to have their Mom home. We are just praying that my pathology report is all clear.

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SAH - 2 Weeks post-op

SAH - 4 Weeks Post-op And Doing Great!!!!

Find A Doctor Near You

Kym Boyman, M.D. 1775 Williston Rd., Ste. 110 South Burlington VT 05403 802-735-1252	Sherry L Neyman, M.D. Renaissance Women's Group 12201 Renfert Way Ste 200 Austin TX 78758 512-425-3875	Gretchen Makai, M.D. 4735 Ogletown Stanton Rd MAP II, Ste 2103 Christiana Care Health System Newark DE 19713 302-623-4410
Jennifer Fuson, M.D. 1720 Nicholasville Road Suite 702 Lexington KY 40503 859-264-8811	Quanita Crable, M.D. 8160 Walnut Hill Lane Ste. LL-001 Dallas TX 75231 (469)364-3764	Devin Garza, M.D. 12201 Renfert Way, STE# 215 Austin TX 78758 512 425-3830
Molly Senokozlieff, M.D. 9279 A Medical Plaza Dr. North Charleston SC 29406 843-569-2900	Emily Cunningham, M.D. 1720 Nicholasville Road Suite 702 Lexington KY 40503 859-264-8811	Jennifer Hayes, M.D. Visionary Centre for Women 2695 Ulmerton Rd Clearwater FL 33762 727-540-0414

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