Well, for the past ten years (really longer than that) I have had terrible periods. Heavy bleeding....an understatement. Back in 2004 I had an ablation. That worked for about two years, then the heavy bleeding and severe pain during my periods began. I went in to my clinic, saw an FNP and she said just take Advil, it will stop the prostoglandins and that will stop the pain. Well, she was wrong. I suffered for another two years before finally going in to see the doctor who did my ablation and told him I just couldn't stand it anymore. He gave me many options and I decided on a hysterectomy.
I had my LAVH (laparascopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy) just three days ago. I can already tell its the best decision I could've made. I went to the castle at 6:00 am. on Nov. 18th. My surgery was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. I was so nervous leading up to this day. I had two months and two painful periods to go through before this surgery and it seemed like it took forever. When I got to the hospital and got checked in, though, my fears seemed to vanish and I realized i was doing the right thing. I didn't get wheeled back to pre-anesthesia until 9:15 and it was 10:10 before getting to the operating room The anesthesia unit was backed up. Luckily my doc came in and sped things up!
Woke up in recovery and was taken back to a room at 1:30. My DH was waiting there for me. He has been so wonderful! When I finally came to and was fully awake, I felt great. Believe that or not. They had given me some great medications for nausea and as soon as I woke up enough they gave me Toradol for the pain. It worked great. I had a catheter in, so they wouldn't let me get out of bed. I thought this was kind of odd, everyone here said they wanted you out of bed as soon as possible. So, I stayed in bed the rest of that day, no problem. But, I had a lot of energy. Overnight, my IV pump messed up and went off every 20 minutes, so sleep was not coming to me! Finally the nurse read the IV bag and the IV pump and realized that the nurse before her had set it wrong. So, after she reset it, I finally slept for a solid hour before being awakened by the nurse. Felt like I had slept for days.
SIx o'clock the next morning (Wednesday) they took the catheter out. I immediately wanted to get up and the nurse helped. I couldn't urinate just yet, but it felt good to get up. I only had a total of three Toradol shots the whole time I was there. I walked around the hospital with my IV pump. It felt good to move. I finally started urinating on my own, which at first was painful, but not as painful as any of my periods. None of my pain was as bad as my periods so I felt great.
Wednesday at noon my doc comes in, is so surprised at how I am doing. Writes the orders for me to go home, WOOHOO! THe nurse pumps the last of the antibiotics through me while we start getting ready to go home.
Now, the ride home was bumpy and did make me quite sore and we were only 10 minutes from the hospital. I came home and went straight to the bed and laid down for awhile. Well, I felt too antsy and got back up and sat out in the living room.
Yesterday, 2nd day post op, feeling so much better but the gas pains start. Still, not like I was expecting, which is good. Taking the stool softeners and gas-X and drinking hot tea. Finally around 8:30 last night, had the first BM. Had a few sharp pains as everything was moving around but felt much relief once it was over, especially from the pressure.
So, here I am three days post op, feeling great but knowing I better not over do. It could be real easy to do because i am feeling wonderful.
My best advice. Ice chips for the sore throat. Lots of blistex/chap-stick, soft fuzzy fleece pants for the ride home, and wonderful, loving husband with you, hot tea, gas-x, stool softeners, warm socks, and a good attitude.
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