TAH/BSO - Toonces' Castle Visit |
From the Abdominal Hysterectomy Stories Articles List |
Related Titles
TAH/BSO - My Castle Visit TVH on 11/18/02--my castle visit SAH/LSO - My castle visit TVH/BSO - My visit to the Castle TAH - My visit to the Castle!
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TAH/BSO due to ovarian tumor
Mon., 9/24: Nerves frazzled, DH and I report to the castle at 5:30am, I receive my flowing frock with matching hat and shoes... by the way, they allowed me to keep my hair in a ponytail because the hairband had no metal in it. Gave more blood, gave the last few drops of urine I had, and received a bit of a shave from the Vidal Sassoon nurse in prep for my vertical incision.
The anesthesiologist asked 'regular or epidural' and I chose epidural but would NOT again if I had it to do over. It's not comfortable and I have cuts and bruises all over my back from it. Next thing I know, I'm being wheeled into my room. It's all over! The surgery took about 2 hours, and the DR said that the tumor was really ugly, so they have sent it along with all the other organs and lymph node samplings somewhere else to get analyzed. Could be cancer; we won't know for sure for another week or so.
My room is nice; great view of the bay. No pain really. I'm in and out of sleep for the rest of the day and night. DR would not allow me to get up until the next day. Nurses are concerned about my fever. (temp stayed around 101.8 but later subsided) Clear liquid diet only, which was fine, as I had no appetite.
Tues., 9/25: O-M-G- OUCH!! Pain. and more pain. Did I mention pain? After spitting up from the pain, I finally received a visit from the anesthesiologist, who adjusted the epidural and replenished my pain med bag. It did get a little better. Halfway through the day, nurse removed the catheter so I could get up and walk to the bathroom, but DR said that's the only place I could go. Still clear liquids, despite my attempts to bargain with my DH to go get me a COOKIE. No dice. I thank God for Hyster Sisters advising me to bring with me my Tummy Pillow. 'Don't leave home without it!'
I finally get to see my 28 staples that make up my incision's 'zipper', and I finally relieve myself of some of the gas that has obviously been contributing to the pain 
Once again, in and out of sleep all day - a few visitors, but I'm not very entertaining, particularly when I get green around the gills and spit up a time or two.
Wed., 9/26: My last day at the castle. Nurse Cheryl comes and takes me for a walk! It's the maternity ward, so I get to see a few brand new bambinos. How sweet. I'm finally on solid food. Yay. But wait! Where did my appetite go? Oh, well. I get unhooked from the IV and epidural and get to take my shower. AHHHH.... feels great!
I'm in the comfort of my own home now, and, even tho' I thought I was being good, I obviously overdid it the first day. Trust me, there is a reason why they tell you 'Don't do ANYTHING but stay in bed the first few days' - Just do it.
I've been to the DR who removed the staples. Everything looks good. No biopsy results yet. Maybe by the end of this week.
Here are a few pointers for all of you LIWs: 
- you can keep your hair in a ponytail during surgery if you use a non-metal hair band.
- Don't even think about going thru this without a tummy pillow.
- Use a pad for spotting, and another pad placed to protect your unders from the incision site drainage.
- Do the breathing exercises
- Do stay in bed
- Try not to watch comedy on TV/movies... this is NO time for belly laughs.
- Flowers are very cheery in your hospital room but if your loved one asks well wishers to wait and send them to your home, it makes for an easier exit from the castle.
- Don't choose epidural
- Relax!
-
Thanks for letting me share my experience; thanks especially to this site for all of the wonderful advice and sharing of stories so I had a better idea of what to expect. Thanks to all my Hyster Sisters, this experience was not nearly as scary as it could have been without you!
Related Titles
TAH/BSO - My Castle Visit TVH on 11/18/02--my castle visit SAH/LSO - My castle visit TVH/BSO - My visit to the Castle TAH - My visit to the Castle!
Recommended for Hysterectomy Recovery
The HysterSisters Store has gathered products made specifically for your recovery from surgery. Here are the best sellers we can recommend to help you:
- The Great Binder Set - We have made it very easy for you and combined the two best binders and the Silky Sac into a great set to save you money! Our favorite is the Perfect Pocket binder with cold/hot packs!
- Deluxe Hyst Prep Set - As you plan, we've gathered the best products into one set for special pricing.
- Post-Op Panty - These great panties speed recovery, and reduces scarring. They contain a medical-grade silicone panel over incision to reduce scar's apperance while they provide support to weakened muscles and tissues from surgery. Excellent!
- Softest Bra Ever - When you want to wear something, but feel nothing. This is the softest bra ever, in microfiber with no hardware or tags to chafe or dig! The comfort-ribbed underband stays in place gently, so it is perfect for sleeping and lounging.
- HysterSisters Accessory Kit - Are you a HysterSisters fan? This set has a fun collection of HysterSisters items.
- Very Private Moisture - Once your doctor gives you the green light for intimacy, this is the stuff! This is a best selling product with a high rate of permanent, satisfied, repeat customers! Relieves vaginal dryness instantly, protects tissue & enhances intimacy.
"Buy it for the problem, use it for the pleasure."
Robert Furr, M.D. Women's Surgery Center 1604 Gunbarrel Road Chattanooga TN 37421 4238996511 |
Terry Grogg, M.D. 4461 S Broadway Suite 200 Suite 200 Grove City OH 43123 614-875-0444 |
Ken Sinervo, M.D. 1140 Hammond Dr., Ste. F6220 Atlanta GA 30328 770-913-0001 |
Ruslana Kadze, M.D. 5525 Etiwanda Avenue Suite 228 Tarzana (Los Angeles) CA 91356 818-343-1717 |
Arnold Advincula, M.D. Florida Hospital Celebration Health 400 Celebration Place Celebration FL 34747 (407) 303-4573 |
Aileen Caceres, M.D. Center for Specialized Gynecology/Florida Hospital 410 Celebration Place, Suite 302 Celebration FL 34747 (407) 303-4573 |
David Newman, M.D. 10030 Edison Square Drive, Suite 100A Concord NC 28027 704-403-7670 |
Gretchen Makai, M.D. 4735 Ogletown Stanton Rd MAP II, Ste 2103 Christiana Care Health System Newark DE 19713 302-623-4410 |
Francisco Garcini, M.D. 1870 Silver Cross Blvd Suite 210 New Lenox IL 60451 815-463-3000 |
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