TAH/BSO - Toonces' Castle Visit - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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TAH/BSO - Toonces' Castle Visit

TAH/BSO - Toonces' Castle Visit

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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!

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