TAH/BSO - Encouragement for LIW - my castle story - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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TAH/BSO - Encouragement for LIW - my castle story

TAH/BSO - Encouragement for LIW - my castle story

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Hi to all...
I found such comfort and great information from the new princesses that came back to share their stories of their visits to the castle - I hope my story brings some encouragement to a nervous LIW!!

My DH and I arrived at the castle on 1/29 at 5:30 am for my 7:30 TAH/BSO. Pre-op with my gyn/surgeon was done 2 weeks prior, but I had hospital paperwork to complete. My Dad came up to provide moral support for my DH (ok, me too!) and Mom came later after taking my DD to school. We were taken to my room to settle in. Because I had a roommate whose TAH had been done the afternoon before, the guys waited in the family waiting room down the hall. Several nursing and lab staff were in and out, asking questions, taking vitals and blood and reassuring me. I had been an absolute basket case until that morning - I was strangely calm at this point. My doctor had ordered a shower with antibiotic soap after which I slipped into a lovely hospital gown. My nurse stopped back in and said she'd be caring for me that night, put on the sock-like leggings for post-op circulation assistance, gave me a hug and settled me onto a gurney for my trip downstairs. DH and Dad accompanied us to the 2nd floor where we said a quick, teary goodbye. I had prepared a care package for my DH with his favorite candy, chips, gum and magazines, as well as a card from me for him to read while I was in surgery. The orderly taking me to the surgical holding area knew I was scared, and talked to me about "my wonderful family" and shared a quick story with me that my Dad had told her earlier in the waiting room. She was an angel - one of many I met in the castle. I was wheeled into the pre-op holding area, covered with a nice warm blanket and within a few minutes met my anesthisiologist and the nurse anesthetist. More questions and an IV was started - almost painlessly, I might add - and I also received a "beautiful" blue surgical cap. My

came in to chat for a minute - we reviewed exactly what he was to do, a TAH and the BSO only if needed. I received something in my IV to relax me and was wheeled to the OR. I remember being amazed at how narrow the operating table was. I scooted onto it and my MD held my hand and put an oxygen mask on me. I remember feeling a little claustrophobic and hearing the nurse call for the anesthesiologist, seeing my MD above me and feeling him squeeze my hand....and then I was awake in recovery!

All I remember from recovery is thinking that I needed to ask for pain meds, but I don't remember being in pain. Then I woke up in my room (around 10:30 am) with Mom, Dad and DH smiling. The nurse reminded me about the morphine pump and I drifted in and out the rest of the day. I felt much better than I expected to, even asking if my DD (11yrs) could/should come and see me. I was apparently more out of it than I thought, since everyone suggested I call her instead and that she could come up the next day. The day and night passed comfortably and quickly. My family stayed all day and into the evening. My MD stopped in and visited, telling me that he did find endo and cysts (in addition to the fibroids), so removed both of my ovaries. I was on the IV with antibiotics and morphine, and my catheter remained in until the next afternoon. Through the haze, I remembered my hystersisters advice and

lots and lots and lots of water!!! Wednesday morning (day 2) I was on a clear, soft diet - jello, broth, apple juice and italian ice. I had no nausea, maybe because I was given anti nausea and anti gas meds throughout my stay. The nurse was in after breakfast to give me a sponge bath and get me up and moving. She taught me how to get in and out of bed and up and down out of a chair with the least amount of pain and strain. Then, I was off and walking!! My first trip, a marathon of about 25 feet (each way), left me proud and ready for a nap. I was able to stand up much straighter that I had anticipated, though by no means was I really upright. I took several more walks that day, each time having to disconnect my "special socks" and drag along my IV pole and catheter. Oh well, we all looked the same creeping up and down the hall! Several times a day, I had to do breathing exercises and coughed a time or two. I had a small pillow that my DD sent with me to think of her, and it ended up being the perfect tummy pillow. Two or three times in that first 36 hours I was uncomfortable even with morphine, but the nurses responded quickly with additional pain meds. I made a few phone calls on day 2, saw my DD, and spent alot of time with my Mom and DH. Visited a little with my roommate, who cheered me on as I walked. My MD visited am and pm and was very pleased with my progress. I had no bladder problems after the catheter came out the 2nd evening (only a quick, little ouch upon removal). The 2nd night - late - brought the gas. I walked the halls from about 2-4 a.m. and my wonderful night nurse suggested a suppository along with an injection of a muscle relaxer. That did the trick. When my MD came in at 7am on the 3rd day, he said that if I had a good day (bowels moving, pain manageable on oral meds, etc) that I could probably go home that afternoon...if I wanted to. They removed the IV and I started on soft/solid foods. My first post-op shower was heaven, and I continue to use a chair in the shower at home. No problem eating, kept drinking lots of water and walking the keep that naughty, painful gas moving. At 3 pm. that afternoon, the nurse came in and asked if I was ready to go home, which I was. My DH was so anxious to get me home that he had me packed (throwing things wildly into my suitcase, it was hilarious, I tried not to laugh - ouch) before the nurse left the room. So I was wheeled out in my pj's and slippers - he packed up my robe, but we didn't care at that moment.....I was going home!

The trip home wasn't too bad, I had taken Tylox before leaving the castle. The past week has been better that I expected. I sleep, walk, drink and sleep again. I eat well, lots of fruit and fiber. Pain has been a little more that I expected, not at the incision but throughout the entire pelvic area. Staples came out on day 8, I had a 7" wide "bikini" incision. I had no idea that I would be in such a brain fog! My concentration has been terrible, but improves daily. Luckily, my wonderful DH took the week off, and he and DD deserves medals for the care they have given me.

One thing I wanted to pass along...my most valued castle items (other than my friend the morphine pump) was chapstick and face moisturizer. I was dry and itchy throught my stay. They actually gave me several shots of benadril since I itched so bad from the morphine.

Thanks for sticking with my looong story - I really had a great experience (considering it was major surgery) and the care I received in the castle was first rate. I wish all of the LIW an uneventful castle visit and restful recovery. I'm back to my couch for a nap now....take care!

Janet

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