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Hyster Carrie Goes to the Hospital

Hyster Carrie Goes to the Hospital

Date : 08-05-2000 - 05:22 PM - Readers : 792

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I am 55 years old, and I have always had terrible, long, heavy periods. Because I have dr phobia and hospital phobia (and my dh is a dr, lol), I have tended to neglect those all important checkups.
This year I was a good girl and did the whole 9 yards. I had made a list of my symptoms (bachache, ache under my ribs, frequent and long periods, borderline anemia, and high blood pressure), but the pa who did the annual and our college nurse said I was probably just a bit anemic--eat more protein.
This went on for months, until finally, bless his black heart, dh had a dr friend write me an order for an ultraound. Brought the note home, posted it on the refrigerator, and said, "Do it!!!"
Did it and knew somthing was up when dh came home early waving the lab report. Lots of very nice fibroids, plus a very large uterus. The I told you sos were flying thick and fast!
I checked out some alternative therapies but grew impatient at my everincreasing symptoms and my growing waistline. Started looking for a good gynecological surgeon, polled everyone I knew. Finally made an appointment, and the doctor looked at my films and the report, then did an exam. Said my uterus was up to my navel, had to be a tah. Said it also might as well be a bso, and I agreed. At this stage, I just wanted everything out.
My surgery was scheduled for 6am on July 6. Dh came to the hospital, and thanks to his medical degree was allowed to come and visit me in preop and stay with me until they wheeled me in to surgery. By this time I had a valium, and I was very relaxed.
Woke up in terrible pain, with dh, anesthesiologist, and surgeon all staring at me, imploring me to get beyond the pain. i kept saying, it's not my stomach, it's my back. I feel like I'm about to give birth! A quick shot of torodal into my iv took care of the pain. This was the last really bad pain I experienced.
Into my room and dh right there, followed by dds. I was a bit out of it and they left after dinner (yes, I had real food, but my dd had to cut my meat up--nice role reversal!) I have a terrible nurse phobia, too, but it quickly passed. My nurse the first night was a student I had helped when she was in nursing school, and she took very good care of me, even when I vomited.
She was followed by more nice nurses. The second day they took away my oxygen, my iv, my med pump, etc. dh came back with dds--they went to dinner without me! Friend from work visited, flowers started appearing. I started to feel pretty perky. Had a shower, more rotten food. Did not sleep a wink that night. Seems my room was right next to a labor and delivery room, and a huge chorus counted pushes all night long. Take earplugs to the hospital, ladies. nurses thought it was very funny. Slept a lot. Was told i could go home or stay another night. Stayed, slept.
I went home from the hospital on 7/9. Dh took the long way home, but the ride wasn't bad. We set up my nest on the sofa in front of the tv hooked to the dish, and he went for a bike ride. I had to remind him to make me lunch. he made dinner--microwave dinners but a nice salad. he never made a salad in the almost 36 years we have been married!!!
Gave him big praise.
The past 4 weeks have been fairly uneventful--a little boredom, a little depression, not much pain. hard to sleep the first few nights but getting better. Switched to ibuprofen after first week home. Able to do light housework, stairs, etc from the first. Have done the cooking, the laundry, the dishes, etc. Still have only tried out the vacuum. Not a good idea!
Got bored last week and "visted" work for 4 hours. Decided I might as well try half days for the 2 weeks before school starts. My sick leave will be used up by then, anyway.
I wish I had done this 10 years ago!
The moral of my story is don't let fear keep you from taking good care of yourself. Despite all my phobias, I had and am having a good hospital and post-op experience. If you have symptoms, get them checked out, and keep checking until you get some answers. Don't let your fears stand in the way. I waited too long; I hope those of you who are cruising the site will read this very long story and know that a hysterectomy can be a positive thing in your life. Thanks for reading.

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