Abdominal Hysterectomy - TAH/BSO - Jackie's Story

		HysterSisters > Princess Stories Articles
Abdominal Hysterectomy - TAH/BSO - Jackie's Story

Abdominal Hysterectomy - TAH/BSO - Jackie's Story

Date : 04-12-2003 - 11:26 AM - Readers : 7116

Printer Friendly Version

Princess Jackie's Story

I went in for my surgery on Friday November 6, at 7:30 am and was scheduled for surgery at 9:30...after undressing giving DH all my clothes (of course I was covered by a johnnie, those things are a fashion statement, not to be denied). I was taken to pre-op waiting area where the IV was started, DH was able to stay with me all the way to the OR door. My doctor and his PA actually had a seat and waited with me...very comforting. I entered the OR at 9:34, it was very cold in there but within a few minutes I didn’t know it! The next thing I remember is being brought to the recovery room.... I knew the bed was moving and passed under a clock it was 12:02, wow I thought this was supposed to be an hour and a half! Once opened, my Dr said he found endo and two large fibroid cysts on each ovary. Resulting here in a TAH/BSO. This is not why I was having this procedure! I had abnormal paps for 21 years, which showed severe dysplaysia, I exhausted all my alternatives, lots of previous surgery, accompanied by lots of pain after each one, trying to avoid this surgery. It could no longer be avoided, the surgeries were no longer successful and I suffered terribly from bad mood swings and lots of everyday pain! Ohhhhhh the hell I put my poor family through.

Back to recovery, moved along rather well no complications. Morphine for pain, and at 3:00 I went to my room...shots every 3 hours for pain...sleepless night but all was well. I had no temp. My blood pressure was fine and the following morning out came the catheter and IV. I was up and about by 7:30am, just to think 24 hours prior I had not even had my surgery yet! I continued to walk the halls and drink, drink, drink. I was off the clear liquid diet by dinnertime that day! AHHHH the luxury of real food! The night went well got plenty of rest. The following morning I was discharged! Yuppers I could go home! No temp, blood pressure fine and the blood count was great...not to mention I felt fine except for the staples hurting a little. I forgot to mention Cassie Gassy, she did not get me I had very little gas and was not painful to pass!

The ride home was torture...lots of construction we could not avoid, my DH did remember to double up on pillows for the ride, which did help. Once I was home I felt tried and a lil pain from the ride, took my meds and went to bed! DH pampered me the whole week. (Out of work for me!) Six days after surgery another bumpy ride back to Dr office for the staples to be removed...ahhhhhh what a relief it is! Peritape put over the incision for 3-5 days... he said. (Still waiting for it to fall off). At this point I want to suggest as a hyster sister did for me... No bandage over this can cause discomfort with the undies rubbing against the incision. I am currently using a sani-pad with the tape side on the undies to hold it in place and it's a great comfort, it also adds that little padding that makes you feel protected. Also I spoke with him concerning the worst sharp pains and burning sensation on my right just below incision, normal healing of the nerve endings. I felt better knowing why I had this pain. I also got the ok to shower with my back to the water and pat area dry...do not rub!. DH stayed with me the whole time he was very nervous and believed I should still be in the hospital! Also the stairs were approved finally...one trip up and one trip down, once a day, this was necessary for the shower.

Everything moved along fine for the next 6 days, I did need my pain meds and got lots of fluid and rest! The 6th day I started running a slight fever 102%, and had pain and burning urinating. I called my Dr. he said this was to be expected, sometimes you will get a bladder infection from the catheter. I was prescribed an ant-biotic and pills to relieve the bladder pain. Today as I sit here and write I am at day 12 and feeling pretty good! I know I need to continue to rest and drink plenty of fluids.

This is my story I do not regret my decision to do this and look forward to a life full and happy, without the every day pain I once lived with and made my life unbearable at times!

To anyone who reads this and is considering and about to undergo this surgery.... I would say, read as much as possible, ask questions, do your research, prior to...I also took extra vitamin c, I took a multi vitamin with iron that contained a mild laxative for 2 weeks prior. I believed this helped me after because I had no problems.

I have 4 beautiful children of my own....M22,M18,M6, F4, and 1 foster child now 28, and 1 adopted daughter age 18. I love children and do not regret my decision to hold off as long as possible to be able to have them. I wish you all the success with your surgery as I possibly can and God speed for a great recovery!
Good luck...........

Jackie (age 40)

Printer Friendly Version

HysterSisters is girlfriends with - Girls Get Going