HysterSisters.com is a massive online community with over 475,000 members and over 5 million posts.
Our community is filled with women who have been through the
Hysterectomy experience providing both advice and support from our active members and moderators.
HysterSisters.com is located at 111 Peter St, Toronto, Canada, M5V2H1 and is part of the VerticalScope network of websites.
With free registration, you can ask and answer questions in our HYSTERECTOMY forum community, get our FREE BOOKLET, access Hysterectomy Checkpoints and more.
You are not alone. The HysterSisters are here for you. Join us today!
|
|
Upcoming hysterectomy: My sons will be my helpers
|
10-25-2016, 12:22 PM
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 68
Hysterectomy: November 28th, 2016
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Removed both
|
|
Upcoming hysterectomy: My sons will be my helpers
My surgery is scheduled for November 28th. I am 57 and widowed so it's just me and my two unmarried sons ages 25 & 29. (My siblings all live 500 miles or more away.)
My sons are very loving and supportive and have accompanied me during my D&C biopsy and on my doctor visits but I'm not sure how much they understand all that is involved. Hey, I'm just learning myself!
Any suggestions? I looked at Misterhyster but it seems more geared to spouses. I'm probably overthinking this but I'd like to give them a good idea of what I need and what they can expect BEFORE they have to deal with it.
Thanks
|
Sponsored Links
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
10-25-2016, 03:09 PM
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 4,029
Hysterectomy: June 5th, 2014
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
|
|
Re: Upcoming hysterectomy: My sons will be my helpers
Well, many of really didn't need much help. You may want them to drive you places for however long driving is restricted, and do any heavier chores around the house like vacuuming, carrying heavy things, etc. you will most likely be up and about, able to shower, wash your hair, do stairs, all of that stuff. You should be able to fix yourself something to eat etc, You may want them to run errands if you don't feel up to going, although I did that myself as soon as I could drive at one week. I was 58 when I had mine, so you're young :-). I was shocked about how good I felt after and how little pain I had. If your dr has given you a list of restrictions, you might want to share that with them also. I was not super restricted, I could lift 10 lbs, and then 30 after 2 weeks, I couldn't do heavy exertion for 6 week, or have sex or swim /bathe. I couldn't drive for a week. I basically did anything else that I felt like as long as it didn't hurt or cause discomfort. Good luck for a smooth recovery!
|
|
10-25-2016, 03:44 PM
|
|
|
|
Posts: 19,781
Hysterectomy: May 29th, 2013
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
|
|
Re: Upcoming hysterectomy: My sons will be my helpers
I think the easiest way to explain this to a guy would be to ask them if they have any friends who've needed abdominal surgery for a hernia. The restrictions are similar.
I live alone with two cats and had no problems with recovery. Mind that I had abdominal surgery with a three-day hospital stay, while you're having an LAVH, so you're probably staying overnight at most. I was pretty stoned the first day after surgery, although the nurses got me out of bed to walk a lap around the ward once in the morning and once in the afternoon. I was much livelier the second day.
I couldn't bend or twist at the waist and I couldn't lift, push or pull more than 10 lbs, but I could reach over my head no problem. I had to walk slowly, with short steps, but I had no problems going for walks around the block. I took a nap every afternoon and turned in early in the evening.
Before surgery I scrubbed the apartment, did lots of laundry and stocked up on groceries, toiletries and household goods, focussing on foods that needed little or no preparation (yogurt, fruit, bread, peanut butter, etc.). After surgery I prepared simple foods for myself and the cats, washed a few dishes at the sink and kept the litter box scooped. Otherwise I spent my time walking and sitting outside reading and sewing.
Pain was pretty minimal. I was off narcotics by the third day after surgery. I took ibuprofen pretty regularly for the next week, occasionally a week after that.
|
Sponsored Links
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
10-25-2016, 04:21 PM
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 168
Hysterectomy: September 15th, 2016
|
|
Re: Upcoming hysterectomy: My sons will be my helpers
Just make sure someone is around to help and that all housework is their's for the next 4 weeks. I had hubby take two days off work and he did housework for next couple weeks.
|
|
10-25-2016, 05:33 PM
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 424
Hysterectomy: June 11th, 2014
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Removed both
|
|
Re: Upcoming hysterectomy: My sons will be my helpers
All of the above suggestions are great! If you are worried about needing help with personal things like bathing, dressing or using the bathroom, you probably won't need help in those areas. You will be showering instead of taking tub baths so no worries about getting in and out of the tub. Even washing your hair should be ok. Talk to the nurses before you leave the hospital about caring for your incisions by yourself so you'll know what to expect.
I would suggest stocking up on some pads ahead of time-you may or may not have spotting after-so that way you won't have to depend on the boys to go to the store and try to figure out what to buy! Also, some flushable wet-wipes for BM might be helpful, that way you will be able to clean yourself more easily.
Good luck!
|
|
10-25-2016, 05:47 PM
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 68
Hysterectomy: November 28th, 2016
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Removed both
|
|
Re: Upcoming hysterectomy: My sons will be my helpers
Thanks everyone! This is just what I was looking for. As to the shower unfortunately it is a tub with shower rather than a stall. Not sure how that will work for me, but I'm getting the idea that the pain is fairly manageable with medication, (at least for short periods) so I should be OK.
|
|
10-25-2016, 06:23 PM
|
|
|
|
Posts: 469
Hysterectomy: August 3rd, 2016
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
|
|
Re: Upcoming hysterectomy: My sons will be my helpers
Hi Eriegal,
I also have a tub that I have to get into to shower. I used a walking stick with 3 feet for balance while getting in & out of the tub, but only needed it for the first few days because I was wonky from the narcotics.
Best wishes!
|
|
10-26-2016, 07:06 AM
|
|
|
|
Posts: 479
Hysterectomy: May 16th, 2016
Surgery Type: TLH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
|
|
Re: Upcoming hysterectomy: My sons will be my helpers
I agree with Kaspa about the shower. I have the same kind of shower and while I didn't use a walking stick I just held onto the wall getting in and out of the shower. It may hurt a little to take that big of a step but it is short lived and does go away quickly. After you are off the narcotics it will be a lot easier to get in and out on your own. One quick note though, make sure you have some on that stuff on the bottom of the tub so you don't slide around.
|
|
Similar Threads
|
From This Forum |
From Other Forums |
11 Replies, Last Reply 12-15-2015, Started By hbouchard1 6 Replies, Last Reply 10-14-2008, Started By protea 6 Replies, Last Reply 09-23-2006, Started By dougslovebug 13 Replies, Last Reply 08-11-2006, Started By insightme86 13 Replies, Last Reply 07-16-2006, Started By Kathy 2 Replies, Last Reply 07-08-2004, Started By jenniferA 4 Replies, Last Reply 01-08-2003, Started By Danita 4 Replies, Last Reply 06-21-2002, Started By miteacher 4 Replies, Last Reply 04-18-2002, Started By mistress196 3 Replies, Last Reply 07-11-2001, Started By christiecomp |
8 Replies, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) 3 Replies, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) 5 Replies, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) 36 Replies, Prayer Requests for Hyster Sisters 1 Reply, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) 15 Replies, Cancer Concerns - GYN 0 Reply, Cancer Concerns - GYN 2 Replies, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) 9 Replies, Prayer Requests for Hyster Sisters 4 Replies, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) |
|
Advertisement
Hysterectomy News
TODAY'S EVENTS
Calendar -
Hysterectomies -
Birthdays
Request Information
I am a HysterSister
Your Hysterectomy Date
$vbulletin->featuredvideos is not an array!
Advertisement
Advertisement
|