SOOOOOOO Tired

Help,
I am 15 days out from TAH(w/complications requiring 2nd surgery) and I'm EXHAUSTED. I am trying to eat right(although my belly isn't quite back to normal?)

I walk as much as I can(it's been bitter cold-windy here the last few days)

I got a script from my dr for Ambien(sleeping pill) and have been sleeping pretty well(i do usually get up 1-2 times a night to pee or from night sweats)but get back to sleep pretty easy.

I just started my HRT 4 days ago-but it seems like if I take a shower-I'm done for awhile or if I do a sink of dishes I have to stop in the middle and sit down for awhile.

I just have NO energy(which is starting to honkerblonk my husband off-as he thinks I'm being LAZY)

Please help-is this something that will improve w/time and is very normal as I've had 2 major surgeries-right?
Any comments would help

Thank you all and God Bless
Angelina

Hi Angelina,

Post-hysterectomy fatigue is a very normal side-effect of the surgery. I remember well the bone-numbing exhaustion which would hit without warning. Unfortunately, it also lasts for months (in my case, because I was a bad Princess and did too much too soon, the exhaustion lasted for amost a year!)

Check out this article on the subject: http://www.cancerpage.com/news/article.asp?id=109

You are still very early in the recovery process though and all you should be doing at this point is resting, taking short walks, and drinking plenty of water. You really shouldn't even be standing long enough to do dishes.

This recovery takes 6 to 8 weeks, with full recovery taking anywhere from 6 months to a year. It's important to give yourself the time you need to heal in order to avoid further problems down the road.

If you haven't already, check out the Checkpoints which can give you an idea of what you should and shouldn't be doing at each stage of recovery. The link is at the top of the page in the Purple Bar. You might also want to have your DH read the section for men so he'll understand what you are going through isn't laziness. Here's that link: For Men

Please take care of yourself and give yourself more time. You only get one chance at a good recovery.

s

Lisa

I too remember that terrible exhaustion caused from doing nothing at all. I'd have to support myself in the shower, or shower with DH because after about 2 minutes in there, I was all done in! It has finally started to ease now at nearly 5 weeks. At least I can take a shower and do light housework without feeling like I've run a marathon. And you doing dishes at 2 weeks??? Are you nuts? Princesses don't do dishes at 2 weeks. Get back to bed girl!

Remember, your body is expending every spare ounce of energy in making new tissue and replacing lost blood supply, etc. It's hard exhausting work and you need to be good to your body if you don't want to drag out the recovery longer then necessary.

Happy healing thoughts to you!

Dona

Thank you sooooo much,
I appreciate the feedback and will listen to it. I guess I'm just being impatient and need to stop that. The thing is I'll feel better and say to myself"I can do this" then I start and Uh Oh-realize I shouldn't have or I really Can't.

Thank you all for your support and I WILL listen to it. You are right I have 1 chance to heal and I MUST do it right to avoid any other problems. I am glad to hear, though, that I am not alone and you all have experienced the same thing

Thanks again,
God Bless
Angelina