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I Made It! Plus HELPFUL HINTS for Pre-Op Ladies
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08-25-2001, 12:42 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 26
Hysterectomy: August 20th, 2001
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I Made It! Plus HELPFUL HINTS for Pre-Op Ladies
Hi all,
Well I made it! Surgery was on Monday, 8/20, TVH/BSO with rectocele, cystocele and a lot of other repair work done! Can't believe how much better I feel already, even though I was sent home with a catheter, and after 2-3 tries to go on my own, will have it until next week. Previous to surgery I thought it would be the end of the world to have to go home with a catheter, but want to let you know that it really isn't. If you can't go, you can't go, and the catheter is a good alternative until you heal enough to be able to. It turned out that I needed more repair work done than dr. originally thought, she spent 3 hrs. on my surgery instead of 2.
This board is really the GREATEST, also the HysterSisters Guide! Thanks so much again - to all my sisters on this website - your are appreciated so much. I got so much info. here that my dr. and hospital didn't tell me - the practical things and the possible experiences, which are so important to know ahead of time, provides you with peace of mind.
Bearing in mind that I had a TVH (vs. abdominal surgery), here's a list of things that turned out to be the most important to me:
Small Tummy Pillow (for coughing after home from hospital)
Foam Donut Pillow - for sitting in car - or anywhere - after surgery
Chapstick
Stretchy Panties 2 sizes larger than you usually wear- get several
New PJ's & Robe (lightweight)
Good Portable Phone (with good battery-life) - for use when recouping
Lounging Pillows (thicker than average) for couch and bed lounging
Also, after having a TVH, I have been fine wearing a long caftan, robe, or gown during the day (it's especially helpful if you have a catheter), then change to PJ's at night so you're not fighting with your gown to turn over, etc.
Did not have a good hospital experience with nurses after surgery. There were a few who were wonderful, but there were a couple who were horrible. Here's something important I learned about after-surgery care in the hospital that I wanted to be sure and pass on - IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, arrange to have someone (family or friend) there with you at the hospital during as much of the time you are there after surgery as humanly possible, to be your advocate to make sure you get your needs met.
This includes, in particular, making sure you aren't forgotten when you ask for something, that person can follow-up for you, they can go out to the nurse's station and make sure you get what you need, it's almost impossible for you to do this yourself. Also, that person can help you undertstand and remember the nurse's or doctor's instructions exactly, because you will be on meds and will be a bit woozy. Hope this helps, I'm sure there are great hospitals out there somewhere where the above isn't a problem-
I wish all of you Ladies in Waiting the very best of luck! Feel free to contact me if you have questions - at ekcd@home.com.
Michele E., aka Dianna
Surgery 8/20/01 at Valley Medical Center
Renton, WA
(P.S. Re: having the Catheter taken out after surgery. There's a certain process they use when they remove it, and if you're not able to go immediately they will usually ask you to drink m o r e and
m o r e and m o r e and m o r e liquid, thinking this will make you go. Please know that you don't have to drink as much as they tell you to! You know how much your own bladder can hold, so be sure to pay attention to that. Because if it turns out you aren't able to go (and usually it's just because of swelling from the surgery) you will be really hurting until they get the catheter back in. The catheter process isn't that bad at all, if you pay attention to your own body and what it can handle. Wanted to pass this on, as I'd like to spare you the extra pain I had. Remember you are the one who knows your body best.)
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08-25-2001, 06:33 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 61
Hysterectomy: August 29th, 2001
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I Made It! Plus HELPFUL HINTS for Pre-Op Ladies
Wishing you a speedy recovery and good luck with the catheter.Thanks for the suggestions I go in 4 more days.I can't say if I'm ready or not.One part says get it over with, the other says just a little more time.Well, can't stop time. So, I guess I will just go with the flow for the next few days.
Laura
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08-25-2001, 08:53 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 807
Hysterectomy: October 1st, 2001
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I Made It! Plus HELPFUL HINTS for Pre-Op Ladies
You had the same procedure I am having and I appreciate all the info VERY much!
I am glad you are feeling better! What a relief to hear it isn't thta bad about the catheter!
It sounds like you are doing everything you are supposed to so I won't go into the rest, drink legs up thing!
Be it gross or not, I just have to know! ~ How was the first poop? Was it really bad?
I think that is what scares me the most! I had an episiotomy for a grade 4 tear once and I ripped it open with a soft one! Scares me to have to feel that again!
But everyonew says ask away-so I just blurted it out!
Take care of yourself!
Hugs, love and prayers!
Peanut
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08-25-2001, 01:38 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 1,095
Hysterectomy: June 25th, 2001
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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shower chair
One thing I really needed, and was so glad I bought before surgery, was a light-weight plastic patio chair that I could take in and out of the shower for the first few weeks. When I got tired (which was frequent), I could just sit on the chair, covered with a small hand towel. Showering is very tiring at first, but it feels so good, and the chair makes it so nice. Good luck to all you LIW !
Ruthie
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08-25-2001, 02:03 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 26
Hysterectomy: August 20th, 2001
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Answer to Question
Hi Peanut:
No problem with asking that question, also was one of my fears since I tend to be on the constipated side anyway. So I was surprised that even though I wasn't able to pee at the hospital, I did have a small b.m., and it wasn't that painful. I had been really afraid of the pain as a result of repair work in the rectum area. And as a matter of fact - interesting that you'd compare it to your episiotomy - my dr. had told me ahead of time that the pain from that repair work would be similar to that of an episiotomy. I've been pleasantly surprised, though, that I really haven't had much pain in that area other than some pain getting the digestive system going again, as you are wondering about. And yes, I've had very similar problems as to when I had my babies, good comparison.
Came home Wednesday PM, and I did have some problems with b.m.'s the first 2 days, stool seemed to be compacted at first, won't gross you out with the details of how I handled it (but if you want to know the details, e-mail me separately at "ekcd@home.com") After that I changed the way I'd been taking the stool softeners (called the pharmicist to ask about it first, though.) I started taking at least 1 stool softener capsule, and sometimes 2, after each meal, and this really worked a lot better for me. I also started taking 2 fiber caps after each meal (I'd been taking 3 fiber caps after each meal before surgery, I take Psyllium Husk Caps, get them at Safeway in the supplements section, they work well.)
So yesterday I was ready to celebrate when I was able to go on my own! (So funny to be excited over this, but I'm sure you can understand what I mean!) I did have some cramping, but this seems to be getting better over time. Think my system's just getting up and running, and it takes a period of time. I really am feeling good, the 2 current challenges are the catheter (and that's mainly discomfort and inconvenience), and getting the "swelly belly" when I overdo it. Our bodies really speak to us if we're paying attention, and I really advocate listening! This site has been so wonderful in encouraging me to do that, can't say enough thank you's to Kathy and all the sisters!
Good luck, and let us know how it goes. Let me know if you have any other questions, too, always glad to share my experiences-
Michele E., aka Dianna
TVH/BSO with lots of repair work, on 8/20/01
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08-25-2001, 04:22 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 2,111
Hysterectomy: August 28th, 2001
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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thank you
i'm going to the castle on tuesday and i really appreciated all of this chat! cynthia
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