Reality check from the veterans, please!

Dear Hystersisters,

I've recently scheduled my surgery for July 25, which will be for a "partial" abdominal (I forget the terminology) to remove my uterus only. I have one large fibroid which is growing, and is currently 12 cm. As my Gyn has told me, and as I can see visibly, I look as if I'm 5 months pregnant.

I have always had heavy periods, and it was in 2001, that my Internist flagged me with anemia (rbc at that time 9). I thought I was depressed, as I was showing clinical signs of that (irritability, lack of concentration, lack of interest, fatigue) and wrote it off to post 9/11 stress. My internist put me on massive doses of oral iron and over time, I was back to normal.

I began a period of "watchful waiting" about three years ago when the fibroid was about 7cm. I maintained my iron supplement; however, as I'm not a compliant patient (I'm usually too busy to remember my meds), my rbc dropped again.

Back on iron, but a change in life. Two years ago, I did a major career change and went from IT consulting (I started and owned my own practice) to restaurant/catering. I've always been active, but this career change requires physical stamina. Stair climbing, inventory lugging, 60 quarts of soup lifting, front of the house, back of the house, 18 hours a day. Needless to say, anything that gets in my way or limits my physical ability to be there is harmful to my nascent business.

In the last ten months, I have had two incidents of SVT (rapid heart rate exceeding 200 bpm) with accompanying severe anemia (first incident rbc of 7, second incident rbc of 6) with both requiring hospitalization and intense iron therapy. Of course, I was neglient in taking my iron and bled out the month before this last hospitalization to scare enough people.

Enough people, medical experts there, too, asked me, "Didn't you feel bad? Didn't you know something was wrong?", to which I said, "I didn't have the time to think about that." I kept on going, even though now I recognize this last incident of more than basic tired.

At any rate, I'm a classic Type "A", and I don't take well to lying around. I'm concerned that I may not be realistic at all about my limitations - the first few days, weeks and then maybe some months post-surgery. Are there any fellow "A" Types out there that can help me with your own stories?

Thanks so much !

Well, I had a LSH, but I found the painkillers kept me sleepy enough that I couldn't really overdo at first LOL! After that, I really think recovery goes better for those that get up and around sooner. Don't lift anything, and avoid bending at first, but occupy yourself with other tasks. I worried about this, but I didn't have any trouble.

You will be having your surgery on my 1 year hysterversary! I am definitely a Type A person and as they say "it's hard to keep a good woman down!!" I found recovery very difficult because once I started to feel better I wanted to be doing things I wasn't allowed to do. It's easy to forget and lift something you shouldn't or do something you musn't but you have to follow the rules so as not to cause any complications with your healing. I tried to find small sit down jobs I had been wanting to do but never had the time, like organizing photos into photo albums, creating a master grocery shopping list on the computer and things like that. Fortunately you'll be having your surgery in the summer. I spent a lot of time on my deck, some days I ate all 3 meals out there and napped on my chaise lounge.
Good luck with your surgery and keep thinking how wonderful you'll feel when your anemia is gone.
Michelle

don't feel bad, i had a fibroid the size of a 20 week fetus, and now i'm 6 weeks post op feeling good. i also had adominal. your body will let you know. listen to your body. i was going the first day after i got out of the hospital. for the first 3 weeks i was going every other day without a problem. now i get a little sleepy for some reason. but listen to your body, and good luck. keep us informed.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by candyapplelady I tried to find small sit down jobs I had been wanting to do but never had the time, like organizing photos into photo albums, creating a master grocery shopping list on the computer and things like that.

I wouldn't call myself type A, but those are just the type of things I hope to get done during my recovery if I end up having a hysterectomy this summer.

Hi Park796Beek, and

We're happy you joined the Hystersisters community! To help get you started on tuning into the terms we use on the site for various types of surgery, click here: Abbreviations.

Recovery time varies based on the type of hysterectomy you are having, the reasons for it, general health, age, etc. I had a TAH/BSO and was issued a 6-week disability period. However, it took many, many months for the achiness to go away, and it took almost a year for me to truly feel "better."

I'm a very impatient person and kind of hyper, so it wasn't real easy for me. But, I eventually got better and now it's "water under the bridge."

My girlfriend who had her hyster is my guardian angel and Type A cop. She told me a story that is not to be forgotten. [I apologize for the graphic imagery, but I know no other way to effectively make sure this message is understood. The manner certainly has its value.]

She had her hyster (TVH in 2000) and was feeling pretty good (pain meds do help in that category.) She decided (since her daughter's birthday party was going to be at the end of the week) that she would stain her deck...remember the no vaccuuming instructions? (At that point, if it wasn't the pain meds, it would have been the fumes.)

Needless to say, she woke up the next morning (with her deck stained) and could not get off the toilet because of the bleeding she experienced. Luckily the phone was nearby, and she was able to call her husband's office, that was in turn able to connect her to her doctor. When the nurse asked the question about a pad an hour, my dear friend said, "how about a full bath towel every ten minutes?" Needless to say the nurse advised her to get to the hospital ASAP.

Why it did not occur to either the nurse or her that she should report to the closest emergency room or take an ambulance is beyond me.

My girlfriend then had her sister come over to pick her up to take her to the hospital where she had her hysterectomy (which on a normal drive is an hour and twenty minutes.) They made it in about an hour at 90 mph hoping to get a police escort.

With blood filling her shoes and leaking up to her neck, she did get her repair operation to close a blood vessel and a vag reconnect to the abdominal wall, a couple of tranfusions and a few more weeks of restrictions.

The moral of the story? Do what your doctor says and stick to the restrictions no matter what.

Again, I apologize for the graphic nature, and she fully recongizes and bares witness to the fact that she nearly died. Being one who pushes the limits on a normal basis myself, her story was the first one to really drive home the message that I need to stick to the limits because the limits are put there for a reason.

I have seen weight restrictions limited to as much as ten pounds for the first four weeks and as little as two pounds for a hyster. Certainly no vaccumming (or deck staining) because the activity uses the abdominal muscles. After my dear friend's story, even though my doc said "ten pounds and able to do steps," I am sticking to the two pounds and no steps until the second week or so. I like how many sisters have put it on the baords here: you have one chance to heal yourself right the first time-- be good to yourself!

I'm a former Type A personality. I learned the hard way 20+ years ago about pushing myself. I contracted a potentially fatal blood infection which put me in the hospital for 11 days. That lesson taught me how to be a good during my hyster recovery. I did not want to do anything that I would regret. I figured that I was worth 6-8 weeks of being a good The heck with me trying to prove to the world I was superwoman. I tried it once and it darn near killed me. I know I am not superwoman and frankly I don't want to be. As you can see, Elk Queen's friend darn near killed herself too. I'm hear to say, it is not worth jeopardizing your health to prove you're superwoman.

Perhaps you can find constructive and safe things to do during recovery. I had my work laptop home with me. When my body said to stop working and lay down, I did. I am 7 months post-op (where the dickens did the time go?) and did not have any problems at all. I am glad I was a good

Take care and 's