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15 things based on my experience... so far
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07-21-2003, 08:52 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 163
Hysterectomy: July 15th, 2003
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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15 things based on my experience... so far
Hi ladies, I am 6 days post-op from TVH-BSO and Urethra Sling done with a spinal and I thought maybe you would be interested in the things that I did and were done pre-op and so far post-op. I had a lot of questions about these things and found answers like this in different places so here is my list and experience. This is of course not everything but some of the things I was questioning before surgery. These are not in any kind of order.
1. Cleaning house: DH and I cleaned everything we could think of, now that I have been home for a couple of days I could care less.
2. Recovery area: DH and I set up the spare bedroom for my recovery (even put cable in there for TV.) and I have been in there for a total of 6 hours. I feel more comfortable on my couch.
3. Granny Panties: Buy at least a couple of pair of granny panties, keep them in the package so you can return them if you don't use them but at least you will have them at home. I am still wearing my granny panties cuz my usual ones don't fit yet mostly because of gas.
4. Jammies: I did buy loose draw string shorts and lounge pants and I am so glad I did, these things are extremely comfortable. I went to Goodwill so this wouldn't break me; I think I will get more when I can shop again.
5. Food: I bought cream soups, pudding in a cup, sherbet and Snapple juices. Most meds need to be taken with food and the puddings work great for that.
6. Gas: Ask your Dr. before you leave the castle about the use of Gas X post-op and get some if allowed, this stuff has been the best invention in my opinion. Walking does get and keep things moving so also take short walks around the castle/house.
7. Body Pillow: I didn't think I needed one but sent DH on a shopping trip when I got home for one and I love it. I had a urethra sling along with my TVH and there is one stitch on each side just above the lips and the body pillow keeps my legs apart and gives me something to lean on while sleeping or just laying around.
8. Post-op meds: Keep in mind the approx. time that you are getting released; I was release at 6:00 in the evening with 2 prescriptions that needed to be filled. Our pharmacy here in town closes early and even Wal-Mart's pharmacy closes at 7:00 around here so by the time hubby got me home then back to the "big" city, Wal-Mart was closed. (he forgot the check book when he came to get me otherwise we would have done it on our way out of town). You will need your pain meds!
9. Vomiting: If you even think you might get sick at the castle ask for the larger vomiting bowl, bucket, container what ever you want to call it, that little pink kidney shaped thing just don't cut it.
10. Supplies I took with me and used: lip balm, pads, granny panties, toothbrush & paste, razor (I have always had a chin problem), slippers, light weight robe
11. Supplies I took with me but didn't use: hair brush, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, nightgown. I couldn't stand long enough to shower without throwing up until the day I went home so I waited till then to shower. To tell you the truth, I didn't care.
12. Pads: You will need something post-op, don't give or throw them away. So far panty liners have been fine for me.
13. Urethra sling: This is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I don't dribble anymore, as I mentioned above I do have 1 stitch on each side just above the lips that will dissolve and a tiny incision just above my urethra inside the vagina. There is a little soreness where the outside stitches are but that feels more like a bruise.
14. Shaving: They shaved me sometime after I was out, a little off the top for the urethra sling and just a bit around the vagina.
15. This next item is based on my own experience...
Morphine makes me itch, Nubane is an anti-itch med that was injected into my IV, IT MADE MY PAIN MEDS REVERSE! My first 24 hours were spent virtually without any pain meds thanks to two of these injections along with a faulty pump button. Dr said it is very, very rare that Nubane does this but it can happen and none of the nurses had ever had this happen before. This is what caused my vomiting, I was full of every pain med the nurses had orders for. My body didn't like all that stuff in me so.........
Dr. did change things when he got the message late that evening but i didn't get the PCA pump for 2 1/2 more hours!!! Finally my IV was injected with a dose of Torodol (sp?) That did take the pain away and I sure was in a better mood after that.
Please, please remember this is all based on my experience and if you have any questions feel free to ask me. I am not an expert by any means just a normal woman with a new experience and YES I would do it again. (so far).
Take care and read everything you can on this site, it helped me so much,
Jodi
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07-22-2003, 09:38 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 163
Hysterectomy: July 15th, 2003
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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15 things based on my experience... so far
Hi again, I guess this list could become much longer if I don't stop but there have already been some lessons learned.
Don't forget to have a pen and paper handy to write down your doses of meds when you get home, this has come in handy already.
Take care
Jodi
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07-22-2003, 10:00 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 102
Hysterectomy: June 25th, 2003
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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15 things based on my experience... so far
Just a few things I thought of when reading this post, I took had a bad experience with the morphine made me vomit, which after the TAH did not feel that great. They gave me medicine to control the vomiting, but kept me on the pump!! The nurse came in and told me I had to use the pump and I told her no way on God's green earth was that happening! I wouldn't budge so they called the doctor and he put me on something else.
But I brought mints to the hospital, I had a box of Altoids handy and I am really glad I did. It helped to have something for my scratchy throat.
My dh also had the visitors limited to family only, I was pretty sick from morphine and did not feel like any company. Some people got their nose out of joint but they got over it. I know not everyone is the same but about the last thing I wanted was friends coming in and trying to have to carry on a conversation.
I did take a shower the day after surgery. I told nurse if I could have stood longer I would have stayed in there all day!! I never had a shower that felt so good!!
And I do recommend taking your own pads, hospitals were very bulky, that was the first thing I did was replace with my own.
These are just a few thoughts I thought I would add, and I will also add the waiting is the hardest part for everyone. My poor dh felt so helpless, I think that is why he takes his job as the pillow police so seriously!!! I was pretty moody due to nerves and stress, if I had to change anything I think I would have cut him some slack.
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