The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy - Give-Away!

Dr Lauren Streicher has released a new version of her awesome book: The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy - and we are giving away 4 copies this month! For a chance to win a copy, reply to this thread.

Tell us what you did to prepare for your hysterectomy!

We will announce a winner each Friday for the next 4 weeks.

I cleaned up "my side" of the bed. Cleared the nightstand and left only books, dvds, and my cross-stitch project. I also had my laptop nearby with my favorite game loaded. I too put our step stool by my bed to give me a handle to help myself out of bed after my hubby had to return to work. Oh yeah, and the back scratcher hyster sisters recommended that came in handy while in the hospital when I couldn't bend to scratch my calf or ankle, became handy at home to reach random things. One other thing I did was purchase some super soft cotton pj's and lounge wear...so comfy especially when your skin still feels strange and the cotton breathes through those hot flashes and night sweats! I stacked those pieces of clothing right on top of the dresser so I didn't have to "pull" dresser drawers open or try and push them shut (I have an old dresser).

The best thing I did to prepare was to follow my doctors recommendation and connect with hystersisters! Such an amazing amount of helpful hints and stories of what can be expected before and after...... Thank you!

I am preparing for my surgery next month by getting in tune with my body/spirit. Yoga and meditation have become ways to keep my mind clear. Keeping an open dialogue with girlfriends and other female warriors have elevated my spirit to focus on this as a journey. As I get closer to my date, I will start prepping meals and my post-op care package :-)

I had an endometrial biopsy first and D and C one week later to confirm my biopsy report. Within a week after the D and C I had my hysterectomy. I prepared by having faith in my MD, listened to advice from my Mother and Cousin, found HysterSisters the day of my bowel prep ( wished I would have found your site sooner) and got my bed ready.

I tried to think of everything I could beforehand. Being single and very independent and used to doing everything myself, I was especially concerned. What would I need to do differently that I normally did with little or no special preparation? How long would I be incapacitated and how would I be able to get something to eat or drink, get to the bathroom, and answer the phone or place a call if I were alone? These things couldn't necessarily wait until someone was available. I tried to ask at my pre-op appointment if I would need to do anything special, but they weren't too specific.

I put canned and dried fruit, soup, oatmeal, cereal, etc. on the counter, so I wouldn't have to bend to get it when I was hungry. I left some pots and pans on the stove, again, so I wouldn't have to bend down if I wanted to scramble eggs, heat soup, etc..

I washed all my dirty linens, clothes and underwear the weekend before surgery. I hung some nightgowns on a hanger on the closet doorknob, so I could get to them easily.

I made sure I had a phone by the couch and on my nightstand. The one I put by my nightstand had been on my lingerie chest, but I wanted it where I could reach it if in bed. I put pens and a pad of paper by each one. I kept my cell phone with me. I plugged the charger in the outlet above the kitchen counter, so I could reach it without bending.

I bought a grabber, so I could reach things high or low. I bought a small wastebasket to put near where I sat on the couch for tissues, etc.. I put books I wanted to read on my dresser so I could reach them easily.

I'm preparing by praying, for peace & wisdom. I'm also reading info on Hyster Sisters (thank you all!). And I'm trying to get caught up on housework. But I'm leaving balancing the checkbook & stuff like that cuz I'm hopeful I can do that while stuck in bed or on the couch. I'm going to pack my bag soon.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Kathy Dr Lauren Streicher has released a new version of her awesome book: The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy - and we are giving away 4 copies this month! For a chance to win a copy, reply to this thread. Tell us what you did to prepare for your hysterectomy! We will announce a winner each Friday for the next 4 weeks.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Kathy Dr Lauren Streicher has released a new version of her awesome book: The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy - and we are giving away 4 copies this month! For a chance to win a copy, reply to this thread. Tell us what you did to prepare for your hysterectomy! We will announce a winner each Friday for the next 4 weeks.

What I did to prepare for my hysterectomy on 2/26213 ,
I started by preparing a list of everything I need to do inorder to leave my home functional without me for 8 weeks. Then checked it off after the task was completed.
~ I prepaid all my bills .
~During the month of February I prepared double portioned dinner meals and froze the leftovers . This would make it easier for my husband. Reheat and serve to our family of 4.
~ cleaned out and rearanged the pantry, fridge and freezer .
~shop for quick fixing meals breakfast, lunch , and dinner. Stock up on dry goods.
~shop and stock the closet with hygiene products, cleaning chemicals, dog food, paper products.
Bank~ withdraw small bills and made a petty cash envelope for the home. Kids always need a dollar or two for something.
Detailed list of instruction for basic things I usually do.
~ advised the schools of my surgery and add people to the emergency contact list.
~ I tried to excersise any chance I could get. I wanted to strengthen my muscles as much as possible.
~ maintain a nutritious diet . You can never have enough healthy nutrients in your diet.
~ made arrangements with family members to come over and help with the kids so it wasn't all on my husbands shoulders.
Did all the laundry and cleaned the house. I didn't want to come home to a mess. And this would put my mind at ease with all the different visitors.
~ Updaed my living will as well as rechecked the will in the event of an unforeseen emergency.
~ packed a suitcase
~Fueled up the vehicles.
Made sure all of the vehicles were up to date on their required maintenance .
~ made sure the kids had everything they needed. Hair cuts, meds, dr apts.
~cut and bathed the dogs.
Hubby detail cleaned the walls, floor and bathrooms. Making our home a sterile healing environment .
~ forwarded my PO Box mail temporarily until I'm able to drive again comfortly. (I gave myself 4 weeks.)
~ Had all the carpets professionally cleaned.
~ made a list of people with their phone numbers and handed that to my son. He was in charge of letting a few people know how I made out after my surgery.
~ I put a emergency sheet on my fridge containing our address, physicians names numbers and addresses, local relative name numbers
~ rescheduled and postponed some of my regular appointments.
~ made sure I had enough of my regular daily meds.
~ gathered and made a separate section in my closet with loose fitting clothing.
~ rearranged some of my things to a location that will be easily accessable after surgery
HulaLyn🌺

My surgery is April 12th so I'm still in prep mode.

- I have tried to save as much money as I can from my job and will go into my 8 weeks off with about 1200. That's good. I won't be buying many things anyway. Good to have a little something saved though.

- Let my dear son know he is going to have to care for me and take care of the house, cooking, cleaning and dishes. He's fine with that and eager to help.

- renting a washer/dryer for the time I'm healing so we can do laundry without having to go to the laundromat.

- Just watched a video from start to finish on a davinci hysterectomy. it really helped me 'take control' of my surgery; showing me what will definitely happen (though I'm not going davinci, it still helps loads) so I'm not afraid and thinking worse things that what truly will be happening. It really helped me mentally - though one should have a good tummy to watch this. No blood but still.

- as days get closer, I'll do more things to prepare. I rather wait til the last moment as I'm good at 'out of sight out of mind'.

made some crockpot meals in the freezer aka dump meals you dump them out of the Baggie into the crockpot and turn on the crockpot. I cleaned the house had all the laundry done comoleted fmla paperwork and filed my disability claim for work