Hi Ladies, I am just more than two weeks past surgery (TAH uterus and cervix fibroids removed, kept ovaries). Feeling pretty good. Today is first day sitting up at laptop. I sit for a while and reconnect w/world, then go lie down for a bit. Tips:
If you are a working girl and you have a few weeks b/4 your surgery I recommend
--getting your shoes repaired
--getting your drycleaning done
just before surgery. That way, when you are ready to go back to work, you are not running around like a crazy person getting your clothes ready. You have time to mentally prepare for the onslaught at the office instead.
My best pre-hyster purchases were
--soft, warm comfy house shoes with a STURDY SOLE
--soft, warm comy robe that has as much cotton in it as possible. Cotton is important b/cause it breathes. After surgery I found that either b/cause of pain medicine or my ovaries adjusting, I had some sweating episodes. A cotton robe is more comfy.
--some knee-length nightgowns with long sleeves, also, as much cotton as possible. My friend found one for me at Wal-Mart last week for $1.50. Not kidding!!!!! Check Wal-Mart!!!
If you are a single gal like me, line up people in advance to stay w/you. I made a little calendar and filled people in as they were available. Also, realize that if you are used to living alone, at some point, you are going to want your space and peace and quiet, because that is what you are used to. That's a-okay. I only scheduled people for about a week or so, and decided to play it by ear after that. So far, so good.
If you don't have family nearby, consider whether there's someone else in your life who can help. For example, I have a petsitter and she's also become a great friend, and she is helping me so much! She is willing to run errands for me and etc. and since she's hear each day to walk my dogs until I'm stronger, it is not out of her way.
If you have one person bearing the load of most of your caregiving, remember to encourage that person to get out and take a break. You may have to insist -- but remember, they have to take care of themselves to care for you!
Finally, I recommend rice pudding as a good food to eat when you come home. It is easy on the tummy but if you put raisins and ground up (really ground up) nuts in it with a bit of brown sugar, with milk (some add eggs) it's also good for you, too. You can probably find recipes in your cookbooks and/or online.
That's all for now. Hope these tips somehow repay all the great advice I got from my sisters here.
things to do if you have time before surgery
