2 steps forward, 2 steps back - 3 weeks post hysterectomy.

So....I'm 3 weeks post op. Had the da Vinci, only kept my right ovary. First few days were rough as expected. The last 2 weeks have been great. I felt great other than the expected achiness and getting tired easily. The past 2 days have been hell. I cry at the drop of a hat, I have no patience, my boobs hurt and I'm pretty sure I've had hot flashes. I don't even want to be around myself. I'm sure it's just my one ovary trying to do it all, but I'm miserable! Please tell me I'm not alone!!!

Your not alone. I went through the same thing around 4 week post out. Just remember your half way there. At 6 weeks you will feel so much better.

That's exactly how I felt when I was 3 weeks post op. Was feeling much better from week 4 on. Hang in there!

Quite a few Sisters who kept one or both ovaries notice that their hormones are out of whack and wonder why. Post-op, ovaries might be "asleep" from compromised blood supply during surgery or the trauma itself. It can take a few weeks for them to get back up to speed, and meanwhile we can experience the familiar symptoms of hormone imbalance. If you were on some kind of hormone pre-op like the BC pill, the change can be more pronounced.

Keep a journal of your symptoms; if they become unbearable, talk to your doctor about temporary relief to get you over the hump. Also, making food choices with plant-based estrogens may help.

I didn't start turning the corner on feeling "human" again until around or just after my 4th week appointment - still couldn't do things like standing or sitting or walking for long periods of time and I'd deal with aches and swelly belly. My ovaries kicked in sometime after the 7 week mark.

It's a slow journey, but it gets better.