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LAVH/BSO on 7/19--details of castle stay
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07-29-2002, 11:00 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 25
Hysterectomy: July 19th, 2002
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LAVH/BSO on 7/19--details of castle stay
One of the things I found most helpful before my surgery was reading of others' hospital stays. So I wanted to relate mine as best as I can recall.
We arrived at the hospital at 6:30 am on Friday. I was taken back to a room for prepping. Once I had changed into the hosp. gown, my husband was allowed in the room til I went to the OR. An IV was put in first thing because the dr. wanted to get antibiotics in me before surgery.
I am usually a pretty easy stick for IVs or giving blood. The nurse got it in easily but the vein promptly collapsed. She said they kind of do a bad thing to us because not being able to eat or drink after midnight makes you a bit dehydrated which makes it harder to find those veins. She switched to the back of the hand on the other arm which worked out ok.
The dr. and anesthesiologist both came in and talked with us. Then there was some waiting. Finally had me put on the lovely paper surgical cap and booties. My husband says they gave me something thru the IV to relax me but I don't remember that.
Around 7:45 am I walked to the OR. (That surprised me!) Got myself up on the table. The last thing I remember is a nurse putting some very warm blankets on me. As I think about it, that is a very pleasant way to go to "sleep." It happened so fast. In previous surgeries, I remember a little bit of warning--ie. "I'm going to give you something to make you sleepy. Count backwards from 100.."
The anesthesiologist said he needed me to be awake to put the breathing tube in. I don't remember the procedure at all but they told me that I did try to stop him/take it out.
At my pre-op, the dr. said I had a 30% chance of ending up with a TAV. During the exam, the uterus wasn't giving/moving the way he wanted it to. He said that sometimes that will improve when you're under because things relax a bit. Thanks be to God, he was able to do the LAVH. He said he almost wasn't able to do it vaginally because my uterus was very wide. He ended up cutting it in half to remove it. (For some reason, I find that a somewhat disturbing thought.)
I remember very little of my time in the recovery room. I don't think I ever opened my eyes there. I remember a nurse telling me to quit rubbing my eyes (because of the IV on my hand I think.) And I asked what time it was. I think they told me a little after 11.
A nurse came out about halfway thru my surgery to let my husband know that it was going fine. He appreciated that. A friend came to sit with him so he didn't have to wait alone. The surgery took a little less than 2 hrs. The dr. came out to talk to him after the surgery. He called the children and my mom to let them know that everything went ok.
I remember the ride to my room. My husband and our friend came up with me. I know I was settled in by 11:30.
The afternoon was spent sleeping I guess--don't remember much of it. By late afternoon, I got up to try to use the bathroom. No luck. The second try a little later wasn't successful either. The dr. said that is really no surprise. Between the vaginal packing and general swelling, that little tube (urethra) was being pushed on. So a catheter was reinserted around 9 pm. Went for my first walk down the hall shortly after that. I also had to have the IV moved to the other arm. Being on the back of my hand, it had come loose with the getting in and out of bed.
I was surprised how little pain I felt. I have a pretty high threshold for pain but expected to feel some all the same. I realize the pain machine automatically dispensed meds. But I seldom pressed the button on my own. I did have a terrible backache that the meds did not do anything for. I slept for 1 1 /2 to 2 hrs. at a time thru the first night. Did not find the nurses' having to do vitals and such intrusive. In fact, all the nurses were wonderful--kind, considerate, helpful.
First thing the next morning (start of Day 2) the catheter was removed. The dr. came by and took out the vaginal packing. I was also taken off the pain machine. At first they were just going to take it off the automatic setting but leave it for self-dispensing as needed. But I had hardly used it thru the night so they just disconnected it all together. I asked the nurse how often it would give me meds if I were punching the button constantly. She said every 6 min. I had gone 6 hrs. without doing it. The last time I pushed it for meds was a precaution because I knew I wanted to get up and do some walking. It also helps you get out the door faster if you can switch to oral pain meds.
I finally got to eat and take a shower! I went to the bathroom. The dr. said I could go home if I wanted. It was up to me. I could stay if I wanted to or go home. Don't know why we didn't decide to do that right away. But we didn't. Thought the dr. would be by again and kind of waited for that. He didn't come by but did call to check in.
There were three things I wasn't prepared for. They weren't major and logic should have told me. But who's thinking logically about all an upcoming surgery might entail. (1) shaving--around the belly button was strange but also in the private area; (2) sore and tender in the private area--different than what I experienced after childbirth; and (3) the vaginal packing.
Around 5 pm I experienced those infamous gas pains. At that point, we decided I'd stay for another night. I could go home and be miserable. Didn't really want to go home just to do that and I wanted to be some place where maybe someone could do something about it if it didn't get better or even got worse. The nurse gave me a suppository around 8 pm. Finally experienced some relief between 11 and 1 am.
I slept well the rest of the night. The nurses weren't checking on me as often as they did the first night. The dr. came by around 10am Sunday. We packed up and left for home at 11.
I was very glad to be home and see my children. My 5 yo had the hardest time having me gone. The 2 yo was rather oblivious I think. I am glad I spent the extra night at the hosp. Gave me a little more time and I didn't want the children to see me so uncomfortable (as I was Sat. night.)
I am so blessed. I am now at 10 days post-op. I still have not had pain in the area of the surgery. I am feeling very good but am taking it easy so it stays that way. My oldest daughter is 19 and is capable of (and most of all willing to) take care of the little ones and meals which she has done most of the summer. Some ladies from our Bible study provided meals for 5 days. I appreciated that for my dd's sake as it gave her a break from this load she has been carrying. I wish everyone could have it this easy. God is so good!
I'll be praying for successful surgeries and easy recoveries for all the Sisters!
Janet
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07-29-2002, 11:26 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 141
Hysterectomy: July 19th, 2002
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LAVH/BSO on 7/19--details of castle stay
Hi,
Glad your recovery is going so well . I had my surgery the same day as you however I had my done abdominally and laparascopic.
Your story is a great one, I haven't had a chance to put my on paper yet. You are truly blessed with your family, I got out of recovery about 5:00 p.m. friday, home sat. noon, DH helped me on sunday, but I was on my own monday, with a 12 year old (who is very spoiled and boy am I paying the price now!). I also had stairs to contend with, but made it though. We princesses are truly amazing!
and
LSH 7/19
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