Christmas Party?

Very unimportant question but here goes...

My TAH/BSO is 12/4. The company Christmas party is 16 days later on 12/20. It is a sit-down dinner and"gambling" on a casino boat. I've told co-workers that I likely won't be feeling up to it, but since it's a small office, I'm getting some pressure to at least participate in the dinner portion.

I don't want to offend, but don't want to push my luck with recovery either. Any input?

Jay-Jay

Here's what I would do, since after being at home that long will have you wanting to do somethin.

I would give a tentative yes -- and then go if you are up to it! Most people would understand that if you were unable to attend, it would be for purely medical reasons.

So anyway, I must confess I love a Christmas party -- and I would try to make it if I was up to it.

You will not know for sure until the day of the party -- go if you can, and if you can't or don't feel up to it -- that's the way it is.

Welcome to a wonderful site!

Shari

Hi there!

I agree with Shari ~ there's almost no way you could possibly know right now if you'll feel up to going. The party is scheduled very early in your recovery, and I know that at 16 days postop, I, personally was not up for anything like that at all. But we are all different, and we can't know how we'll feel in different stages of recovery, soooooo --- if you don't have to give money ahead of time for this, I would leave it at a 'definite maybe'. I do have to say, though, that it is obvious that those at work who are pressuring you to attend have never been through surgery like this.

s and best wishes as your surgery date approaches!

Oh NO!!! Don't do it!!!

Sorry! I had a flashback to a Christmas party we had one year on a casino boat. That was the most miserable night of my whole entire life. It was freezing cold, there was no where to go on the boat if you weren't gambling, the whole ship smelled of cigarettes, diesel fuel, and alcohol, and we were all extremely sea sick! I spent 8 hours wet, cold, and miserable, huddled on a little bench on the front of the boat with most of my staff, eating crackers, and trying (unsuccessfully) not to . Our only comfort was in plotting revenge on the HR person who's bright idea the whole "party" was (we were going to throw her overboard), and on planning how we could take over the ship and make them take us back to land. No, it was NOT a happy time.

Anyway, back to your question, I think 16 days post-op is much, much too soon to be out for a party. At three weeks after my TAH last year, I was just starting to go out to lunch with my mom for an hour, and was exhausted just being out that long.

Let them know that you are having major surgery. They should realize that the recovery period is 6 to 8 weeks and not be offended. And if they are offended, oh well! Your health is much more important. You only get one chance to heal properly.

s,

Lisa

I went to the movies about 10 days after surgery. I thought just sitting there would be ok. Well by the time it was over I couldn't wait to get home. I wasn't driving so I had to wait and not be rude to say, get me outta here. So I zipped my pants back up and walked slowly to the car. I sat there and waited about 10 minutes. Fortunately they understood that I couldn't comfortably stand around and chit chat. Boy, the things I'd do to get out of the house when you've been couped up for days on end. Looking back, I was crazy! But you may feel the way I did and need to get out. As long as it's not a lot of standing and you can comfortably sit for the length of time. Being on a boat, I guess you can't just leave when you need to?

TC

After 16 days, I was physically feeling fine, and with a nap, could have made a night function. BUT hormonally, that was when the natural hormones were leaving my body through the nearest emergency exit. I was VERY moody and cried a lot, out of nowhere, and at nothing. I only seen people that I felt ok to cry in front of, which weren't many. This could hit you fast and hard, so if you do go, make an emergency plan with DH to get you out of there if either of you notice a mood change. I now have one of those shirts (and know why they print them) that say "0 to B*tch in 60 seconds". LOL Are you going to be on HRT? I have been since the day of the surgery, but the natural hormones just dump when they decide to go, leaving your body very unstable for a week or so, right around week 2.
Hugs,

I haven't had surgery yet, but here's my thought. Are those co-workers going to be wondering why you are ok to party but need 6 weeks off from work? Plus, if you are going to be stuck on the boat, that could make for a really long night, unless it's docked. Just ask your doctor and if he/she says no, you've got your out. My doctor says I can ride home from the hospital in a car, then no more even riding in a car for 2 weeks!! So I can't imagine, she'd let me go to a party on a boat. Just a thought.

Hey, Jay-Jay,
I had a tah/bso on 6/21/02 (large atypical fibroid, ovarian cysts,age 48 at that time, NO regrets) and went to a wedding on 6/29/02. I didn't dance, but enjoyed the dinner and getting out. Fortunately for me my recovery was without any complications. My advice is to listen to your body. If you can't get off that boat after dinner to go home to rest if you get tired I probably wouldn't go. Also just another thing that worked for me, I made myself get up and walk as soon as I was able and increased the distance every day, even if it was just by a little bit. For example, to the mailbox today, to the edge of our lot tomorrow and just a bit further every day. Good luck to you!

P.S.
There are NO unimportant questions when it comes to this subject!

I know I was not able to and I still wouldn't be and I'm 6 weeks this Thursday. I just went grocery shopping for the first time with DH this week and it took everything out of me. Seats would be too uncomfortable for you also I'm sure. I hope they will understand you had major surgery. Love, ((((STITCHER))))