I'm home!!!

My TAH (kept cervix and ovaries) on Jan. 22 went very smoothly. I have been thinking of what to say to all you Ladies in Waiting - it was all so much easier than I had feared. It really was no big deal. I think that even though intellectually I was ready, on a visceral level, my body was saying, "You're going to do WHAT?" I learned to relax (used a very helpful tape) and got a massage the day before. It is AMAZING how much you can do right after the surgery, like switch over to your bed in your room. It really is true that if you take short walks you will feel much better. It seems SO counter-intuitive, but I decided to trust the advice, and each walk was easier.
I haven't needed much in the way of pain meds so far, but I am keeping them handy. I realize I probably still have anesthesia in my system.
OK, I can feel a nap coming on. Best wishes to all my hystersisters!
- Flo

The girls at work went together and bought a massage for me. Think it's a good idea the day before? I have to do a colon prep and thought about getting the massage and then going home and drinking the "stuff"
OR I could have it tomorrow. What do you think? Surgery is Tuesday.
Thanks
Susan

Welcome home Flocat!!!!

It was great to read your post and know your experience went so well. I have four weeks to wait and all of us nervous Nelly's out here in pre-op need to hear anything positive at this point!

Now get lots of rest and keep us posted on your recovery over here in the land of pre-op!!!!

Wishing you a very speedy recovery!!!

HI FLOCAT,

GOOD TO KNOW ALL WENT WELL... MINE IS IN A FEW DAYS...1/29

I HOPE BY THEN MY NERVES ARE ALL CALM...MENTALLY I AM READY, BUT MY BODY IS DOING ITS OWN THING RIGH NOW...

MONDAY I'M GOING TO GET IN THE HOT TUB AND PLAY SOFT MUSIC TO RELAX.

I'LL NEED IT AFTER HAVING TO DRINK THE "STUFF". AND NOT BEING ABLE TO EAT ANYTHING THAT DAY, JUST CLEAR LIQUIDS...

WISHING YOU A SPEEDY RECOVERY, AND BEST WISHES FOR SJL... WE HAVE THE SAME DATE....

Hi Flocat!!

Thanks for letting all of us out here in Pre-Op Land know the scoop! It really helps to know things won't be too bad!

Take care and rest! Best wishes!

Welcome home, glad to hear you are doing well. Remember to be a good princess.

Hi Flocat
I am so glad to hear that you are home, and doing well.
Don't forget to get lots of
Take Care

Hi Sisters,
I am 2 weeks post op today and let me tell you about my experience. I waited 2 hours for my surgery, that was the hard part. When I woke up I told my DH I have to go to the bathroom really bad!! I didn't realize I had a cath. in my bladder, my husband and the nurse restrained me until I finally realized the pressure was the cath. and the gauze. After the nurse told me about my IV pain killer and I could actually inject the pain meds. myself, I was totally in 7th Heaven. I started eating only liquids the first day, but that was ok as long as I had my IV. That night they removed my cath. what a blessing. I made a bee line to the bathroom to see if I could still pee. I could but very slowly!! The Dr. took out my gauze, that was uncomfortable but quick, Thank God!! The next day they took my IV out, not before I gave myself one last injection! I was walking right after the cath. was taken out, that's important to relieve the gas!! In 3 days I was released and the Dr. said I was doing excellent. It has been 2 weeks and I feel great. This is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I have slight back pains but nothing compared to the PMS and horrible pain I had from Fibroids and Endo. The Dr. told me the back pains will subside!! Alot of post 0p hyster sisters had good info. on back pains. Hope this helps.
Hugs,
Super Hyster (Gloria)

TVH BSO Fibroids and Endo.

Really--I have to be at the hospital 2 hours before my surgery too. What do they do for 2 hours???? I will be a wreck. I'm working toward that state now since surgery is Tuesday. :-P

Susan

I, too, had to wait two hours before my surgery. I just sat with my boyfriend and read the newspaper. I had my vital signs taken and eventually changed into the johnny, etc., but most of the time I just read the paper. My doc had told me at my pre-op that if I wanted a valium to help me calm down during the two-hour wait, I could ask for one, but I forgot. I didn't actually get nervous until I was lying on the bed and talking to the anesthesiologist. Everyone was super-nice and attentive. I started crying and the nurse rushed over with a box of tissues, patted my hand, and said it was normal to be nervous. She said crying was fine.
Then they put an IV in and asked me if I wanted something to calm me down and I said yes! The next thing I knew, I was waking up in recovery and they were all telling me how great I was doing.
I compare the waiting to knowing you are going into battle and you will get cut into. That's the animal reaction I was having. BUT the reality was, it's a 21st century American hospital with all the great machines and drugs, and a corps of supportive professionals who were all on top of my every need and I really DID NOT SUFFER! I remember reading that everyone who goes into the medical profession did so because they wanted to help people, and boy, I sure felt that.
I'm now only 4 days post, and I am feeling quite good! Have to take it easy, am kind of low-energy, but am not in pain. Occasionally taking one percocet for the pain.
Do try to relax! I felt that I was contributing to my outcome whenever I tried to relax. Sometimes I was successful and able to relax, sometimes not. I didn't want to be totally fighting what they were doing to me. They WILL take good care of you!
I should add that I feel SO relieved - I have my body back! My uterus had been so huge from adenomyosis, it was really running my life, my psyche. The other night I was lying in the hospital bed and feeling that I had my body back, and I was so happy I felt like crying! Now almost every time I sleep, I have been dreaming of DANCING!
Best wishes!

- Flo