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Answering colleagues' "How are you"?
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01-08-2012, 06:21 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 808
Hysterectomy: November 14th, 2011
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Answering colleagues' "How are you"?
i totally agree with embree.there's a very big lack of geniunely concerned people today.i think a lot of people are just down right nosey.i have learned not to say too much to too many people about what all they done to me in this procedure.but me working in public this is very hard.but i am learning to say "i am taking it one day at a time thx for asking"
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01-09-2012, 10:43 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 23
Hysterectomy: December 6th, 2011
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Answering colleagues' "How are you"?
Thank you everyone, this has been a great eyeopener for me. I am 5 weeks out from TAH-BSO and worrying about getting back to work. I normally race around my building like mad and am known as the one to go to--the one who always go the extra mile, moves fast and multitasks and responds on a dime. The pedometer I wear at work averages 5 miles a day. I am an office RN and so I have to be ready to catch or pick up an occasional patient. The culture in my workplace is to never complain, suck it up and push through. I am thinking I'll tell people that some days are better than others and I'm slower than usual, taking each day as it comes. I don;t want to whine, but I dont want anyone to think that I am my "normal" self either. It's especially hard because the week before surgery downsizing was announced and 4 nurses will be cut, and I do not want to to be one of them! I want to prove myself as valuable, I need my job! I am the primary earner and insurance holder in my family! Yesterday my neighbor freaked me out by telling me I looked fantastic and fit and no one would ever believe i'd had surgery, they'll all think i've been on vacation. For goodness sake, if this is a vacation, it STINKS and I want a do-over! I've had a new complication every week and am finally beginning to poop on on my own and I have no appetite at all, I force myself to eat and have lost 15 pounds in 5 weeks. I struggle to not expect too much of myself--I don't want to encourage my colleagues to, either! I have my follow up Jan 18th, and I am going to ask my surgeon if she thinks 8 weeks or part time is reasonable. Anyone have suggestions as to it being better to work less days/week or less hours/day? Thanks!
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01-09-2012, 11:12 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 46
Hysterectomy: December 3rd, 2011
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Answering colleagues' "How are you"?
Today was my first day back at 5 weeks post op. I found that honesty about surgery actually stops most questions ... For those that knew what surgery it was they completely made sure I took it easy, for the nosy people who didn't and asked me what surgery I had I either said "they took an organ I felt I didn't want anymore" or to the guys I said "they fiddled with female parts" which as you can imagine just makes them look awkward and wonder off
My team of just guys tried to make me feel normal by commenting that I must have eaten a lot during recovery (standard behaviour in our team so least they treating me as nothing's changed ... Am very glad first day is over though, an hour journey (3 modes of transport) 8 hours work and then another hour has truly made me feel shattered and achy ... Bring on the couch.
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01-09-2012, 01:58 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 510
Hysterectomy: December 16th, 2011
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Re: Answering colleagues' "How are you"?
I just did something I hope helps:
I mailed a thank-you card to my office for the bouquet they sent me. I added that this proceedure was far more than I ever anticipated and that I never knew how exhausting and long the recovery could be. "One step forward (good day) and two steps back seems to be my norm right now.
I added that "I am following doctors orders."
Maybe this will make them all realize I am not home living it up right now!
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01-09-2012, 03:25 PM
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Posts: 202
Hysterectomy: November 22nd, 2011
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Answering colleagues' "How are you"?
Today was my first day back at work. I'm a teacher so between my students and the staff I was bombarded with questions. I told my students I was "very sick". I told the staff I had surgery and I wasn't back to normal yet, but following my doctor's instructions to take it easy. I'll be leaving when I dismiss my last class until this complete exhaustion goes away.
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01-09-2012, 07:21 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 23
Hysterectomy: December 6th, 2011
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Answering colleagues' "How are you"?
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01-09-2012, 07:39 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 510
Hysterectomy: December 16th, 2011
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Re: Answering colleagues' "How are you"?
where do we find those good sheets of info-under checkpoints? I need to find something for my spouse-there isn't enough on Mrhystersisters to tell him even though I "look" and may be acting "normal" I am not. I REALLY need something to show him this.
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01-09-2012, 07:48 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 26
Hysterectomy: December 6th, 2011
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Answering colleagues' "How are you"?
I can relate so much to your post. I also am a RN, had my surgery the same day as you and my post op visit is also on the 18th. I work in a day surgery area, that is very fast paced and intense. Most of my coworkers are supportive, but I know some of them were mad that I was off during the holidays. I am expected to return to work on the 19th and I will be expected to be 100%.......no whining aloud. Good Luck!!
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01-10-2012, 10:45 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 7
Hysterectomy: December 19th, 2011
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Answering colleagues' "How are you"?
I love this and the response of "I'm recovering, thank you".
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01-10-2012, 11:33 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 21
Hysterectomy: December 9th, 2011
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Answering colleagues' "How are you"?
I am 4 weeks DaVinci. During that time I dealt with Christmas, 5 y/o pneumonia, 2 y/o croup, and a job interview. I am almost afraid to get the job b/c I am still easily tired. I need the job however.
I am glad to hear that everyone is still easily tired AND still gets the occasional pain.
As for recuperation, I can't believe that no matter what type of surgery any of us have, there is no rehab! Honestly, they should put us all in PT for our core strength. I am now a big blob, no muscle tone whatsoever. As a result, I am over using my back, and putting myself at risk for a back injury.
6 years ago my mother had a super mild heart attack. She had 12 weeks of cardiac rehab therapy. When I asked her what it was, she said she went to the hospital gym (3 times a week) and did exercises with a personal trainer/PT to strengthen her heart.
Anyone who has abdominal surgery should get that kind of rehab. A poor core effects mobility, which dominos into everything.
Sigh... off my soap box.
If I get my new job and start 8 weeks post op, no one will know. So I will have to just suck it up.
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