How soon can I take a car trip?

Hi everyone,

I am scheduled for a TAH on the 23rd of June. My daughter lives in upper MI and I live in East TN. She has graduated and is having her open house on the 28th of June. We planned this way in advance before I ever knew that I needed a TAH. We have relatives coming in from out of State and I really need to be there.

Any advice is appreciated!

Blessings,
Sherri

Hi Sherri

Recovering from surgery takes quite a bit of time. Six days is not giving yourself much time to heal. Besides the driving you have to do, you said that you have to be there to help your dd. First of all, and these are my own experiences, I didn't go driving for the first few weeks after surgery besides going home from the hospital. Second of all, you are the one who will need the help from others. It took me about 3 weeks before I even did the dishes!!!!!!

I don't mean for this to sound negative, but recovery is a slow process that takes a good 6-8 weeks of pampering yourself so you don't regress.

Here is a good link about do's and don'ts after surgery. Please read it and it will give you an idea of what to do after surgery.

http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/hsa...hp?s=&id=97123

I hope and pray that everything works out for you One other thing, did you tell your doc what you are planning to do? It might be a good idea and see what he/she says.

Sending you a big

Patty

You're not seriously considering driving to MI just a couple of days after getting out of the Castle, are you?

Of course, the final answer is to ask your DR. However, let me give you a few things to consider ...

1) After you get out of the Castle you're still at risk for blood clots for several weeks.

2) If your pain meds don't work out, you'll be away from your DR or pharmacy to get replacements.

3) When you get out of the Castle you have to return to the DR's office for a post-op appointment. Usually the first visit is at the one week mark.

4) If you run into ANY complications while on the road you'll be very far away from your DR.

5) If you run into ANY problems while on the road - the car breaks down, a fender bender, a slip and fall, bad food at a restaurant - you could create SERIOUS problems for yourself. A minor issue can turn into a HUGE problem in a big hurry right after a surgery.

6) It's very hard to stay hydrated while travelling.

7) Your bowel function - ie, first BM - will probably return while you're on the road. Before, after and during you'll be having gas and dealing with gas pains.

I had a LAVH/BSO and went on a long roadtrip at 4 weeks. I was VERY glad to be home as riding in the car caused quite a bit of pain - and my recovery has been going so well I stopped taking painkillers long ago.

I hear you. I put off my surgery until after my daughter's graduation from college so that I could be there. I had my surgery 7 days ago. I am doing great! No pain meds at all.......AND there is no way you can make a car trip to see your daughter. I am sorry to tell you this. I know how much you want to be there. I made the short 20 minute trip to the Dr yesterday for my 1 week checkup. It was not fun, it was more than not fun. It hurt. Every little bump in the road felt like someone was ripping at my incision. I am still swollen today from the experience. My doctor told me yesterday that I wasn't to even be a passenger in a car for 2 more weeks. I know this is a hard thing to accept, I know you want to be there. Send a video camera, but keep yourself at home where you belong. I think once you have the surgery you will really understand how impossible the whole thing is and why people here are telling you to stay put.

Hi sisters,

Thank you so much for your quick reply.
I wouldn't be driving, I would be riding in van with the back to stretch out in and will be making several pit stops along the way. Dr. is trying to get me in sooner so I have a little more time to heal. My problem is, I am the one who is giving her party and everything has been ordered and taken care down to the last detail.
I have had emergency surgery before for a ruptured ectopic pregnancy with the incision (bikini cut). So I have an idea of the pain and internal and external stitches I will have.

I had a D&C, endo ablasion, RSO, and removal of adhesions done on March 24 hoping this would get me by till after her graduation and open house. It didn't work hence the TAH.

I am having so many problems right now with continued pain, and flooding that I can't cancel the surgery either.
I feel like I am darned if I do, and darned if I don't.
I am guessing that I will tell her that I can't make it.
No video camera to send either.
I know I have to take care of myself now and I will be a good little princess but a very sad one. I just missed so much of her growing up and now to miss this too. I know she will understand and would want me to take care of myself, but as her mom, I still feel I really need to be there with her to share her special day.

Thank you so much ladies for all of your support. It helps to know you are there for me through all of this. You all are my
Blessings,
Sherri

Even as a passenger, the vibrations from the road, the bumps, etc., there's really no way you'll be able to do it. Plus, as another poster outlined well, there's all sorts of reasons, medically and physically, to postpone.

At 15 days post-op, my sister drove me to my doctor's appointment, 45 minutes each way. I was overwhelmed with exhaustion. I can't imagine driving from TN to MI -- even now, at 5 weeks!

And planning a party and attending to the details? Not very likely.

Your daughter will understand. Perhaps the two of you can have a private celebration when you've recovered -- I think you can turn this problem into a solution that may actually be more intimate and enjoyable for both of you.

I agree with Randir, there is a silver lining if you look hard enough. Sometimes I get so bogged down with not getting to do what I want ( I am a little controlling ) that I can't see any other solutions. My DH is good for helping me see other solutions. Maybe you and your DD can put your heads together to come up with a new plan. I know you had your heart set on going to the party, but I wasn't able to travel for at least 3 1/2 weeks and still then it was very difficult. I only went 3 hours each way.
Look for the silver lining!!

Oh sweetie. It's not possible to postpone just one more week? I don't even know you but feel sad for you to miss this occasion. And just think, you know how your so tired after doing a party? Well you'd get 6 weeks to rest and not feel guilty! Just kidding, trying to lighten things up. Hope all works out somehow for you.

Here's my penny worth. I went on a car trip that was 4 hours with a large breaks about 3 weeks post op. I was fine on the motorway (interstate) but on the B roads and lanes it was really tough and I was shocked at how much it took out of me. You say you'll be in the back of a van - I was a passenger in a sporty car that had a hard suspension. I say this because the interstate and general ride of the vehicle should be considered. I ended up just holding the whole of my belly in both hands to stop the jiggling when we were going along - that's what hurts.

I so hope you find a way to overcome your disappointment if you don't make this trip. You're still there for your DD.

take care
Beth

I had my TAH/BSO on August 16th this year. Before I knew I wa sick, I had planned a very special weekend with my hubby a few months before. This included driving 5 hours to go to a show at a wonderful concert place in Alexandria, VA. Well, as it turned out I was 8 days out of surgery when the show came along. I went to the Dr. (a two hour drive itself) to get my staples taken out on Friday. That day I got the news that I didn't have the suspected cancer (it had been three weeks thinking I did and having every test come back positive). I asked her at the visit if I could go to the show. She said "stay out of the mosh pit."

The drive up was long and I spent most of it floating away on Percocet. The show was wonderful, we got there early and sat on a soft, wonderful sofa-like bench 20 feet from the stage. We were served a delicious dinner. I felt alive.

The next day I HURT! Seems that riding that long and only getting out a few times to stop at bathrooms was NOT good for my incision (9 inch vertical abdominal). It was swollen more than usual and hurt much more than usual. On the trip back the next day (my birthday ~ the original reason for the celebration) we were sure to stop every 45 minutes or so and walk around. I had to make myself walk, but the result was that I felt much better when we got back home than I did the day before after staying so long in the car.

I think going to your daughter's graduation might be a bit MORE than what I attempted. The drive is longer, the day is longer, the expectations on you will be much greater. You'd probably be risking much too much by attempting so much, so soon. Is it possible to pare it down? ONLY go to the graduation without being responsible for anything afterwards or before? YOU and your daughter both could be the "guests of honor."

Best wishes!

mona