Holiday Planning...

Having surgery on the 2nd of December...

With Christmas coming up, and we live out of state frommost of the family... it is about a 1200 miles...

Christmas will be 3 weeks out... how am I likely to be feeling?

Should I even wish to plan to have folks come up to visit or will it be far more stress then to just delay things a few weeks out?

Hi

Everyone heals differently and has different tolerances to pain, etc. I had my first post op apt at 3 weeks, it was also my first real "outing". After the DR's apt we went out to lunch, I went home and slept for a couple of hours.

At 3 weeks I felt like should be doing more, but I was still pretty tired. If you want to have people come to visit for Christmas don't plan on you doing any of the work - cooking, cleaning, entertaining, etc. Relax, visit with our family, and let them wait on you.

Best wishes!

Dione,
It's probably tough to say how you'll feel since you'll be the only one to be sure of your strength around Christmas. Yesterday I had my pre-op with my doctor and he said my activities were limited to things that could be done while sitting the first week, standing the second week, and bending by the third week. If you travel, make sure you have pillows to cushion your incision area and take several breaks to walk around. If you're having company, don't be afraid to ask for help with the cleaning, cooking, etc. Don't rush and don't do more than your body allows you to do. You may be surprised and feel great by the third week, but I'd still take it easy.
Lisa

DioneRochelle,

I'll be thinking of you...and I completely understand your concerns. I have surgery the same day. I too am a little apprehensive about the holidays.

My eldest son will be coming home on the 18th, my youngest son's b-day is on the 19th, and then there is Christmas eve, and Christmas Day to deal with. I sure hope I feel up to all the activities involved (from a comfortable sitting position?).

Hang in there! Are you getting as nervous as I am? I keep thinking about the swelly belly, and having too much pain...I bought a gorgeous new dress for Christmas Day (about 6 weeks ago) not thinking about the after effects of surgery...sure hope it will fit!

AP

Had my pre-op yesterday, and it went well.

I suppose part is knowing I will miss family and such, knowing we live so far away, it is one of the few times the bulk of my family gets together during the year.

The other part is knowing I should take care of my body first this year, which is my gift to my little family here at home... cos I know I have not been able to do all I need to do the past few weeks with the level of pain I have been dealing with.

If I don't watch myself carefully, then I will be doing everyone more disservice than to meet expectations to travel... and will miss plenty of other things later on next year from improper healing inside....

Folks can come up to visit, and if they don't... they don't... and I get more rest and time to actually enjoy my home during a slow and lesuire Christamas! Not something that we have been able to do in a long time.


Thanks again!
Dione

I can relate to your situation. My immediate family moved to the Midwest 5 years ago. DH's family and my family still live in California, (2000 miles away). Haven't seen most of them for about 2 years. We had tentative plans to fly out there for Christmas this year, but hadn't bought the tickets yet. I guess that was lucky as the need for the hyst was raised in September and it couldn't be done til 12/4, (due to my work issues). I told my extended family that we wouldn't be able to come out this year as I wasn't confident I'd be ready to make a long trip at 3 weeks post-op.

I know it's tough, but I'm trying to look at it as a gift to myself to feel better. I think our families will understand. I would if the shoe was on the other foot.

Good luck with your surgery next week and have a nice Thanksgiving tomorrow

I was very anxious about this and what we've done is a lot of advanced planning for this...DH and I have decided to have the holiday celebration at our house this year, so that we won't have to worry about how I'd do with the traveling. I just finished preparing the guest rooms this past weekend with small baskets filled with towels, toiletries, bottled water, and maps to local sights for our family flying and driving in to visit in thier down time. All the presents have been purchased and just about wrapped. Meal has been planned and DH (thank God) is a fabulous cook - so he'll be preparing most of the meal. The rest of the family has been informed that they need to help with everything else, including cleaning up. At first I didn't think that the family would be too happy with this arrangement as our holiday celebration is usually at MIL's. However, everyone is looking forward to a change in location and helping out. I'm very grateful that the entire family has been extremely supportive. Hope you find a way to work it out so that you and your family can enjoy the holiday season coming up!

Dear Jay-Jay, and Dione,

I'm thinking of you today as you are away from family...It is just me, my husband and two of my three kids today (Thanksgiving) for the 5th year in a row. Sure gets lonely knowing everyone (family and friends) is back home celebrating together. We are 1,500 miles away from our nearest relatives.

We had our turkey dinner on Sunday instead of today (when you live in Quebec it doesn't matter as the others don't celebrate this holiday- and I was afraid I would be too stressed and emotional to do it on today)...it is difficult and as you can tell I get a bit depressed. Just wanted you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers as "our castle day" approaches.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL YOU LADIES AT HYSTER SISTERS!!. This site has been a "lifeline" for me. I'm so thankful you are there. You help to ease the uncertainties, anxieties, and fears. Thanks to you all!

AP

Dear A.P. & All Others,

Thanks for the holiday wishes. I hope you all have a nice Thanksgiving. Sometimes it's nice and cozy just to spend it with immediate family.

Dear LIW,

Greetings! Hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving Holiday. I had a tvh on 11/6/03 and am 3 weeks post-op today. We also live many miles away from closest family. Not sure of mileage but I know it is 9 hours to grandma's and 13 to husband's family. I am familiar with the time as we have 3 school-age children who travel with us. Love them dearly, but when we shop for my "mom" vehicle I make sure that the back seat is far away from the front seat. Those of you who travel know what I mean.

I am recovering well and am a good princess. No lifting, short frequent walks, and lots of rest. Oh, also lots of water. I do get extremely tired if I over-do. I did over-do this week; took 20 minute car trip to Wal-Mart, shopped for 15 minutes, drove back to our town, and then decided that since I was feeling good should say hello to ladies at work. Aren't I wild? My swelly-belly was huge that afternoon and I was tired for two days afterwards. I have found that I don't like to drive right now. I would have never guessed this, but the energy that takes to accelerate and brake wear me out and make tummy sore. Dh and I have grounded me from driving until later on.

I am also a control-freak and workaholic and originally wanted to go back to work within 4 weeks. I am now going to take 8 weeks off. Many wise hyster-systers have said that you only have one chance to heal right.

It seems as you are on the right track with everyone else can come visit you. Please don't be disappointed though. We have lived away from family for 5 years due to job transfer and we have only had 2 family visitors. And we are a close family. It is felt that since we moved away, we should be the one's to travel.
We would have loved to stay in the mid-west, but dh couldn't find a job in his field.

Sorry so long. If anyone has tvh questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm no expert and definately not anywhere as informative as a dr. But, I wouldn't have made it through this without other support.