SAH - Finally free

My castle story started 4 years ago when my first fibroid was found. By April this year there were 4 big aliens - it was time.

I checked into the Castle just before 7am on 29 July, was taken up to a temporary room to get ready. A nurse bustled in and said 'You are up first at 8 am so we have a lot to do.' After a shave and a valium and a chat to the anesthetist it was time to go. The plan was a TAH, vertical incision.

When I woke up I was in a very confused state. I was in recovery, a lot of people were around me. Because I usually wear glasses, I was convinced that the loops holding the oxygen nasal prongs onto my ears were my glasses, but I couldn't see! I kept putting my hand up to my nose to push up my glasses and these tubes were there !

Voices kept telling me to 'Breathe ! Breathe!' so I'd take a breath and float away again. I also started crying - not because I was in pain, I had a pain pump which they kept telling me to use, I just felt a bit weird. I was taken out of recovery at some point so I was told, then put back in. I was in recovery for about 8 hours all up. I eventually found out what had been wrong. Usually an adult takes 15 to 20 breaths a minute - my respiratory rate was 2 . The anesthetic had almost totally shut down my respiratory system.

Anyway, though it sounds very dramatic I'm still here!

When I got to my room for good, I was nauseous all the first night which was a bit grim, seeing as I had nothing to throw up but water. I did change that to blood on my last throw, but not much.

I managed to speak to DH, DM and DS on the phone the first evening, but word is they didn't get much out of me.

Day 2 - a lot better! Had the catheter out, and peeing was fine on the second and subsequent attempts. I wasn't using the pain pump as it was making me sick so they gave me various tablets and capsules. I was able to stand up straight, which was a pleasant surprise.

Day 3 - started walking around the hospital....

Anyway, I was kept in there until yesterday - Day 8 which was a very long time and I was very, very keen to get out.


The pathology report was good, nothing unexpected. When I have my 6 week visit I get to see a photo... It turned out that I had a SAH instead of a TAH as the cervix was stretched somehow by the fibroids. I know the fibroids had twisted my uterus around.

Hystersisters has been invaluable as the information from the hospital staff was patchy at best - although the level of care was excellent. I had my tummy pillow, went for lots of walks, I guess I didn't drink enough water as I am having some severe BM issues.

But I am down to pain meds twice to three times a day, my incision is generally pretty good, no gas issues to speak of, I'm not even particularly tired, I wake up after about 4 hours and lie there for a while. So, once I get my BMs sorted I think I will have a good recovery.