A bit more than the hysterctomy here....holy hurtin.

Hi there Ladies... I AM.

I had my surgery on September 17th 2004, (2 weeks ago today)but I also had a colon resection done at the same time. (I had 14 inches removed of the sigmond colon due to numerous serious diverticulitis attacks). Before I left the hospital I was having many hot flashes, so I was given my first HRT shot, which the gyne said should last about 6 weeks. Now my flashes are just very mild & not so numerous, thankfully. One hurdle over with for now.....

I had 25 staples removed pretty painlessly from my incision on the 5th day & then covered with steri strips, which is actually not bad to look at considering. I am itching like crazy all over it. I was told by the hospital not to let the shower directly run on the incision until the strips fall off on their own. No problem there. But.....

I'd love to have a bath! How long do you suppose until I can do that safely! Any ideas?

I am getting the message (mostly cos I try) that I can't move much. I am having a real hard time with this cos it's not my nature to sit around for very long. I am very high energy - even the nurses noticed this when I was in for my 7 days. I progressed faster than all expected & was released a day or 2 sooner than the dr. had previously foretold. Just when the food was getting normal & still really sucked.

I had cabin fever by the 5th day when I took myself off of the morphine due to nightmares & then the discomfort of the plastic covered mattress took over along with the rubber covered pillow I had while in. I felt awful for the next couple days.

I took tylenol 3's but now they act like caffiene & keep me bug-eyed awake since the hospital. Gravol is no better either. Real good sleep is getting hard to come by. I keep a pillow between my legs when I am on my side, but I am pulled no matter what. Tried the support panties, but they seem tight occasionally too. The combination of surgeries really has my confused with the recovery part. What symtom is from what surgery sort of thing.

I am normally a very upbeat, fun person with a good attitude, this is definately trying my sense of humour a tad & I can't get comfy no matter what I do....it's been 2 weeks & I'd like off of this ride now.

Any advice at all is welcome & I thank you all in advance for providing it! I'm restless & wishing I could have a decent outlet - sitting is not my style.....for long any ways. * LOL* Thank you!!!

Joanne

Hi Joanne, and fellow Canadian Sister!!
As for the healing pains, I have bowel pain, so take your own guess!! I am sure many of us do. I have pains which dont make sense either....( A burning over my pubic bone??) As for the bath, I was cleared on my way out of the hospital. However there is no crane in my house to get me out once I get in!! So I have not taken the luxury! My advice is to call your doctor and ask, it cant hurt. Worse you may hear is at X# of weeks.

As for pain, My dr gave me some Celebrex and Tylenol Arthritis, 8 hour cap with much more medicine in it. They cut the pain for 8 hours, I only take at night and in the morning. I just am very careful through the day and take the Tylenol if needed.

Dont do too much. Try really hard to take it easy. Tiny walks, lots of water, and if you have questions or concerns, please ask your doctor. I know celebrex is expensive so see if you can get samples to try...hehe cheaper that way and if it doesnt work, then you arent out major bucks. It is nice to hear you are doing so well.....
Hugs
Kat

Hey Kat,

You are up early....as am I, bad night for sleep - how are YOU feeling?

Thanks for your response. I understand that burning over the pubic bone, that is happening nearly every time to pee.....misery huh? Having a BM is very very painful in the cramp department. I feel like I have perma cramps as it is, but when I have to go, it's doubled for the duration. I have to rock to help myself - the colon can't be pushed at this point. Fun wow.

I was on a total fluid diet prior to leaving the hospital, the day I was released was my first REAL food day. I was advised I could eat anything I wanted at all now, but the pain in the gut from gas & such is making that a challenge too. I am trying not to eat anything that will upset my system, but that remains to be seen at this point.

I am better first thing in the day, then I feel worse as the day goes on & trying not to take any pain killers (been on tylenol extra strength since off morphine & t-3's crpped out on me). I usually have to take something by about 4 or 5 in the afternoon.

Not being able to move much is what is depressing me a bit. Almost have to duct tape me to a chair...almost. *LOL*

Thanks - Jo ;-)

Hi Jo,
Yes my hubby has his computer in my recovery room and gets up at 5AM...Arrrggghhhhhh...... I feel tired but good. My tummy hurts first thing in the morning but goes away once I am up and moving. And the pills kick in!!

As for the BM push, I just made a post on it. Maybe we will get answers....Someone mentioned warm prune juice, and I am going to try that. Yuck.....As for cramping, I am an IBS sufferer, and can totally relate to it! They are not so much fun.....I remember being 5 and having to just rock on the toilet because it hurt so bad....I would shake from it, and my mom could do nothing, absolutely nothing....

Did you just sign up on here? This is such a wonderful place, and as the day goes on, you will have countless responses. The support is so wonderful as we are all in the same situation, and everyone can sympathize with everyone's issues. This is where I come when I need a hug....Not gettin any around my house....:-((

Hugs
Kat

Hey you two up north. I wish I had some really wise words of advise. I really don't. I am not dealing with as much as you are, but I had to write and send a hug anyway. Joanne, you need to find some quiet activities to occupy yourself so you aren't going stircrazy. I have found a book series that I am devouring. It really helps pass the time. Also, call some friends and tell them you really need some company as you may lose your mind if left alone.
I think we are all dealing with the bowel problems to one degree or another. I sure have to take my stool softeners and they alone won't do the trick it seems. I really have to drink lots of water(a minimum of 8 glasses a day to keep things working)
For what it is worth, I think you should call your dr about the not sleeping. That is the pits. Maybe he can change something or give you something that will help.
I hope both of you have a great day--do something that makes you smile.

Blessings, Rita TVH,bladder sling and rectocele repair

Hey Jo,

So sorry to hear about one thing on top of another...YUCK!

I hope you know that while your bowel is healiing...eat smooth soft things! Corn, popcorn, beans, YIKES that can tear up your insides as it passes through causing additional pain. Personally I can't drink lemonade! The citric acid seems to bother my colon as well! I'm sure you know all this having suffered from diverticulitous....but wanted to send you a subtle warning anyway!

It's my way of saying....OUCH! I'm feeling for ya!
To entertain yourself...I set up a schedule! Morning, check in here! Then shower, lunch, afternoon matinee! I live with men so I had them rent me chick flicks that I watched in the afternoon when I was alone! Followed the flick with a nap and tried to stir around...at least LOOK like I was conscious when my guys got home for dinner! After dinner...more mindless TV but usually WITH someone else and off to bed! I took tylenol PM just to help with sleep! My Dr. gave me a sleeping pill....but it made me nervous..took it twice! Tylenol PM worked for me and it'snot addictive!

Please, Please, take a deep breath, you must become a vegetable for awhile! But just think...in the BIG scheme of things you'll be better than ever! There'll be no stopping you when you're healed!

Jo, I wish you great healing! The sitting around home is hard, isn't it, but I am thankful every day for little improvements

PreciousPearl, I notice we had the same procedures on the same day! Happy Healing to you also and all you other great Sisters !

Thank you Ladies

For the warm responses & words of encouragement!!

It's been 6 weeks this Friday already since my surgery & for the last 3 weeks or so, I have been literally sitting & dong nothing at all & yes, I have read a couple of books. The weather has been quite conductive to that end as well. Ikky - rain & dampness.

Daytime TV is still terrible & I can see that hasn't changed. I won't miss that when I return to the working world. I had lots of trouble when I first got home since I am not the sit about type of person. I got into the dog house by trying to be me, as usual, but in denial about being in recovery. I am learning fast.

Yesterday - on my post-op follow up with both the doctors - I found what was revealed on the pathology report that I was not told when I was in the hospital - post-op. Interestingly enough, I apparently had (which is all news to me) endometriosis & here's the kicker....one I had never heard of before...adenomyosis . I did know that I had uterine fibroids as they showed up a year prior. That was the only old news.

I have been on the learning curve again ever since to find out what this was & it fits in with how I suffered pre-op. Time waiting & waiting for surgery was about 12 months here as well. It got worse the closer I got to surgery which is no surprise considering. I wrote it off as "tension" or "stress". This adenomyosis was making me bleed constantly for the 2 months prior to surgery & in great pain as well as great confusion about why I was not stopping & no one really would help me....forget the GP, she was useless in this regard.

Sadly, I also found out that I had everything removed...even my cervix which was a surprise (since I had requested that they leave me that at least). I wasn't prepared for it at all - let alone all the other stuff that was happening to me, which does but doesn't surprise me if you know what I mean.

I had a lot of symtoms that my regular female GP just ignored. She always refers you to another to do the job properly which makes me wonder what her real function could be other than pills for colds & coughs, which I can get without her & flu shots. Don't get me started here. And this is from a woman! Makes me re-evaluate where I want to be with a GP for sure. One of those medical offices where you have a 10 minute time limit & Lord help you if you have more than one ailment. That isn't allowed you know...trust me I found out that hard way when I was really sick as well.

Good old rural Canadian health system at work here. Money hungry doctors with attitude that practice general medicine here part time days & you are not allowed to see another doctor in the same office if they aren't working, you have to go to "Urgent Care" to get attention. Not with the real world are they?

I have learned that there are many more of us out there who really need to talk about how we are treated & how we feel about it all as well.

I want to send out a large to you all. I appreciate the support I have received. Thank you!!