Frustrated After Post-Op

	Quote:
Originally Posted by swetty hi can anyone help me ? im on my 10th day post tah it was on the 16th nov up untill now had no bleeding atall now fromm this morning bleeding bright red blood? any ideas as to why and what i should do? please im frightend , thanx coleen

I'm seven days post-op and I haven't had any bleeding either. I was going to ask my doc about it Monday.

When my doc released me from the castle he kneeled next to the bed to say - no sex, nothing in the vagina for six weeks, no driving for two weeks, no lifting or vacuuming, stairs are fine in moderation. The hospital gave me similar instructions and I had to sign off on them. So it's a shame that between the doctor and the hospital no one took the time to help educate you.

As far as going back to work is concerned and like someone mentioned, if your employer employs 20 or more you can take Family Medical Leave. It's available to anyone with a serious health condition, which you have. I experienced a situation at work whereas if I hadn't been educated about FMLA I could have been fired for the time I missed with doctor's appointments and when I didn't feel well.
I should let you know that might not get paid for the time off depending on your sick days, etc. But you still get to take the time off if you need to.

If I recall correctly, the Clinton Administration made that law. Thank God they understood that in the time of a serious health crisis you needn't worry what's going to happen with your job. And at nine days you're nowhere near ready! Stand up to your doctor. Let him/her know you've done the research and that their expectation is ridiculous! I bet they'll back down when they realize you know better.

Dustido, My Dr. only told me no sex and no driving and not even for how long. I guess That's what I'm supposed to ask at 4 week checkup? I suppose he thinks everything else is common sense? I'm sure they would scold us if we did something that they assumed we would know? Thank the lord for this website!! AND for all of you guys!

Hey littlesoilder, I had no bleedingfor ten days and then started for the next three weeks. I too got really anxious about this so went to see my doc which i reccomend you do. They can take a blood test to checl haemoglobin levels and will determine if bleeding excessive and doc can also reassure and rule out any problems and , if there is, dont delay treatment. i was fine and it stopped like a tap going off at five weeks. I am feeling great now at almost 8 weeks post op but still get tired. I think im quite lucky. Dont do any lifting and rest as much as possible. Put a note on the door to not be disturbed if you have to...but importantly plenty of rest!!!I was doing far too much....

thanx for that, i feel reasuerd a little now, did they say to you where the blood can come from as i was told they were creating a sock like at the top of vagina so where on earth is it all coming from ? coleen.

When I had my c-section 13 years ago...I was told nothing and was up and around in one week...I tried to lift my 30 pound nephew ((Big Mistake))! My Doctor told me it takes 1 year to fully recover from my SAH/BSO....I'm almost 7 weeks post op and looking for work...I don't think I could have done anything work wise last week. My Boyfriend took me to Ocean Shores and proposed last weekend! So he is now "officially" my fiancee! I was so happy to be out and about at my 5 to 6 week point. We ran around like kids in a candy store! Major surgery is a big deal...try to rest, and when you're sick of resting, rest some more! (I borrowed that from the "Through the Land of Hyster" book!) You have one body, take care of it...and it will take care of you.

I had been told that they had stiched something to my cervix(close it up or something) and I lost a huge stitch at the same time the bleeding started...I reckon it was that one...but my hysterectomy nurse said that it was normal and could carry on losing stitchesfor up to a year...ive not lost anything else they checked my blood and it was fine so not excessive, but it did seema lot and i also had a huge clot which passed..stopped bleeding but was told it was all normal...thats why a blood test can confirm..I was so anxious in the first few weeks and I can understand why you would be...Now am back walking several miles a day doing two 3k runs a week and about to start kick boxing classes next week...i was so determined to get fit before my op and it has paid off so much...physically through all that excercise i dont bleed at all ever...i dont do heavy lifting yet though... and i still need lots of rest inthe evening...Make sure you leave doing things for as long as possible.I was told I was doing too much then..i was up doing housework and cooking after a few days and that probably conributed...so see doc and rest !!!! you will turn a corner and be able to do what you need soon enough...

Wow - it seems like this is a common problem. I can't believe some of these doctors are so casual. It seems like there would be some liability risk in there.

I felt really good yesterday so drove for the first time and took my son to the park for 1 1/2 hours, went to Wendy's, then stopped by the store for a minute. I was sore and exhausted when we returned home. I don't think I over did it, but it was close. It definitely hit home that I was not ready to return to normal life or my desk job.

Fortunately I have a great job with state government and my boss and co-workers have been great about me staying out as long as I need to. I have FMLA prtoection and enough leave to get me through six weeks, then have short term disability to cover any time over that. If I end up with complications after I return to work or end up needing to do any follow up for the granulosa cell tumor they found, my job has a leave sharing program where other employees can donate some of their leave to me. I am really blessed in that regard. It's my personal guilt for not being there that is killing me (but I'll get over it! :-).

Thank God for Hystersisters where we can share info!

Bzarbara - congrats on your engagement!

Hi Dustidoo
I have a wonderful GYN that explained lots of things to me, including my restrictions, so I was well informed of what I could and SHOULDN'T do.

My DR did advise:
If you are in pain, taking narcotics or are unable to react in a split second, you shouldn't be driving. Here's a little test for driving. Go out to the driveway and get in the car. While looking over your right shoulder (like you are backing up), stomp the brake pedal as hard as you can. Did something hurt? You shouldn't be driving.
If your weight restriction is 5 pounds, the vacuum cleaner is heavier that 5 pounds. So is a standard bag of groceries...so is the car door.

Return to work - if you are feeling well enough to get back to work at the 4-6 week mark, it sounds like your DR is leaving it up to you to let him know. Personally, I am off until the new year. My DR left it up to me to tell her when I was feeling well enough.

I know there are DRs out there with excellent bedside manner and take the time to make sure you are comfortable with everything and well informed. I also know there are DRs out there that presume you, as the patient, should have done your own research, and should know better that you actually do. I have dealt with both and would prefer the first.

Regards,
Autumn

Autumn, thanks for your insight on the weight restrictions. I had never thought of it in those terms, just as actual lifting, not pushing, pulling, etc.

Dusti