My castle visit (very very long)

I wanted to post quick for all you ladies still in waiting. I will post in the hyst story area later.

I had to be at the castle at 11:30 on August 3rd so I took my kids to grandmas house a little early. I woke up in a good mood that morning and had been having a great morning. No crying, no nerves...just a good day. When I gave my kids kisses my 9 year old daughter started crying. I bit my lip and was doing ok. I gave my dad and my mom a hug and told them I loved them. My mom started crying. I almost ran out of their house. I couldn't let my kids see me crying. I told them all I loved them and left. By the time I walked in the door at home, my DH said oh no...whats wrong. I was bawling. I told him "my mom cried" and he started laughing.
We checked in to the hospital at 11:30 and took paperwork to outpatient surgery. At about 11:45 they took us into a room. I had a very nice nurse, who I knew from when I delivered our last child. We were talking and laughing and getting all the paperwork in order. My dr. walked in and talked to us and said he would see me in awhile. I started bawling again. Toni, the nurse, came in and calmed me down and we were laughing again.
They had trouble starting the IV. I told them up front I didn't want it in my hand. I pointed out a spot on my arm they usually put one. Toni tried but missed the vein. She called the other nurse in to look. Once again.....not in my hand. She got it in the other arm with no trouble. Then came the blood draw. They used my "good" arm for the IV and the nurse missed the vein in the other arm. They finally used a small one and used the vein in my hand. In and out with no trouble and no pain. I started crying again and they thought they had hurt me. The anesthesiologist came in and talked for a few minutes. I had already made the decision to use general and he thought that was a good decision. I told him about family history of being hard to wake up and about my experience with general. He assured me I would be fine and told DH he would take good care of me. Of course I started crying again. They all thought I was nuts! I finally let them all in on my secret.......each step was one step closer to the final step and what I had been dreading and crying and second guessing about for weeks.
At 12:50 they told me it was time to walk to the OR. OMG they really wanted me to walk!!!! I was hoping to be out by this time!! I did the walk and I think it was the longest walk of my life. They took my panties off (aunt flow decided to make one last visit) and had me climb up on the table. I layed back and they strapped me down to the table. I was crying so hard I couldn't breathe. The anesthesiologist came over and rubbed my head. He said "I am going to give you something to relax and calm your nerves"

I woke up trying to climb off the table. I kept saying I have to go to the bathroom over and over again. Two nurses kept saying "honey you have a catheter" They asked if I was in pain. I told them I have to go to the bathroom!!! One nurse said "I can't do anything about that but are you in pain?" I don't really remember answering her but I remember mumbling something about it would be nice to know if I made it out ok. She said something about putting something in the IV and I don't remember anything else until 8:30pm.

My dr. had told us the surgery would take about 1 to 2 hours. DH said he was worried because no one ever came out to tell him anything. They finally talked to him at 4:30 and told him I had just went to recovery. Maybe there was a delay or something but in my adding 1pm to 4:30 is 3 and a half hours. I was taken to my room at 5:30. DH said they kept bumping into walls and hitting signs.

When I woke up at 8:30, I asked the nurse if DH had went home for the night.(visiting hours are over at 8:30) She said no he just went home until I was awake and she would call him. He was already walking in the door. He set with me until about 9 when I was falling asleep again. He kissed me and went home.

I asked for crackers in the night and they brought me one pack at a time. At 4am I asked about breakfast and the nurse said I would get "real" food since I was eating crackers. At 8am they brought me chicken broth and jello!!! I kept the hot tea and told the nurse to take the rest back. I can't eat that, it will make me sick! About 30 minutes later a wonderful nurse came in and said "I hear you didn't take too kindly to your breakfast" and she wrinkled her nose. Then she asked if I wanted another tray. I begged her for food and she said she would be right back. She came back with scrambled eggs, french toast, bacon, oatmeal and orange juice. I could have kissed her!!!

My dr. said they would take out the catheter about noon. I convinced them to call him about 9:30 and ask to take it out early. They took it out and I started walking. Then I started peeing and more walking. At noon the dr. came to see me. I asked if I could go home. He laughed and said no. I was sooooooo ready to go home but couldn't convince him of it. He said he would stop back later and we would discuss it then. I think it was just a ploy to get me to do all the things he wanted done. I waited up until 10pm for him! He finally walked in and asked if I was bored yet. I wanted to choke him! He said "ok, we will let you go in the morning then"

Now that I am home, I am glad he didn't let me go Friday. I really think another day would have helped alot. When I was released we had to stop at walmart. LOL I didn't do the shop ahead thing. It went ok though. I got a scooter cart and DH picked up anything I pointed at. I have spent most of my time on the couch but did get up last night long enough to make some instant mashed potatoes. My neighbor brought over 2 meatloafs and who can have meatloaf without mashed taters??

What I wish I would have known------------------------ The main one....I knew with an abnominal cut you would have to splint your belly to cough. I didn't know I would have to with a TVH. YES it is still needed!!

When it comes time to pee. After they remove the catheter and you have to do it alone. don't expect too much. Don't be surprised if you can't pee very good. I still can't pee very good. I have to be in just the right position and really concentrate. I thought something was wrong until I looked at the post op board last night.

I know we heard it all along but I am going to say it again......The waiting really IS the hardest part!!! I am still in alittle pain but I already don't have any regrets. I feel better and I DO still feel like a woman. The gas pain is a nagging problem but it is the worst part of the pain.

You will all do great and I look forward to seeing you all on the other side!

Martie - I'm scheduled for the same procedures in Oct. Your post made me feel a lot better! The only other concern I have is sex afterwards!

Glad to hear you're feeling that well!

"Congratulations"!!!!

Hang in there and keep Us "Ladies in Waiting" updated on your recovery...

I have one thought that bugs me .........."They Strapped You Down"... I had No idea they did that....... And while awake...



Gen

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I can't say "thank you" enough for posting this here! I needed this soooooooooooooo badly! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Martie im glad to hear that you are home and all is well for you.
Hugs Sarah

Genesis50 - They always "strap you down" for any type of surgery. They need your arms to be where they can monitor you. Also some people get very aggressive while sedated. It's for your safety and theirs.

Ladyrebl - The sex is wonderful! No change for me...I waited the six weeks when I was released. Now I'm back to better than before.

I cannot believe you had to walk yourself into the OR. I have always been put on the stretcher and then had to swap stretchers once in the OR.

It sounds like once you got to the hospital everything was smooth sailing. It gets easier each hour, each day, each week. I am almost three months out and I'm finally to the point when I'm glad I had my surgery. It's a slow process but you have to Pamper the Princess for the payoff.

Yes the waiting is the worst part. After that, it's wonderful!

Hi Marty,

I'm glad your surgery went well, and you are home recovering. Don't forget that the most important thing for you to do now is to get lots of , drink lots of water, and take short walks.

Post Op is all ready for you to help you through your recovery.

,
kay

Hooray! I am so glad you are on your way to a full recovery. Thank you for sharing your experience. You make it sound so easy :-)

	Quote:
Originally Posted by glowy1 Genesis50 - They always "strap you down" for any type of surgery. They need your arms to be where they can monitor you. Also some people get very aggressive while sedated. It's for your safety and theirs. Ladyrebl - The sex is wonderful! No change for me...I waited the six weeks when I was released. Now I'm back to better than before. I cannot believe you had to walk yourself into the OR. I have always been put on the stretcher and then had to swap stretchers once in the OR. It sounds like once you got to the hospital everything was smooth sailing. It gets easier each hour, each day, each week. I am almost three months out and I'm finally to the point when I'm glad I had my surgery. It's a slow process but you have to Pamper the Princess for the payoff. Yes the waiting is the worst part. After that, it's wonderful!

glowy1 - I hope it gets better. Let's just say it's pretty stretched out down there, and I'm hoping the A&P repair will tighten it up.

The operating table is pretty narrow. They use a couple of straps to keep you from falling off if you move before the anesthesia takes effect. Most people don't remember them.

After I had my knee surgery I could remember moving from the gurney to the operating table. All I can remember from my hysterectomy is the anesthetist in the holding area telling me we were ready. After that I have a very vague recollection of a couple of people talking to me after the surgery and before I got to my room.

Frances