how long will help at home be needed?

Hi Everyone,
With less than 48 hours to go before my surgery, I was wondering about the plans I've made for help at home after returning from the hospital. Can any of you post-op HysterSisters comment about this? My DH is taking a little more than a week off from work, so he'll be available at the hospital and for the first 5 or 6 days home. After that, I'll pretty much be on my own.

We live in a two story house, so I haven't decided yet whether to think in terms of spending the days upstairs (with a cooler containing fruit, yogurt, juice, etc. to keep me going) -- or else venture downstairs and spend the days there. There are advantages and disadvantages to each choice. If I'm feeling well enough to sit up for a while, the computer is in my office upstairs! Not that I'd be tempted to do any work right away, but it would certainly be nice to check in with everyone here.

On the other hand, if I'm downstairs, it would be easier to have a friend stop by to bring lunch, and take care of any household issues that need attention (i.e., put in a load of laundry, bring the mail indoors, etc.). There's a bathroom on each level (1/2 bath only on the first floor) and a couch that I can use to rest downstairs. I'd be interested to hear any suggestions that you post-op Princesses have, or similar thoughts from other LIW.

The thought of being on my own for ten hours or so every day is a little bit anxiety provoking right now, but maybe that's just because I'm feeling some of the stress associated with anticipating surgery on Monday. I am also PMS -- my (.) is due at any moment. I'm sure that some of you had the experience of going into surgery already bleeding. Any suggestions for practical ways to deal with this if it happens?

Thanks for being there It's much less lonely knowing that we are all traveling on this journey together!

Best wishes to all,
Nancy

SAH on 6/18/01 (multiple large fibroids, pain, heavy bleeding, anemia) Keeping ovaries.

Hi Nancy,

Having someone with you 5 or 6 days when you get home sounds reasonable. Have you asked your dr what he usually recommends about stairs? I live alone, so that was my first question to my dr when he recommended the hyst. He told me I could use them the day I got home. Some dr's restrict them to once or twice a day. Also, when the nurse gave me my discharge orders there were no restrictions checked about stairs. My bedroom, TV, laptop, is upstairs. I was able to use my own bed and go down for meals, walks, etc... the only thing I had bedside was water. Stairs never bothered me at all. Many ladies have complained of pain while using them, however.

Good luck with your surgery.

Hi Nancy,
I also live in a two story house with only a half bath on the 1st floor. I asked about stairs when we first discussed surgery, and my dr said that she had not found stairs to be much of a problem. She said to take them slowly and to try not to make too many trips in one day. I have an arthritic knee which flared up right before my surgery, and it caused me more problems on the stairs than the fact that I'd just had a hyst. I spent one night in the castle, went home, and after getting something to drink, went straight upstairs to bed, stayed there for awhile, came down, lay on the couch, ate a little dinner (dh prepared it--it was yummy too, except I couldn't eat much), and went to bed at 8:45!

My husband could only stay home with me for two days and then I was on my own. I rested and slept quite a bit the first week, but I went up and down stairs with no problem. The weather was nice, so I went out when I felt like it a lay on a chaise lounge on the deck. (Got a nice tan too!)

You didn't say what procedures you're having done. This might make a difference, so ask your dr. Good luck and !

Nancy,

After almost a week you'll be okay on your own but you'll need everything ready at waist-high level (lunch, etc.). You'll be tired and if you have an incision, you'll find out that it hurts to sit up at a computer chair for very long, so you can probably do that at the beginning or end of the day before or after you're alone and then stay downstairs while you're alone.

I will warn you too that I wasn't comfortable on the couch for almost 2 weeks post-op. I lived in a recliner because I didn't want to fully lay down all the time but couldn't get comfortable sitting up on the couch.

You'll be fine ... You'll rest a lot. Just don't give in to those evil temptations to clean!

Rosa

Nancy, I had a TVH, and, aside for helping with my young daughter (son was in school and is a lot more independent) I would have been ok alone after the first week or so.

Regarding the stairs: I also live in a two-storey home and found that I had to limit the number of times I went up and down the stairs. It wasn't that I necessarily hurt, it's just that I would be lacking the energy to climb.

In the first few weeks, I would have my shower before coming down, dress in fresh jammies and head down the stairs. Then I would spend most of the day reclyning on the couch. I found that spending the day downstairs was a better idea for me: I would be able to see people coming in and out (mostly my kids' friends) and help myself to lunch, water and meds (good excuse to walk).

In your case, I think that being away from the computer would be a good idea wouldn't want you back to working too early: remember - sitting is an activity.

Hi!

I had a LAVH/BSO 2 weeks ago on a Thursday morning and was discharged on Friday around 11:00. I had someone with me most of the time (I have 2 little boys to take care of) until Sunday. My mother came each day and my husband was home each night so I had someone all the time for those 3 days.

After that I stayed by myself (with my sons) during the day--(my husband has a business beside our home so he was close but I never did need him). I napped alot on the couch while my boys watched T.V. Everything went great! I would get up and get whatever I wanted to eat or drink (I had lots of things cooked up ahead of time to have so there wasn't alot of cooking --- just heat up things). This worked out GREAT and I would definitely recommend it .

I never had any problems and didn't need anyone with me after the first couple of days. I did need some help with housework, laundry, cleaning, etc. for 3 or 4 more days but after that I pretty much did things myself except for vacuuming, changing beds and mopping just because these things cause the most strain and tugging. I really felt like I could do them but the dr. and the other sisters here said not to for a couple more weeks. Didn't want to put strain on the internal stitches.

The dr. said stairs were o.k. just watch what I was doing and go slowly.

I think either place you want to stay will be fine. Just take it easy.

Also about the big (.) I started mine 2 days before surgery. It wasn't a problem. I just wore a pad to the hospital that morning. When I had to change into a gown with no underwear I asked the nurse and she said just put a clean pad between my legs. It stayed in place because I was in bed anyway. I wore it like that into surgery and they removed it in the O.R. No problem!
I was like you though I wondered how I would do it but it worked out o.k.

Everything will be fine!

Good Luck,
Michele

One word of caution: please limit household activities to very light duty, for at least 4 to 6 weeks post op. The major are: vacuuming, laundry (folding might be ok), mopping, changing beds. All those activities involve either pulling, stretching, lifting or bending, all things that are strictly forbidden until cleared.

Not paying attention to these words of warning could lead to serious setbacks. It's not worth risking a set back for the sake of a clean house.