Need advice/sanity check.

Hello all!

I had my vaginal hyster. on 12/17 - and I am doing pretty good recovery wise. No visible incisions to view, my bleeding stopped completely before I left the hospital on 12/18, I have had some discharge, but after my 2 week post op on 12/28, my doc seemed extremely happy with my recovery. No sex for 6 weeks, but that is ok with me since my drive has been almost absent for a while. I have noticed some hair loss on my head, and that makes me feel uncomfortable.
The sanity check comes into place here. I was very much a house bound person for the last 17 days as I also caught a viral infection with horrible coughing and congestion, but the day before yesterday, I felt pretty good, so I drive to the post office (first time by myself) and then yesterday was my first major outing, in which I went to the mall, the grocery store and the bakery in preparation for my husbands birthday, I did really good, but was exhausted.

I have also had a few really emotional mood swings this week, left me in tears, and thoughts of being "all alone" no one understanding.

Sometimes I am feeling great, and full of energy and the next moment, I am feeling like I have to lie down and nap and can actually sleep for 2-4 hours when this happens.
The viral infection really kicked my butt, with congestion so bad I thought I was going to hack a lung. It was really rough, sick from both ends as well.


Is all of this normal and in reading the above post, have I just done to darn much? I was told I could go back to work as soon as 1/14, I wonder if I am pushing it then.

Please post.

I had a TAH/BSO on the 17th, and I guess fortunately for me, I can't relate to the symptoms you are experiencing. I was put on the estrogen patch before I left the hospital, which I'm sure has something to do with it, but I feel great. I'm not moody or emotional, but I've also not pushed it. The only outing I've had outside the house was on New Years Day, we went to the movies. Other than light house work, I'm not doing anything else yet, including driving and I'm not scheduled to go back to work until the end of January (doc says the 28th) I walk on my treadmill, for entertainment!

I'm curious if you still have your ovaries? If not, are you on any hormones? I honestly think you might be pushing it a bit, but I'm not a doctor, so I could be completely off base.

You only have one opportunity to heal, and I'm a firm believer that it's important that you do every you can to make sure you heal right (there are no do overs). I talked to my doctor, who had a TVH last year and she said she pushed her recovery too fast and really wished she'd taken 6 weeks off, rather than the 3 that she actually took.

Hope you feel better soon.

Everyone is different. I had a TAH om 11-8 and went back to work today for the first time. I have a desk job. I must admit getting ready, the 40 minute communte and the eight hour day wiped me out. I am very tired and will be laying down after I'm done here. Although 1-14 doesn't sound far away, it is. I found that I felt better everyday. You could be a different person next week. As far as the emotional swings, I had one today at work. Oh well. If you don't feel like going back to work, extend it a few days. You only have one chace to get well.

Dljone,
I had the same surgery on the 16th of October ... as with you, felt great, never more than a 3 on the "scale of 1-10, with 10 being the worst" how is your pain. The first week, I was pretty exhausted ... and I got better every week. HOWEVER, when doing too much, I still require a nap ... it is just your body's way of saying, ok, you think you're fine, but remember, you had surgery ... MAJOR surgery and your body is still adjusting. I told my MD about still having some pains and being tired and that is exactly what he reminded me of. Even though it wasn't a huge organ removed, it was still a vital part of your body and your body is still recovering. So, take those naps! They are especially nice when it is 12 degrees and snowing outside Hope this helps and good luck!

Just from my recovery experience, it sounds to me like maybe you did too much. You have spent almost all of your surgery recovery time sick with a virus. That's double duty on your body. Take really good care of yourself and take those naps. It's your body's way of telling you to slow down. The mood swings are gonna happen, so don't get upset with yourself when you get them. It's hormonal. Rest while you can, without the virus vying for attention from your body. You're going back to work soon, you only have one chance to heal properly. Also, the hair loss is very common after surgery from general anesthesia. Best wishes.

Wow! I had a TAH/BSO on Dec. 21st and I can't even IMAGINE doing all that you are doing so soon!! Maybe I'm a baby, but I'm still pretty much only doing a few things around the house and that's it! The thought of going out and even just doing grocery shopping seems SO far away yet!! I'm really getting a bit depressed because I thought I'd be better by now, but I'm TRYING to be patient and not do too much.... it's hard, but you need to listen to your body take it easy!! Good luck!

You have ONE Chance to heal properly!! Please take it easy for 6 weeks at the least!! Shopping? Dont do it alone I sure hope not DONT LIFT over 10 pounds using one hand! You dont need the pulling, strain or damage on your insides.. please please take it easy!! Sounds like you are over doing it...and its still so early.. but again I am a big baby!!

You all mean the world to me right now, I think I had a really hard day with emotions, getting over christmas, the surgery, new years, my husbands birthday, and all of that is exhausting as is, without having to recover from a major surgery. I think that even going back to work on the 14th might be too soon also. I do have my ovaries, to answer that question. I am not living things over ten pounds, my hubby and daughter are lifesavers, have been spening a lot of time napping, on the couch by the fire. I think your comments were really something that I needed to hear and I am relieved to hear it all. In addition to the all of what I have described, my mother (who I have always had a painiful relationship with - and taught me nothing about being a woman), moved out of state, after my father's death a year ago, so that bit of emotional turmoil has been stiring around in my brain also. I am so grateful to have this forum, wow. I am going to try my best to quiet my head and my physical activity and not beat myself up as much as I have been, maybe do some good reading, journaling, and resting, and stick with that. Love ya all.
DLJONE

DLJONE, we are all sisters here!! I want you to promise me you will take it easy and DONT feel guilty about it! I am a go getter and never slow down, it was SOOOO hard for me to just STOP and heal...but from spending time on this site I saw from posts what can happen if you dont heal properly, so I actually had happy healing and my DD did a wonderful job taking care of me and the house and our pets. NOW I sure miss those pamper days..ENJOY THEM PLEASE!!! HUGS!!

Presouz
Thank you so much for the words, I feel exactly as you have explained, and reading the posts and input has really hit home with me today and mademe realize that I MUST stop the insanity and sit, rest, heal and maybe even take another trip to the doctor to get additional meds for this viral/ or what every type of infection didn't respond to the azithromycin didn't heal. Thank you again, hugs.