Nervous Newbie

Well.....Hi....my name is Denise and I enter the naval hospital tomorrow for my procedure. I'm 43 years old and undergoing a scheduled vaginal hysterectomy w/ AP repairs, as well as an anal sphincteroplasty. I've spent the whole weekend with that nasty prep stuff that they make you drink. I didn't think I was going to be nervous....but you know what....I was wrong. I've been told over and over that the hysterectomy is the easy part, it's the sphincter repair that is the tough one to recover from. So, I'm not looking forward from waking up from anesthesia. I'm enjoying surfing the HysterSisters website and think this will be a great help over the next several weeks.

Thank you,

Denise

GOOD Luck Denise and welcome. I am only 5 days post op having a TAH on 03/04 but I remember my preop period was much worse than my post op. I was very nervous and afraid. Everyone is different and I hope that you have a speedy recovery. The best advice I got is rest, drink alot of water and walk! Listen to your body and dont overdo it. See you on the post op side!

Hi Denise,

God bless you. I don't have experience with anal sphincter surgery but I pray that you will do fine and know that we are all here for you. I imagine someone with experience with your surgery will post some encouragement for you soon. I know that the prep you are going through is a huge relief to get through! Please keep us updated when you can. Did they tell you how long to expect to be in the hospital? Take care, I'll be praying for you.

Susan

You're in the castle now, but I just thought I'd add some more good wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. Take care.

Hi Denise, I see you had your surgery today, pray that all went well and you are recuparating fine and without pain. write to us when you are able and tell us how it went. I will keep you in my prayers.
blessings,

Hello, all....well, I just got home about six hours ago from the hospital. The pain from the hysterectomy is not much. However, I can't say the same for the AP repair and the sphinteroplasty. I have to say that the Percocet is working and I can always count on a couple of hours of pain free sleep. I'll post more later. Just wanted to touch base.

Thanks,

Denise

Yea, Denise! Congrats on getting the surgery behind you and making it home! I can imagine that there would be a lot of pain with the surgery you had in addition to the hyst. Be sure and do everything possible to avoid constipation! There are lots of great suggestions on here for that. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

God bless,

Well, lastnight was kinda rough and today is not much better. This sphincteroplasty is worse than what i thoguht it would be. It's day 6 and I haven't had even an urge of a bowel movement but it seems like I have to pee every thirty minutes. Just getting in and out of the bathroom is such a production.

I think I might be hitting a bit of depression. My son is having his formal at school tonight; tux, limo, dinner, the whole nine yards and I can't contribute to anything. Everyone is doing everything that I would be doing all around me. I feel so useless. I'm glad I have my mother and daughter to help my son and his girlfriend get ready but it's really hard to just lay in this bed. It's very depressing.

I'm still having quite a bit of drainage, too. Is this normal? Can some of you tell me your experiences 6 days postop?

Hugs to all,

Denise

Denise,
Hang in there honey. Ups and downs are common but eventually all will be well. I wish you a pain-free and easy recovery.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by DeniseS I think I might be hitting a bit of depression. My son is having his formal at school tonight; tux, limo, dinner, the whole nine yards and I can't contribute to anything. Everyone is doing everything that I would be doing all around me. I feel so useless. I'm glad I have my mother and daughter to help my son and his girlfriend get ready but it's really hard to just lay in this bed. It's very depressing.

<hugs> You bet it's depressing!!! I understand how you feel sweet pea. It's really tough to miss your kids milestones...

I was PG on complete pelvic/bed rest with an extremely high-risk/ threatened PG while my *then* youngest was going to her Prom and graduating... I remember busting bed rest to sit in a car outside the house where all of the kdis were meeting and I watched them from across the street while they took limo pics before leaving... Then, I worried all night and felt guilty about risking my health and the health of the baby I was carrying. Several weeks later, I actually got permission from my OB to attend her Graduation... we had to park in handicapped parking... and I had a wheel chair... and I had to promise to leave immediatley afterwards.... no walking out to the field... straight back home to bed!!! <sih> It all worked out, that baby is now in Kinder and that Graduate is now working on her BA... but what an emotonal time...

Just remember, they will take pictures...