***children mentioned*** Recovery with small kids around..

Hello,
Am just wondering what people's experiences are of healing with kids around? I have a 3.5yr old daughter and a son who has just turned 2. My LAVH should be in the next 4-6wks, my husband is self employed and has to work so my mum will come to stay for as long as needed. I am a control freak mum who has to be in charge of everything so i know i will be a nightmare patient! Have been ok after laparoscopies, think i was changing nappies the evening following surgery! Is the recovery as bad as having an abdo hyst, i'm assuming it isn't as i won't have a big incision to deal with, but obviously they are still removing a major organ so it must hurt a lot still..
Thanks for reading..
Terri.

I had a LAVH. My DD was 3 1/2 at the time. Although I don't think it was as bad as TAH, it was still challenging. For one, the kids have to know that they cannot jump near you or make quick movements. I showed my daughter my incisions so she would have a better understanding of my "boo boos." Also, I was very tired for the first 3-5 days. I usually bounce back from things quickly, but I just couldn't get myself to feel awake. And, yes, I was sore and had swelly belly which made it so I could pick her up or bend easily. So, those toys you really want to pick up, will just have to stay there. There was a shirt that my Mom and DD had made while my Mom was here. It laid on the rocking chair for about a week! Normally I would have been going nutty with it there for less than a day! But, I just didn't have the energy to care. If I were you, I would do my best to not deny help. If others offer to babysit, let them. If they offer to make meals, let them. You don't want to take advantage, but it's important that you let your body recover. My dr. said to me, "You may not have a cut like in a TAH, but I still did the same thing inside." I hope your surgery goes well.
Lori

I had a TAH and a 5 year old little girl. she was great. she was a lot of help. i am also a control freak and i feel like i have lost a little bit of it because of the weight lifting limit. but my child has a disability that makes my situation a little differant. just give your little ones tasks to do so they think they are helping. best of luck to you.

just a few things to help you out....

Buy simple snacks for the kids like those pre-made PB&J sandwiches (uncrustables) and keep them handy in a special place in your fridge/freezer. Then, when the kids want you to make lunch, just direct them to their "basket". Do the same thing with bottles of water, juice boxes, etc. Maybe even let them eat "picnic style" on the floor near you for supervision!

use netflix for movies and order several new kids flicks to keep them entertained

make a run (pre-op) to the dollar store and pick out a handful of new toys. Hand out a new toy each day to keep them entertained

keep coloring books and crayons handy for BOTH of you (hey, I like to color too, LOL)

i had my tah last monday. the day after i came home, i was taking care of my children. one is 3 and the other will soon be 2. it was a little hard at first, they have really hard heads and dont like to listen. but i showed my oldest my incision and called it a big "boo boo" and she understood more about it. each day i get better and each day taking care of them gets easier as well. if ur son is in diapers or pullups (my youngest is in pullups) then try and get him to get on a couch when he needs to be changed, especially those first few days, the floor is not that easy to get up from and just sitting on it can make you hurt. if you have to get on the floor, take it easy and try to sit on a pillow or something with cushion and make sure you are near something you can lean on to get up off the floor. i found this out the hard way. lol!

Am wondering about this also. Forgive me, but you will probably see about 40 more post from me with the same questions. I just feel like I am missing something.

I have a 9month old. Surgery scheduled for Next Thursday - Will have help, thurs, fri and the weekend. Will be on my own on Monday.

Am having the LAVH/ with ovaries out also (eventually I will get the slang/abb correct) and won't be in a hospital - will be in a surgery center and will be sent home same day. Doctor says I should be ok 24 hours. Is htat true or is he just a man????