Laparoscopic changed to Total Abdominal Hyster during surgery

Below is my story. I hope you enjoy reading it and gain some insights from it. if you are trying for a lap, but it is possible that you may go abdominal, don't dispair... plan as best you can. I went ahead and packed as if I would have a TAH, I prepared my work and family for it, and tried to get my mind mentally prepared. I'm glad I did. I thought if I planned for it, it wouldn't happen, LOL!! no such luck.
HI Everybody. I'm feeling great!! Had my castle visit on Aug. 1.

Had to be at the hospital at 6am for a 7:30am procedure. We had planned a laproscopic, but had to switch to abdominal.

The day before I had bowel prep withs fleets phosphosoda. I had to take 1.5 oz at 10am and then another 1.5oz at 6pm, followed by a medicated douche. Nothing but clear liquids all day. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight. I just put some of my old bar drinking habits to good use, and "shot" the stuff down. It was nasty, but that seemed the best way. I spent the day cleaning (in between bouts in the bathroom). Seemed a good way to deal with the day. Got the house real clean and packed my bags for my stay.

Morning went real well. They took me back to the my "prep area" in the morning. Once I was in a gown and settled, they let my mother come back to stay with me until they were ready for me. I remember they came to put versed in and I don't remember anything until the recovery room. I did wake up in a lot of pain.... and they took me to my room. Private!!

I was given Dauladid by push button. As I was waking up, I felt my belly button and realized that there wasn't an incission there (i have had 2 lap's before, so I know what they fell like). And I knew. they had to change.

When the doc came in he explained that him and his partner did a pelvic when I was brought into surgery and made the decision that the fibroid and the uterus were just too large and had grown since my last internal.

I spent 3 days in the hospital rather than the 1 day I had expected. But I was prepared and had packed as if I might have to be there longer.

What did I bring with me? I went to Kohls and found some Vera Wang PJ's on sale. They are awesome. Light weight jersey and a small elastic waist. I have lived in them for 2 weeks!! Ialso brought my facial cleanser sheets, PSSSSSST for my hair, makeup, lip balm and blistex (much needed!!!), a small hand mirror, hair brush and elastics, and a BACK SCRATCHER (so very, very, very important LOL!!!), and of course my tooth brush and paste. I could sit in my bed and completely make myself feel much better. Once I had the cath removed, I was able to go to my bathroom, but still wanted to sit in my bed to put on make up, etc.

I managed my pain with the pump for 2 days, and then my doc made them remove it and put me on pain pills. I had the boot massagers the entire time I was there ( I loved these!!), but when I was getting up and down I just kept them off and my doc asked that I spend time flexing and pointing my toes to keep circulation going. I also had a breathing tester to get you to do deep breaths and I was asked to do that 10x an hour. I kept up with it pretty good, but maybe not that much : )

The catheter was removed the morning after surgery, and that is when I really started moving around. I would get up to go pee (a lot) and then do a loop around the floor.

My husband came in from a bus. trip the second night and stayed over night with me. They had a sleep sofa in my room My nurses were absolutely the very best. All of them!!

Came home on Sunday and rested upstairs all day.

Every day I have felt a little better. I had my staples (22 of them) removed on Friday (1 week from surgery). That was much easier than I thought. Felt like little mosquito bites at the most. Although I wasn't really bruised until after the staples were removed for some reason... and my bruise actually looks like lips around my incision. Very funny looking!!!

Went over the Path report with the doc when I had my staples removed. My uterus was 440 grams. Typical uterus is around 70 grams. and yes, it did have adenomyosis. On top of that, had a fibroid the size cantaloupe. doc said my uterus was the size of a 20 week pregnancy.

Today, I am still taking my ibuprofen, still getting great help from my mother, son, husband and family. And still just taking it easy. I do stuff, but refuse to really lift anything heavy.

Hope this helps!!

Shelly