Home, Sweet Home!

Hi everyone. Just wanted to update you on my 9/17 TAH/BSO. Turns out it wasn't a BSO, because one ovary was in good enough shape to keep. So no HRT for this gal! I actually have mixed feelings about it; not sure if it would have been better to remove it while he was in there, given my history of ovarian cysts. But I'll look at the bright side at this point. The Friday before my surgery I started getting the crampy feeling that I was going to have one last period - YUK!!! By Saturday the pain was so bad I was sure I had a cyst, and by Sunday the pain filled my entire left side, making me think I had some sort of bowel obstruction or something. I was afraid to go to the hospital because it might delay or cancel my Monday AM surgery (not smart, I know, but I was panicking). Anyhoo....held out til Monday & told the Dr. about it. After the surgery, he told me he couldn't believe I made it through the weekend. Turns out I had an enormous ovarian cyst on the left ovary--larger than a grapefruit! He also found that I had two fibroids deep within my uterus that he wasn't aware of--too deep to detect. Path on everything came back normal. So now I'm very sore and very glad that it's over! Today's the first day I've felt human this week (just came back from the castle last night). Got a good night's sleep last night and really felt good today, although I'm getting pretty tired at the moment. I go to the Dr. on Monday to have the staples removed. I am having one problem that concerns me, though. Had a hard time passing gas at the castle, although it finally happened. I'm still having kind of a hard time, and have not had a bowel movement at all. I've had 2 days of regular meals now, and I KNOW there must be something in there!! I'm usually a really regular (daily) person, so this is starting to bug me. Any suggestions? Also, I'm having a sort of "hot" pain on the left side of my incision--inside, though--not on the incision itself. Feels really weird...my entire abdomen is numb, yet I have this hot feeling on one side. Any idea what causes this? Going to rest now--thanks again for all your support! It's such a wonderful feeling not to be panicking anymore!

GinnyC

Hi Ginny, welcome home to the newly crowned !!

So glad that you're feeling better emotionally. That's great that you were able to keep one ovary...I'm wishing you success that you won't have any future problems with it while it produces those wonderful little hormones!

Having a hard time with bowel movements is pretty common post-op, though not at all fun . The anesethesia in our systems and pain pills contribute to this. Drinking lots of water, exercise in the form of frequent, short walks, non-gassy foods, and fruit will all generally help in that department. My Dr. had me take stool softeners twice a day for the first couple of weeks. Ask your Dr. if he/she recommends them.

The pain you're feeling is probably a result of internal stitches, but you should ask your Dr. just to be on the safe side.

Lots of rest now, feet up! 's!

Hi Ginny,

Your crown looks lovely on you!

I agree with Tina about the stool softeners (and drinking lots of water). I was on them for about 4 weeks. This surgery does a lot to slow down your system, and it is very common to have this problem. See what your Dr. says.

Also, always call your Dr. to discuss any concerns you might have about pain. However, you have had a major surgery, and there are nearly 100 stitches inside you that have reattached all kinds of tissues and supportive ligaments. You will feel things, and I recommend lots of rest OFF your feet in addition to moderate walking. Prolonged sitting can put too much pressure on the healing situation, causing extra discomfort and swelling.

I'm glad you were able to keep a healthy ovary...same here!

My very best to you...

Hey Ginny we had surgery the same day.I have been taking stool softners since I got home yesterday and will continue for up to a week. I finally went to the washroom. Get someone to go and get some.

Take care