Know your limits!

I am 8 days post TAH (one ovary remaining) and have been trying to take a brief walk (to the mailbox (about 2 house lengths) and back) twice a day. Mon and Tues this was impossible because of pain but it worked fine yesterday. This mroning I got the bright idea to walk to the end of the road and back. Luckily my DH won't allow me out alone and was with me and holding my hand, I got half way and turned around and literally could barely make it home. We live in a suburban neighborhood of colonials and we're talking maybe 7 houses worth, I thought I was going to collapse with exhaustion. I needed help back up to my room and slept for two hours.

I am trying to strike a balance between not lying down all day and getting enough exercise to be healthy and heal and most importantly not have a clot (I am very overweight-although active (with two small children)). What have some of you further along done those first few weeks?

Hi Amysue,

To tell you the truth, the only walking I did in the early weeks was just getting around the house. No, I didn't lay around all day, but certainly MOST of the day. It's good to want to get your circulation going, but a real balance isn't necessarily going to be "lots" of walking...it may be just getting to the kitchen, the bathroom, etc. It's also safer in case you suddenly can't go any further and need to sit or lie down. It happens!

If you're up and around a few times a day, that's a good thing, but don't overdo it. As you can see, your body is telling you that it's working overtime on healing and needs loads of rest. Keep listening to it, and you'll do fine!

When you are more healed in a couple of months, you can step up the exercise. Of course, always call your Dr. with concerns.

My very best to you...

Hey Amy Sue, I had mine the day after you--I pretty much lay around on the couch all day too! I try to walk outside around our little pond (I mean little!) 2-4 times a day because I feel better when I go outside. Today I did light cleaning in the kitchen (just the counters and some dishes to the dishwasher, DH is great, but a little more easygoing w the housework than I am!) I find I need a little change of surroundings to keep from having cabin fever! Every day I've felt better than the day before. Got my staples out today, didn't even hurt enough to say ouch! Another step on the road to recovery! Cindy

Hi AmySue!

I think your subject line hit the nail right on the head. If we read all the different posts by our sisters, we can see that different women recover in different ways and on different schedules. There are so many variables that can determine what recovery will be like. We do have the basic knowledge that Hysterectomy is major surgery. Your DR can probably confirm that it really does take your body 6 mo to 1 year to heal completely from this. It does stand to reason that the initial 6-8 weeks should be restful and limited in activity.

Many princesses hit that 3-week wall when your internal sutures are starting to dissolve and leave your insides more vulnerable to movement and activity, causing extra pain. I cannot say it happens to everyone, just that it definitely happened to me and that it happens to many.

My personal experience happens to be alot like MusicLady's - it did take time for my body to 'approve' of any activity. At 8 days I was not roving the 'hood - I would do my walking just around the house. And I rested ALOT!!! In fact, I took it really really easy the first 4 weeks, except when I overdid it and was nearly arrested by the . I did not even realize I was doing anything wrong, since it felt fine at the time.

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now. Bless you, AmySue, take good care of you and keep listening to your body.

I, too, started out walking to the mailbox about 2 houses, then added a house more each time. I admit that I did try during the 1st wk to walk about 6 or 7 houses and my legs felt like they had lead weights! So, gradually increase your distance and you will be able to do more. I am now at 2 1/2 wks post-op and can walk around the block without any difficulty, but I was able to do an 1/2 hr. or more on the treadmill prior to surgery. So if you aren't used to walking much just take it easy & rest when needed.

Cindy, I had my staples out today, too! *high five* I was just making a post that involved wanting to get active without overdoing it - it's a delicate balance sometimes, isn't it? I wish our neighborhood was nicer for walking, but we're right across the street from the ocean and it's usually too cold and windy to enjoy it.

Haruka

Hi Haruka--Cabin fever is setting in bigtime! I'm going on a field trip to Walmart tonite! Straight in & out, to the haircolor aisle-- I want to be blonde! At least frosted! DH is going to do the honors, believe it or not! Still doing better day by day...Cindy