Recovery Progress Reports for Hysterectomy dates Dec 12-Dec 18,2011

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Originally Posted by moon12 I am in day 14 after surgery, I was feeling better last Friday and I accepted an invitation to celebrate New Year with my friend at her house. I was in pain during the dinner and I had a couple of glasses of wine either way. I started spotting yesterday again and has not stop yet. I feel very sore from my incisions and cramping like when you get your period. I am very scared.

How are you feeling today? Better, I hope?

Well, today we had to take our 14 year old dog to the vet to have him euthanized. This poor dog was just in such poor shape, his back legs constantly giving out and sometimes he could barely walk, and he was losing control of his bowels and bladder. What made it so hard was that he was still so mentally alert and just as sweet as ever. DH and I are both very upset and I've been crying most of the day. So I haven't really felt like I've even had surgery at all, I really haven't, and that's kind of weird. I find I have to mentally remind myself to still be careful.

I've been waking up during the night from pain sometimes, although I had 3 good nights just before the New Year's weekend.

Best wishes to everyone.

I'm so sorry about your dog! It's one of te worst things to have to do in life. They are such a part of our families. They love us unconditionally.

Sending hugs your way! Don't forget to take care of yourself.

Three weeks today and it was a big day. I had to spot clean the hardwood floors twice today - muddy paws on a dog. He figured out there is still mud under all that snow we just got! I did pull out the Swiffer Wet Jet on the first one but it didn't feel very good. So the second go round, a wet paper towel under my shoe and "walking" around was the way to go.

I also drove about 20 minutes each way to get my hair done. This was only my second time driving. I really have no desire to drive much as it does hurt some.

I've not had the spotting/bleeding that many are writing about. But I'm wondering if it will start a bit once the stitches start to dissolve internally. I've not noticed passing any stitches yet.

I do have the super sensitive skin near the incision site that many have discussed. I'm hoping that this goes away in the next few weeks - if not, it's going to make wearing work clothes more interesting. I'm not sure they'll let me wear sweats.

Lisa

I was able to do a mile and half with my exercise tape today, but i noticed i was starting to have pain/pulling in my lower abdomen so i stopped. I still feel better, especially since my upper respiratory junk has finally subsided a little.

On the tub bath issue....I was told no tub baths until my post op appt which is this friday. Of course, I caved and took my first one last week...but i took a shower first so it was more like a soak. It felt SO GOOD!

I'm debating on going back to work next week. I was given until the 16th by my FMLA and short term disability, but I feel a little pressure to go back. I'm just not sure I feel like sitting 10 hours a day confined to my desk. I work from home, but have to take calls. My job is very demanding...not like I can get up and down or take frequent breaks if needed. It doesn't help that my doctor said most people take 2-3 weeks. I don't want him to think i'm "milking it".

Just found out a friend of mine is pregnant. I feel incredibly sad. I don't understand why...i had an ablation over 2 years ago so my chances of getting pregnant were pretty much nipped in the bud, but for some reason this time it feels so different. I feel so much sadness it's almost unbearable.
Hope everyone has a great evening and can rest well!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by OnPrairie Well, today we had to take our 14 year old dog to the vet to have him euthanized. This poor dog was just in such poor shape, his back legs constantly giving out and sometimes he could barely walk, and he was losing control of his bowels and bladder. What made it so hard was that he was still so mentally alert and just as sweet as ever. DH and I are both very upset and I've been crying most of the day. So I haven't really felt like I've even had surgery at all, I really haven't, and that's kind of weird. I find I have to mentally remind myself to still be careful. I've been waking up during the night from pain sometimes, although I had 3 good nights just before the New Year's weekend. Best wishes to everyone.

I'm so sorry about your dog as well... it's just so hard and so sad. my thoughts are with you. ((hugs)).

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Originally Posted by wendy0106 I was able to do a mile and half with my exercise tape today, but i noticed i was starting to have pain/pulling in my lower abdomen so i stopped. I still feel better, especially since my upper respiratory junk has finally subsided a little. On the tub bath issue....I was told no tub baths until my post op appt which is this friday. Of course, I caved and took my first one last week...but i took a shower first so it was more like a soak. It felt SO GOOD! I'm debating on going back to work next week. I was given until the 16th by my FMLA and short term disability, but I feel a little pressure to go back. I'm just not sure I feel like sitting 10 hours a day confined to my desk. I work from home, but have to take calls. My job is very demanding...not like I can get up and down or take frequent breaks if needed. It doesn't help that my doctor said most people take 2-3 weeks. I don't want him to think i'm "milking it". Just found out a friend of mine is pregnant. I feel incredibly sad. I don't understand why...i had an ablation over 2 years ago so my chances of getting pregnant were pretty much nipped in the bud, but for some reason this time it feels so different. I feel so much sadness it's almost unbearable. Hope everyone has a great evening and can rest well!

I actually got a little choked up reading your post about your pregnant friend. actually tears rolling down my face as I type. it kind of still gets to me although I know in my heart I made the best and right decision. I am 44 and I had 5 miscarriages, I have two beautiful girls and for that I am forever grateful. my last 2 miscarriages were back in 09, back to back. after those losses I had my lap surgery and found out I had very bad endomitriosis. we used no protection until my 44th birthday and nothing happened, I then found out I had adeno and I knew my time with trying was over. I'm sorry for your sadness.

as for work I say take the time you think you need and don't worry about the pressure... you are covered under the family leave act. too bad you can't have your phone and a tv table setup on your bed see you can relax and work at the same time. good luck with whatever you choose to do.

kim

As some of you have discovered, returning to work after a hysterectomy can be absolutely exhausting. The first few days back at work were harder than the first few days post-op for me--and I returned at four weeks to a very part-time job that allowed me to put my feet up and sit when I wanted.

For most women, it's a good idea to take as much time off work as you possibly can. No matter what type surgery you had, you have a lot of internal healing to do. Even just sitting puts pressure on tender spots that were cut or cauterized. You will find that you feel fatigued quite easily for a few months, and it's especially hard when you increase your activity by returning to work.

There are some things you can do to ease your transition back to work.

1. Consider returning just part-time for a couple weeks. Or, if that isn't feasible, perhaps return on a Wednesday or Thursday. This gives you a chance to get used to being at work while ensuring that you can rest enough in between.
   
2. Plan absolutely nothing other than work for the first couple weeks. When you're home at the end of the day, stay home, and don't plan activities on the weekends. (If you feel up to it, great, but it's hard to have plans and then realize you just don't feel up to it.)
   
3. As soon as you get home, change into something comfy and lie down for half an hour. This gives your body a chance to recover from your activity and can re-energize you enough to get through the next few hours.
   
4. If you have gift cards or offers of meals, this is the time to use them! My co-workers provided my family with meals for my first two weeks back at work. It gave me one less thing to have to take care of.
   
5. Listen to your body. If you are halfway through your day at work and realize that you feel achy or swollen, you have probably done more than your body can handle. If you aren't able to go home, at least find a place to lie down during a break--even if it means you're lying down in the back seat of your car.

Remember that you have just one chance to heal right, and there's no prize for getting back to normal earlier than anyone else. Your recovery is unique to your own health and medical situation.

It's never too late to

	Quote:
Originally Posted by wendy0106 Just found out a friend of mine is pregnant. I feel incredibly sad. I don't understand why...i had an ablation over 2 years ago so my chances of getting pregnant were pretty much nipped in the bud, but for some reason this time it feels so different. I feel so much sadness it's almost unbearable. Hope everyone has a great evening and can rest well!

Oh, sweetie. Have you had a chance to visit our Aching Hearts forum? There are plenty of women here who feel deep grief over the loss of the uterus. There is a permanence to the hysterectomy that is different from other procedures.

In Aching Hearts, you'll find understanding hugs to help you heal.

Hugs don't stress yourself that's one of the main things my ob/gn said to avoid!