Recovery Progress Reports for Hysterectomy dates Jan 09-Jan 15,2012

Oh my gosh! Take it easy and be careful! I hear you about fainting. Phew! Hang in there. Big hugs to you too. .. and pleeeease be careful and let others pamper you! xo!

Your doctor's insensitivity is only stressing you more and raising your pressure. I agree that you should look for another who treats you with more concern. Good thing that you have a more caring internist. Meantime you can do little things like cutting down on salt and watching what you eat, relaxation exercises, etc. to help bring down your blood pressure. And thinking about work looming so close is another big stress. Are there any colleagues who can help you with chores to ease back into your work routine? Don't be shy to ask for help.. you may discover angels in your work place. God bless! Hug yourself, love yourself.

I manage a convenient store. I have 22 employees and one assistant manager. My district manager called me yesterday and proceeded to jump my butt, because my assistant is messing up so bad. I CAN'T help it. I am trying to heal, so I can manage this store and my employees!! Between my OB/GYN, my district manager, and my husband.....I'm LOSING IT!!! Of course they are all MEN!!! My OB/GYN told me Monday that I am acting like I was split open from my breasts to below my belly button......he said I had da vinci surgery and it is very invasive, and that I should have been back to work at week 1. Typing this out, NOW I know why my blood pressure is elevated!!! I'm just very MAD!! OB/GYN said I need some Xanax cause I am just stressing myself out.....no he is stressing me out. All I want to do is CRY!!!! I already feel like a failure, because apparently I am not healing fast enough. You ladies are wonderful, and I'm so glad I can vent to y'all. At least y'all understand where I am coming from. LOTS OF LOVE TO ALL OF YOU!!!

I hope that clears up quickly! Take care.

Susan C - he thought you should be back at work after one week? Seriously? You might want to call your insurance company and ask them how long is "customary." And then find a new, preferably female, GYN. (I learned my lesson about that the hard way too, many years ago). Would it be at all possible for you to go to work and sit on a chair with a pillow- call it your throne - and watch everyone while you tell them what to do? When my husband teases me (he is nice about it) about not doing things - I just tell him when he has HIS uterus and ovaries taken out he can take as long as he wants to recover. Tell your doctor that one. What a jerk. Does he think he is helping you? Hmm "Do no harm..."

My heart goes out to my HysterSisters who are having problems, whether major or minor ones!

It's been 4 weeks since my daVinci, and luckily I feel pretty great. I still have to take stool softeners to avoid painful BMs, and I still get a little swelly belly by nighttime, but that's really about it. No real pain or anything. Still some spotting (old blood, dark brown), but the doctor said that's normal.

I've been back working for more than a week now. I am a dog walker and pet sitter, so my job is very physical, but I've only been working a couple of hours a day, so far. Starting tomorrow my schedule will get busier, but my doctor said I'm released to do anything except have sex. (I don't have a boyfriend or husband, anyway. I have been on a few dates with a guy who seems really nice, but these things usually don't work out for me.)

It's a good thing I had the daVinci, and also have been fortunate enough to heal quickly, because my brother had to go back home (250 miles away) after 2 weeks, and none of my friends stepped up to help. I guess everyone just assumed I'm so independent that I didn't need help. Well, it's MAJOR surgery, hello? If I had healed more slowly or had complications, I'd be in a tough situation.

My only two complaints: I'm too tired after work to clean my house, and I wish I could wear real pants.

Sorry for the long post.

Response to jenna0125 about the cramps. I have also been having them. We share the same hysterectomy date. I had the davinci partial and have been cramping for over two weeks now. My doctor feels it is related to the ovaries possibly and is not too concerned. I am interested to see if anyone else has the same problem. It is very frustrating and I feel I should be farther along by now.

Virginabelle.....YES, he told me one week. I don't care what he says. When I go back Monday, it will be 1 day before my 5 weeks. When I go to my internal medicine doc in the morning, I'm going to ask her to refer me to a female GYN that she recommends. I'm going to be very careful when I go back. Yes, I feel pretty good, but I'm going to take it easy! I will point and tell my employees what I need or what I want them to do! I have a great group of employees. About 2 months before my surgery, I was in awful pain. My employees helped me with everything and I will lean on them again until I can do everything myself!! Thanks for the advice to find a new Gyn. I would have not thought about asking for a reference to a new one. You ladies are awesome, and a very sincere group of sisters! I sure hope everyone is doing well.

I had a TAH, BSO, Bladder Sling and Bladder repair on January 12. I had a lot of damage inside. I am feeling much better than I did 3 weeks ago!
I had my 4 week check up today. I still have several stitches on the inside. I am still on restrictions until the Urologist gives me a sign off on the 28th. My GYN is pleased with how I am doing so far but said I still have a lot of healing to do. He feels very strong about women taking 6 - 8 weeks off to heal.
I told my doctor and his nurse about this site. They had never heard of it but, were really interested. They all agreed that women only go through a hysterectomy once in a life time. We talked when a patient calls and has a question, the reply is "that is normal". How do women know what is "normal". I thank God for this site and to realize we all are going through about the same thing and not to be afraid. We are all learning what "normal" is. Thank you all!
I am going to start HRT tomorrow. The insomnia, night sweats and hot flashes are more than I can take. I am looking forward to feeling like me again.
Love and prayers to all of you. Thank you for sharing this journey!
As has been stated several times, you only have one chance to heal. Thanks to my DH and my lovely son to help me heal right!

I had Davinci on January 11th. Cramping is one thing that I have NOT had at all. Interesting how different we all are. I am still having a slight discharge daily and still puffy belly.