dVH My story and post op mending during 1st week

Hello sisters, God bless you all for sharing your stories which gave me the courage to go thru the dVH total hysto. Last Aug. 2011 I was told from an ultrasound I had a fibroid cyst the size of a 4 mth fetus. It was then suggested I have a hysto leaving my two ovaries, but let me tell you how it started and why such a harsh suggestion for a supposedly common thing like a Fibroid. One year prior to the ultrasound I had a horrible episode while shopping where I suddenly had a huge pain in my abdomen feeling like I was going into labor. My lower back was hurting, my ab was hurting and the pain kept escalating where I thought I'd pass out right there in the midst of shopping among strangers. I stood in place grasping my cart and praying to myself that pain go away so I could go home. It finally eased up enough for me to go home. Once home I continued to feel pain and there was no getting rid of it that day but next day I was back to normal. Six mths later summer of 2011 I had the same episode at work and I just left and went home to lie in pain while crying it was so awful. It was then I decided to see my Dr about it who suggested the ultrasound which found the Fibroid. Warning ladies, my primary Dr. didn't see the need for a hysto and said Fibroids are common in women my age (52). I didn't feel comfy about it b/c this Fibroid was causing pain so I went to see an OBGYN. It was my OBGYN who suggested the Hysto leaving both ovaries.. The primary Dr thought it was too harsh of a decision, and she almost convinced me not to go thru with it b/c I had been feeling good the past month. Thank God my inner voice kept telling me to have it done. Jan 6th at 12:40pm surgery started, what was to be a 2 hr. surgery became 5 hrs b/c my Fibroid was larger than initially shown on the ultrasound, it had gown so large it wrapped itself around my left ovary, the urethra, the pelvic wall, and it was starting to penetrate my spleen and BLADDER! Can u imagine waking up and being told you have no bladder or worse yet dying from a ruptured Spleen? Ladies PLEASE go by your body's cries, never allow anyone to deter you from what you know is best for you. At last my surgery was over after 5 hrs and they removed my left ovary along with my uterus, cervix, and of course the Fibroid. Today makes 8 days after the surgery. I am doing great! My recovery at the hospital for just one night was a bit painful due to gases in my ab, and my leg muscles didn't cooperate too much with me since I had been under anesthesia for 5 hrs. At 52 yrs old I forced myself to sit up after the first five hrs after surgery, then gradually to walk a very short distance. 12 hrs after surgery I was walking the hospital floor with the help of my sister. 24 hrs after the surgery was complete I was sitting watching TV at home but taking 800mg of Motrin for any pain. Bowel movements only happen when I take stool softners but it feels great to empty out because movement is lighter. All in all I can't say I have truly suffered during my recovery. Pain is not too bad, and I was getting around within less than 24 hrs after surgery. I drove for the 1st time one week after surgery though I could do it sooner but I did feel my reactions were slower. Driving is a no no if you are taking any form of pain killer b/c ur mind is not at 100%. After 1 week of recovery I don't really need the pain killer but I suffer from lower back aches so I take it. My Dr said I may want to take it for two weeks so I still have 1 more week if I need it. I highly recommend the DaVinci robotic hysto if you know a Dr that has used it often because recovery is truly quick, pain is manageable and not long, but please look into cost before you do so, it IS expensive.