LAVH/BSO Jan. 17 -five days post op

i wanted to share my story with you all- i have had many years of irregular heavy periods, large continuous clotting, cramps, pain, soiling clothes & bed sheets, accidents at really bad times, alternative surgeries, medicine, etc. etc. basically, too many to post.

the day i scheduled my surgery: all hell broke loose emotionally; my anxiety and fear were at an all time high; i was scared of not waking up after surgery and bleeding to death. looking back now, the worst part was the wait.

the surgery: two days before, i was on a light diet, the day before, i was on a liquid diet and no eating after midnight. Got up at 4 am, showered with special soap provided by hospital, dressed and off we go. Hubby & I were brought to the pre-op room (i broke down as soon as i saw everything & everyone in the room), got changed, hooked up (i hate needles but, they did a really good job). Nurses, anesthesiologist, drs & surgeon came to speak with me & the 2 hrs went by very quickly. the anesthesiologist came to pick me up at 7:40 am (surgery was scheduled for 7:45) and put something in my IV as i cried and said bye to Hubby. i remember getting into O.R. and thats it. i woke up to what seemed like 5 min. later but was really 4 hrs later (surgery took almost 4 hours, the surgeon said that i had one of the biggest uterus' she has seen) got to my room 2 hours later (around 2 pm). the recovery room was exciting, pain covered/controlled by nurse (she told me i asked her if i was alive when she woke me. LOL)

my room/hospital stay: shortly after arriving in my room (room mate already there and preparing to go home) my daughter arrived and shorlty thereafter, my hubby. i had compression socks on (to avoid blood clots), 2 IVs (only one was being used), a catheter & oxygen. i was surprisingly doing well, had continuous monitoring and constant pain mangement. it was awesome!! walked twice the night of surgery & oxygen removed. had unlimited jello, crackers, water, juice. catheter removed at 6 am next day. surgeon came to see me & reminded me that was a BIG uterus. took her a very long time to chop up to remove. she has pics for me. I said no thanks initially but, now may want to see them at my post op appt. daughter wants to see the pictures. surgeon said surgery was boring (ha ha), no complications, no surprises and as far as she can see with the naked eye, no cancer. Dr. says as long as i can pee on my own, walk & eat, i could go home. it was up to me. i peed alot on my own right away. Dr. said the only other work she did was fix vaginal cavity (unsure what that means exactly or if that is what she really said-i cant remember). had estrogen patch put on my leg, had my Rx for pain and went home wednesday afternoon (day after surgery). i have 3 little incisions one on my belly button, and one on each side of it.

recovery at home: slow moving but making great progress daily, i have been drinking alot, walking regularly (i wear tummy binder when walking), eating light meals and have had 3 BMs (all uneventful). all in all my experience has been positive, recovery has been terrific and i am pleased with everything.

i must add that stumbling across this site has been one of the best things that happened to me. i faithfully checked updates daily, interacted with other sisters, asked questions and got real experience answers from others either going through the same or having just been through it. Keep reading and keep posting.

i feel blessed, God has truly seen me through this process and watched over me. I wish you all the same experience. Keep smiling!