Recovery Progress Reports for Hysterectomy dates Feb 20-Feb 26,2012

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Originally Posted by JerseyHiker My turn for a kvetch (whining session)....It's amazing (but not really) how much we are all in the same place. Although I feel as if I SHOULD be happy because nothing has gone wrong, truth is energy is low, incision scars are very sore, insides swell, sleep is disrupted, and doctor yesterday told me this would go on for months and that the exposed stitches in the vaginal cuff are likely to keep me spotting for another 2.5 months, possibly bleeding during more active exercise (which I can do anyhow after 8-10 weeks), and may be troublesome during intercourse, which we shouldn't "try" for several weeks yet. While I understand that in a year this will all seem trivial, I don't recall ever having this kind of discussion beforehand with the doctor. It's like, when I was a kid, I once had to drink a barium fluid for a medical test and they told me it was a chocolate shake. Better to get me ready for something that tasted gross...I figured it out after one sip. Similarly, my plans for this year were not structured around a functional but uncomfortable and tired body...a boss who expects 150%, and an understanding but not too thrilled husband. I feel guilty because so many of you, my sisters, are going through greater challenges of all kinds. But we all want to be strong and healthy and perfect...and...that desire is the biggest challenge to face of all.

Yes it may become a challenge if you are focused on it. I think what you need to "re-focus" on is how you are on your way to attaining what you desire IF you "Pamper The Princess". Be gentle with yourself and know the more care you shower on yourself the quicker you will get to be strong, healthy, and as close to perfect as possible.

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Originally Posted by shortnsweet2 Agree, agree, JerseyHiker. Although they would be less likely to talk so many of us into surgery if we knew what it was REALLY going to be like! But I, too, would rather be told at least the range of what the recovery could be. So, I'm wondering if Estrogen causes Insomnia? It seems that many were plagued by insomnia possibly because of anesthesia, major surgery, or no hormones. Just the last few days I've not been sleepy till 1am, then waking up at 5am. Last night I could not go to sleep till 4am. I started a vaginal estradiol cream a week ago and I'm wondering if that is responsible. It's just strange that this started at 6 weeks. So lethargic.

You may be right that hormones play a part in insomnia - but just to let you know I still have my ovaries (which appear to be working fine) and I have in the last week hit the insomnia hard. I was lucky that sleep has only occasionally been a problem over the first 7 weeks - but it sure is a problem now. Like you, it came late - and is most unwelcome. Even if I get to sleep at night, I wake at 4am wide awake...am persevering with relaxation/meditation CDs because otherwise i'm going to end up with a Nytol habit (and it makes me so groggy). I hope yours improves.

I also still have my ovaries. I fall asleep and by 2am im awake and cant fall asleep. Im so tired

okay, I'm back at work. 12 hour night shifts. Luckily, I have doctor note to not lift over 15 lbs. However, when my fellow ICU nurses need help lifting and it involves patient safety, I find I was doing more lift than I should have. I had a few twinges after some maneuvers, but overall, I'm okay. I get home and fall in bed and am out all day until the alarm goes off (when I used to get up well before the alarm). So at least I'm sleeping! lol. I hope next week has more energy. I'm very grateful to be single and not worrying about having sex! lol.

Warning, small vent session coming:

So I just spent 3 hours in urgent care and left with a boot on my right foot and instructions to rest and take it easy. AWWWWWW!!!! I have had enough of taking it easy. I ran into my ottoman yesterday evening, and by this morning when my husband got home from work, the top of my foot was swollen and throbbing. I was hoping I had just jammed or even broke a toe. He was afraid I might have a hair line fracture in my foot. The good news is, no break or fracture. The bad news, I likely have a torn ligament. I am supposed to wear this boot for a week, and if it does not improve, go see an orthopedic surgeon.

Thanks to the hobbling, my belly is swollen, my incision is aching, and I am more sore than I have been in weeks. I feel like I am sliding backwards in my darn recovery now thanks to my clumsiness.

I did finally get to state the date of my last menstrual period...hahahaha!!! That was awesome!

Thanks for letting me vent. I hope everyone else is having a safer day.

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Originally Posted by grace35 Warning, small vent session coming: So I just spent 3 hours in urgent care and left with a boot on my right foot and instructions to rest and take it easy. AWWWWWW!!!! I have had enough of taking it easy. I ran into my ottoman yesterday evening, and by this morning when my husband got home from work, the top of my foot was swollen and throbbing. I was hoping I had just jammed or even broke a toe. He was afraid I might have a hair line fracture in my foot. The good news is, no break or fracture. The bad news, I likely have a torn ligament. I am supposed to wear this boot for a week, and if it does not improve, go see an orthopedic surgeon. Thanks to the hobbling, my belly is swollen, my incision is aching, and I am more sore than I have been in weeks. I feel like I am sliding backwards in my darn recovery now thanks to my clumsiness. I did finally get to state the date of my last menstrual period...hahahaha!!! That was awesome! Thanks for letting me vent. I hope everyone else is having a safer day.

Oh man!!! Good luck with that! Hopefully its nothing too bad and you just have to "take it easy" for a couple of days!

Good Evening Sisters -
I have had a good couple of days. Decided since I got the clear from the doctor I would clean the house yesterday. It took me all day, but I did it and was totally exhausted at the end of the night.
Today I pulled weeds.....Im thinking that wasnt such a good idea. Swelly Belly is in full force and really achy. But thats ok, I have tomorrow to rest and do nothing.....Wash is done, house is cleaned and yard is good.....
I do have to say that one thing I have noticed that I am going is when someone asks how I am, I say ok. I feel that if I say "good" it comes with expectation. Wondering if anyone else feels that way

Have a great weekend sisters!
Hugs!

I've been doing the exact same thing, ksharp! Can't quite bring myself to say "good" unless people know me and care enough that it's also OK to be "not so good" another day. Otherwise, I'm "OK" or "getting there"!

No ovaries but same pattern. Fall asleep for 3-4 hours and often...that's it. I do try to stay in bed and rest for another 2-3 hours. Sometimes taking Tylenol (not with any additional sleep helper) seems to take away some "edge", whether it's physical or mental, and I manage to get back to sleep. This should get interesting when I start back to work on Monday.

I also say "OK" and agree that saying "good" implies I am back to 100%. Although most people around me have started assuming that since I am past 6 weeks I should be good and have stopped asking. That makes it easier on them and me!