Recovery Progress Reports for Hysterectomy dates Mar 26-Apr 01,2012

It’s been 24 days. I’m doing okay… considering…. Last week I displaced a rib. I have NO CLUE how that happened as I’m not doing anything. The doc thinks it happened as I was sleeping in the recliner and I moved wrong to protect my belly. It hurts like a really bad word to even breathe, so I’ve been staying put in the recliner with lots of pillows around me (hubby calls this my race car driver look – all padded in).
My hubby and I fooled around a bit let’s just say he got lots of kisses all over (TMI????). I did tell him that it would be okay for him to help me manually get satisfied, but he didn’t want to. He said we are going to wait until the doc says okay. I explained that I wanted him to help me on the outside ONLY and he still refused. He just said he doesn’t want it to hurt or mess anything up inside. So later today I will probably head upstairs and see if I can, not sure though due to the rib issue interfering with my breathing.
I have not had any bleeding or spotting AT ALL!!!!! I’m almost worried as from what I’ve read here, everyone has had some form of discharge. I had what I thought was a yeast infection the week following my surgery, but my doc said it was not (just advised me to wash with warm water several times a day – helped).
I’m still on an emotional roller coaster. I’ve been a bit depressed as I can’t do anything without feeling winded (again the rib issue). I’m normally the one that does the care taking, and I can’t even take care of myself. Due to my difficulty breathing, I’m back to having my husband stay in the bathroom with me while I shower. UGHHHH!!! I can’t even do the simplest things without help. Talk about living out the vows ‘in sickness and in health’. It’s also been tough as we just found out that my husband will need to have further knee surgeries and possibly an amputation (above the knee). My husband and I are very active outdoors (camping, hunting, and fishing). We are hoping the amputation is years off, but none-the-less, I’m trying to be positive and supportive, but all I want to do is cry. Not just for me, but for him and it seems like the urge to is overwhelming.
I did drive one of the kids to the bus stop today, but that was because I wanted a slurpee. I dropped my kiddo at the bus stop and went to the gas station for a large frozen pop! Man did it taste good!
Okay, I think I’m done venting now. I’m very happy for all of my sisters that have healed well. I’m saying prayers for those that are still a ways away from feeling better. WE ARE SISTERS FOREVER!! WE WILL GET THERE!!!!! HUGS TO MY FELLOW PRINCESSES!!!!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by jacey1975 Thanks for posting this, I also haven't really chimed in too much here since my recovery is going well and I haven't had any complications to ask about!

Please do not be afraid to post your updates. Yes, most of the posts are from women having complications, but not all of them. Sometimes a good post gives those having a rough time a little bit of hope, so please, share your positive stories too!!!

Ladies!!

I'm glad to see that some of you are feeling well!! I know there are a lot of you that are still having a rough go of it and for that I am truly sorry. Just know that you are definitely not alone.

I have seen a lot of posts about outer stimulation....
I just want to caution you that you should check with your before attempting this as most doctors want complete pelvic rest for six weeks. Sometimes a doctor will go ahead and clear you for "outercourse" earlier, but usually not until they have had a chance to examine you. Please just be careful!! I know it is hard to wait and most of you are curious to see if the 'O' still works and that is completely understandable. You are not alone there either, it is a concern for many women.

You are all still very early in your recoveries and I would sure hate for something to happen that would set you back, so please check with your doctor first.

to you all!!!

:friend:

I'm glad you mentioned the caution about "outercourse". My doc is one that told me to refrain so that the area can remain static until I get the all clear at my next (2nd post-op) appointment...

Lizzy - sending prayers for your husband. I'm hoping that the amputation doesn't have to happen at all. Of course you will cry - it sounds very scary even w/o all you've been thru w the surgery, rib dislocation, etc! Please baby yourself more and give yourself permission to cry when you need to, sleep when you need to, etc. Sending major hugs!!!

I'm doing very well. Am up to walking daily (about 20 minutes). I'm also doing the gentle exercises recommended by this site (pelvic floor, pelvic tilts, etc.). I also got the pelvic floor exercise book by Michelle Kenway, very informative. But mostly I've been a couch potato!

Haven't had hot flashes yet. Can't take HRT because of previous breast cancer diagnosis, so it'll be interesting to see how things manifest as time goes by. I am noticing that my breasts aren't sore anymore, which is nice. I've had really good bone density so will get back to more weight bearing exercise when I'm given the all clear.

I had very little bleeding after surgery, then none for two weeks. Imagine my surprise when I've started having daily bleeding this last Sunday! (only a slight bit when I wipe a few times a day doesn't even show up on a mini pad). Called the doc and they said that it was normal and only needs to be checked out if it continues after a month. I asked if it meant I've been doing too much, and they said not at all. They also are fine with me driving.

I am going to have to go to school (university) tomorrow and Saturday, and then back to work half days on Monday. I am not in a lot of pain, just sort of crampy and achy.
So how come every time I think about going to school or work I feel like crying?

Hello all, I hope everyone is doing well. I appriciate all the compassion and support I've received from on here. My surgery was on the 28th at 6am. The worst part was waiting alone, I wish I had had someone there with me to hold my hand or even tell me to suck it up and stop being a baby it was supposed to be a LAVH but once they got in the doc found a lot more damage than they anticipated. I had one fibroid tumor that was about baseball size. In the end they even managed to salvage my left ovary! I am so grateful for that. the first 2 weeks of recovery felt like a rollercoaster. both emotionally and physically. I'd have a day where I felt great! Less pain than I'd been in for a long time and good energy levels, the next day I'd feel like I'd been hit by a Mack truck, without even the energy to roll over. After the first week the bad days were every other day then every 2-3 days. I was feeling so good that I went and got a release to go back to work. My first day back was the 16th, my work refused to allow me to come back half days only so I had to put in the full 8 hours. It's Thursday now and I'm thinking I made the move to come back to work too soon. I'm so worn out. I have to keep going though, I wasn't getting paid sick time or vacation for the time I was gone, since I had an emergency appendectomy in November all my time was already used up. I hope next week will be better. The doctor said my energy levels would keep going up. I'm finding the silver lining where ever I can. I am so glad to not be in pain anymore. I didn't even realize how bad it was until I didn't feel it anymore. I am wondering though, how long is it going to take to lose the gas and bloating in my stomach? I barely fit in any of my clothes at all and they fit fine before the surgery.

Three weeks today. It seems ages ago and yet no time at all.
Externally healing very well. No more spasms from bowels bladder or anywhere else. BMs back to normal in the last 2 days. Hooray!!!
I do have a dull ache in my left hip at times where I had my vast " mobile cyst on a stalk" but I can now reach my left foot so Hurrah!!! I get some aches and pains when changing position and when I am stretching/bending which then tells me that I shouldn't be doing that!
Pain meds about 2X a day now, ibuprofen and paracetemol...not had to take codeine since the first week.
I celebrated my three weekivesary by going for a 5 minute drive into the next town, stopping at the chemist for some more paracetemols(I know how to have fun!!) went into a shop to buy some cards to post to friends and then went to a cafe for a bowl of soup and a cup of tea for lunch. Not a long walk at all but I am exhausted! I was also getting a dragging feeling in my vagina as I was driving so I think 5 mins is my limit at present.
Not been weepy but feel quite low, however I am coming out of a major episode of depression that hit me in September so am on 2 anti-depressants and have had some therapy so that side of things I have some resources for. Some hot flashes at night but I am used to getting hot (side effect from one of the medications I used to take) I am wondering if I was beginning the menopause anyway before I had the surgery as I don't feel much different without the ovaries (or maybe my body is plotting a subversive attack that will happen when I least expect it!!!)I have started taking some vitamin supplements for post menopausal women anyway as that can only help.
Trying not to worry too much about going back to work....taking each day as it comes and can discuss this with my GP on wednesday next week

21 days post op and feeling pretty good. The emotional roller coaster seems to have leveled out, and I definitely have more energy (although do get tired in the evenings).
I have kept myself very busy with small projects, visitors, short walks and a couple of trips to the spa - amazing how a little pedicure or brow wax will make you feel normal again .
I have not had any spotting or weird stuff - except a hematoma from the internal incisions, and an allergic reaction to the adhesive in my bandage.
I do have a doctors appointment today for a hacking cough that I thought was from being intubated but now I am thinking it is a cold? kills me to cough!
I am planning on returning to work Monday (post op doctor appointment is Tuesday). I hope I am not going back too soon??? anyway....things seem to be going along ok, and I cannot wait to ride my horse again!

I had my post-op appointment yesterday and I am happy to say that all is well. I thought the pelvic exam would be painful but it wasn't bad at all. My doc says that fatigue is very normal at this point (3 1/2 weeks out) and so is gas and bloating. Phew! That was a relief to hear. Now I am going to try to incorporate some light exercise. I was/am about 50 pounds overweight and now seems like a good time to start a new lifestyle.