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

Hello everyone,

I had my surgery on April 9th at 8:30 am. I am home now and struggling through my healing process. I need to ask, what (if anything) can I do to ease the pain when I cough?

Hold on tight and pray?
Take a small breath and as you let it out slowly, cough a little. It's hard to tighten your ab muscles when you are exhaling and the little cough sometimes is enough to make the whloe thing go away. I'm right there with you...almost sneezed yesterday but was able to stop that with the finger under the nose trick. If you do cough, it will be OK. Press a pillow on your belly. It will pass...

Laura13,

Thank you very much. This coughing is driving me insane!!! It is EXTREMELY painful. I will try your tips.

Why are you coughing? Do you think you have a cold? Maybe your dr. can suggest a cough medicine? Did you use the spirometer (funny machine with plastic ball) in the hospital to help clear your lungs? The reason I ask is I just feel terrible for you. It is sort of unbelievable unless you go through it yourself. I hope you feel better.... Laura

My lavh was at 7:30 am on the 11th. I guess it took longer than expected but I was sleeping so what do I know...haha I woke up crying but post op nurse was great. I got the cath out yesterday and was able to pee within an hour. Since then I've been a peeing machine...last night was rough due to that. Came home yesterday afternoon and been sleeping a lot. I'm pretty sore and gassy...just now starting to pass it. But I have also been nausiated since coming home. I'm wondering whats causing the nausia.

I have struggles with nausea too. I think it is caused by the combination of the anesthesia and the fact that our abdominal organs have been messed with during surgery. some pain meds can also contribute to the problem. I am not constantly nauseated any more; I actually feel a hint of hunger once in a while. I just have to be vey selective about what & how much I eat at once. Can't wait to have my full appetite back.

Wishing you all speedy recovery!

Hello, I had TLH on Tuesday, April 10th. With very painful gas pains in the right shoulder and under the rib cage on Wednesday, I remained at the castle until 5PM to make certain my pain was under control and I could hold down a full meal. The Percocet was making me nauseous since I wasn't eating enough substantial food due to bloatedness, so I couldn't compose a message here, but I was thankful to read everyone's messages about how things were going for them at home.
I brought Gas-x pills to the castle and took them the day after surgery. They seemed to help some. I wish I would have brought a heating pad with me as in order to get one at the hospital the doctor has to order it. The nurses didn't call to order the heating pad but did give me a few small disposable hot packs which eased the shoulder pain quite a bit.
Since I have been home I have been doing quite well so long as I don't let the pain meds wear off. I am alternating the Percocet and Motrin so one of them is always in effect. When the overlap I am happiest. Before leaving the hospital, I did request a prescription for Phenergan suppositories in case I felt nauseous. I took one Thursday morning and was very grateful to have it. Since then I feel like I have turned a corner. Took shower last night and have made several trips around the house every few hours. A little nervous about the first BM. It hasn't happened yet and it is a key milestone since my surgery involved removal of endrometriosis around the colon and bowel. I have been taking stool softener three times a day at the advice of the doctor and just praying for the best.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by TSuzy Laparoscopic surgery was Tues. am. Woke up at 2 am this morning with bad pain in my right shoulder, I guess it's from the gas pumped into my abdomen disapating Ooo. Also pain from intestinal/bowel gas, and sore abdomen. Took a morphine pill and a Tylenol Extra Strength. My friend from my condo building who was supposed to stay over was not here. She must have left after I fell asleep. She wasn't here when I needed her. Do I say anything to her or not? Her help is always conditional. Getting very sleepy from the Morphine so I'll sign off. Hope my Sisters are doing well, sending lots of healing hugs and love to you all. TSuzy in Toronto.

Glad to read about your recovery fellow sister!

I think you should say something to your help. Although she doesnt HAVE to be there, she did say she WOULD be there. At best, you need clarification with what her commitment is, and you could use the respect of a warning when she will be leaving.

Wishing you the best from NJ, Amber.

Throwing up today...pod#4. Still no bm. Not much pain now, just nausea and upset stomach......

I had my TLH yesterday. Everything went great and the dr assured me that she got all of the endometriosis. She said it was invasive around my uterus and the right ovary. She ended up taking the ovary as well.

I woke up in the recovery room feeling naseaus and having a lot of pain due to the catheter. I begged them and within an hour I walked so they took it out for me. Things were much better then. I ate dinner last night (light dinner) and had a light breakfast and lunch today. The dr released me from the hospital early, so now I am resting on the couch. The gas pain and cramping are pretty bad, but I am managing.

I hope everyone else is recovering well too.