LSH Yesterday

Five years ago my gyn found a pretty good sized cyst on my right ovary. Sometimes these go away and I have had dozens of internal ultrasounds since that one which have all turned out that the cyst broke up on its own. But that first one, the one I could feel and knew something was wrong, required surgery. At that point my doc mentioned hysterectomy (I was 45 and had two older children, wasn't planning on more kids). But I was quite reticent and I'm glad I was. She was able to save that ovary and I was back at work (I'm a teacher) three days after but wish I'd taken a full week (learned my lesson about healing time...one thing to sit home and watch King of Queens reruns, another to stand in front of twenty five children looking expectantly at me to be fully "present" which I know I wasn't.

Two years later I had an ablation which changed my life as now I could go on vacations worry free, not struggle with anemia and also make it to the bathroom between classes. That was great!

Last month I was back at my docs with unexplained bleeding and horrific pain. She tried to do a uterine biopsy in her office (twice!) but couldn't get it so I had day surgery to get the biopsy and a D&C. Woke up from that feeling so good I went to the movies that night! Hardly any pain.

Two weeks ago I got the call that I needed to meet with my doc. She was barely able to get a biopsy because my uterus was "obliterated" so together we made the decision to have the LSH. I was a good candidate as my pap smears were always normal. She was also going to check that troublesome ovary.

I arrived at the hospital at 10:30am for noon surgery. The nurses got me started with the Johnnie gown and robe draped over my shoulders, an iv (which unfortunately took three tries despite my drinking tons of water the day before). The nurses also put on those glorious lower leg massage things which is the closest thing to a spa I can imagine.That and the warm blankets they put over me. I did not have to do a big bowel prep, but I ate very light and nothing past 3pm the day before other than a smoothie. After midnight nothing at all. Not having my morning coffee is always the worst ha ha.

My surgery was delayed almost an hour so I was grateful to have DH by my side and a really good book with me. My number one rule...always bring a book! Once the anesthesiologist met with me I sent DH on his way. I am prone to nausea during surgery and they try different things each time but this time I got a patch (scope patch?) behind my ear which really really helped. They wheeled me into the operating room which is always so cold but gave me fresh warm blankets first. One nurse shot something into my iv, kind of burny for a moment or two but then it was lights out!

I awoke in recovery groggy and feeling pain (like heavy cramping) for which they gave me medicine. Stayed there for about an hour till they brought me to my room. I was lucky to get a double with only me in it so I had lots of privacy. I had a catheter in, oxygen in my nose and all that iv stuff. The nurses gave me a heavy blanket folded up that I could rest on my abdomen which really felt good. Just enough pressure, especially when I needed to cough it was nice to have that to grab on to and at home today I am using a pillow on my stomach. Slept on and off and was able to have a nice visit with DH.

Around 8pm a nurse pulled out my catheter which did not hurt, kind of felt like tugging on a thick plastic straw. I also had a guy from the respiratory dept. come in with some kind of breathing apparatus that I needed to do ten times every awake hour to prevent pneumonia. Sleeping was not happening very good last night. You know how hospitals are...someone coming in every two hours to check vital signs, etc. The pain was a bit worse so at that point the nurse gave me a percocet so I could sleep, which I did fitfully. I also got up once to use the bathroom which was good.

This morning it was a parade of people, my doc, anesthesiologist, nurses, a veritable party. My blood pressure is usually pretty low but they were concerned this morning so I stayed a couple of extra hours till it climbed up a bit.

Now I am comfortably ensconced on my couch typing away with a pretty sore belly but my plan is to relax and heal. I took a full two and 1/2 weeks off from work and if I need more I will take it. I might be in the "honeymoon" phase right now (not feeling as bad as I thought...but I probably still have medicine in me from yesterday). Little to no bleeding, but a very dry mouth so I am drinking lots of fluids.

I was surprised at how emotional I was last week. Even though I knew this was the right thing to do it caught me off guard and I wasn't expecting the sadness and loss I felt. Luckily this website and a few women friends helped carry me though.

I hope this story helps calm some nerves. I'm so grateful to have the options we have. When my mom had a hysterectomy twelve years ago things were very different as you all know. She was in the hospital for five days. Brutal.

Best wishes, warm thoughts and prayers going out to all of you with upcoming surgery. Take care!