Da Vinci Total Hysterectomy

Hi,

I had my surgery 5/7/12. I was diagnosed with stage IV endometriosis, andomyosis (can never get that spelling right) and fibroids. I wish I can say that everything is great and I'm raring to go but it's been a really slow process for me. On the upside my endo pain is gone! That I was able to notice immediately however I struggled with fever and insomnia the 2nd week that sent me to the emergency room once and nearly twice. I was beside myself.
I also made a huge error in judgement. I had returned to work and school part time after the first week. My doctor told me I'd be feeling great by then! Unbelievably he does have some patients who return to work after a week. I shouldn't have been one of them! I believe I did myself more harm than if I'd stayed home. Now I've been home for over a week with nearly no activity other than going to the drug store to fill more prescriptions. I am more fatigued than anything. I wake up (5:30am), have a little coffee, maybe some breakfast, take a shower and I'm pooped again. Some days include a 2 hour nap and I'm in bed by 8pm. My doctor gave me estrogen gel to help with the hot flashes and insomnia. It helps but I have not stopped bleeding since my surgery. I wonder if that is the cause. I was supposed to wait 6 weeks post op to start the hormone therapy to allow my endometriosis to dry up but my hot flashes and insomnia were too severe.
I had to quit school and work to be on disability. I was hoping to return to work at least 2 hours a day this week but yesterday was brutal. My tummy was swollen and achy all day and the slightest effort exhausted me. I give up trying to be superwoman. I wish I would have given myself the full six weeks to recuperate without feeling like a failure. Now I just feel unproductive and like a nuisance because it's taken so long to recover. I also wish my doctor would have told me ahead of time that that is the normal recuperation time of most who've had a hysterectomy. I realize now after reading many posts that everyone is different but the majority of women need 6-8 weeks to recover. Da Vinci may be minimally invasive but it's still major surgery. Organs are removed and surgical menopause hits, how can anyone adjust to that in a week! God bless the ones that do but God have mercy on the ones that don't. I know the struggle and the guilt. It can be overwhelming, especially when you've been told to expect to be well sooner rather than later. Good luck to everyone on your recovery.

Blessings,
Jeanine