TAH starting 3rd week post-op

4 years ago I saw my dr because my periods started getting weird. One month, spotting, next I went through a box of Kotex in matter of 2 days. Blood work confirmed perimenopausal. I didn't think anything of it. My periods gradually became worse & was using 2 boxes per period. I became tired but didn't think anything of it. And 2012 became the year I had the "I just don't want toos", no energy. This year came in with a bang. My dad had a massive heart attack that ended in a quadruple bypass. I promised him Id get checked out since 6 out of 8 siblings has heart disease (and I was appeasing him too). So I did as promised & made an appointment. Blood work showed I was anemic, Cholesterol off the charts & various things that meant more appointments. First the anemia was major concern since I was so anemic I almost required a transfusion. 2nd lab work confirmed Iron deficiency anemia. So now the question came up about my periods. He read the previous notes & stated the last Dr should have started looking into my complaint. So, now we want to do pap & biopsy. Pap came back good. The Biopsy (don't let them tell you it feels like a severe menstrual cramp - it doesn't IT HURTS) showed endometriosis BUT non-cancerous so off to ultrasound it is. The tech complains because my bladder isnt full enough (HA! I'm about to pee myself) Then asks me if I'm pregnant (Huh? Tubes tied in 1997 I don't even think so) So now the Dr calls me back finds a 9cm fibroid off to the gyn it is. Gyn says cant treat it needs to come out NOW. Surgery then scheduled for June 7th @ 9 am I will be 1st hyst of the day.

May 31 - pre op. Drew blood & talks to me about anethesiologist & the time to report. Then walks hubby thru time I get there & that in this hospital I will be a # & he will have to monitor the tv for status. Until Im taken to my room That he wont see anyone till i'm in recovery. I then inform the nurse that last surgery I had I woke up in middle of surgery (good thing drs were having a good time) & that please dont pass out the lunchs as I coming to my room cause Ill get sick. Nothing to worry about she says (we'll see)

June 6th - I decide to take matters into my own hand, altho I was told NPO after midnite, I eat regular supper (@ 5 pm) with a large glass of tea (last Ill have for the nite)

June 7th - up at 5 am as I am to arrive no later than 6:30 to outpatient. Arrive & they send me to surgery floor where I will sit until a bed is ready for me. (nerves are now shot its 7:45 & they haven't started prepping me) Family is now loosing it because what was suppose to be normal & easy going is now turning into we're ready for you & no not yet we have a problem. So 8:15 comes & they're ready for me. They throw me into bathroom tell me everything off, I come out to needles & iv bags. Ok IV started in left hand and blood taken from right arm. Its time they are running behind & now they've got to rush as dr is in OR & Im not sedated or prepped. SO the anethesiologist asks about my previous experience & says Ive got something for you. Next thing I remember is on one side someone is slapping me saying "wake up, Wake up" & the other side saying "Breath, you've got to breathe." I ask when are we going to OR to find out its done & we are now off to my room (with an oxygen tank). They tell my family that Im breathing too shallow & that I need to breathe or Im very suseptable to pneumonia. Dr informs my family that the fibroid is HUGE so I didn't get the bikini cut that she literally cut me from 1 end to another to avoid injuring other organs. Ovaries look good so I can keep them. Uterus & cervix gone & a vaginal cuff inserted. I get to my room where I am met with a very nice day nurse who asks me how my nausea level is at this point I said so far so good. I love the morphine pump (altho they say I didnt use as near as much as they thought I would) Orders are to sleep & vitals every 10 mins with those stupid massagers on my legs (They felt good but lack room for moving) 7 that nite cafeteria calls am I ready to eat (broth (yuummy) jello & tea) & back off to sleep.

Friday the 8th: cath comes out & I have to void (No luck even with hot water or running water) couple of hours later a dribble then that nite comes out like a flood. The Colace is doing nothing for me (yet). Attempting solid foods (hubby swore mine was better than his) Temp is climbing so now its breathing treatment to re-inflate my lungs. 8 pm temp is 100.4 so Dr says going home Sunday not in morning. Fever breaks sometime in the morning hours.

Sunday the 10th: HOME. If you have read have a pillow handy DO IT! It was a horrible ride home. I cried at every bump in the road altho hubby was taking it real slow.

Monday the 11th: Recovery is stumped for a minute as I find out that my uncle passed away (from cancer) & a dear friend passes that evening. Thank god for drugs (it hurt grieving)

Week 1: Staples out on Tuesday. Bottom hurts I cant take laying on my back anymore. Blood work shows anemia is at 11% & to be no longer anemic it needs to be a 13%. So close it hurts. (Dont even think of turning on your side at this point - IT HURTS) I cant get up without help & laying down is horrible. Im eating pain killers like candy.

Week 2: Feeling better less pain. Bottom is still sore & still not laying on sides. I've all but moved hubby to the couch with pillows all over the bed to half way lay me on my side. He tosses or turns I still cry.

Today is day 19 in my recovery: kids & hubby have helped me alot. Im now taking 600mg of ibproferin twice daily (altho yesterday I only took 1). 2 week post op reveals that part of my incision is not closed so my family now packs it twice a day & she will see me back in 2 weeks to recheck incision and see how my vaginal cuff is doing. Still no driving and grocery shopping consisted of a wheelchair. SO I lay & walk around & when my body says stop I listen. Still not laying on my side & I'm trying to be good but at times its hard when I have been the primary one to take care of my family. But in the end its worth it & NO MORE PERIODS!