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

I'm doing better yet today than I was yesterday, and I thought I was doing well yesterday too. I only took the norco twice today. Once when I first got up to ward off any oncoming pain from moving about first thing in the morning and then this evening. My cat likes to sit on my chest if I ignore her....well tonight she tried to get there by walking up my tummy. Thank goodness for my guard hippo - Heloise. I only felt 1 paw before kitty took a little flight. I know I jerked and curled up to protect my tummy so I took a dose then to ward off anything.

I seem to be up for about 2 hours before laying back down and napping for about 3 hours give or take. I have a nice pillow nest finally worked out for the most comfort. Living with my Mom she has been a godsend as well. She is in total shock of how good I'm doing. She had a TAH about 15 yrs ago so that's all she knows. She is in pure shock at how I'm walking about the house when up, sitting up for a while, etc.

I have been eating - no real appetite, but I know I need to eat. Lots of toast, scrambled eggs and tonight some soup. Still no BM, haven't had the urge yet, but am nervous about that. Apple juice is my natural laxative, however, sometimes that can make it feel pretty urgent so I've not tried it yet. But I am not uncomfortable and don't feel constipated so I'm not very worried about it yet. I've had some gas pains, but nothing crazy, and once the gas passes the pain is gone too.

My mom is going to take me tomorrow to the home care store and get a home blood pressure machine. My typically high BP was running normal (without BP medication) at the hospital. They said the norco can lower it. But I don't want to risk bottoming out my BP by taking the med if my BP is in normal ranges. The only reason I want to go is to make sure it has a cuff to fit my fat arm. I know that I will be tuckered out a lot from the adventure, but I think the purpose is needed. Will take a norco before going to to help with the ride. Will be promptly putting myself to bed upon returning home.

Had my surgery on july 10th a lot of gas pain unbelievable that the gas pain was worst than the cut from the surgery . My doctor says a lot of fibroids with endometriosis and large polyps inside of my uterus were found scary but Im happy that I had the surgery. Walking helps a lot with for the relief of the gas Feeling some anxiety about getting better hoping that recovery will be without problems.

I had my LAVH on Wednesday. Total hysterectomy and removed my remaining ovary. I came home yesterday afternoon and am feeling remarkably well. I had a hard time coming out of anesthesia and my oxygen saturation was down so I was on oxygen for a while. Did not want a pain pump so I've been doing very well on Tramadol. No side effects, no nausea, and very little discomfort. Got up this a.m. and made myself some tea and toast. Still weak and tired but am very happy with my progress so far.

I'm very emotional today. I'm going to try and not use the Percocet today as it is now making me dizzy. I thought it was my normal lack of balance but now have a correlation. Still just passing gas and the swelling of my tummy has gone down a lot. My dh made me oatmeal and changed the bedding before he went to work but I'm not hungry today. I had a shower and now I'm just wiped out.

I am having my most pain today after surgery on monday. I'm trying to cut hydromorphone out and just go on the tylenol/ibuprofen every 4 hours combo. But still taking about one hydro per day. Very glad had bm on Thursday and today, never knew that could make me so happy! Trying to rest and walk intermittently while constantly afraid i'll pop some internal stitches if i move wrong. Eating lots o fruit and bran cereal and occasional eggs and this seems to be helping as very little gas. I think i had an amazing surgeon as she spent 5 hours with me in surgery carefully removing big fibroids, ovary, 2 tubes, cleaning up the tons of endo while still not having to convert from laparoscopic. I am very greateful all went so well and hope for a smooth recovery for everyone here!

Had my surgery Wednesday, 11 July and this is my first time back on my computer. Got into the OR around 1:30 and woke up in the recovery room somewhere around 5:00 or 6:00 (I don't recall). I think I was told that my surgery was 1.5 hours. They took everything except the right ovary, just as planned. Doc told my fiance that surgery was a success while I was still "out" and I never saw her.

For dinner, I had a liquid diet, which I tolerated well. I had to push the morphine button a lot throughout the night, as I had a lot of pain. In the AM, they gave me a longer lasting pain med in my IV (I forget the name) and I got a few hours of sleep. Got the urinary catheter out around 5 AM and was able to go on my own throughout the AM.

The surgeon's partner (my main GYN/not the one that did my surgery) came in around 9AM or so and checked my incisions, which looked OK to her. I was told that pathology on the mass would take two days for the final report, and that they would only call if there was bad news.

I eventually had lunch and dinner and was released after 6PM.

Still no BMs yet...a lot of trapped gas that I am having trouble releasing. Also, a lot of pain still...I would rate it at a 7 or 8. Some of it is gas pain, however a lot of it is surgical. I am on Norco and need to take it as soon as I wake up, before I even hit the potty!

I am sleeping on the couch with a lot of pillows. I find myself more comfortable with my head propped up, plus I am very short and the couch is low to the ground.

Now I sit by the phone with baited breath, hoping that I don't get that dreaded phone call. The doctor said it looked benign according to what my surgeon told her, and that "9/10 of them come back as benign", although she did not know what type of mass I had or the size, since she wasn't present at the surgery.

The good news is that I am up and walking. In fact, walking feels good to me, as long as I can do it. I walked a lot of laps up and down the hall in the hospital.

Hello!

It is so great to see more and more hystersisters gathering together, to give each other support and to share stories.

Many of you have been experiencing the discomfort of gas pains...here are some ideas you can try...
Avoid gassy foods like beans and broccoli.
Peppermint and ginger tea can be very helpful.
Don't drink carbonated beverages. WATER is your friend.
Warm liquids can be very soothing. Even if its just warm water with a little lemon squeeze.
Frequent, short walks can really help.
Over-the-counter GasX or Mylanta Gas Relief or similar.

Also, its annoying cousin, constipation, may be stopping by for an extended visit. Tips...
Fiber, fiber, fiber...in cereal, fruits, fruit juice, oatmeal etc. A word of caution, however, if you're body is not used to a lot of fiber, take it SLOWLY. Do not over-do it!
Some ladies swear by a half glass of ginger ale mixed with a half glass prune juice, heated.
"Smooth Move Tea" can be found in most grocery/pharmacy/health food stores.
Over-the-counter stool softener can be helpful. Do NOT use a laxative as it is very harsh on your system.
For me, relief came in the hospital when my wonderful brother brought me an actual real, caffeinated cup of coffee.

As always, if something just doesn't feel right, and you are really concerned, CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!! You are not being a pain in the neck, or dramatic or anything else besides a person who has just had MAJOR surgery.

And thank you PlumGarden, for your kind words...in return, I have just one more tip...
So you're sitting all comfortable when that dreaded urge comes, OH NO, NOT A SNEEZE!!!! More than anything else, this scared me after my abdominal surgeries. My solution? I would press a pencil (or a pen, utensil handle, anything hard) on the area in between my nose and my upper lip. Someone else's finger (strangely not my own) also works but people can get a little annoyed with having to drop what they are doing and RUN to you whenever you scream "SNEEZE!!!!!!!"

Be well sisters.... Laura

Hi Sisters!!
Checking in to let you know I am back from the hospital. My surgery was July 11th.
I'm so happy to be out of the hospital bed!!! I did'nt sleep well the night before (with all the beeping and nurses coming and going) but last night I went to bed at 8pm woke up at 4am took meds and woke up this morning at 9am!!!
So far so good!!!
Much Love and Many Thoughts,
Kat

Hi ladies! Had surgery on Monday and i'm feeling great! Had my 1st BM yesterday which i was scared about after reading how much pain everyone had with theirs, but mine didn't hurt much at all! I'm feeling less and less pain everyday and am now able to sleep on my sides (my buttom was getting so sore from only sleeping on my back) LOL. Ive been laying down for the most part. Took a shower yesterday and it totally wore me out! Im not used to that! argh!!.. anyway, hope everyone recovers quickly!
OHHHH, and one more thing, i keep having little bouts of depression. Is anyone else experiencing this?

My TAH, BSO & APPY was on July 9th and I'm HOME as of yesterday!

I had a few complications and had some q's I want to report back to my doc.

First, had to fight about keeping my pain pump for more than 24 hours which really honkerblonked me off since I have multiple musculoskeletal issues and fibromyalgia. I knew I wasn't ready and they got really aggressive about switching me over to the long acting stuff.

For you ladies out there who had pumps, how long did you have them before you were switched to solely oral meds?

Second, my oxygen saturation went reeeeeeaaallly low. I am asthmatic but it felt like more of a blockage in the front of my throat... maybe from the intubation. Seemed to improve with the use of my symbicort and nasal spray as well as cepacol drops. Now I'm having trouble getting a deep breath sometimes. I need to stop when I'm walking, bend at the waist and stay there for a few minutes trying to get a deep breath. I am a heavy so that could be it too but I wondered about others experiences.

Otherwise, my incision looks good, my mobility is increasing and I'm SO happy and looking forward to good pathology reports...