New To Site TVH on Friday, February 8, 2002

Hi, everyone, not sure if this is were I'm supposed to go to send a message, but it was a blessing to find you all. I wasn't really worrried about my surgery until I read all the messages and comments, now I've got this sick feeling in my stomach! I'm 36 years old and absolutely have to have a hyst due to fibroids, excessive bleeding (62 days constant to date, sound like fun huh) severe pain and anemia. My husband is active duty military just returning from Bosnia, so he really won't get to stay around but for a couple of days, (you know with the war and all. Any advice would be wonderful! This website is a true blessing Thanks!

Hi Coko!

Welcome To Hystersisters!

You are in the right place! We are here for support as you make your journey to the castle! You are not alone in being nervous; I know I was!

Here's a link to the Ladies In Waiting section from the home page - I found such great ideas and information and insight here. It really prepared me for everything.

http://www.hystersisters.com/dirpre.php

Keep reading - keep posting concerns you may have - we'll be here for you with hugs galore!

s,

I found this site a few weeks ago, I can't seem to go to any other website! I'm truly addicted! I think the nerves hit us all, I'm really anxious, and nervous and somewhat scared. I know it will be allright, but I have those nagging fears!! I hope you have some friends or family that will be able to help you out if you dh is not able to be around??
God Bless him for serving our country! :ribbon:
But you are going to need to help!
The ladies in here are really great to talk to and get advice from. I feel better after every visit I make here.
I hope your surgery goes well!! I will be thinkin about you, I'm goin in on 2/6.
Hang in there!!

Nicole

Welcome Coko,

Glad you found us! This site is great and I too seem to be addicted!!!! Just figured out how to get into the chat room this week and that has been quite fun!!!

I too have fibroid issues and have been bleeding constantly since mid december........this week has been a real tough one!! I think my body is making sure I don't whimp out!!!

If you have questions, you will get the answers here! If you need support, were here........and don't be to suprised if you find yourself helping another lady in waiting by replying to her post!!!

Please let us know how you do...............

sending good thoughts your way!!

Hi Coko
Welcome to Hystersisters. You have come to the right place.
This is a wonderful site, with lots of information and lovely caring women.
We will be here for you every step of the way, holding your hand.
Take Care

Hugs to you, and we are so glad that you found us. This is sure to be the best site ever for support and information. You mentioned that you felt ok till you read some of the posts, I hope that they did not scare you. We all try to be pretty honest and straight up about our fears and experiences etc. Everyone has different experiences etc and recoveries are also individual for each sister. I had a LAVH/RSo last Sept and now am starting to feel really well in myself and am sooo glad to have it all over and done with. Mate no more bleeding is just such a great thing.
I just wanted to welcome you and please whenever you have any questions etc, do not hesitate to post and let us know. Also come into the chat room, they are all a wonderful bunch of sisters all at different stages etc, there you will find more support and the occasional brownie and hugs. Good luck with your up coming surgery, may it all go smoothly and may you have a pamperd and restful recovery. Hugs Vicki

Hi Coko, Im having a TVH on Feb 8th too!!! I am vey happy about getting it done. Im ready.

All I can say, is you found the right place to turn too. These ladies are great. Im not very good with words, so I don't always know what to say, but I can tell you that I can understand your nervousness. Im feeling pretty good about things now, these wonderful ladies are filled with wonderful ideas and advice.

Have you gone for you pre-admission testing yet? I go on Monday morning.

Are you packed yet? I have some things packed. There are a few items I can't pack till the day before and morning of. It looks like I will be in the hospital for only one day so Im not taking alot of things, just toiletries and my daughter packed me one of her teddy bears and one of pillows.

Oh yea, Im 35. I will be 36 in Feb. I had my right ovary and a tumor removed in 1996. That was abdominally, and that was painful and a tough recovery for me. They say a TVH is alot easier, that makes me happy.

Well, take care. Take some time and browse all of the forums. There is a ton of information on this site.


Hugs to you
Tammie

Hi Coko, and welcome!

Do you have anyone at home that you have to take care of, or can you just concentrate on your recovery? If you don't have little ones or pets to worry about, you will probably be ok on your own after a day or two (I was).

Here are some tips that may help you prepare for your recovery:

Once you're at home, you'll need to have some comfortable clothes to wear. I found men's pajamas very comfortable, because the large, drawstring waists came up well above my incision, and the button-up tops didn't have to go over my head (hard to get my arms up). You will probably want to have large, "granny-panties" in a size or two large than you normally wear (you will be swollen and sore!).

Have a tummy pillow handy at all times! This would be a small pillow that you hold against your abdomen when you have to sneeze or cough. Keep it where you can grab it with only a second’s notice! I had a sneeze sneak up on me once when I couldn’t grab my pillow – ouch! It felt like my insides exploded.

Have plenty of no-preparation foods on hand, like fruit, soup, cereal, snack bars, etc. I had absolutely no appetite for a couple of weeks, and my frantic husband finally convinced me to drink some Ensure, which went down ok. You may want to have some of that in the fridge for times you just don’t feel like eating, but need nourishment.

Also, buy PLENTY of juice! You will need to drink LOTS of liquids when you get home to help with the gas. I got bored with the same type of juice, so my husband bought lots of different types, and put them in small containers for me (I found it difficult to lift and pour large containers for awhile). Don't drink anything carbonated, and don't use a straw (makes the gas worse).

WALKING is very helpful with the gas! Walk as often as is comfortable (my walks were VERY short and slow, but I did several a day), and it should really help get your bowels working smoothly again.

I also found a shower chair very helpful. Standing up long enough to shower wore me out! You could also use any plastic chair that will fit in your shower.

VERY IMPORTANT: have anything you might need at waist-level. This includes toilet paper, pads, clothing, cups, food, plates, etc. Believe me, you will NOT want to bend or reach for anything! The house may look cluttered for awhile with everything sitting out on counter tops, but it's worth it!

If you’re going to be alone, make sure the phone is where you can reach it at ALL times! Several of us have gotten “stuck” (couldn’t get off the couch without help, problems in the bathroom, etc.), and have needed to call for assistance.

Once you’re feeling a bit better, you might start getting a bit bored. Unfortunately, you will be very limited in what you will be able to do. These are some things I did to pass the time, along with some suggestions from other hystersisters:

Reading LOTS of books
Writing long letters to friends and family (real letters, not e-mail!)
Organizing photo albums
Drew out plans for the garden
Bought a tape to improve Spanish skills
Watching lots of movies
Crafts, quilting, etc.
HYSTERSISTERS site!

Good luck, and keep reading!

You all were right, I'm already addicted to this site. How wonderful it was to here from so many sisters so quickly and so much great advice and recommendations! Thanks again! I will definitely keep in touch and keep everyone update.

YES I AM A PRINCESS AND YES I WILL MAKE IT TO THE CASTLE!

Peace & Blessings!
Coko