Special needs

I have just registered with Hyster Sisters after reviewing the site. I am scheduled for a TAH on 1/20/03. My question is this. I have a neuromuscular disease that requires the use of a wheelchair the majority of the time but am also able to use crutches. Is there anyone that is in a similar situation and if so did this create any complications and what special things were required during your recovery. I want to be fully prepared for any problems that could develop.

Hi There!

Welcome to Hyster Sisters!!

I don't have experience with this, but I think I would surely ask the DR to provide you with very specific and thorough instructions for you after surgery care.

It's important for anyone who is home recovering to take it very easy, arranging for others to handle many tasks in your place, primarily the physical ones.

Keep reading; there are wonderful Pre Op and Post Op articles and Q & As on the www.hystersisters.com home page. They helped me immensely in my preparation as well as my recovery and post op care.

s,

Hi, my daughter has cerebral palsy and uses a walker and wheelchair. She had a tah when she was 22 years old. She didn't have any extra problems during or after her surgery. She actually healed quicker than I did (she was a good princess). Her main problems from the CP are physical involving her arms and legs so I had to help her quite a bit with her personal hygiene. She's pretty small so I could lift her fairly easily. Do you have someone who can stay with you for awhile and help you with getting around ? I think maybe you should ask your dr if there's anything special you need to be aware of. I think that using crutches might be kind of hard after a hyst so I would check on that as well. I wish I could offer you some real words of wisdom but I can offer a lot of good wishes and s

I have M. S. and I was a little concerned about extra complications with the surgery also. General Anesthesia is considered an exacerbant for many neurologic and immune system diseases. Because of this, my dr and I decided to go with the epidural and used the catheter to continue the pain meds post op. I am so glad we did this. I *know* it made a huge difference in keeping my pain level manageable. And I didn't have to risk the general anesthesia and the nausea that comes with that - or any chance of upsetting my immune system further than the actual surgery already would.

I highly recomend you discuss the epidural route for anesthesia during surgery and pain control after. I will never do surgery via general anesthesia again!

Best of luck~!!!

One of my biggest concerns for you would be about propelling your wheelchair. If you have an electric wheelchair this won't be an issue, but if you use your arms to propel, well, that would put a great deal of strain on your tummy muscles. So, if you don't have an electric chair, you are probably going to need some help with that. Since it might be difficult to know how this surgery might affect your neuromuscular condition, it would probably be beneficial for you to try to locate someone who can be home with you for the first few weeks. There can be lots of small things that you need throughout the day, and you might want to limit how much getting up and down you need to do. You might also want to contact your neurologist and see if there is any information that should be forwarded on to your gyn that would be helpful as you are making decisions about your specific surgical procedure.

Also, if you aren't very mobile, you might like to ask about any special considerations for your circulation. Your doc may have you wear your surgical stockings a little bit longer to make sure your blood doesn't pool in your legs and cause problems. Just a thought.

Good luck! And .