:frazzeled:Shame on ME! 3 Months Post-Op and NOT 100% Recovered

Hi.I am 3 months post-op after TAH BSO. In addition I had a 10 cm fibroid removed that was completely outside my uterus that had displaced my uterus to the far left of my abdomen. I am still getting many short duration stabbing/electric shock like pains that come out of nowhere and make me involuntarily gasp out loud. From the looks I am getting I’m certain my co-workers think I’m overplaying the pain as they’ve all read and heard everywhere that FULL recovery takes a maximum of 6-8 weeks. I think I have been pretty lucky. The staples were removed after the 3rd day just before leaving the hospital. I had no bleeding at any time after surgery. I followed many of the suggestions I found here and kept myself extremely well hydrated, took Senacot and stool softeners, and tried not to push myself. It was no walk in the park. I took Percoset for a week and ate Advil for another week or so. There was pain, and I dealt with weird urine odor, swelled belly, gas, numbness, hyper skin sensitivity and exhaustion. All those fun things a hysterectomy offers those lucky enough to qualify. I went back to work part time after 10 weeks and have just finished 2 weeks full time. I am tired after the day and my belly is unhappy. A lot of nasty zings and zaps and shocks and gasps. This weekend I had 2 zingers that were very painful and lasted for several minutes. I know that I am not imagining this but I am certain my co-workers believe I am overplaying the situation. My doctor has said that due to the grapefruit size fibroid and the additional healing from extra cutting and internal stitches that these zingers and zaps are probably my body and nerve endings still trying heal. For my own sanity I need some serious validation of what I’m feeling and also to shove very gently down the gullets of my doubting coworkers.

but they aren't very lady-like and rated for general audiences, so I must resist.

The initial recover from a hysterectomy is six to eight weeks, at which time the doctor's services are above and beyond the contracted price charged for the procedure and post-op recovery care. Now, what the doc charged and how long he was paid for has nothing to do with how the human female body heals. Big distinction here. And we are talking about averages, and bell curves and norms and statistics. One woman at one end of the spectrum may go back to competitive gynnastics at 3 weeks post op and other women still are having post-op pain that is disabling months down the line. All valid experiences.

The coworker issue, what they see and what they know has little to do with reality but with stereotypes they have heard about and their own petty little agendas. Who hasn't had that stereotype about a friend of a friend who had a hyster and was back at work doing the impossible in an impossible period of time? My thoughts, it has to be that same chick in the tampon ad who told me if I used her brand of tampons, I could have a period and horseback ride, rollerskate and disco dance with a smile on my face.

Your co-workers aren't seeing you in your worst pain. They aren't seeing you lying on the exam table in stirrups. I certainly don't think they examined you with a speculum or that they have x-ray vision. And if they saw your operative report, all they would have to say is "huh?" since they don't understand the terminology or seriousness of this surgery.

What they expect and what they get are two different things. They expected you to be all healed by now and you aren't. Co-workers also expected to have less work once you came back and maybe that is the real issue behind their unsupportive attitudes. Your co-workers probably have problem free uterus and the worst period they ever had in their whole life, maybe needed half a tylenol. Can't comprehend pain that requires narcotics. Just guessing here but bet I am right.

One more thing: if your doctor thinks that your work duties are overtaxing your healing body and increasing the zinger, no reason he can't put that in writing with specific restrictions to avoid triggering whatever triggers your pain. Less lifting, more frequent breaks, decreased work hours, whatever makes you more comfortable. If he or she is willing, might be just what you need. And your medical situation is something that your co-workers don't have to be privy too. Share with management or personnel and ignore your co-workers.

Please tell your co-workers that complete, 100% recovery from a hysterectomy takes anywhere from 6 months to 1 year, during which time you may still experience fatigue, shooting pains, swelly belly, etc.

I'm 8 months, and I'm just now starting to notice that I feel almost totally back to normal, though I do still get really tired sometimes, and if I overdo it or try to pick up things that are too heavy, I feel it. And I do occassionally get swelly belly, though it's getting less frequent.

So, just ignore everyone who tells you should be back to normal by now. You're an individual, your experience is uniquely your own. (Hopefully, they never have to have this surgery!)

s,

Lisa

Hi. If there's one thing I've learned from being on this site for three months, it's to listen to your body! It's telling you how much to do and not to do. I'm sorry your coworkers are not very supportive. That must be hard. Mine have been great at understanding the long lunches, etc. I'm 9 weeks post tomorrow and went back to work at 6 1/2 full time. I ended up taking a few afternoons off and yes lots of 2 hour lunches to lay down and rest my back. I haven't been getting any zingers though at this point, but then I didn't have the extra complication that you did. It's really hard to go through such a very long recovery that most people never have to do in their life. Hang in there and keep us updated. Beth

TAH/BSO 11/25/02 extensive endo

I am 8 days post op and I sit here as a coworker told me that she went back to work after 8 days of her hysterectomy. To me that is insane! I am looking at a minimum of 4 weeks before I return to work. We both have office jobs no lifting etc. My questions is this--it is not for me but is it realistic or managable to go back to work after only 8 days post op or is something not quite right here?

Hi MSL325,

Just wanted to let you know that I had those take your breath away zinging pains at 3 months also. I thought by then I shouldn't have had them, but I think as you mentioned it is nerve endings healing, but the pains can be very sharp. And yes, I too got weird looks from people thinking I should be over it. I was on vacation at the time and my MIL could not understand why I was still having these pains. People who have not been through this have no idea, so do what you have to do to take care of yourself and heal properly. But just so you know it is normal to still have the occasional shooting pain (ouch!)

s

I know that it's really hard but just ignore them and go about your business. I went to our Christmas party 2 weeks post op and my boss asked me if I needed help picking up the styrofoam plate :burning:. About a week ago a co-worker asked me if I was really ever pregnant in the first place. *punch* You just have to look over these people because unless they've been through it, they will never understand. That first week or two back at work are lulu's. I still am totally exhausted at the end of the day.
Hang in there!


Oh, I actually still speak to that rude, insensitive,*@#!!, co-worker....and remind myself that I'm the better person for it!

Didn't someone once say "laughter is the best medicine",
PS, I'm at 9 weeks post op & still get those zingers on a daily basis...plus huge swelly belly...it's so gross!
So, here goes:
A wealthy man decided to go on a safari in Africa. He took his faithful pet dachshund along for company.

One day the dachshund started chasing butterflies, and before long the dachshund discovered that he was lost. Wandering about, he noticed a leopard heading rapidly in his direction with the obvious intention of having lunch. The dachshund thought, "OK, I'm in deep trouble now!"

Then he noticed some bones on the ground close by. He immediately settled down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the leopard was about to leap, the dachshund exclaimed loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious leopard. I wonder if there are any more around here?"

Hearing this, the leopard halted his attack in mid stride, as a look of terror came over him. He slunk away into the trees. "Whew," said the leopard, "That was close. That dachshund nearly had me."

Meanwhile, a monkey who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figured he could put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. So, off he went.

The dachshund saw the monkey heading after the leopard at great speed, and figured that something must be up. The monkey soon caught up with the leopard, spilled the beans and struck a deal for himself with the leopard. The leopard was furious at being made to appear a fool. He said, "Here monkey, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine."

Now the dachshund saw the leopard coming with the monkey on his back, and wondered, "What am I going to do now?" Instead of running, the dog sat down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hadn't seen them yet. Just when they got close enough to hear, the dachshund said, "Where's that darn monkey? I sent him off half an hour ago to bring me another leopard."

Always love to hear about the "underdog" winning through in the end! A great fable about life Hairhartist.

DEAR FRAZZLED,

I am one year post total hysterectomy, and let me tell you honey that I still get twinges and mystery pains that help me remember to take it easy and put my feet up.

My obgyn said 5-9 months for total recovery. I came in at the end of that time period. I had to lay down with my knees pulled up to my chest in a fetal position every night for months after the operation. I told my family, and still tell my family that I don't lift anything over 40 pounds unless it is a life or death situation. I taught my toddler to climb in and out of the carseat for that very reason. I refuse even now to do abdominal stressers like raking leaaves, mowing grass, moving large objects, because sure as shooting i'll pay for it later if i don't.

I remember at about 6 months saying well i'm ok now. And that night I lay in bed in pain after mopping floors, cleaning behind furniture and vacuuming all day. Listen to your body, it won't steer you wrong. Be kind to yourself.

As to the co-workers, i hear a bit of jealousy, fear and pettiness on their parts. Smile and pray for them, it'll earn you points in heaven. Either that or imagine them naked and in stirrups, sure to make you laugh.

hang in there, be true to your self and to hell with the others.