when will I be able to laugh?

Sorry for the second post. Just read the thread about the poop. Big mistake. and it reminded me of another question: When will it be "safe" to laugh? My kids have recorded my favorite tv show each week, but I can't watch yet because it hurts to laugh. At first it hurt in the incision area, but now it hurts inside my vagina.
Is this normal? How long till it goes away?
DH says I should have a more discerning sense of humour, and then I wouldn't be complaining that he and kids should not make jokes around me! He doesn't think anything is funny if he didn't say it! My funny e-mails from my local community mailing list are piling up too!

esther

Clutch a tummy pillow to your abdomen and laugh away! Laugh is good, even tho it can make you sore. In my opionion, watch the TV show and clutch the pillow.

I watched 4 sitcoms one night at about 3 weeks post. I laughed so hard tears were rolling down my face. At that point, I hadn't laughed since prior surgery. It felt so good emotionally to laugh. Sure, my incision site hurt (more of a tender, sore type hurt than a real painful hurt) and yes the belly button area was sore. But the laugh helped my soul.




Just hold that pillow and let it rip!

Michelle

Hi Esther,

I know exactly how you feel. My husband thought it was really funny to try and make me laugh in the first weeks post op... I would get mad at him because I would really hurt!! Take mrt's advice and use a tummy pillow (hold it tight!). I felt a ripping feeling once I laughed so hard, but I agree with MRT that laughing is good medicine, just be careful and don't laugh too hard!

s

I agree with Michelle. I had a TVH on 12/26/02 and I still feel sore when I have a good "belly" laugh. But, it feels so good emotionally to laugh so hard and I want to do it as much as I can. Last night my daughter and I laughed so hard and so long we were in tears and I'm still feeling the joy of that laughter this morning.

Cheers,
Renee

My 15 year old is a real charcter and it has been his joy to bust me up and watch me clutch my belly!

Oh I know what you mean! Laughter may be the best medicine but make sure you have a tummy pillow handy! Comedies cheer me up too much to hold off watching while my tummy's so tender, so watch and enjoy (w/the tummy pillow of course).

Warning: You'll need more than 1 tummy pillow if you watch any of the Austin Powers films--especially the latest "Goldmember". My BF and I watched that on pay per view and OUCH that was funny!

Rose

Yes, laughter is wonderful. The first TV show that I paid any attention to was "America's Funniest Videos." I had to stay at castle for a week, so this was about 5 days after surgery and we had to change the channel!

Now, six weeks after surgery, I still get pulls, but it's great to laugh. I hope it's OK if I post this website for some great giggles!

http://www.orsm.net/vids/

Enjoy!

Hello Sisters.

When I was in the castle, I shared a room with 3 other ladies, and over the 4 days we talked about everything... and we laughed!!! Not a good thing pain-wise, but good for the soul and recovery.

One day, one room-mate asks about my incision. We had the same surgeon and she wanted to know if mine looked like a smile too...she then proceeded to say "I've got the smiley mouth, my belly button looks like the nose, all I need are the eyes!" Well, we cracked up, especially since the rest of us figured out where and what were the eyes!! The nurses came running in to see what was the matter as we were making so much noise, groaning, laughing and crying at the same time.

My advice is grab a pillow, bend in half clutching it, and enjoy a giggle. Thou it hurts the dickens, and I've had to leave the room sometimes to stop, it's good for you in short spurts.

When I left the castle, I thanked my roomies for an enjoyable stay...not something I would have thought possible in the circumstances, but true nonetheless. That also got us giggling, the idea of a hospital visit being a source of laughter and friendship. Maybe it was the drugs??

I agree with you, Sisters!! Laughing is wonderful, in spite of having to clutch a pillow to our tummies while we do it!
At first, I didn't laugh as hard as I really wanted to, but then I just couldn't help it!
My DSO has a fabulous sense of humor, and he kept me going with a positive attitude every day! Then my co-workers/friends would call with stories from work, and, of course, we found them all funny too!
Laughter heals in many ways....Have fun and remember to always have your pillow nearby!



HollyG