I feel like a recovery failure, 2 weeks post op

Is this normal? I feel like I should be much better than this by now. I'll be 2 weeks post op tomorrow. I had a really rough first week of my recovery, but every day has gotten better than the day before. I've been resting, walking, bathroom and showers, and that is about it. I have never bled at all. I have had insomnia since day I'm not sleeping more than 2 hours a day. I'm still in quite a bit of pain. I'm taking a lower dose of pain killers now once every 6 hours, with Motrin in between. Today was my 2 week post op appointment. She did not do a pelvic, thank goodness! All went well. My DH drove me to the doctors office today ( 20 minute drive each way) and we went to the drug store for about 15 minutes. When I arrived home I was cramping ans bleeding. Apparently at 2 weeks post DaVinci today's activities were too much for my body. I just want to get better. I have been following all the recovery rules with no exceptions. I have no kids or pets at home and DH has been off work and at home with me.Why is it taking my body so long to adjust ? I really don' think I over did it at all, so why the bleeding and cramping? I'm so discouraged.I've been resting for 2 weeks and haven't even gotten to the " I'm bored" stage yet. I can't even follow a TV program. Hystersisters on my laptop in the recliner is about all I do.

Im sorry you feel that way.. How bad is the bleeding? Everyone heals different so dont feel bad that you dont feel healed yet.. I hope you start to feel better tomorrow..

Going to my two week post op appointment caused me pain for 3 days. Two weeks is not a long time for healing from a surgery like this.

I felt worse at 2-3 weeks than I did earlier. It is a slow process as you've been through so much. Riding in the car was really painful for me, too.

It sounds like you are being good to yourself and being careful. Just give yourself somemore time to recoup. I am now 5 months out and still have pain and fatigue after a day of gardening or other activities that I used to take in stride. I guess we have no idea of what's all gone on inside!

Hugs! Rest!

Hello Cathb!!!

Yes, what you're feeling is perfectly normal!! The initial healing recovery for a hysterectomy is 6-8 weeks.

I'm sorry that you are getting frustrated! I totally understand!! I thought I'd be back to work at week 3 and my superintendent had to convince me to stay home...his wife had a hyster last year and was soooooo understanding of the healing process. THANK GOODNESS, because I was clueless at that point, but knew I was NOT even close to being ready to get back to "normal" life.

If you are still in pain, definitely continue to take your medication. If your body is in pain it will not heal as fast. It needs to be able to put all of it's resources into healing instead of the pain. :-)

I'm glad to hear your post-op went well...that's positive!!!! I had cramping and spotting for weeks after my hyster, especially after too much activity. Even though a drive and trip to the doctor doesn't seem like much activity, it is at this point in your recovery.

WOW do I understand the bored stage that you're going through!! It's frustrating, I know! I was watching shows of people pulling catfish out of a river by hand and thinking to myself...REALLY???? Do you have a project that could keep you busy? Organizing recipes or photos? Knitting or reading a long book that you've been putting off?

Please continue to rest and recover and don't try to rush things! Your body will let you know when it's ready to resume your normal life. In the meantime, hang in there!!! You are not alone!

Sending hugs your way!

Hi again Cath. I think that on top of it all you also have some hormones gone haywire during these recovery times. I know that although physically I feel great, mentally I get frustrated with my recovery and various other things. I haven't had any setbacks physically but I have felt the pull when I have done too much. I havent had to take pain meds though, just rest again for a few then Im back to normal.
Insomnia drives ya batty too! Today I put something in the toaster and walked away and when it went "pop" I almost had a darn heart attack! haha. I finally slept 5 hours straight after a few days tonight. Yet that happened from 8pm to 1am. Now what? lol
Maybe fine what calms you so you feel relaxed rather than bored? I know I love to listen to music when Im bored...look up the lyrics and sing along when Im home alone (hehe).

Keep positive thoughts. This too shall pass!!

Good Luck.

Hi cathb,
If I remember correctly, you had a huge problem regulating your pain after surgery. You were very upset with the hospital, left, and eventually ended up in the ER...correct? Sat around for hours and then a cat scan? And then bad reaction to meds, followed by nausea and vomitting? I mean, my goodness, all that on top of surgery? You went through so much trauma...I'm sure you were so scared, and in pain, and had no idea what was happening. I think the fact that you are up, showering and walking is FANTASTIC. I think I would be curled up in a ball shivering in the corner. You are a strong, IMPATIENT (lol) woman...call your doctor about the bleeding but I think you are doing great. Laura

Thanks Laura, yes, that was me , you remembered correctly!The bleeding has stopped, and I've been sitting and doing nothing since my trip to the doctor yesterday. I guess your right, I'm just impatient and feel like I shouldn't still be in pain.I get sad and discouraged when I read posts about how others are getting along and I still can barely function.

IT HAS ONLY BEEN TWO WEEKS!!!!!!
I can see from the number of posts you have, and seeing you all around the site that you give freely of your support to others...always ready to step up and encourage others and tell them what a good job they are doing...well, how about treating yourself the same way? Go back and read your first posts as if it was a stranger...I GUARANTEE you would feel such empathy for that person...you would suggest to them to take it easy, be patient and treat themselves with care. You would tell them not to be discouraged. You would tell them that IT HAS ONLY BEEN TWO WEEKS.
You are NOT doing nothing...you are healing..... Laura

I have felt like a failure during my recovery too. I felt like a failure because my doctor did not do the anterior and posterior repairs that he said he would do before the surgery! Rationally, I know it is silly for me to feel like a failure for a decision the doctor made while I was in surgery and didn't know what was happening, but emotionally, I still felt it.

These things are traumatic. Be kind to yourself. In the beginning all I wanted to do was get back to work in two weeks. It is three weeks today for me and I don't want to go back now.

I agree, read your posts as if someone else had written them and think about what you would say to that person. We are always harder on ourselves than anyone else.