Hysterectomy dates Oct 15-Oct 22,2007

11 days post-op and feeling pretty good. Had TAH on October 17 and was released from the hospital on October 20. The Castle was great. Doctor excellent. Cried after leaving work on the night before the surgery because I was nervous. On the way to the hospital, I thought, "I don't really HAVE to have this surgery..." Dry heaved 3-4 different times prior to surgery because I was so nervous. Once I was given the initial shot via IV, I relaxed quite a bit. Then when I was wheeled into surgery, my body was very tense. I think I was afraid that the surgery would feel like it was taking forever. Of course once they put the mask on me, I was out within a couple of seconds. Surgery lasted ~2 hours and I felt great when I was in recovery--mostly because I had an epidural. Ovaries and tubes left. Saw the picture of the fibroids surrounding my uterus. I could not really even see my uterus at all. Cervix looked like it had a small tumor or inflamed area which did not surprise me since I have had many "abnormal" paps. No initial cancer risk but I will get the final pathology from my doctor on Tuesday. Diagnosed with having had adenomyosis (endometrium grows deep inside the uterine muscle and bleeds there). Wore 2 hospital gowns--one opened in the back and the second as a robe that opened in the front.

Removal of the catheter the next day was not bad at all. Up and walking one time also on the next day. Had to drink a lot of liquids so that my urine could clear up. The day after that the epidural wore off and I was in some pain, but Vicodin helped a lot. Also Torodol (sp?) or something like that which was put into my IV (it actually was a better pain reliever than Vicodin). Had a shower on the 3rd day and felt great after that. The hardest part about being home has been getting out of bed. I have been sleeping with a chair pillow and that has helped. I also asked DH to move my night stand further from the wall and grab the back of it to give me extra leverage to help get out of bed.

"The Grabber" has been wonderful. I use it to put laundry into a small laundry basket and then grab the handle and drag it to the washer. Then use it to put the clothes into the wash and out of the dryer. Pick up my wireless mouse when it falls, etc.

I used all of my Vicodin and am now taking Motrin. I tried to lie on my side 2 days ago and have severe pain that took a couple of hours to fade. So I am still sleeping on my back and am tired of that since I usually sleep on my stomach hugging my pillow.

I went to a birthday party for ~3 hours yesterday and it was fine. I slept all night for the first time last night so I feel really good today.

Only had bleeding first 2 days and then it turned to very light spotting. Biggest helps: Grabber, granny panties, Chapstick, ear plugs, and sleeping mask (excellent since my hospital bed buttons would not control the lights). This site has been great.

All-in-all, everything is great and I was nervous for no real reason. I have not gotten emotional or anything. Good luck and best wishes to everyone!

Here I am- 9 days since TAH 10/19- everything came out, including ovaries that we had hoped to save. Besides the fibroids and cysts, there was a large amount of adhesions and endo, and the DR could not believe what "a mess" I was inside. Well, DOH! The 1.5 hr of surgery turned into 5 hrs and I lost a lot of blood. However- all is well, I fought to get home quickly- my DH is taking great care of me, and I'm doing my best to take it easy. He is doing everything, and I'm letting him! Do have one persistent sore spot on the incision line, where I opened it up a bit after getting the staples out. I think I'm fine though, just need to be careful. Found out I was allergic to morphine, so it was only ibuprofen for pain after that little episode. Knew I was allergic to penicillen, but that was a new one for me. My only complaint now is that my stomach is still "touchy". I have a cast iron stomach as a rule, but now I get nauseated and still have diarrehea, even now. I presume it will eventually settle down, as my DH reminds me that the doctor said she had to move everything around. Wish I had found this sit B4 I had the surgery!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Voyager54 Hi Christine, I had my surgery (LAVH/BSO) on Oct 22 too. Sorry to hear you had problems with nausea and painful gas. My only problem in the castle was that my heart rate stayed high for a long time after surgery - I had to stay in the monitored recovery area for 3 hours, and my husband didn't get to see me until I was moved to a room. After that, I was fine, though. I have a painful incision inside my navel and of course, a swollen abdomen, and I have two other small incisions in my "bikini line" that haven't given me any trouble. Our recovery activities sound very similar - lots of resting, slow walks, lots of gas, but no bm yet, trying to drink a lot, but not much appetite. I'm getting a little worried about not having a bm - I've been taking stool softeners every day, as recommended by my doctor, and this morning, I ate a few prunes for good measure, and still nothing. I'll bet that we are both doing great for four days after surgery! I hope your recovery continues to go well and you are feeling really good soon. Take care, Linda

Hey Linda, I finally had my first BM on Friday.....I too was taking the stool softener 2x/day per doc's recommendation. I was in the bathroom all afternoon Friday! Not fun. Yesterday, I took one pill instead of two and things seem like they're getting back to "normal". I feel very good, overall. Still tired easily, but other than that, haven't taken the percasets since Thursday night......

I'm so excited to feel so good so fast.

Hope you're doing well.........

Christine

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Originally Posted by thatcher I am still sore when I do any degree of walking or bending (not bending much at all yet!) BUT today I realized that I FEEL GREAT! I have energy, the pain I was in before is GONE, emotionally I feel solid as a rock. I am so glad that I did this! I just need to be sure I take it easy so I don't mess myself up. It's funny - my husband will see me starting to do something he thinks maybe I shouldn't and he'll say Excuse me, whatcha doin' there babe? And I go oh yeah sorry, I'll let you do that and he says THANK YOU

LOVE THAT....same here. DH has always been considerate and helpful.......but this week he has been unbelievable!

Glad to hear you're feeling well.......it is so hard to know if you're overdoing it or not. I think I am. I feel so much better than I expected to, and just hate to sit. Plus, if I sit too long, I feel worse. Trying to find a good balance......

Hope things continue to go well for you.

Christine

	Quote:
Originally Posted by upgal Here I am- 9 days since TAH 10/19- everything came out, including ovaries that we had hoped to save. Besides the fibroids and cysts, there was a large amount of adhesions and endo, and the DR could not believe what "a mess" I was inside. Well, DOH! The 1.5 hr of surgery turned into 5 hrs and I lost a lot of blood. !

Hi same day surgery sister. I was in the OR at 11 am, when were you. The gals here are great. I also lost blood and had a transfusion. The surgical menopause is probably the worst thing.

10 days post op and feeling GREAT!!!!!! I get achey and sore if I overdo it and thats when I tell DH that mommy needs a time out and he's on kid duty while I rest.

Other than my belly button ITCHING like mad and the occassional aches and pains, I am feeling SO good.

I am SO glad I did this!!!!

Hello Sisters!

I guess I spoke too soon! Yesterday, I'm writing about how wonderful I feel, today I'm ordered to bed rest!

I did a lot yesterday, but I so felt up to it. I made homemade chicken soup, walked 1/2 mile, cleaned the bathroom (no bending or anything - did a "modified" cleaning), made my bed........puttered around the house. Didn't lift anything heavy or anything........well I woke up this morning in PAIN, new pain that I hadn't had before, like where my cervix used to be........LOL, that sounds funny!

Anyway, I called the doctor, they told me I probably overdid it yesterday and ordered me to stay off my feet and take my painkillers (percoset) as directed for the day.

UGH! It's wierd, because while I was up and around yesterday, I felt SOOOOO good........

Learn from me, don't do too much too soon. I know that we all struggle with finding some balance with rest and activity while we're recovering........I guess the key would be to just add a little more every day or two, instead of all at once........funny, sounds like common sense, doesn't it?

Have a good day, all.

Christine

Christine-
I guess we all have at least one day like that...
Take it easy and rest, catch up on a good book, and tomorrow will be a better day!

10 days post op. I said that saturday but, guess I can't count. I am feeling so good today. I really need to keep track of myself and not do too much. I am going to clean the livingroom but, am doing it a little bit at a time. My son will vacuume for me.

The thing I have been dealing with is emotions. I can cry at the drop of a hat and don't always know why. My hot & cold radar is off too. I kept my ovaries but, have heard they might be asleep.

I do have like a pain in my side. Also in my upper stomach. But, was able to actually lay on my side for a little bit this morning.

Dr. said we could have sex this coming up weekend but, I'm really nervous. I know dh would never want to hurt me but, I am a bit scared.

Silver1113,

Wow, my doctor told me no sex for at least 6 weeks! Be careful! I don't want to scare you more than you are, but take it slow and only go forward if you're comfortable.

Good luck,
Christine