Hysterectomy dates Aug 13-Aug 20,2007

I had a TLH with one ovary removed 9 days ago. I came out of anesthesia really "hard" as my surgeon said. I actually don't even know what she found because I was still recovering from the anesthesia the morning after when she visited, so I'm looking forward to my 2 week check up.

I only took half of one Vicodin, because I didn't want to go back to being out of it. After experimentation with various OTC medicines, I found that Aleve worked great.

I totally understand the boredom! I had no idea that daytime television was so awful. I went out to lunch with a friend yesterday and felt okay until I came home and wanted to rest. I haven't napped during the day since my 4th day pre-op because I'm having trouble sleeping at night. I wish that those in my home (except my tiny dogs!) were a little more understanding, though! I went back to most of my regular chores on Monday - laundry went slowly since I couldn't carry the hamper and the dinners have been not so good, but that's all I can do! I begged for takeout tonight, so we'll see how that goes.

I just want to get back into my clothes ASAP! It's a delicate balance between eating enough and not eating too much.

I had a TAH on the 14th and was discharged on the 16th. So far so good. This site has been so helpful in easing my nerves during pre/post surgery. I am on percocet and another pain med. Taking them as needed now. I report to the doctor in the morning for my first checkup since discharge. Good luck to all those out there getting prepared or recovering from surgery. I know that I am going to feel so much better when i am completely healed. My husband and kids have been wonderful. I am so lucky to have them. Best of luck to you all!

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Originally Posted by Bopper Hi ladies: I'm 6 weeks post-op so I speak from experience. I hope some of my ideas help, though frankly it took a lot longer for boredom to set in for me. For at least your first two weeks your focus should be on healing. However, this is a great time to give yourself a facial, a pedicure, manicure, etc. I kept a tube of footcream available and would always apply some after lunch to force myself to stay put for a while. Read magazines. I am not the magazine type, but my attention span was so short and my brain so fuzzy that People and O filled the bill nicely. Ask friends for help. Once a week I would ask a different friend to come over and change my sheets for me. Lifting the corners of the mattress is a no-no. This gave me fresh sheets but -- just as important -- I got short visits from friends! Write thank-you notes to EVERYONE. No matter how small the favour they've done, they'll appreciate it and it gives you something to do. Take pictures. If you have a digital camera, take pictures of your garden, your pets, etc. and then send the photos to your friends and family. I got some great close-ups of spider webs, butterflies, etc. These can double as thank-you notes, though getting something in the mail is always special. Once you're able to drive and can walk for more than a few minutes, find different spots for your daily walk. I'm lucky to have a number of nature trails nearby. Be sure to take your camera along. And if you're walking alone be sure to bring a cell phone along. Go through your lingerie drawer and get rid of all stained panties! This is so therapeutic Set up a lawn chair in your front yard and watch the world go by. Neighbours will stop by to chat and if you're too tired for company you can go indoors. Go through your fall wardrobe and see what needs pressing, cleaning, tossing, etc. Tidy up drawers, one per day. Go through recipe cards. I found some that I'd never tried and it was a great time to experiment. (again, only once your feel up to it) Got any SMALL chores you've been meaning to do? I painted a picture frame to match the walls, touched up my mantelpiece where wax had dripped, etc. I took advantage of the time at home to get my carpets cleaned and have a mark on my dining room table repaired. Some recommended learning a new craft, though I never got around to it. I have an unopened needlepoint kit and an origami kit. I hope these ideas help. Believe me, even at 6 weeks there is pain and fatigue, so you have to learn to slow down. Good luck

Thanks for a great and informative post, Bopper. I have not reached boredom yet because I seldom have time to do the "little" things and just piddle. I did overdo the first couple of days home (I am now 11 days post op) so I know my limitations.

I get better each day and have felt good since after the third day. My vertical incision is numb and the nurse said it might be for a couple of YEARS. I can feel a pulling/stinging sensation inside, which I assume are stitches.

I feel so much better than I thought I would after reading many others' hyster stories. Bm's are fine (Thank you Lord), gas not as painful as I thought, but then I've been careful about what I've been eating.

I've been staying up late at night and sleeping late in the mornings. Just me and the cats during the day so it's nice and quiet. My daughter was with me the first week but had to go back home. All of my family live in another state so I'm pretty much on my own. Hubby thinks I am wonder woman but I did ask for a glass of juice, the phone and my laptop this morning. I know it shocked him that I asked him to "serve" me....lol.

All in all, I'm good. Just waiting for the pathology reports and praying I don't have to have chemo or radiation.

Keeping all of my hystersisters in my prayers.

s,

Brenda
Red Hot Priss Pot

[font=Book Antiqua]Well, I was feeling better, and I still feel okay. Just a little more sore today and some heavier spotting. I called my dr's office on Monday and asked if i could travel and they said it was okay as long as I stopped every 1 to 1 1/2 hours and get out and walk for 5 minutes. So, I traveled to NJ to see my 81 year old dad (he doesn't drive!) Traveled home on Tuesday, (my daughter drove me down!) rested all day on Wed. in between helping my 18 year old pack last minute things for college. I had all of his stuff purchased, washed and ironed before surgery. We took him to college and unpacked him and got him settled then drove home. I walked a lot! Another 2 1/2 hours one way. I slept the whole way home. Now today I am spotting more and really sore and gassy. Have my follow up appt. on Monday so I guess I'll just relax for the next couple of days.
I am so thankful for my DH and that my 2 children were home to take care of me during the last week and a half. We take my daughter to college on Sunday with her horse. That is the part I miss the most is taking care of my horses. They are so good for the soul! I do enjoy just sitting with them and relaxing though.

I love this site, it has helped me a lot as I go through recovery. I only had a vaginal, so I guess I shouldn't complain. I can't even imagine having a abd. to all of you!

hi everyone. 10 days post op for me today and doing pretty well again. i haven't had any pain meds since yesterday. i'm trying to wean myself off of them. only thing is, i am having trouble sleeping at night now. last two nights, i've been wound up like a clock. maybe its because i'm not taking the percocets anymore. they do have a tendency to make you sleepy.i don't know, i've been trying not to nap so much during the day also. maybe that will help me be more tired at night. plus i haven't been doing much of anything the last 10 days either. oh well, if that is my only complaint lately, i guess i'm coming around. DH rubbed my stomach this morning by accident. OUCH !!! he felt pretty bad about it. that is the most pain i had the last two days. well, i hope everyone is coming along nicely and chins up ladies, we will all get better day by day.

Hi all. I am 9 days post op...time flies! I was up and around more yesterday than I have been, sitting up in a chair while on my computer, up and down quite a bit and even did some bending over...so, I paid for it all last night! OUCH! I used the heating pad and vicadin and today I am going to lounge around in my bed again. I have a niece who had an emergency c section yesterday so I can truly tell her I know how she feels! She and the baby are fine. I hope everyone is getting better day by day and moods are getting better as well.

Day 11 and doing pretty good. No real problems except this is so depressing, I cry at the drop of a hat. My hubby does NOT understand that just because it is been a week, why do I not feel better. He has not been very supportive with me but I overlook it till he complains about everything. I hope evveryone else's spouses are nicer than mine. He plans to go out of town this weekend and i can not wait till he leaves, am I mean? Sorry about the whining. HUGS!!!

Hello everyone. I am not feeling too bad, alot better than what I thought I would, the waiting just as everyone said was by far the worst, your mind tends to wander with wait!! I had some really bad back pain, the Dr. said that was probably due to the way I was on the hard table. My back (low) still aches and spasms at times, as far as my tummy, it was not too bad until my cat decided to pounce on it while I was asleep last night, I woke up bawling like a baby, my honey felt so bad for me. I have alittle crammping now but nothing that the percocets did not handle. I am still taking meds every 4-6 hours, sometimes I think, hey I do not need them then all of a sudden my pain tells me otherwise. I am walking alot, probably too much, I am drinking lots, seems as if my bladder shrunk during surgery. I have not really had an appetite, nothing really tastes good. I actually had a BM on Tuesday and a more normal one today, well two normal ones today, YEA!! That was one of my fears, of plumbing not working afterwards. I find myself getting bored, not resting like I should, feel like I should be up doing things, but I know that my body needs rest. I hope I start sleeping more than 4 hours at a time. Hope everyone has a speedy recovery and glad all the worrying is DONE. Take care everyone, rest, drink and PAMPER THE PRINCESS. My nurses were wonderful in the hospital, they really cared about my "feelings".

Hi Sleepinangel -

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I have a very kind husband, but he's really not being very supportive right now. I feel guilty saying that, but he did tell me to "suck it up" the other day! Oh well, we'll both be feeling much better soon. Rest all you can this weekend while he's gone.

You are not whining you are recooping Things will get better. Enjoy your time off from the HB when it comes. It has only been a week since your surgery. This type of surgery takes time. You are not going to be ready to run any marathons anytime soon. Rest and don't worry about doing anything else but taking care of YOURSELF!