WELCOME TO YOUR RECOVERY THREAD BRAVE NEW PRINCESSES...
A warm welcome to you sisters who have finally made it to the "other side". Your new journey is just beginning and We hope the support you find here will help you navigate the road ahead a bit easier.
I am your Hostess aka Mother Hen...and have the privilege of helping you on your way to emotional, physical and mental healing...which honestly can prove a bit challenging at times. This thread is here for you so that you may share and continue to update your own recovery with others and know that you are not alone.
Over 2 years ago, I went for what I believed would be a "routine" well woman exam, and ended up having a radial hysterectomy one month later. I was full of doubts and fears, so my own Recovery Thread really pulled me through a lot of hard times as well as elated me when others had good news to share.
There are days when the posts will actually be joyful, when someone else shares a positive experience or shares a great tip for gas pains LOL
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We cannot emphasize enough how the healing and recovery process is different for everyone. While there are Progress Checkpoints, they must only be used as a guide. Initial recovery is between 2 to 8 weeks, but full recovery may take up to one year. I am an "official card carrying slow healer", so I have learned to be patient and listen to my own body.
Our healing must be taken seriously and cannot be rushed, so please start off by being kind to yourselves and please accept help from your family and friends and co-workers! Retire your superwoman cape temporarily to allow yourself to focus on just YOU- a unique concept for many here who are so used to be independent and helping others.
There may significant things that you may feel both emotionally and physically...running the gamut from gas pains and bloating, to emotional distress and panic. This site was a lifesaver for me so hopefully you will also come here for answers to questions as well as much needed emotional support.
Your thread is what you sisters make it as you are the sole authors for this journey unfolding. You can feel comfortable knowing no one is here to judge you and you can feel free to just vent in a safe environment.
Try not to worry about what is "Normal". You and your sisters on this thread will be going through these milestones together, so you are not alone.
Also the Post Op Forum is a great place to post questions that you might have to sisters that are further along in their recovery, who may have different perspectives and experiences to share
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Please NOW is the time to begin your healing. Rest, rest, rest and drink and eat healthy food. The Articles on this site on food and diet tips are amazing and really helped me. Just as our recoveries are different, so are our appetites and level of pain. So please try not to worry if you are experiencing something new.
Again, I hope to assist you on your journey and assure you that you are not alone.
We can't wait to hear from you. Welcome to Recovery!!!