I’m finally lucid enough to sit at my computer, barely lucid enough to write a post. I am so far behind in e-mails I just want to delete all of them and start over but I can’t. I have winners to get prizes to and even more people to apologize too. You’re on my to do list. I promise, but if you feel like sending me another reminder please do.
My surgery was only supposed to take three hours but because my body is not meant for surgery it took five hours to do a simple laparoscopic hysterectomy. They had to stop the bleeding four times. It’s quite shocking to wake up in the most pain you’ve ever been in in your life. You’re also alone because family isn’t allowed in the recovery room. The nurse in the recovery room with me was quite grumpy. She said I can’t have anything for the pain if I want to go up and see my family. So I told her that’s fine just take me to my husband.
I get to my husband and he told me they weren’t supposed to move me if I was in any pain. I shouldn’t have been in pain. I should have been strong enough to endure, it was supposed to be a simple surgery that many women don’t have any pain at all, other than the gas. That’s what I was expecting. I feel like the largest baby in the world. I was taking pain meds like I had a “real” surgery. My doctor put me in my place, in the nicest way possible. I swear she is the best doctor I could have had and she is the nicest women. She listens and doesn’t make you feel dumb. I asked her if I could stay one more night in the hospital, so I could get my act together before I went home. I spent a lot of time alone which was kinda good for me. I might have gone home the night I was supposed to if I had someone holding my hand all day, but all I did the day after surgery was sleep and push the drug button they gave me.
The first night in the hospital I had a panic attack. I was so embarrassed. My doctor came in and was trying to explain things to me and I suddenly felt like I couldn’t breathe. She told me nothing was wrong and that I needed to calm down, it was so hard to concentrate on it. My husband was holding my hand and all I could think of was that I was not able breath. I knew it was in my head but it was so real to me. They gave me something to help me relax but I still had to handle it. I wanted to cry because I was so embarrassed. Who does that? I’m in the hospital and monitors are on me everywhere and I panic and think I’m going to die with the doctor in the room with me. I’m a disaster in the hospital. At least it’s over.
My surgery was on the third and I went home on the fifth. I have slept a lot since I have been home and have been thinking about my “to-do” list and it just makes me want to sleep some more. On the other hand, My kids seem to understand that I can’t pick them up and it hurts too much still to even have them in my lap, but I am trying to wean myself off of the narcotics. It’s that or they just want to be with mema. I’m going to be sad when Mema leaves. They adore her and I’ve just had time to sleep. Hmm, It does make me sad though. I miss my cuddle time. I miss that they usually want me and now they don’t.
So I’m going to try and be back to normal posting as soon as possible.
Thanks everyone for your love and support.
My goodness you are being far too hard on yourself. I don’t want that to sound harsh from a stranger and certainly don’t mean it that way
I think no matter what anyone says, that having an/a hysterectomy is HUGE for a woman. I hope you don’t push things too much so that you can get the ‘to do’ list done. It sounds like an awful experience for you and it was a good idea to take that extra night in hospital.
I hope you are back on your feet soon, but don’t underestimate the enormity of what you have just experienced. Hopefully, you’ve got lots of support.
Take care.
Christine
You’re not alone. When I read when you had your surgery I had a to gasp. I had my LAVH one year ago to the DAY you had yours. I received ots of support from hystersisters.com. I don’t know if you have visited the site but your should. Also, please feel free to email me. I became close with another lady who had her surgery two days after me. We email each other all the time. Most of our emails start with, “Am I going crazy?” LOL! Please feel free to email about anything. I’ve been there. I know how you feel. You are not alone. There will be ups and downs. There were times I wanted to pull my hair out. I’m not joking.
)
I had my Lap hysterectomy on 4/1/09.
The biggest problem I had afterwards was not from the surgery itself but from the pain in my upper back from the gas they fill you up with. I could hardly breathe it hurt so bad. Nothing worked. Not even the meds I was taking. It took about 4-5 days before it started to subside. Also if you have a heating pad, place that on you and it does help to alleviate any surgery pain.
The biggest thing I did learn and I want to pass on is that after 2 weeks you will feel pretty much normal again and want to start normal activities like lifting, bending, carrying things. DON’T! I promise you will regret it if you try to do things too early. It really does take 6 full weeks to be back to the your real self again.
I too am available if you need to talk. Take Care!
I have not had this surgery but I am sure it will be just like having a baby – it really hurts but after awhile, your brain helps you forget how awful it was. Relax while you can. Enjoy the extra sleep – we will all still be here when you return!
I hope you feel better soon!!!
You are *not* a big baby. Surgery hurts, and hospitals are scary. Lighten up on yourself so you can recover! Stress makes things take longer to heal. You should really take your time about the blog. It’ll be here when you get around to it, and I think your readers will understand.
I’ll send up a prayer for you to feel better really soon.
I hope you get feeling better and the pain lessens!
I am so sorry you are having a rough time
I am sending you get well wishes and hoping that you feel better soon!
I had open TAH/BSO in 2007, not by choice. I actually had the lap but they closed me up and sent me to another surgeon for the open. The healing was horrific and complications arose I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
You’re not being a baby.
Happy to listen any time, just email.
this is from a little old lady who has had 20+ surgeries. Keep your mom as long as you can. work with your meds. like take your bath 30 min after your meds…not when you are hurting. do not push yourself too hard…like don’t wait until you are about to scream or cry before taking your med. if you are now taking them every 4 hrs, try waiting 15 min til before taking the next one….get the idea…keep extending your time. but use the time after it has starting taken effect to practice walking or bathing or whatever physical.
I loved the website Hystersisters.com too. That forum is so great and so helpful.
I don’t know why they treated you as if you shouldn’t have been in pain. I was kept overnight too but I hated it so much I wanted to go home even though I felt like crud. Waking up from that surgery is like waking up after being hit by a semi at least three times, it was probably one of the most painful surgeries I’ve ever had and I was out of it for almost a week. It takes a lot out of your body to recover from that and I slept a lot. Take the time you need to rest and be cautious because even when it starts to feel better it’s still healing on the inside.
I had mine done 5 years ago and I certainly can’t say it’s painless. So, don’t let others tell you otherwise.
I’m glad to hear that you had an excellent doctor. It helps to have someone to reassure you of any uncertainties. Take good care of yourself and wishing you a speedy recovery.
I know at this point you are doing much better and that’s great. Still posting to just say you have been awesome through the pre-surgery and post surgery. I was fortunate not to need surgery of your kind but had just the tubal ligation after my 5th child. They are talking now that a hysterectomy may be needed. Hope not but we will see. With my 4th child I bled out after the birth and almost died in the recovery room just as they were getting my room ready for me. I was scared and never would see about getting things fixed. I had a team of 7 doctor’s around me and could hear everything going on but could not respond. I basically went paralyzed and blacked out to where I couldn’t see or move but I could hear. It was very scary! I ended up again getting pregnant and carrying to full term our last big healthy baby after that and then they gave me the choice… the tubal ligation or hysterectomy- knowing if I chose the tubal I could still need the hysterectomy later… thus now, 8 yrs later and it may be coming very soon. Just to say you are very strong to be up and going to see your husband and then up making cookies just 2 weeks later. Your little ones are precious though and I know appreciate that!