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Total hysterectomy on Monday - so anxious

the-mental-one said:
At the hospital waiting, being diabetic and allergic to onions is causing a lot of loud talking in Maltese around the reception desk. They have decided the only thing I can eat will be dry chicken breast and some vegetables. Which is fine by me if a little bland...but two or three days expected here so I can survive.
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Thinking of you and hope all goes well today. X
 
Outlier said:
I had this operation forty-plus years ago, and recovery was easy as long as I didn't overdo physical stuff. I don't know what your particular diet is, but the operation shouldn't require any changes. As for dogs and cats wanting to get on your lap, put a big cushion or a pillow on your lap as soon as you sit down so they can't access it, and if they grizzle, tough, they can get back on your lap when you have healed. Make sure they have comfortable places to lie on as an alternative, and unless they tend to dispute over food, when you go to sit down, toss a tasty tiny treat on one of the beds allocated for them.

Your bedroom arrangements sound ideal - just remember to keep the door closed whether you are in there or not, so animals can't sneak in.

You will feel SO MUCH better once you have had this, and recovery goes at whatever speed it goes. I was back on a horse after four weeks, which with hindsight was risky and stupid, but luckily for me there were no ill effects. Be more sensible than I was and allow plenty of time for your recovery. Don't buy any new clothes (but you can research some) until the swelling round your tum has gone down.
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Morning
I had this op 14 yrs ago you’ll be fine.
Like previous said don’t overdo it.
 
the-mental-one said:
At the hospital waiting, being diabetic and allergic to onions is causing a lot of loud talking in Maltese around the reception desk. They have decided the only thing I can eat will be dry chicken breast and some vegetables. Which is fine by me if a little bland...but two or three days expected here so I can survive.
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You can always ask your visitors to being in bits and bobs for you, if it's really dire.
 
the-mental-one said:
I'm still waiting, they've had two caesarean sections this morning that have delayed the operation today.

I'm a weird mix of anxious and bored now but dad has come in for visiting hiurs to keep me company.
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The waiting is the worse.
Hope having your dad visit will ease the anxiety and boredom.
 
I'm out of surgery and they gave me a spinal rather than general anaesthetic and sedated me.


I already started to be able to move my legs and feel some tingling before they even transferred me from the operating table to my bed... which seemed like it might be unusual. I can already feel where the incision was and mentioned that i could feel that it was gone as my belly is definitely different. At first they said that I wouldn't be able to but then said, well maybe, because it was very large and we could feel the uterus was extended beyond normal. So maybe some of my looking pregnant style of belly was actually my fibroids.


The surgery itself they said went well but before I went under they had to give me a second IV site in my right hand as the one in my left arm wasn't working and they also tried to give me antibiotics and they sprayed everywhere, even hitting me on my face.


My legs are twitching a bit now which is a weird feeling but other than feeling cold I'm ok. Hoping that it keeps this way but expect since they gave me a button to press for morphine that I'm really going to be feeling it soon.
 
the-mental-one said:
I'm out of surgery and they gave me a spinal rather than general anaesthetic and sedated me.


I already started to be able to move my legs and feel some tingling before they even transferred me from the operating table to my bed... which seemed like it might be unusual. I can already feel where the incision was and mentioned that i could feel that it was gone as my belly is definitely different. At first they said that I wouldn't be able to but then said, well maybe, because it was very large and we could feel the uterus was extended beyond normal. So maybe some of my looking pregnant style of belly was actually my fibroids.


The surgery itself they said went well but before I went under they had to give me a second IV site in my right hand as the one in my left arm wasn't working and they also tried to give me antibiotics and they sprayed everywhere, even hitting me on my face.


My legs are twitching a bit now which is a weird feeling but other than feeling cold I'm ok. Hoping that it keeps this way but expect since they gave me a button to press for morphine that I'm really going to be feeling it soon.
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Glad you're out of surgery and you can now breave a sigh of relief. Just take it easy and you'll be home in no time to recover. X
 
Excellent progress and well done you!

It may not hurt all that much. Mine didn't. I was supplied with painkillers but never used them. A bit of hurt is actually good because it will remind you not to do whatever it was that caused it.

With all that nasty stuff gone, you will soon feel the best you have for ages. Expect your abdomen to change shape quite a lot - don't fret about what it does - it'll take a while to settle.
 
the-mental-one said:
I'm out of surgery and they gave me a spinal rather than general anaesthetic and sedated me.


I already started to be able to move my legs and feel some tingling before they even transferred me from the operating table to my bed... which seemed like it might be unusual. I can already feel where the incision was and mentioned that i could feel that it was gone as my belly is definitely different. At first they said that I wouldn't be able to but then said, well maybe, because it was very large and we could feel the uterus was extended beyond normal. So maybe some of my looking pregnant style of belly was actually my fibroids.


The surgery itself they said went well but before I went under they had to give me a second IV site in my right hand as the one in my left arm wasn't working and they also tried to give me antibiotics and they sprayed everywhere, even hitting me on my face.


My legs are twitching a bit now which is a weird feeling but other than feeling cold I'm ok. Hoping that it keeps this way but expect since they gave me a button to press for morphine that I'm really going to be feeling it soon.
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Pleased to hear its all done.Get plenty of rest.They will soon have you up and about.Have you had a total hysterectomy?
 
flonvic said:
Pleased to hear its all done.Get plenty of rest.They will soon have you up and about.Have you had a total hysterectomy?
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Yes, one ovary still had the 10cm cyst, rhe other had smaller cysts from the PCOS and a small cyst on the fallopian tube, plus a large number of fibroids including several that were very big...and they had to take the cervix because it was attched to the uterine wall in such a way they couldn't leave it in.

So everything has been yeeted but they didn't need a blood transfusion as everything went very well apparently.

Currently it feels like really bad period pain, like I can feel it and I can tell it is hurting inside where I can't touch it. Also a bit like I have a lot of trapped wind.

I've hit the morphine button once so far...might hit it again soon. The nurse said don't wait for it to be very painful just use it so you stay comfortable.
 
the-mental-one said:
Yes, one ovary still had the 10cm cyst, rhe other had smaller cysts from the PCOS and a small cyst on the fallopian tube, plus a large number of fibroids including several that were very big...and they had to take the cervix because it was attched to the uterine wall in such a way they couldn't leave it in.

So everything has been yeeted but they didn't need a blood transfusion as everything went very well apparently.

Currently it feels like really bad period pain, like I can feel it and I can tell it is hurting inside where I can't touch it. Also a bit like I have a lot of trapped wind.

I've hit the morphine button once so far...might hit it again soon. The nurse said don't wait for it to be very painful just use it so you stay comfortable.
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I had the same as you.All out! It might seem tough now but it will improve.Time and patience.Easier said than done I know.Take care and press the button when you need it! Xx
 
the-mental-one said:
Yes, one ovary still had the 10cm cyst, rhe other had smaller cysts from the PCOS and a small cyst on the fallopian tube, plus a large number of fibroids including several that were very big...and they had to take the cervix because it was attched to the uterine wall in such a way they couldn't leave it in.

So everything has been yeeted but they didn't need a blood transfusion as everything went very well apparently.

Currently it feels like really bad period pain, like I can feel it and I can tell it is hurting inside where I can't touch it. Also a bit like I have a lot of trapped wind.

I've hit the morphine button once so far...might hit it again soon. The nurse said don't wait for it to be very painful just use it so you stay comfortable.
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I don't like pain, so my strategy over the first 26 hours was when I woke, to press the button and drift off again. That way my discomfort was minimal, and I could rest

The pump driver you have ensures you can't have too much morphine, so use it. You are there to get better, not torture yourself.

Rest while you can.
 
This morning my blood glucose was at a 6, went down to 5.8 just before the op, the guys doing the prep seemed irritated/confused as to why I had been told to stop taking my Metformin from 2 days out but said it was a good level given that.

I had another check after the op and it was pretty much the same, hovering around 6 then about two hours ago it had risen to 8.7

They said it was normal for the body to release glucose into the system after the trauma but that it was still quite a good level and everything else is looking very good, no leaking / unexpected bleeding, normal urinary output from the catheter, normal blood pressure and temperature just a little on the cool side (which is probably due to the blood loss).

I've drifted in and out of a doze but haven't managed to sleep properly, the entire time I have been aware of the sounds around me and since my morphine has been making warning beeeeeeeeeeeep any time I did press it saying the line was occluded even though it wasn't I avoided pressing it for a while. The noise set off a mini autistic meltdown once and I didn't want it to happen again and also don't want to disturb the other lady in the room who is finally managing to sleep since she's been in a lot of pain.

They had someone check the machine and line and after they made me hold myself up to change the pad (it's like a puppy training pad) they have under me I hurt enough to hit it again and no beep. Hopefully it's all fixed now so I can hit it without worrying anymore.

Looking forward to being able to drink something tomorrow, I'm not thirsty because of the saline drip but my mouth is just so dry and my throat isn't happy...but not too hungry yet, althout someone came in with toast and that made me think a bit too much about food for a while.
 
Oh, this brings back memories. The bleeping machines. Ask for earplugs, and a few sips of water. Clean your teeth, and try to get a good sleep.
 
the-mental-one said:
Looking forward to being able to drink something tomorrow
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Are you not allowed to drink something?
I haven't had a hysterectomy but when I had a different operation I was encouraged to drink as soon as I was awake.

I'm sorry about the beeping of the morphine pump. Failing and beeping morphine pumps are a bit of a trauma with me when my father was ill. I hope things will settle and you'll get some sleep!
 
Twitches and weird feelings in legs may well be the spinal wearing off. I had similar after epidural after birth. Gas and bloating may well be becuase air has got in, and you have more space in there now too. May take a few days to dissipate.
But do ask and check with the medics any concerns.
Well done, it's been a major trauma for you and you are doing brilliantly.
So glad you've reported in and we can support you.
 
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