Total hysterectomy on Monday - so anxious

[AndBreathe]

@the-mental-one - sounds like you are doing very well, all-round. Of course you don't want the pain or the triggering baby crying, but try to concentrate on the fact it is for a short (in the scheme of things) window of time.

Before my op, I tried to convince myself that the block of unpleasantness of the op, hospital, recovery and all that, was just a few days, allowing me to have years of a better life.
Keep doing what you're doing. Pick the best out of the menus and have your visitors bring you nutrition (i.e. treats!) when they come.

 

[Tazdevl]

To me the biggest invention since sliced bread are my noice canceling headphones. They really me help a lot with distractions and annoying sounds

Take care and I hope you can leave soon!

 

[Outlier]

I'm another at the extreme end of 'can't stand the sound of babies crying', so I really feel for you and hope you can get some help with that soon.

 

[the-mental-one]

Have you asked for earplugs, @the-mental-one ?
I needed them in ICU because everytime I tried to sleep alarms went off on the oxygen monitor. I was provided with some and enjoyed an undisturbed sleep after. When ever I go into hospital since I take my own, just in case none are available on the ward.

I talked to the doctor today and
Instead of earplugs I'm being let home early.

Seems that as I drank over a litre or water yesterday, ate without much issue (though if I never have any canned chicken breast again it will still be too soon), and I've passed wind and urinated without issue everything is looking very good.

The fact that I'll have better food and be able to sleep better makes it worth it from their perspective.

They aren't happy that I have to walk up some stairs to get to the bedroom but understand it isn't possible for me to stay downstairs in my house since there are no doors or bathrooms downstairs...and three large dogs make it problematic. Stairs would still be a problem if I left on Friday too...so I have to take them carefully and slowly and then not go downstairs again for six weeks as per doctor's orders.

 

[AndBreathe]

I talked to the doctor today and
Instead of earplugs I'm being let home early.

Seems that as I drank over a litre or water yesterday, ate without much issue (though if I never have any canned chicken breast again it will still be too soon), and I've passed wind and urinated without issue everything is looking very good.

The fact that I'll have better food and be able to sleep better makes it worth it from their perspective.

They aren't happy that I have to walk up some stairs to get to the bedroom but understand it isn't possible for me to stay downstairs in my house since there are no doors or bathrooms downstairs...and three large dogs make it problematic. Stairs would still be a problem if I left on Friday too...so I have to take them carefully and slowly and then not go downstairs again for six weeks as per doctor's orders.

Not go downstairs for 6 weeks? That's house arrest!

My house has stairs, and part of my recovery regime was using the stairs to get some steps in. Initially, I just took it steady, and let's face in, in our own homes, we could probably sit on a step for a few minutes to rest, if it was a bit much.

Of course, you want the fastest, most comfortable recovery you can achieve, so you have to do what you feel is right for you, but no stairs for 6 week seems somewhat extreme.

 

[DougDyl]

I talked to the doctor today and
Instead of earplugs I'm being let home early.

Seems that as I drank over a litre or water yesterday, ate without much issue (though if I never have any canned chicken breast again it will still be too soon), and I've passed wind and urinated without issue everything is looking very good.

The fact that I'll have better food and be able to sleep better makes it worth it from their perspective.

They aren't happy that I have to walk up some stairs to get to the bedroom but understand it isn't possible for me to stay downstairs in my house since there are no doors or bathrooms downstairs...and three large dogs make it problematic. Stairs would still be a problem if I left on Friday too...so I have to take them carefully and slowly and then not go downstairs again for six weeks as per doctor's orders.

Great news you getting home early. Your own bed is always best. Will your dad help with your meals etc. Wishing you a speedy recovery. x

 

[the-mental-one]

Not go downstairs for 6 weeks? That's house arrest!

My house has stairs, and part of my recovery regime was using the stairs to get some steps in. Initially, I just took it steady, and let's face in, in our own homes, we could probably sit on a step for a few minutes to rest, if it was a bit much.

Of course, you want the fastest, most comfortable recovery you can achieve, so you have to do what you feel is right for you, but no stairs for 6 week seems somewhat extreme.

I've been told to walk a lot but not to go up and down stairs, they were very insistent, it was one of the stipulations for going home early since I had to go upstairs in the first place.

@DougDyl I made slightly more than a weeks worth of meals that dad can reheat and left a list of things that he can cook for me. He will be fine helping out, he was always going to but I think he's realised that I'm going to have to take over his bedroom for the duration now that he's heard the thing from the doctor about not going back downstairs again for a while. Given going home early because of how well I'm doing and his previous assessment that I'd be better enough to do stuff fairly quickly just not as much as before that surprised him a lot I think.

Anyway, he now realises there is no way I'm going in and out of my bed up a ladder if I'm not allowed to be using the stairs.

 

[Outlier]

That's such good news! Six weeks sounds like for ever, but will soon pass, and the not going up a ladder to bed is also a useful improvement.

When you do start the stairs thing - try going down backwards or sideways-on, like little children do. It'a a lot less stressful on your abdomen.

 

[the-mental-one]

That's such good news! Six weeks sounds like for ever, but will soon pass, and the not going up a ladder to bed is also a useful improvement.

When you do start the stairs thing - try going down backwards or sideways-on, like little children do. It'a a lot less stressful on your abdomen.

Going up wasn't too bad but going down does sound more daunting so I'll remember that, thank you.

I already had a sleep since coming home which I think is a win and dad is going to make some chicken that didn't come out of a can for dinner with some fresh cherry tomatoes I can just snack on and maybe some hummus and peppers.

 

[the-mental-one]

My blood sugars are already so much better after eating at home instead of at the hospital, they were between 7 and 8 after meals at the hospital, 5.7 just now at home.

 

[lovinglife]

Glad your home and up the stairs safety @the-mental-one, nothing like your own space & things around you. Speedy recovery

 

[flonvic]

Going up wasn't too bad but going down does sound more daunting so I'll remember that, thank you.

I already had a sleep since coming home which I think is a win and dad is going to make some chicken that didn't come out of a can for dinner with some fresh cherry tomatoes I can just snack on and maybe some hummus and peppers.

So glad you are back home.Wishing you a speedy recovery.Just remember to take it easy and let your body recover xx

 

[the-mental-one]

Blood sugar was 4.5 this morning, which is good.

It's going to be interesting to see how we go with this since the op makes me post menopause medically which will impact hormones. No HRT discussion here until 6 weeks post op at the first follow up appointment.

Also since I won't be able to exercise pretty much for a while.

Pre-op it was hard to keep a steady blood glucose level, eating the same and exercising the same as had worked for me for twenty plus years was no longer working.

 

[Pipp]

Blood sugar was 4.5 this morning, which is good.

It's going to be interesting to see how we go with this since the op makes me post menopause medically which will impact hormones. No HRT discussion here until 6 weeks post op at the first follow up appointment.

Also since I won't be able to exercise pretty much for a while.

Pre-op it was hard to keep a steady blood glucose level, eating the same and exercising the same as had worked for me for twenty plus years was no longer working.

I had similar. The exercise advice I was given was that exercise should just be gradually increasing walking, gentle movement. Even just circulating feet when at rest in bed or chair. No strenous movements, especially lifting. I always find after surgery or illness that has limited my movement that just getting up and walking a few steps helped. Of course, you need to be very gentle with yourself for the first week or two. You have had major surgery, after all.
Have you been given any instructions on what you should or shouldn’t be doing post -op? Or a follow on appointment, or contact details for any queries you have?

 

[AndBreathe]

Isn't it odd how everyone has different experiences.

I had got myself very fit before my op, so was in a good place (aside from the melon sized fibroid). I was signed off for swimming and driving at 4 weeks, so started swimming every day - just gentle breast stroke. Boy, it felt good.

At 6 weeks, I was cleared for my usual exercise levels which at that time were high and strenuous.

I reckon I got very lucky.

 

[the-mental-one]

I had similar. The exercise advice I was given was that exercise should just be gradually increasing walking, gentle movement. Even just circulating feet when at rest in bed or chair. No strenous movements, especially lifting. I always find after surgery or illness that has limited my movement that just getting up and walking a few steps helped. Of course, you need to be very gentle with yourself for the first week or two. You have had major surgery, after all.
Have you been given any instructions on what you should or shouldn’t be doing post -op? Or a follow on appointment, or contact details for any queries you have?

Not much. Walk lots, keep the wound clean and dry, don't lift heavy things. Check the wound doesn't become red, no oozing, not to worry about bleeding from my bits unless it's a lot.

Any issues to talk to a doctor about them, unless it's like bleeding a lot then go to emergency.

They didn't give me medication for pain relief, gas relief, or stool softening.

Given they said no stairs for six weeks I'm thinking I'm not going to be signed back to exercising early either. The room I'm in is a double bedroom at least so I can walk around a bit in here and back and forth to the ensuite and when it isn't raining i can go out on the very small balcony outside the bathroom.

My dad put a chair next to the toilet and shower so I can sit if I need to break from the shower...and also as a thing to hold onto if I need to when getting up or down from the loo since his loo is designed to be a very low seat... I figure i can sit in the chair and move around my arms or something a bit too.

Today I feel worse than I did at hospital, maybe because less painkillers, maybe because you just feel worse for a bit as you heal.

 

[Pipp]

Not much. Walk lots, keep the wound clean and dry, don't lift heavy things. Check the wound doesn't become red, no oozing, not to worry about bleeding from my bits unless it's a lot.

Any issues to talk to a doctor about them, unless it's like bleeding a lot then go to emergency.

They didn't give me medication for pain relief, gas relief, or stool softening.

Given they said no stairs for six weeks I'm thinking I'm not going to be signed back to exercising early either. The room I'm in is a double bedroom at least so I can walk around a bit in here and back and forth to the ensuite and when it isn't raining i can go out on the very small balcony outside the bathroom.

My dad put a chair next to the toilet and shower so I can sit if I need to break from the shower...and also as a thing to hold onto if I need to when getting up or down from the loo since his loo is designed to be a very low seat... I figure i can sit in the chair and move around my arms or something a bit too.

Today I feel worse than I did at hospital, maybe because less painkillers, maybe because you just feel worse for a bit as you heal.

Give yourself time. You are only 3 days post op. You will be emotionally tired as well as physically. The hormone deficiency with surgical menopause can be quite a shock, too. You ought to be able to discuss at your appointment. Don’t suffer in silence, though. If you need any meds for any discomfort get in touch with your surgical team and ask them.

I guess things are done differently where you live,, but here we would have had a discussion on home environment, and given tips on how to manage things like getting up and down stairs, and how to increase moving around gradually. I don’t know what exercise you are used to, but when the wound is healed and you feel ok, water based exercise is ideal. I found it so much easier to move supported by the water. Slow and steady increases, not expecting too much, too soon.

 

[the-mental-one]

Give yourself time. You are only 3 days post op. You will be emotionally tired as well as physically. The hormone deficiency with surgical menopause can be quite a shock, too. You ought to be able to discuss at your appointment. Don’t suffer in silence, though. If you need any meds for any discomfort get in touch with your surgical team and ask them.

I guess things are done differently where you live,, but here we would have had a discussion on home environment, and given tips on how to manage things like getting up and down stairs, and how to increase moving around gradually. I don’t know what exercise you are used to, but when the wound is healed and you feel ok, water based exercise is ideal. I found it so much easier to move supported by the water. Slow and steady increases, not expecting too much, too soon.

Gozo is probably different even compared to Malta, the main island, they didn't even give me the form I need to be signed off work and strangely I didn't think of it at the time. Going to ask my dad to talk to them tomorrow and see if they can do it without me there.

As to exercise, I walked, swam, and carried lots of books (and sometimes boxes of books) round at work...so hopefully if I'm given the all clear to swim at my six week appointment I can go back to that slowly...and also hopefully, by then the weather will have warmed up so I can go swim in the pool in our back yard rather than having to find an indoor pool that allows people to hire it for public swimming.

I don't think I'll be back to lugging boxes of books around though.

 

[Pipp]

Gozo is probably different even compared to Malta, the main island, they didn't even give me the form I need to be signed off work and strangely I didn't think of it at the time. Going to ask my dad to talk to them tomorrow and see if they can do it without me there.

As to exercise, I walked, swam, and carried lots of books (and sometimes boxes of books) round at work...so hopefully if I'm given the all clear to swim at my six week appointment I can go back to that slowly...and also hopefully, by then the weather will have warmed up so I can go swim in the pool in our back yard rather than having to find an indoor pool that allows people to hire it for public swimming.

I don't think I'll be back to lugging boxes of books around though.

Now you are making me very envious, the pool in the back yard! Even the books. I like the sound of your life.
If I wasn’t old, and ill, I would be volunteering to come over and be your gofer until you recover. Then I would make myself so indispensible, you would let me stick around.

Seriously, though, having the warmer weather and the swimming to look forward to sounds great. Not so much the carrying lots of heavy books, but that will happen, too.

 

[the-mental-one]

Now you are making me very envious, the pool in the back yard! Even the books. I like the sound of your life.
If I wasn’t old, and ill, I would be volunteering to come over and be your gofer until you recover. Then I would make myself so indispensible, you would let me stick around.

Seriously, though, having the warmer weather and the swimming to look forward to sounds great. Not so much the carrying lots of heavy books, but that will happen, too.

The upside of buying the house where my parents lived when I came over to look after my mum when she was ill, the downside is the maintenance on the property is appalling and finding people to fix things well is hard.

That and things like I had to have my dad (or my husband had I been married) sign as well as me when I opened a bank account here ten years ago (it's changed since then but it gives a flavour of what the misogyny is like here) can make it difficult.

I fell asleep last night before taking my evening Metformin and painkillers so quite happy with a morning 5.6 figure.