To feel "the guilt" about taking time off uni and doing nothing for 2 weeks?

[realhousewifeofdevoncounty]

Have posted about this in general health and infertility, but noone replied . I know there are a few endometriosis sufferers on here so I thought I'd see if any are around! After getting increasingly bad pain before during and after my period in my hips, legs, pelvis,back, vagina and rectum (TMI) since September, and a long history of very painful periods; I had a diagnostic laparoscopy today. They found minimal endometriosis, but the areas affected (uterosacral ligaments/nerves cervix etc) explained why I was getting the pain. They have successfully ablated all the lesions they have found.

They also repaired some kind of omental herniation into my cs scar? I can't really remember what she said about this as I was still groggy.

So I am chuffed in a way really, the extent was minimal so hopefully my fertility won't be affected and my mind is at rest, at least I know now what it is, my symptoms will hopefully disappear and they fitted a mirena at my request so they are unlikely to return whilst that's in situ.

Anyway I just wanted to share as I was so unsure about having it done, I was worried they wouldn't find anything and I'd still be stuck with the pain, but I feel so much better now I know what's going on and at least it seems it was easy to treat. I know that's not always the case with endo. So just wanted to encourage anyone offered a lap to get it done.

One question for those who have had treatment, how long did you take off work? At my original assessment the reg I saw was really vague about how much time I would need off, so I just booked 2 days. But today my consultant heard I was a student so asked me if I had anything important on. I have an essay due in and an exam next week but I was just planning to brave it out. However she looked aghast and said I would be far too sore for an exam so gave me a sick note for 2weeks!

I got home and was in pain, feeling stressed and still all over the place with the drugs. The essay etc was playing on my mind and I couldn't rest so I called the uni and they said as far as they were concerned as long as I have a note I have extenuating circumstances and get a generous extension on my essay and miss my exam and just keep my current grade average. But if I turn up, my grade counts full stop. So not really sure what to do! I'm feeling the guilt and thinking I am being a wimp for taking so much time off. Plus I won't be able to improve my (decidedly average) grades if I don't sit the exam, and I could just study flat out?

Do you mind if I ask how long anyone else who has had treatment took off working etc and am I just milking it a bit? Sorry for epic post and ramblings - still full of propofol and codeine and in a two-and-eight!

WWYD?

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I've had this same op and had my endometriosis lasered off. I felt okay after a couple of days but I went straight back into work after that and really regretted it. I was sore, achy and tired and I think it took alot longer for me recover than if ihad rested enough in the first place. It might just feel like you're sitting about doing nothing but it's really important to give you body im o get over the op.

I would definitely take the extra time for your Uni exams. It will be difficult to perform to full capacity and you might always wonder if your grade you'd have gained if you have taken the extension. I'm a university lecturer and would definately encourage a student in your position to take the extra time to get back to full health so you can do yourself justice in your assessments.

It sounds like your surgery went really well. My endometriosis got so much better after my op and it made such a difference to my energy levels from not having to deal with the pain and heavy bleeding. I hope you find a big improvement too and good luck with your Uni assessments when you do take them.

I also had a similar op and found that I needed at least 10 days rest. I agree that if you don't rest, it can often take longer to recover. Dilemma though about uni. Good luck with your decision but just listen to your body!

Thanks for your replies. I guess I had just totally underestimated the procedure as it is kind of sold as a minor procedure, but actually they do poke you around quite a lot! Feel really sore today and had a very uncomfortable night, so I am definitely not at my full capacity - I would have been up against it anyway to do all these assessments even if I was well, and every time I think about trying to go ahead and do them as planned I start to really feel anxious, but then when I decide not to do them I feel guilty! Have a 16month old daughter as well who is going through a whingey clingy phase so always wants picking up, and she is also waking a lot at night and was coming into our bed a lot, but I had to be cruel and let her cry it out last night as I couldn't have her in bed kicking my guts so had to listen to that as well!

So, I think I will just take the pressure off myself and take the time off that they recommended. Interesting that the male reg who saw me before my op played down the recovery time, but the female consultant who did the op was horrified that I was going to go back to uni so soon. I'm a medical student and the course is intense at the best of times, and much of the day is spent on my feet.

I also totally forgot when the consultant came round after the op she also mentioned that she had to repair some kind of pouch/herniation of my omentum that had got caught up in my CS scar - can't remember exactly what she said, i was still really groggy. I seem to have a lot more pain higher up my abdomen so I guess this might be it.

Anyway feel a bit better about taking the time off now thanks. Glad you had a good experience lady, I am hoping that nce I'm over the op I will be back to normal as well! And Ray I hope you have got the outcome that you wanted. x

Could you use the time to just do all that reading that you put off at other times of the year due to lack of time? You know, all the recommended articles etc. That way you'll be doing something that's not too stressful that will help you in the long run.

Yeah I think that's what I'm going to do. There's also so many things I need to do but have been putting off because I'm busy, various domestic paperwork etc! It's interesting that I just can't allow myself to do nothing, I'm so used to being mega busy that I don't know what to do with myself when I've got some time on my hands! Mumsnet probably! But yes think I will do some reading too.