Hysterectomy anyone?

[Mama1980]

Hi I am wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. I had my ds2 at 24 weeks in December (he's doing great) I had a placental abruption and haemorrhaged very badly lost over 10 pints of blood and ended up in intensive care on a ventilator for weeks. They had to perform a emergency hysterectomy to save my life, I'm 31. Everything is focused on my son and getting better, we are still in hospital but edging closer to home, but it feels so strange I wasn't even due until the 1st April and I have no uterus.....I have other health issues but also how long should it take with the hysterectomy before I start to feel human again?

My goodness, what a thing to go through. No experience of this but hope you are out and feeling better soon.

Hi mama. I lurk on the April thread as due on 12th so have seen your posts. What an amazing woman you are! You are bound to face times in your recovery where you wonder if you're ever going to feel truly well again, but you're young and the body is amazing. I'm an anaesthetist and have worked in theatre and ITU for over 10 years, and I've seen some amazing recoveries, but in honesty, you're looking at months not weeks after what you have been through.

After an elective hysterectomy you could expect it to be 6-8 weeks before being up to light exercise and possibly driving. You didn't have this though. You had an emergency Caesarian, prolonged surgery including hysterectomy, massive transfusion and needed postoperative ITU. It is going to take a long time for your body to get over that. Without your previous problems.

My advice fwiw if to set little targets. Look forward to the day you can get yourself up and dressed, or even just get yourself sat up. I have seen many patients in even worse critical state than you, who have come back a year later, walked into ITU to thank the staff. It really is only just short of miraculous what the body can do.

2 steps forward, one back is usually the way of it. Keep a journal if it helps to remind yourself how much better you are doing than a month ago. Stay as positive as you can but know its ok to break down and sob about the unfairness of it all from time to time. Focus on your children and never give up hope.

All the very best for your recovery.

HP what a lovely and practical response. As a midwife, I would also add, don't underestimate the value of quality sleep, as much as you can get, as a healing power. Pay attention to your bed, its comfiness and make your bedroom as dark as possible. Ear plugs can have a role. I am aware you have another child but whatever you can organise to maximise your sleep before the little one comes home will be helpful.

The other thing is a good diet. Your body needs it to finish mending you and sustaining you during this time. Hospital visiting is rubbish for nutrition. Packed lunches can keep you away from the vending machines.

Crikey. What a terrifying experience. Whist my experience is nothing like yours, I too had a hysterectomy in a bit of a hurry due to ovarian tumours. I suggest (as above) lots of sleep and mandatory daytime sleeps, as well as a regular routine as you can manage. I also had a gentle daily walk and ate heaps of fruit and veg. A natural stool softener stopped too much pressure on my scar. ( I drank kiwi crush). Lots of luck!

Hi thanks everyone all that is seriously helpful. I'm just getting so frustrated I have 3 children who need me. I will try the small targets thing and try to be more patient.
About the nutrition thing I am really struggling there. I am on build up drinks as I'm scarily thing, but I'm being sick still a lot after eating, the drs think its mostly pain and the fact I'm breast feeding, well expressing at the moment but Alex is nearly ready to suck. Is there anything anyone can suggest? I have seen a nutritionist but no improvement really.
Thanks again truly.

Mama Have you seen a nutritionist or a dietician?

Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist - a dietician needs to be properly qualified. If you've not seen a dietician then perhaps the hospital can point you in the right direction?

I volunteer at the Hysterectomy Association and you might like to take a look at their website which gives lots of free information about the recovery from hysterectomy. It's a non profit organisation. The site also has forums where women who are in a similar situation to you chat about their experiences.

www.hysterectomy-association.org.uk

Good luck, Caroline

Thank you both
I have checked out the website I had no idea it existed! I have seen both a nutritionist and a dietician and am now eating very small meals frequently to see if that helps. My family bring in anything I fancy but my body seems on eating strike still.....very frustrating.
On the plus side ds took a whole day of breast feeds today

Well done Mama, you will make progress. Like your baby, you'll only realise how far you've come, looking back.

After a massive physical and emotional shock like yours its not unusual to have a disrupted appetite mechanism and you can't rely on your body telling you what to do. You will have to reteach it to take and then want food. Small amounts regularly is kind to your digestion but can feel weird because you never feel really hungry.

Its a bit like working with someone with chronic low mood. Getting them to go outside and do stuff, getting them to smile or laugh when they've forgotton how to do it. Although it feels forced at first, repetition starts to make it spontaneous and the key is to persevere.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on. all of MN is rooting for you.

Thanks Mayhew that's exactly it, it's like my body has just lost the 'I'm hungry' reflex and when I do eat its not very happy about it. Baby steps I know its just very frustrating to know i must eat to get better yet feel full and nauseous after only a couple of bites.