Hysterectomies - it's gotta be done but over here for hand holding

[Oddsocksrus]

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance
I guess I start..
My cervix is on the outside, it can't all hang where it should and no manner of pelvic floor exercises or devises will get it back there.
I'm 41, one fab dd and wanted more but there you are, can't now can I?

This thread, hopefully, will be for those waiting, recovering or supporting

Oh yes! Very good point - when you need to sneeze or cough in bed grab your stomach tightly and bend your knees- I wish I'd known to do this! Its scary but you WONT split your stitches!

Thanks for that detailed account and thanks for the helpful tips.

I rang the consultant's secretary this morning and she said I wouldn't have a pre-op appointment as I was booked for the op at short notice. I'll have any stuff done and ask questions when I go in the day before the op.

Something tells me this op ain't goin to happen next week.

Morning all,
So had the gynae consultation yesterday, it is all still progressing but as dear AF arrived yesterday no examination so I'm going back next Tuesday... Fab
Am on the list but the urgency seems to have gone, I'll now get a date 'between now and Christmas' probably early December. Won't that be fun with the in laws here for Christmas?! oh no! they might not be able to come!?

Will have a vaginal removal, ovaries left in, vagina sewn back up where it should. A little rest, no lifting, a little walking no driving for 4 weeks sounds like the usual routine.

just to get through two ish more months trying not to stand for too long, my dad gave me a shooting stick to perch on yesterday....

That delay's not good Oddsocks, especially if things are physically difficult for you.

How do they sever everything with a vaginal removal? Sounds quite barbaric but as long as it works... I bet you can't wait for some relief from it. you sound very uncomfortable. The trouble with mine, was I felt 100% physically ok, it was just that c word. It's weird having a major op when you feel fine.

I hope it does go ahead letsface . Mine was put back by 5 days and I was gutted. Psychologically I was all prepared and had even done 2 of the 3 day special diet. Actually they tried to bring it forward but I was still on holiday so hence the 5 day delay. I got back from holiday late at night, to be greeted with loads of answephone messages telling me I had to be in early that morning. Fortunately, by the last message they realised I was away.

Just checking in ladies as I am currently recovering after hysterectomy last Friday .
Anything you wanna ask let be know
While it's still clear in my mind . Going to read the whole thread now

Here's a new thing, skin is so sensitive all over my stomach, Guess it's the nerves growing back or something, can't bear to have anything touch me. Cremola hope your feeling ok, it's all up from here eh

Odd socks I hope you get taken in really soon. The waiting is dreadful.
Use the time to fill the freezer: soup in small portions and things that can be bunged in the oven for dinner. I am currently so glad I did this now as the little portions if soup can be heated up and give me enough energy for a few more hours.
I had a total abdominal hysterectomy done on Friday last.
Very little memory of any of Friday except trying to keep drinking water - they measured my output and it was quite low . However I puked everything on Friday.
Obs every 30 mins all night totally exhausting.
Saturday managed a cup of tea and a tiny bit of toast
Had a lot if pain and discovered the line delivering the morphine had popped out so had spent the whole day without any pain relief.
Once discovered they gave me intravenous paracetamol which was extremely effective . No more wacky dreams either.
Day 3 feeling sore and unsettled but slept a lot after a nice shower and hair wash and change of jammies .
Starting to eat too. Tea and toast . Soup . Bread sticks. Chopped up raw carrot and sugar snaps . Innocent smoothies.
Slept like a baby on Sunday night.
Monday tired and woozy but allowed home. Slept for 6 hours straight then ate some quiche and boiled potatoes.
Monday night normal sleep.
Yesterday - 2 visitors knackered me and dh has banned people til Saturday. Constipation oh yeh. Been on the movicol since Sunday without any movement.
Finally after approx 15 movicol sachets over 5 days and 1 glycerine suppository I had success this am.
Sleepy tv day.

The only other thing I would suggest is a bolster pillow . I am using mine to prop myself up on the sofa and in bed. Very useful thing

Thanks glitter k. I hope so. I am noticing my new shape as the swelling decreases. Surgeon says he removed a pineapple sized fibroid
Pelvic floor exercises vital so am doing my darnedest from now on.
I have massive purple un artistic stitches down my front - hamfisted embroidery

Cremolafoam thanks for your info - it makes it nicely normal to read of plenty of women having this op and it's all do-able. I'm a bit fed up of people at work sucking their teeth like car mechanics when they know it's a hysterectomy

And I hope you insisted on an 'I've been brave' badge after the morphine debacle. You deserve at the very least.

I'm hoping to avoid GA and morphine completely if I can because they don't agree with me.

So-as it's fresh in your mind-what's the worst bit?

1. the relentless repetition of all the information to every new nurse, every junior doctor : I had to list my repeat meds approximately 15-20 times. What is that thing at the end of the bed for then? Read it doctor year 1 with no bedside manner.!!!
2. I am diabetic and the general knowledge on this subject by paid professional nursing staff is risible . Wtf? Train people nhs. It's not 1975, but you would think so by the way I was spoken to by some staff. Rah!
3. if I say I'm in pain I mean it. My veins are very tiny and NOT ONE PERSON including the anaesthetist did anything but view this as A Challenge and one that caused nothing but pain and embarrassment for all concerned.
4. food in hospitAl is Shit. Bring your own . I was offered a greasy sausage that looked like a witches finger.breadsticks are really great as are lunchbox raisins and soft apricots. Things taste a bit weird afterwards. Don't have a reason for this.
5. bring earplugs. The lady in the next bed had a phone that went off all night at top volume. No one took my objections seriously . Utilize the screens at every opportunity for privacy .
6. prepare to be constipated . It is awful and inevitable. Know This too shall pass and try not to stress( ha!)
7. mentally focus on you. I slept through two family visits yesterday on purpose as I am not a performing seal.
8. the physio is your friend. Best advice I got was from her.pelvic floor stuff and physical expectations through time. Excellent woman .
9. make a gp appointment after quickly in case your hormones fall off a cliff dramatically . A lovely night nurse said to me not to wait til I was a screaming banshee and so I have an appt sitting waiting for me in a weeks time to discuss HRT options.

Thanks Cremola good to see they just whipped your womb out but left your sense of humour (and outrage )

Had to go and lie down after that post

cremola thank you! I can see number 7 coming in handy should the inlaws still visit...... Thank you for such an honest list, I am loving the support and humour on this thread. to all.
Hospital food is a given i think, our local hospital doesn't have the greatest reputation, luckily dh will pass an M&S service station on the way in
My GP is fab with an excellent sense of humour so I am already getting good support there.
Fingers crossed for tomorrow, perhaps there is a slot a little sooner, I've been on my feet for most of today and I am done!

Hope an earlier slot has your name on it.

I ventured around our local shopping centre last week for 5 hours on a shop mobility electric scooter. Didn't think that would be too taxing 3 1/2 weeks post surgery, but I was shocked how exhausted I was that night and the next day. I think I forgot how major my radical hysterectomy was.

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow Oddsocks.

Is there a standby system for ops where they can call you in at short notice if there's a cancellation? December's a long time to wait.

I hope my waiting will be over tomorrow. I have to ring at midday to see if there's a bed and then the op is Wednesday. I just can't picture it happening.

I've got the ear plugs as recommended by Cremola and prunes, prune juice, oat bran, peppermint tea, peppermint cordial, peppermint capsules and to cap it all, glycerin supositories. I'm drawing the line at latex gloves and a stick though

I'm glad I'm not going to be in the bed next to you letsface if you are taking all that

Ah go on...you could bring your mobility scooter and we could to timed laps of the ward.

Well day 11 here post op.
I had every other stitch out yesterday: mildly unpleasant as I had big nylon fishing wire stitches. Each little stitch wound was a little infected so the gp has put me on flucloxacillan and I have a big iodine plaster thingy on top of the wound. ( navel to pubis approx 6 inches )
Upside of the antibiotic is I now have the runs. You can't win can you ?! but to me this is ultimately preferable.
I was scolded for carrying a handbag by nurse( bad Cremola ) and encouraged to do as much pelvic floor action as possible.

On the tiredness front yesterday was a turning point. I was beginning to feel id never have an un woozy thought ever again but I know I am a bit brighter than I was.
Visitors now welcome and help break up the day.
Still got a selective appetite . Mostly only feel like egg, toast, soup and yogurt. Despite all the freezer meals I made I cannot face any of them. Dh and dd are getting the value however.
Finding tea and coffee a little irritating to bladder so drinking mostly water.
Bladder still feels a bit zizzy. Hoping it will calm down soon.

Very good luck and wishes to everyone having the op this week.

Glad you are starting to feel better Crem.

Aaargh!
They don't know if they have a bed for me. I'm waiting for them to ring back.

Got everything crossed for you Lftmad

Thanks Crem

I had my very first nervous adrenaline wobble while I was ringing. I've been very calm about it up till now. I really want it done and dusted but also, I want them so say they haven't got a bed so I don't have to go in. How dull is that?

Perfectly understandable and tbh I felt the same way.
Treat yourself gently.

Don't under estimate the tiredness. You might feel great sitting on the sofa but really take it easy when you start to do things.