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

[Oddsocksrus]

Over here for the hand holding.
One in five women in the uk will have to have a hysterectomy at some point in their lives.
Come and join us if you are waiting, pre op, bleery eyed on the ward or recovering afterwards.

Well you've said it yourself.... you don't feel fit yet.

In my mind keyhole surgery means quicker external recovery but internal recovery and emotional recovery is a different matter.

Exactly how I feel.

I'm only just taking in the emotional stuff now.

As the bastards have left me with no hrt for ages I'm not keen to try to work after no sleep or with headaches.

Feel a bit cross today, I've rung pals but nobody is there.

Ladies - i had my ovaries left in and the stats given to me by my Consultant were that 50% of women (who have ovaries left in) will go into menopause within 2-5 years of the hysterectomy irrespective of age, for reasons they don't really fully understand however - 50% will get it normally. I had mine left in as I am just 40 and given they were fine (everything else was fucked) happy to have them in as long as they are willing to play along!

flouncy are you a radiographer??

Yes waiting :) although should I be admitting that!?

Not sure but me too
Think can admit profession but not where in country.

Plus if they can't offer admin work, then def no clinical till 12 weeks
I'm not yet undertaking theatre duties

Should also add flouncy that although I am clinically based, I'm often in charge so do spend a large part of my day on the phone etc

You see this is why people should exercise caution on the net. Twinkle and Fit are on the same ward and waiting, flouncy and I have the same profession. Small world and all that :)

Wow santas not you to! amazing co-incidence

I have to say it's been awhile since I've practiced. Digital had only been in a few yrs

Really not changed that much...

Wow!! Can't believe there are 3 of us and on the same thread....sucks to meet you here tho! This is why I'm concerned about recovery, you guys will know first hand it's not exactly a light job. I couldn't cope with theatre work until I have my next surgery as I just couldn't physically be on my feet for that length of time. It's tricky as I'm due back soon from my initial surgery yet things are actually worse than before I was 'repaired' so to speak. It's a nightmare. It's a difficult profession to find admin based work unless you have a supervisory role which I do not at present.

flouncy we have a few others at work who are also recovering from surgery, these people Don't normally have an admin type role but are currently back at work 'helping' the secretary's as well as justifying GP requests for ore booking etc. Could you do something like that, or could you undertake departmental/student teaching?? But agree a clinical only role doesn't seem appropriate. Could you suggest alternative roles to your boss? Mine arranged remote access so I could work from home whilst recovering (mind you, I thought that was very very keen)!!

I have made a very good recovery and went back to work in 5th week...however I'm not doing any lifting and I'm office based

I think it's too soon. I'm tired but don't feel I have a choice because of staffing

Lazy effing public sector workers eh...

I have occ health next week so hoping I can discuss it all a it more I depth then. My manager is keen to get me back, understandably so, but hasn't suggested any alterations as such although has said they'd be open to me returning on light duties. I could probably manage walking outpatients but it's tricky due to our dept set up as there could be trolleys etc needing dealt with and my colleagues would be put in an awkward position. I'm not even sure when my surgeon will reoperate. My bits are in a mess!

flouncy I didn't return till 8 weeks and then admin/managerial type work. I think even out patients will be tricky for you- I was surprised how just moving the tube pulled on my tummy and pelvic floor. At 12 weeks I can move a bed/patient etc, but I do this intermittently not all the time-if due to staffing I have a very physical day- it does cause discomfort and swelling.
Listen to occupational Health and good luck

If I was having to do any manual work I would not be at work. I think occ health would agree with that.

Good morning ladies. This Makes for interesting reading about going back to work. Fortunately Im self employed(childminder) and have given my Mums fair warning about my op but DH is panicking about about his time off to look after me and school runs etc. How long realisticaly will I be bed ridden ? Or does that pretty much depend on whats taken away and how ?

Morning.
ginge I. Act remember exactly what you are having but I'm 3 wks on and can only just cope with the demands of my toddler although admittedly I'm determined not to push myself like I normally do.
I still get very tired and a bit achy at times especially at the end of a long day.
I have to say I'm intending to Tay off until I feel completely ready as my job is tough and tiring with two dc at home to manage as well, dh works shifts so I'm often working all day with no support in the evening.

In other news, I cannot get an appointment at the menopause clinic for my hrt until mid march!!
I am absolutely fuming, If the frigging hospital and gp had done their job properly I'd be seen sooner and I still can't believe it's not set up to start immediately.

Pals don't want to know either.

So I've either got to pay to see him privately or beg my gp for some hrt in the meantime.

It's seems it's just me who can see the detrimental and unnecessary effects of a sudden surgical menopause on my already battered body

Morning ladies.
Flouncy how many weeks post prolapse surgery are you? You should definitely not be lifting anything heavy before 12 weeks.

Gingeme I feel a lot better than I though I would for 3 days post hysterectomy. I do feel very weak and my tummy feels very odd and tight . I can honestly say that I can't manage to do a lot right now and am reliant on DH to look after the DC and do the cooking etc.

I took more Tramadol and had another great nights sleep apart from having to hold my tummy to turn over. Still not managing to stand up straight so am still shuffling about hunched over.

Fitflop how are you feeling today?

Ledkr hope that you hear about an appointment soon

This thread is funny with our co-incedences

It's so good being able to talk and you guys 'know' the job. It's meaning I feel a bit more comfortable about talking things over with occ health. Im 10 weeks post op currently. I have hyoermobilty syndrome which causes weak ligaments and stretchy tissues etc so i had initially been advised a normal person would need 12 weeks and myself 16 to return to lifting. Although when I asked when I could return to work he said in my job ideally never which funnily enough is not an option. I feel like I'm being forced back before I'm ready and the further surgery complicates matters due to my uterus having dropped so much I'm permanently in a lot of discomfort which is made worse on exertion or even just standing! I can't see what I can do within my role really but cannot stay off until I'm 'fully fixed' as it were!

Hope the post op ladies are all doing well. Take it easy of possible and accept any and all help offered. This is not a time to be superwoman!

Morning ladies
Not feeling too bad, quite happy being home alone during day.
Left side has hard lump under wound but right side wound is fine, haven't really inspected tummy button. All a bit bruised.
Very tired though.
Have discarded the stockings, doing lots of lower leg exercises instead.

Thankyou for your answers. DH will ask for 3 weeks off and pretty much ask my Mum and Dad to help after that. Just wish the referral letter would hurry up now

Hello ladies, not feeling to good today. I am very sore and tired so going to have a shower and try and remove the dressings, take some pain relief and head back to bed.
Gingeme I hope that your referral doesn't take too long for you.