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Original poster

Hysterectomies - it's gotta be done but over here for hand holding PART 3

999 replies

LackaDAISYcal · 27/03/2014 13:26

New Thread...
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 or just need a bit of advice.

OP posts:
Dippyeggsrock · 27/05/2014 17:15

Thanks Jenny-weight of bath towels never even occurred to me!!

marymoocow · 27/05/2014 20:14

Finally a day where my head doesn't feel full of cotton wool. Have only had 2 naps Smile. Internally it feels like the bruising is coming out.
Jenny were you advised to get the nurse to change your dressing? I was just given some to change myself, but I'm not sure about doing that. I've also got dissolvable stitches, but never thought to ask how long that would take either. Any idea?
Hope all went well today Scarlett Thanks

JennyOnTheBlocks · 27/05/2014 20:51

I had to have a nap about 4.30, I'm quite shocked how tired I am, considering 2 weeks ago I was dog-walking 2/3 times a day as well as running and school runs

I was handed a couple of dressings as I left hospital, along with my HRT tablets and told my letter would be sent straight to my GP as it wasn't ready on my discharge.

It was my idea to go to the practice nurse, I asked the receptionist at the GP's if changing my dressing would be a reasonable request, and they were more than happy to oblige. Nurse makes me a new appt while I'm there.

Not sure about your wound, mary, but it's only the last 2 days I've been able to see mine, no way could I effectively tend to that myself.

marymoocow · 27/05/2014 22:12

Thanks Jenny. Don't think I'll ever be able to see my wound lol! It would have to be DH that would do it. Think I'll give the doctors a phone in the morning. Feeling surprisingly awake tonight?????? Off to bed now though...

ScarlettOHorror · 28/05/2014 01:21

Hello all. Went down at 2pm. Next thing I knew it was 7.30. Very tender sore stomach many floaty drugs. Seeing surgeon at 8am to see how it went. I lost a lit of blood as I'm v anaemic but they out my own blood back in. B

AnnieIncognito · 28/05/2014 04:10

Glad to hear from you Scarlett. Rest as much as you can, the first few days are the most difficult in my opinion. Flowers

marymoocow · 28/05/2014 07:09

Well done Scarlett Thanks. Enjoy the rest.
I can't believe how quickly this week has gone! Was just leaving the house to go to hospital this time last week. It still feels a bit dream-like that it is all over ( except the recovery obviously Smile)

Shewhowines · 28/05/2014 07:33

Thanks scarlet

Any news buba ?

Wecome dippy

MrsBigD · 28/05/2014 08:40

welcome back Scarlett and glad to hear you're conscious enough to join us again :)

Welcome dippy - I would also add fav fluids. I brought in bottles of sparkling water, some V8 juices and a couple of cans of coke (I'm an addict). I know bubbly drinks don't agree with everybody after the op, but I was fine, probably because my system is used to it. The v8 juices really seemed to help gain a tad of energy though :)

JennyOnTheBlocks · 28/05/2014 08:44

Wow, Scarlett! Welcome back indeed, well done!

I'll confess to not remembering DH visiting me the day of surgery, never mind being lucid enough to post here

gingeme · 28/05/2014 11:51

Morning all. Sorry a quick question. I have my follow up appt letter from my hysteroscopy and all looks normal. It says to make a follow up appt. Is this my one before the op appt ? Sorry will have a read through what I've missed now.

BubaMarra · 28/05/2014 12:22

Scarlett, welcome back Thanks
She, just this moment I called the hospital and the pathology results are ready I can go and pick them up (they have a policy of not saying anything over the phone). I feel like going there in the morning, DH is more like lets go there now. I am shaking, am such a wimp. Oh dear Confused

ScarlettOHorror · 28/05/2014 12:22

Apparently I was in surgery for nearly five hours. My uterus was huge and I'm having visions of several strong surgeons all posing with it and taking selfies :) everything out and one ovary was covered in endometriosis. Very sore and tender now, no more morphine but I had a voltarol up the bum. Make sure you ask for anti sickness drugs. I managed to get up and have a wash by my bed then slept for two hours. So glad it's done.

JennyOnTheBlocks · 28/05/2014 13:08

Sounds very similar to me, Scarlett.

I was under for 5+hours, and it was 'difficult'. My uterus was greatly enlarged too, I'm glad my surgeon refused keyhole, I needed to be prepared for the discomfort I'm in now after being promised a two week recovery previously!

I can't take diclofenac, so was allowed the morphine pump the day after too. I used that most when they took the drain out

marymoocow · 28/05/2014 16:38

Think I had every pain relief option going. Oral morph, pethadine (sp?), codeine, Ibuprofen, paracetamol!! I was also dosed up the eyeballs with hydrocortisone and piriton for 48 hours as they accidentally started the operation using latex gloves, cue a complete swab down of theatre and themselves before starting again Shock. My uterus was the size of a 12 week pregnancy (or the size of a melon was the cheerful way he put it). That would explain a lot!
Have had a really good day today, a trip out for an hour to the nurse to get my dressing changed, and no sleep so far Smile. Wound is looking good. Apparently I can change it myself next time Hmm.

marymoocow · 28/05/2014 16:44

Sorry ginge. Have no idea about your letters. I went to see the GP at the beginning of January, was referred for a scan and when the results were back with the GP she referred me straight to the consultant. I saw him the middle of February and he put me straight on the operation waiting list. Operation was a week ago, so very small timescale. That said I had been suffering in silence for the best part of 3 years at its worst!

marymoocow · 28/05/2014 16:46

Thinking of you Buba Thanks.

gingeme · 28/05/2014 18:48

I have an appt with a Dr Shah on 14th June. Guess I'll find out then.
Scarlett how are you feeling ?
Do they automatically offer you hrt or do they see how you go in your six weeks to your check up ?

ScarlettOHorror · 28/05/2014 21:10

Feeling sore and bruised but just had the catheter out and had a proper wee. So much better than this time last night. Apparently they do some blood tests and see me in a few weeks and decided about the HRT. Last night I was on oxygen mask, morphine, blood pressure monitor and anti sickness drugs, now nothing.

Dippyeggsrock · 28/05/2014 21:49

Thanks MrsBigD will add to my list-I'm going to need a large bag aren't i?!Smile

gingeme · 28/05/2014 22:40

It almost sounds like we are packing for a holiday rather than a hospital stay. I wish !

MrsBigD · 29/05/2014 03:35

marymoocow Shock didn't they put a special allergy bracelet on you? I got one for my mild reaction to erytrhomicyn (sp?), which encouraged the 3rd degree from each nurse spotting the bracelet; and they even asked me again whilst rolling me into theatre.

scarlet you crack me up Grin selfies!?! Grin.

ginge my do actually pointed out to me that for many of her patients it actually is kind of a holiday as most of hers seem to take the path, school, work, marriage, kids, work... no rest for the wicked until they go into hospital to have their innards removed (and yes she is pretty blunt that one Grin)

For those who have the op coming, if they offer you anti nausea drugs after... take them! even if you don't feel nauseous at the time, it prevented me from heading down that road, when it was time to get up. Well at least until the next day when they took me off all the lovely drugs and gave me 2 panadine forte which turned my stomach... medic! nurse! nausea drugs! Stat! :)

gingeme · 29/05/2014 08:52

MrsbigD I'm kind of seeing it that way too. Dh and I were discussing last night what films and box sets we were going to watch while I was recovering lol. Hear you Loud and clear on the nausea meds. Last time I had an op (appendix) I woke up fine, starving hungry, decided to have some weetabix. I didn't know weetabix could travel that far across the bed !!
How is everyone ? Scarlett ?

JennyOnTheBlocks · 29/05/2014 09:01

Morning all, have managed to shower and get dressed within an hour today

YY to treating packing like a holiday, books, puzzles, sunglasses for avoiding the person in the next bay/bed Grin or is that just me

was anyone else so utterly exhausted this long after

10 days now, and I have to rest after climbing the stairs - and still woolly-headed

ScarlettOHorror · 29/05/2014 11:20

Morning all. Going home this afternoon! Got the catheter off last night and managed a wobbly shower and hair wash. this morning. Feel like the veteran of the ward now, everyone else is just post op. Coughing really hurts. My stomach feels frozen and numb and I look as if I'm about to give birth but the nurse said my wound is great. Still amazed I was in surgery for five hours.