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

[LackaDAISYcal]

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.

I think what PP said upthread about this procedure being a CURE is very important, as it being preventative too. I had the 'all clear' for endometrial cancer late last year, but was showing all the signs of being a likely candidate so agreed to have everything removed. I'm glad I did, as the adhesions I had would have made it easier for any disease I developed to spread.

I also had an enlarged uterus,8 week pregnancy sized the report said, and wonder if I should have had vertical incision after all, they certainly had to wrestle my bits out if the degree of bruising is anything to go by

Still, even with the pain etc the relief it's all going to end is immense, for all the reasons I said before. Being housebound because you're a woman is no way to live.

With sedation, you should get some lovely dreams, letspretend. Make sure you have some good images in your head the few hours previously

Annie I have lost track of the details of your job etc but remember thinking you were having to go back very quickly.

Are you in the UK? Are you on one of those awful zero hours contracts with no sick pay? I'm self-employed and have been told I could claim ESA, which isn't very much but would help a bit (although I expect the claims process will be enough to cause a relapse).

What would happen if you used up all your holidays now and had to look after a sick child later in the year? Would they give you emergency holiday and let you work extra to catch up, or maybe deduct from your salary? I know that's not great, but it would hopefully be later on, when you have had chance to get on top of your finances a bit.

Sorry to bombard you with questions when you should be resting, but I am also worried about you.

If you are in the UK, it might be worth asking the CAB for advice. They might be able to explain a way that you could negotiate a payment "holiday" just for a month or so with your mortgage provider etc. It would just give you a bit of breathing space and I think these days many companies appreciate that you are trying to deal with a financial problem in the early stages, before it gets out of hand.

From what you say, even a week or two off would let you recharge your batteries a bit. I really hope you can find a way.

I'm in Canada and work in a law office. My employers have been great thus far. They allowed me to use my sick days and personal days for surgery and the rest as annual leave. They never allow anyone to pre-book sick or personal days so they were very accommodating.

If I need to use my last few days I will do it, but I'd really rather not. If I use them and one of the kids gets sick, I won't get paid. And we live paycheque to paycheque.

I'm not sure about making up the hours but I will ask about this on Monday. Thanks for the suggestion!

Another reason to be grateful that we live in the UK.

We are just signed off sick by the doctor, for as long as we need. I think pay is reduced after a while, but we are certainly "allowed" enough time to recover from major surgery. I think 6 - 8 weeks is the norm for a hysterectomy.

Make sure you don't make yourself go backwards by trying to do too much, too quickly.

Hi again Annie

It does sound like your options are quite limited, but as your employer has been very supportive so far, maybe they will let you be a bit flexible for a few weeks.

Would it help if you could work shorter days for the next month and then work longer ones later in the year? Do they have a really busy period when they'd be grateful for you working extra, so they get something out of it?! Or perhaps work one less day a week now and then do an extra hour a day to make it up. (All this assumes they would let you make time up, of course, but if you don't ask, you don't get). Over in the UK, no-one wants to work between Christmas and New Year, so if you offered to cover that period, employers would probably try to help you in return, but I don't know if they have the same problem in Canada.

I had a quick Google for Citizens' Advice Bureau in Canada and couldn't find anything, sadly, but if you know of anywhere that offers free advice, you could always ask them for ideas. And if you have a mortgage, I think it would be worth contacting your mortgage provider to ask if you could defer a couple of payments and extend the term by 2 or 3 months, which would take the financial pressure off a bit.

I know we all try to avoid getting into debt, which is admirable, but asking for help when you need it isn't a bad thing. You've just had a major operation and you should be allowed the time to recover.

Here endeth the lecture. Take care of yourself.

I'm def out for my surgery, I queried spinal block and was told no. I'm at night, don't think I'm going down till 7pm ......

My surgeon is not worried about the blubber per se, just that it takes longer to heal. He specialises in womb cancer and the majority of his patients are very overweight.

Did suggest a gastric band, liposuction and a boob reduction whilst I was under but he cant

notapizzaeater you are a woman after my own heart! I also suggested a bit of liposuction and a tummy tuck but got short shrift

Wonder why they have booked you so late? Perhaps you're the last on the list to make sure that they can give you their undivided attention. If I am in any fit state to type, I will try to put something on here before you go down.

What part of the country are you in? I'm in Yorkshire. It just occurred to me that it would be funny if we were in the same hospital! I think it was on the Hysterectomy Association website that 2 women who had been discussing their ops suddenly realised they were in adjacent wards!

It's all getting a bit real now, isn't it?

Hi all, hope everyone is coping ok.
Nearly two weeks post op now, only taking ibuprofen and paracetamol. Sore jelly belly and stitches, missing lying on my stomach :)

Bowels as expected have been a nightmare, I have IBS and had a proper awful attack. Taking movicol and being more active but they are still churning away and being very sluggish. Tmi but it's there but too soft to come out :(

Is anyone else injecting themselves with fragmin every night? Ow.

How are you post op ladies finding the menopausal symptoms? I've just had hot sweats at night and a bit of teariness. Which isn't like me as I have a swinging brick for a heart.

Hi there Scarlett

I'm just a few days ahead of you, I think, and also missing sleeping on my tummy. Using lots of pillows beside me in bed so if I do try to roll over in my sleep, I've got a soft landing. Saying that though, I didn't sleep too well last night. Maybe I over-did it yesterday with the shopping, but I didn't feel it at the time. It's good you're managing on more gentle pain relief now, IBS is bloody awful, hope you get through that soon. DD takes movicol daily, but sometimes we have to up her dose if she's been particularly anxious it takes a few days to have effect, but once the dose is right it works really well. Have you got anything for the cramping? Using movicol might help things along, but increased movement might mean more cramps IYGWIM.

It's a beautiful day here, the sort of day we'd normally bundle everyone into the car and make a day camp in a country park, but I'll sit this one out today. I'm itching to get out into the garden too, my strawberries are ripening but the tomatoes are looking a bit sad, they need a bit of tlc by the look of them.

I'm also not impressed by the pouch I've got hanging I'm not massively overweight, but it actually gets in the way when I'm trying to climb the stairs []

Hi all. Just checking in. I have so far set myself little weekly goals to aim for, with the promise to myself that as long as I try to do them I will not have failed. Last weeks was to be able to get in and out of the shower on my own ( its an over the bath shower so a climb in), which I managed. This weeks was to get up, ready and out to church by 9am. I also managed that, so feeling quite chuffed :-) Now trying to think of something sensible for next Sunday to aim for.
I've finally removed my dressing, but my scar is starting to feel a bit sore now. My stitches are soluble, but haven't yet. Anyone know how long it takes?
Planning to take the rest of the day easy, the garden and a good book seem to be calling .

Hi all, not posted for a while as life got in the way but thought I'd pop on as my surgery is tomorrow

I'm going in for bowel prep today, then home later and back in for 7:30 tomorrow.

For those who don't know, I'm having a total abdominal hysterectomy, removal of endo and possible bowel resection and colostomy bag

I'm still in denial about the possibility of a bag so if I wake up with one I know I'm gonna freak out.

Those of you who have had c-sections before, how woukd you say the recovery of the hysterectomy compares ??

It's nice to read how everyone else is getting on, and gives me something to aim for

Good luck with it all nutcracker. Will the bag be a forever thing ? Why do you need so much work done to your bowel ?
How is everyone else doing today ? X

The bag should only be temporary, if I have it at all.

Scans have shown that my bowel is plastered in endo and I have a mass covering my left tube, ovary and my bowel. My bladder is effected too

They don't know for sure how bad until they get in there though.

Good luck, Nutcracker

My endo affected my bowel too, one ovary was adhered to both intestine and pelvic wall, strangely though it's the other side that is giving me most pain now.

At our pre-op session we were warned about people making comparisons with c-sections. The only similarity is the incision, hysterectomy is more intrusive - mentally and physically. I know how keep saying, but even though I was very positive about having this procedure, I totally underestimated the emotional recovery.
I suppose with a cs you have hormones that aid your recovery, and more professional support (midwife visits etc)
Once we're able to walk we're sent home, and almost left to it! You should have seen the staff nurses face when I told her I was going to book into the GP surgery for the nurse to change my dressing. The nurse was more than willing to do this, btw. I needed that reassurance and care.

Thanks jenny, I thought that might be the case from what I'd read on here.

I found my section recoveries quite easy so I think I'll be in for a shock.

for you

I think I did go into mild shock last week, not physically with shakes or palpitations, but had a huge cloud over my thoughts. Couldn't cope with talking, just wanted to curl up and weep.
Oh the irony at needing to curl up

Good luck Nutcracker .
I did find myself wondering how people managed to have a c-section and look after a baby (having never had one, but assumed it was the same). Now I know its not.
Enjoying the peace and quiet this morning after s busy weekend. Thank goodness for school and work .

Think my kids will be getting a shock then too lol.

I had to go in for bowel prep today but they've let me bring the stuff home to drink so I can crap in comfort

Oh well. It's my birthday tomorrow but I'm going to open my cards and stuff later as I won't be up to it tomorrow.

Happy 'early' birthday Nutcracker. I came out of hospital on ds2's birthday, we celebrated that early too .
I'm having a quiet day today. Lacking in energy and general 'can't be bothered' feeling. That said I'm about to put my 4th load of washing on and trying to decide whether it will rain or not. Oh well, think I'll have a snooze while I'm deciding . Must keep reminding myself there is a reason I am on sick leave!

Good luck tomorrow nutcracker - what a way to celebrate your birthday!

Hope it all goes smoothly. Whatever happens, you will deal with it.

Have a great birthday perhaps the nurses will sing around your bed

Good Luck for tomorrow nutcracker and I hope you have a nice birthday when you are feeling up to it.

When DS1 had to have his eye stitched up on his second birthday he got a present from the ward, one from the theatre staff and a clown came to his bed to do tricks! It was the sick kids hospital though; I doubt adult wards are quite so nice!

9.5 weeks post op today and I am feeling just fine, if a little overweight and unfit! Got a call from my insurance company today and they are paying out so I can expect a cheque in a few days. I've never been so grateful that I was cautious enough to take out the policy all those years ago

Good luck for tommorrow nutcracker and a Happy birthday xxx

Good luck, nutcracker

And happy birthday x