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.

[marymoocow]

Hi all, hope everyone is healing well as it has been quiet on here.
I've been back to the nurse today and I am re-healing again. Feeling physically a bit better too over the last couple if days. Lets hope I've now turned that long awaited corner.

[AtSea1979]

I'm 10 days post op and recovering well. Much more mobile, also wondering about driving.

[notapizzaeater]

I'm doing ok, still very swollen but I've dropped all daytime painkillers. Still having them at night as it hurts to moVe in bed and I'm a fidget !

Before you drive you need to check with the insurance company - a lot won't cover you for so many weeks

[SkivingAgain]

I saw doc 3 weeks post-op and got the ok to drive.

[Dippyeggsrock]

I'm 5 days post op and I've just ventured out for a short walk-shocked at how much like a marathon it was!!! Hope everyone else I'd doing ok-I'm finding backache and my insides finding their way back to their normal position the most uncomfortable thing!!

[JennyOnTheBlocks]

I keep losing this thread, so glad to see it back in the active list then.

I don't drive, but still using a cushion over my lap under the seat belt, and was told no driving until the magic 6 weeks.

My scar is healing well now, no more stitches sneaking out, but my skin above the scar is strangely numb, especially directly under my belly button.

I also had a bath yesterday, that was bliss.

Still needing a decent nap during the day though, luckily I can do this most days without it interfering with life too much, still not doing much housework but these things take time ;)

hope it's nothing more than an update, Nutcracker.

[LackaDAISYcal]

Nutcracker, I was doing short journeys at just over three weeks post op, but I did a 100 mile round trip at eight weeks post op and was knackered and sore next day.

I've been back at work for the last two weeks and am finding it bloody knackering tbh.

[LackaDAISYcal]

My op was laparoscopically assisted though; I think an abdominal scar would make driving at three weeks difficult. Even with my CSections I waited six weeks and four weeks.

[ScarlettOHorror]

Hello all - six weeks tomorrow since my total abdominal hysterectomy. They found cancer in one ovary when they took it out and I had a CT scan ten days ago. Had results today and it was CLEAR! Next week I'm having biopsies and my omentum removed. I may still have to have chemo if they find anything from this but in so glad the scan didn't show any nasties.

[ScarlettOHorror]

Ps at six weeks post op do you think I can have a bath?? I keep forgetting to ask.

[TheOriginalNutcracker]

Thats fab news scarlett

I was also wondering about the bath thing. Dont think i can yet as my scars not totally healed though so i doubt i can yet.

I only really drive short distances anyway. Might have a go at the weekend as then i'll be 4 weeks post op. Feels like longer than that.

[notapizzaeater]

I asked about a bath on Friday (I'm 3 weeks today) and my consultant said as long as I could get out of it it's fine.

Brilliant news re cancer.

[JennyOnTheBlocks]

Scarlett, that's brilliant news

How is your scar - that was the defining factor on when to have a bath for me. Make sure all your external stitches have dissolved, soaking in bath water might loosen them before they are ready

[Dippyeggsrock]

Super news Scarlett
I've been having a bath everyday from day 3-oops-no one said I couldn't !!!!

[marymoocow]

Great news Scarlett

[AtSea1979]

I was also wondering about a bath. I'm only 12 days post op though so I guess I should leave it longer.
Bleeding has got heavier today, I'm sure I read somewhere that it gets worse around day 10? Anyone else had this? Pain comes and goes though I think is related to my difficulty going to the toilet.

[JennyOnTheBlocks]

Hi AtSea

I had terrible intestinal pain, aside from taking over the counter pain meds, I contacted my GP and was prescribed something for the cramping. I think this is one symptom everyone on this thread have endured, it's horrible, isn't it? Keep your fluid intake up, this really does help, but maybe contact your doctor if it's unbearable.
I hardly lost any blood vaginally, so not sure about that, but was warned it could last 2/3 weeks if I did.

[izzybizzybuzzybees]

Hello. I'm having an abdominal subtotal hysterectomy as well as some other frightening repairs but wondered what people recommend I take into hospital with me??

[JennyOnTheBlocks]

Hi there, and welcome

Top of my list would be things to read/do, earplugs/mp3 player, snacks and water bottle. Take small towels as bath sheets are surprisingly heavy in the early days.

When are you going in?

[notapizzaeater]

IZZY - I took, iPad, nighties, peppermint oil (for the trapped wind) arnica tablets (for the swelling) makuni honey, baby wipes, slippers.

I forgot to,take a sports bottle for drinks which would have helped.

Hubby brought me a bolster to try and use as body pillow.

[TheOriginalNutcracker]

Walking around really helped with my wind discomfort.

Not sure about bleeding as I hardley had a drop.

I saw the bowel surgeon today and he said from his point of view the op went swimmingly. I had got endo on my bowel and the bowel was stuck to various other bits but unsticking it all wasn't as hard as they were expecting.

I haven't yet had a follow up appointment with the gynae come through. Might give them a ring because I need to know if there were any nasties in the the things that were removed.

My top tips for things to take in with you are extra long phone charger, wet wipes, squash, flip flops for shower and lip balm.

[Letspretenditsnothappening]

Hi Izzy

I took loads of stuff & didn't use half of it.

Things I did use:
Button-front nightshirts, light dressing gown, slippers, big knickers.
Deodorant, nice-smelling shower gel (in little bottle), toothbrush & paste.
Moisturiser, lip balm, comb.
Thick sanitary towels (thin ones would have been fine).
Ear plugs.
IPad & charger. IPod to listen to in theatre (I had a spinal rather than general anaesthetic). Phone & charger.
Wet wipes, tissues.
Peppermint teabags (for trapped wind), Smarties (for treats!).
Loose clothes - which I only actually wore to come home in.
A feather pillow (in bright pillowcase so it was obviously mine) to hold against wound when coughing, sneezing etc, and to prop me up in bed.

[AtSea1979]

Slightly worried now by those who said they hardly had a drop of blood.
13 days post op, and gone from wearing 2-3 liners per day to 2-3 always night times per day

[notapizzaeater]

Can you phone them to check, I've had hardly any discharge, a normal knicker liner is enough to contain it and it's not bloody.