Hysterectomy recovery. How long roughly?

[Pyjamaface]

I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer at the beginning of November. Thankfully, they are confident they have removed it all during a Lletz and was stage 1a1. Because of remaining high risk cells up to the margins, I opted for a hysterectomy.

I've just had my surgery date confirmed as 8th December which is very close to christmas obviously! The plan is for a keyhole surgery which should have a quicker recovery but information I'm finding is saying at least 4 weeks.

Actual planning of christmas, wrapping, shopping etc, I'm not worried about as DP can handle all that but will I be able to be up and joining in with christmas day? Even if it's in a granny style nightie and big knickers or should I just order stuff to make my bed as luxurious as possible?

[Spidey66]

I had open surgery and it was slow, had 3 months off work. But open is a lot tougher.

I knew of someone who returned to work within 3 days of keyhole hysterectomy (retail, but in a jewellers so not on the same scale as supermarkets/b&q for moving heavy loads). 3 days after mine I was crawling to the loo!

Good luck x

[Butterbeeeen]

I had mine yesterday and I'm uncomfortable but not in a great deal of pain. I'm feeling much better than I thought I would. OP and @Tinkerbellflowers I hope you are both on the mend soon x

[Pyjamaface]

I'm not too bad today. I've been over to my DM's for a cuppa and a shower (because I only have a bath at home) and more happily, I have pooped today

My arms are black and blue because my veins did not want to play at all and I'm really not happy about the fact I have to inject myself with blood thinners for a week, I am not a brave woman so it has taken me about 15mins to work myself up to do it the last 2 nights

I hope you're feeling better @Tinkerbellflowers. I didnt sleep much the first night even with the oramorph they kept giving me but I've slept loads since I came home.

Are you home @Butterbeeen? It hasn't hurt anywhere near as much as I thought it would. And the more I fart, the better I feel

[Butterbeeeen]

Haha @Pyjamaface that made me laugh as DH is feeding me peppermint tea and ginger ale as all my pain is wind as well but I cant fart for love nor money. Yes I'm home now and loads more comfortable at home. I also have a weeks worth of blood thinners to inject myself with. Oh joy.

[Pyjamaface]

The wind will come, it is absolutely foul but so worth it. DP was very proud of himself for remembering to buy veg when he went shopping but he is now afraid to feed me the sprouts in case I accidentally kill us all

[Butterbeeeen]

I'm so pleased it's not just me. Our poor dh's

[Tinkerbellflowers]

Glad to hear you are doing well Butterbean and Pyjama. I'm home now but in quite a bit of pain when the meds get close to being due. I am worrying now because I wasnt given blood thinner to take home. I'm worrying about everything and feeling rather rubbish, but couldnt bear to stay longer at hospital so played the pain down a bit.

[Pyjamaface]

Glad you're home as well. Did they send you home with painkillers? I didnt get any so just paracetamol/ibuprofen for me but I imagine keyhole is less painful than open surgery.

I dont know why I have blood thinners really. After my section and gallbladder I only had to have them until I was up and moving about, and they bloody sting!

Try not to worry, easier said than done I know, sleeping is the best thing I've done. And then farting, and pooping so I hope they at least gave you loads of Dulco-ease like they did me x

[Tinkerbellflowers]

Sorry this sounds soppy, but I'm so glad that I have you both to talk to. None of my friends have had this, although family members did decades ago. I'm working myself up and then getting panic symptoms. You are incredibly brave doing those injections. So nice to be able to share our experiences and tips. I am windy but am able pass it!

[Pyjamaface]

Same here, the only 2 people I know are in their 70s and had it done decades ago. And of course, putting my brave face on for DS, DP and everyone else so they dont worry.

Nothing brave about giving myself injections tho! The first night I very nearly got DP to go knock my neighbour awake so she could do it for me, even tho I barely know her . I'm just glad they dont need to be accurate so I can do it with my eyes shut

[Butterbeeeen]

I had vaginal surgery so different to you both but I got sent home with oramorph, codeine paracetamol, laxatives and blood thinners. Its mad how it varies from hospital to hospital isnt it. I'm also pleased iv got you ladies to talk too. I did my first injection this morning and had a shower. It was the best shower iv ever had I was disgusting.

[Pyjamaface]

I think I did a bit too much yesterday, even tho it was a walk over the road and back. My belly button is a bit weepy this morning so I'm staying on the couch today watching films. I really want a long hot bath but need to wait a week so I dont dissolve my glue

[Tinkerbellflowers]

You must take it easy pyjama. If you rest properly now, recovery should be quicker. I hate being so immobile. I have already had a go at DH twice. Once for not being able to work out for himself what was clean and what was dirty from my hospital case. And also for not arranging flowers properly. Yes, I know I'm an awful patient!

[Pyjamaface]

I'm awful too!. I am so bored already, the fact I cant even potter about has turned me grumpy. I nearly cried earlier because DP hadn't done any washing since I came home. But I have only moved from the couch to use the loo today, watched some awful films and napped

[Squiffany]

@Tinkerbellflowers

Glad to hear you are doing well Butterbean and Pyjama. I'm home now but in quite a bit of pain when the meds get close to being due. I am worrying now because I wasnt given blood thinner to take home. I'm worrying about everything and feeling rather rubbish, but couldnt bear to stay longer at hospital so played the pain down a bit.

Ring the ward you were discharged from to query this.

[Tinkerbellflowers]

Thank you Squiffany. I have just called them. They said blood thinners aren't necessary for me. So I said how come, because I "know" other people who have been sent home with them. Apparently all blood is different and the tests done on my blood while I was there showed a particuarly high rate of something (don't know what) which means not necessary to use them at home. I'm glad I called though. Thank you.

[Butterbeeeen]

@Tinkerbellflowers @Pyjamaface have either of you had blood in your wee? I'm not overly concerned as I dont feel unwell so I'm assuming it's from the catheter?

[beepbeepaleep]

I had a keyhole hyster when I was 31 due to cancer. That was 10 years ago now. The main thing to remember is that although the stitches will heal quickly, internally you have still undergone major surgery. Take it easy, rest, and don't try to do too much to soon! Listen to your body, it will tell you when to stop in the weeks ahead.

[Squiffany]

[quote Butterbeeeen]**@Tinkerbellflowers* @Pyjamaface* have either of you had blood in your wee? I'm not overly concerned as I dont feel unwell so I'm assuming it's from the catheter?[/quote]
Your bladder is normally stuck to the front of your uterus, so it may be bruised or irritation from the catheter. Drink plenty and if you’re worried or get a temperature then contact the hospital b

[Squiffany]

@Tinkerbellflowers

Thank you Squiffany. I have just called them. They said blood thinners aren't necessary for me. So I said how come, because I "know" other people who have been sent home with them. Apparently all blood is different and the tests done on my blood while I was there showed a particuarly high rate of something (don't know what) which means not necessary to use them at home. I'm glad I called though. Thank you.

Glad you called too.

[Butterbeeeen]

That's what I was thinking @Squiffany. The hospital are going to ring me anyway so il ask them. Thanks

[Tinkerbellflowers]

@butterbeeeen I am bleeding a bit down there, but not from my wee. It's very light. I found that when I called the hospital yesterday, they were very helpful, so maybe call up just to be sure and to put your mind at rest.

[Pyjamaface]

I've only had a tiny amount of blood when I wipe. I would call to check even tho it's not painful.

[Butterbeeeen]

How are you both doing ladies?

[Pyjamaface]

I'm doing mostly Ok. Not really in much pain with my stomach, I'm moving about fine and the wind appears to have gone thankfully. My glue is starting to come off which is rather itchy but it's my last blood thinner tonight and I am very glad about that!

However I'm struggling to sleep so I've had a headache for 3 days now and my left hand/wrist is covered in bruises and really sore. I was also due my period this weekend so the lack of it is strangely upsetting. There has been tears