Aggh.
It turns out that turning 40 has been monumental in the life changes my body has physically gone through in the past 5 months. Anyone that knows me - knows when it comes to medical anything - I tend to freak out first and then read everything online about the problem - convince myself I have the worst case scenario and freak out even more.
When I went looking for information on hysterectomy - my searches came back with many sites - but I didn't find anything with a real life account of what happened and what to expect. I hope this post can help at least one person feel a bit better about the operation and not be frustrated by the enormous amount of information that is out there along with all of the emotional feedback you find. I am not trying to make any political statement here. If you want to read about why doctors do so many hysterectomies and why they don't give women more choices yada yada yada - this is not for you.
The bottom line was, I was sick, I was bleeding enormous amounts of blood, I had tumors and a cyst and early signs of pre-cancerous cells - I wanted it out. Pretty easy decision.
So, how did I get here?
After battling the back and the back surgery - my long time anemia was discovered.
My hemoglobin was 4.6 - apparently so low that standing would have been impossible. But I was standing and doing many other things.
My doctor began the search to find the cause of the anemia.
I had blood work, MRI's, abdominal ultrasounds, pelvic ultrasounds - and viola! Fibroids. And a very large tumor or cyst on my left ovary.
Blood loss was so substantial that they doubted my body could keep up with blood production even with my iron supplements.
Two minutes into my pelvic exam - the doctor said without doubt the uterus needed to go. Hysterectomy.
For sure they would remove the uterus and the left ovary.
A few weeks later - it was also determined after an abnormal pap smear - that my cervix would have to go too.
There was also no choice for the type of hysterectomy I would have to have.
Abdominal - with a vertical incision. The uterus was just too big to come out any other way.
This was probably the hardest thing to hear - the cosmetic was a bigger worry for me than the procedure! I was surprised at my vanity - I am not a bikini wearing midriff revealing person - but this was hard to swallow. I also realized this would not be out patient surgery. I would have to spend a few days in the hospital too.
4 weeks prior to my surgery - I received a shot to stop my bleeding.
The shot didn't hurt at all - they do give it to you near your hip.
My pre-op visit was very easy. You meet with your doctor. She explains the check in steps. Explains the surgery and about how long she thinks it will take and what the following days will look like.
You then go and do blood work, give a history to the nurse and all of your vitals are taken. This includes weight, temperature and blood pressure - and the famous pee in the cup!
Surgery day you arrive at the hospital, standard rules apply of no food or drink after midnight. I did shower that morning and dry my hair. No makeup, lotions or perfumes and no dark nail polish! Because I have had some problems in the past with the blood oxygen readers - I actually took my nail polish off completely.
When the nurse takes you to the back - you take off everything and get a gorgeous purple paper gown to put on - and comfy socks to keep your tootsies warm.
I did bring a bag with a nightgown, robe, panties, more socks and toiletries. It was really unnecessary. I only used my toothbrush, deodorant and hair brush. Don't stress the night before by packing. I did and now I know it was wasted time.
The nurse starts your IV and you are visited by your doctor and the anesthesiologist. They usually give you and antibiotic, anti-nausea medicine and your first hit of happy juice. You are also fitted with the electrodes that will monitor your heart.
I was given a cap to cover my hair - kissed my loved ones and was wheeled down the the operating room.
This is where I lost track of everything.
Waking up in recovery - I was aware of pain - and remember calling out "ooouuch" a few times.
I was in bed, the head of the bed was raised. I had multiple blankets on me and my legs were in two sleeves that inflated every few seconds. The heart monitors were gone - but of course the IV remained in place. My purple paper gown was replaced with a cloth one. I also had a catheter placed during the time I was out and in my right hand the wonderful pain pump.
They also placed a folded warm blanket on my abdomen over the incision site. The heat and pressure were very welcome.
After swallowing a few spoons of ice - I was wheeled into my room.
The day of surgery - I was in and out of consciousness all day long. The combination of the wear off of the anesthesia and my pain medicine kept me pretty loopy.
I did experience nausea that was pretty severe. I was terrified to vomit - and did alert the nurse. She gave me additional anti-nausea in the IV and it went away fairly quickly.
It was explained to me that I would be kept on clear liquids until I started to pass gas. (lovely I know)
I was also very aware of my sore throat - the breathing tube they inserted during the surgery caused me discomfort - it lasted for just a bout a day and a half. But I was so drugged up - I didn't do much talking anyway. The talking I did do was related to how did the surgery go? What did the doctor say? And I gushed love for everyone that was around me.
The surgery did go well - as expected - my giant uterus was cantaloupe sized with tumors - my right ovary looked good and stayed in place to give me the pleasure of future menopause and hormones.
The worst parts of day one:
- they check your vitals all the time. sleep is often, but also often interrupted
- gas pain is terrible
- you don't want to eat anything - I did keep eating the ice to help the dryness - but the nausea made me afraid to put anything in my stomach
- seeing your pee emptied is gross and embarrassing with a crowd
- I was terrified to move my body
- I itched like crazy from the stuff they swab on your body during surgery
I was given chicken soup later that afternoon. It actually felt good on my sore throat.
That night - the night nurse told me she would be in at 4am to take out my IV, catheter and get me up and walking.
4am!?
Luckily, with no sense of time - it turned out to not be a problem.
Day 2
The nurse arrived promptly. My vitals were checked and she told me to give the pain pump another hit before she took out the catheter. It didn't hurt - but it did feel very weird. I was relieved to have it out - no more pee pee emptying in public. (But the terror of knowing I would have to get up myself!)
I was fitted with a bizarre pair of mesh panties and the longest pad I have ever seen.
She told me to wait about 2 hours before actually trying to get up and go to the bathroom - I was told I would feel like I needed to go - but that was just because of the catheter coming out.
Next, she uncovered me and examined the incision - In all honesty - I could not bring myself to look at it. But she said it looked really good. The large outer bandage was removed and she cleaned the wound. The incision on the exterior is held together with steri-strips. All stitches are actually below the surface.
Because I had some nausea - she left the IV in my hand - but unhooked my pain drip - I did get to have another pump before she unhooked it - and was given oral pain meds.
She told me the Doctor would be in to take a look and talk to me.
I must have fallen asleep again - but like clockwork - about 2 hours later woke up ready to hit the bathroom. I buzzed for nurse to help me.
This was terrifying - but she was patient with me and told me what to do.
The most bizarre thing - is that even though 24 hours earlier you are walking into the hospital - when you stand up - your brain doesn't seem to remember how to walk. I took uneasy shuffle steps with the nurse and made it! A good tip for anyone - be sure to stand up straight when you do get up the first time - if you stay hunched over - it will make it that much harder to unhunch later.
The hardest part is walking because you forget how - but I think more of the fear came from being afraid to open up the incision.
As hard as getting out of bed is - getting in is no easier. But I managed. The doctor arrived - examined me and gave me my marching orders for the day. Walk around as much as possible. It would help to get the gas moving. (which by the way had not moved and was super painful). She didn't want me on solids until that happened.
The nurse came in and gave me yogurt, a laxative and more gas medicine. ick
I did spend the day walking the halls, walking around the room, and avoiding bed. I did get to eat chicken fingers for lunch.
The worst parts of Day 2
- blisters on the back of my left leg from the vena sleeves. in my terror to move, the inflation of the sleeves rubbed my leg against the catheter tube and the plastic part of the pillow that had my knees propped up.
- Gas pain - it hurts more than the incision
- I itched like crazy from the stuff they swab on you during surgery.
- Gas pain - it doesn't go away no matter what you do
- wanting to go home - but knowing you have another night of interrupted sleep
- Gas pain - owwww it hurts
Dinner was hard to eat that night - the gas pain is so bad - you don't want anything to do with food.
Day 3
I was restless all night because I was so anxious to get to ok to go home. I did manage a toot or two - so I was feeling that nothing would keep me there. I had no fever and no complications.
Sure enough - when the doctor came in the next morning - she told me after breakfast I could go home.
She did examine my incision again. I was told to not get it soaking wet - and that after one week, I could take the strips off. For the next 6 weeks - no bending, stretching, lifting etc...
I was given my discharge instructions, a prescription for pain meds and a stool softener.
The nurse gave me great advice for the first 2 weeks - which are very restrictive for what you can do.
She said, "2 hands, too heavy, 2 weeks"
If I had to use two hands to lift it, it was too heavy - I needed to follow that for the next 2 weeks.
No driving until the doctor sees me in 3 weeks. Normally, I think I would be cleared for driving earlier - but with Memorial Day - the Doctor is out of town - so I have to wait longer for my next all clear.
Coming home was a relief.
You get to take a shower - just be sure to dry the incision well! (use a hairdryer on low setting held at arm's length away)
You get to sleep in your own bed - restful and uninterrupted
What to expect next:
- Expect the gas pain to continue - ugh - the sounds your stomach will make are truly otherworldly.
- The first bowel movement is also not pleasant - but keep on the stool softeners and you will be good to go.
- Keep moving - walking does get everything moving well!
- Rest when your body tells you too. I have been napping when my body tells me to. And yes, I am still able to sleep at night!
- Get a body pillow - having the long length is comfortable to sleep with - and the soft pressure on the incision feels good.
- Use your legs and arms to stand and sit. Don't use your stomach muscles!
- Let people help you - it is good to be spoiled post op!
One week post op and so far so good.
Updates to follow!
