Having surgery

[shellk]

I went to my Gyno the other day for some problems I have been having since I had my son 15 months ago, and she informed me after and ultrasound that I have Adenomyosis (inside-out- endometreiosis ). So, after trying to use the Ortho Evera patch for a week ( It made me really sick) we have decided to go ahead and have a hysterectomy done,
This has me really worried, not the fact that I am having it done, I am just afraid of the surgery and recovery. Since I am at home with my kids and DH works 6-7 days a week @ 12-14 hours a day.
So, my question is....Have any of you had a hysterectomy ?? She is going to try to do a girl thingyl extraction and says that this will be less painful and the recovery time is less..So, just wondering if any of you ladies have been thru this.

Any advice would be greatly appreicated.
My surgery is 2/22/05

Thanks

Michele

[donnac]

Michele --

I'm in the process of recovering from a hysterectomy that I had done on December 8th. Originally my Dr. thought that he would have to do a full open incision due to my endometriosis, but was able to do the surgery by laparoscopy. Whew, was I relieved -- three small incisions instead of one large. He remove my uterus and left ovary, leaving the right one. The recovery has been great. I'm not sure about the type of surgery that you are having.

I had my surgery on a Wednesday, went home on Thursday, and by Saturday I was making my son breakfast and lunch. Fortunately DH did dinner for about a week and MIL took my son to school and picked him up for a week (after that he ws on Christmas break and I was back to my cooking and partial cleaning). I was in some pain right after the surgery, and the pain medicine that I took for a couple of days often left me groggy. I did feel tired for about a week and took a nap daily (while my son was in school).

I think that I was expecting the worst, and when I found out that my surgery was done by laparoscopy, my recovery came quickly. My doctor even released my to begin driving again 8 days after the surgery. He just told me no heavy lifting -- over 15 pounds. My housework has consisted of only surface cleaning, and fortunately I have hardwood floors and don't have to deal with vacuuming.

Again, I don't know anything about the girl thingyl extraction, but my concerns would be being able to lift your 15 month old, and dealing with being tired for awhile.

Hope this helps a little. Good Luck.

Donna

[shellk]

Donna,

Thanks so much..for the info, and glad to her that your recovery is going great.
From what I understand she is going to take it out through the birth canal way. I can't type the word it changes it to say "girly thingy" ya know. So, we are hoping for this as to avoid a large incision across the lower abdominal area. So, I am hoping for a speedy recovery such as you are having.

Thanks so much


Michele

[Chris]

Two of my sisters have had hysterectomies and did very well. Both of them also had it done via laparoscope. Another one of my sisters is scheduled to have one done in March. Her doctor said she should be recovered and able to go back to teaching PE in three weeks. I will pray you will have a speedy recovery.

Chris

[donnac]

Michele --

I thought I knew what type of surgery you were talking about. I know several people who have had it done that way, and all of their recoveries have been swift. A casual friend had that type of surgery two weeks before mine, but I think that she had a doctor who went overboard. (I asked my dr. about it and he agreed that she had too many restrictions.) Her doctor would not let her lift anything heavier than a coffee cup for over two weeks, she wasn't allowed to drive for at least three weeks, and when she finally did laundry at about four weeks post surgery, she had to load and unload one piece at a time. I think that you will do great. Will the older children be able to help?

My 20 year old is off at college and working, so she couldn't help. She wanted to visit about a week after my surgery -- a day after she had a flu bug. I wouldn't let her visit!! Another friend of mine told me that she got the flu a fews days after her surgery and that the pain was terrible. I was pretty careful about exposing myself to germs the week before my surgery, and for several weeks afterwards. I even took a bottle of hand sanitizer with me to the hospital.

Keep us posted.

Donna

[shellk]

My DH says that he is going to take that week off of work, so that will be nice, and my oldest is 12 and she is willing to help out as always (sometimes I would be lost without her). So, hopefully once it is over and done with I'll get my groove back pretty quickly. Thanks for the advice and the info.


I'll keep you posted

Michele

[momofrussell]

Michele, although I have not been where you are, I wanted to wish you all the best with your surgery. Please keep us posted on how you are doing.


My mom and MIL both had hysterectomys had a young age, my mom was only 28. But back then, they did the BIG incision and the recovery was long and somewhat painful. I have had a laproscopy done for other issues but never knew they could do a hysterectomy that way, or v.a.g.i.n.a.l.l.y. So that is good for recovery!

I am glad your husband is taking the time off for you. Even with it done less evasive, you still need time to recooperate and heal. And YEAH for having 12 yr olds! I have one (well, she will be 12 in March ) that was and STILL is the biggest help for me when I get my bad headaches. Regan truly stepped up to the plate when I was in bed for many months sick with the headaches.

Hugs and Prayers Michele!!

A.

[shellk]

A.

Thanks for the prayer, and showing my how to type that word


Michele

[Alice]

I am sending my prayers on your way too!
Good luck with everything!
Hugs,
Alice

[momofrussell]

I had to do that on purpose LOL. I remember when the board changed to this new board and we would type certain words and then go back later and read something different... it converted things for us LOL. I remember typing B.O.O.G.E.R. and it converting it also. I don't know if it still does, but THAT one has always made me laugh. Because it's not some body part or something... heehee

Keep us posted on your surgery

a.

[paulineuk]

hello.
I tried to write the word peac.o.c.k.(the bird) and it printed as peathingy ;D

[wrblack]

Maybe we shoulda changed the subject of this thread. But I rather like what the proboards software does to the name of our current Vice President, thingy Cheney.
Are they inaugurating him again tomorrow, too?
-- Bob

I, of course, wrote D.i.c.k. Cheney first (without the periods). You can preview your post to see what the baudlerizing software will do. Often quite amusing.

[momofrussell]

Bob, if we changed the topic of this thread, it wouldn't have been as fun for you to post in a female surgery thread now would it? LOL

Thingy Cheney.. now THAT is funny!

A.