Radical hysterectomy: pre-op appointment with surgeon

Hi everyone,

I had my initial pre-op appointment with the surgeon today. He explained more about my diagnosis, surgery and what to expect afterwards, giving me the opportunity to ask questions and checking that I understood along the way. A very helpful meeting where I felt listened to and well cared for.

I will be having an open radical hysterectomy with fallopian tubes, ovaries and lymph nodes also removed as a precaution. I have been told to expect to be in hospital for 4 or 5 days after surgery. 

I have an appointment next week for pre-op health checks and to meet the recovery team for info and advice then I’ll have another blood test 2 or 3 days before surgery. I’m awaiting confirmation of the surgery date - the surgeon said that it will be in February but not the first week of February as he is already fully booked that week. So it shouldn’t be long to wait for surgery - the sooner it takes place then the sooner I can start recovery. 

If anyone has any tips/experience to share, that would be much appreciated. All general tips/experience welcomed - below are a few things I would particularly like to ask about if anyone is able to help.

1. Things to take with me to the hospital that I might not think of (I’ve never stayed in hospital before but I have looked up general things to take like nighties, day clothes, etc).
2. Anything that you found you couldn’t do after surgery while recovering that you hadn’t anticipated/expected in advance (I’m trying to think about anything I can prepare/put in place before surgery that will make it easier afterwards). 
3. Did anyone else need to be able to step over the side of the bath to access the shower once at home (I only have a shower over the bath, no shower cubicle)? If so, did you manage this okay in the first few days/weeks of being back home? 

Thanks,

Louise