Hysterectomy

Hi Duffers Mum

That is great news. I was the same pre op on the Friday pm and hysterectomy on the Monday. Gives you enough time to be ready but not so much time to worry.

My pre op was height, weight, blood pressure, routine bloods, ECG and talking about what was going to happen. I am not sure about blood sugar as this wasn't mentioned for me. My blood pressure was high on the day but I was told this was down to anxiety and wouldn't stop the operation.

With regard to what to take I took a nightie rather than pyjamas as I was told it would be easier with the catheter. Mine was removed at 4am on the day of the operation and I was still in the surgical gown. I went home the same day. However I think nightie would be more comfy around your tummy as it may be a bit tender. I was in a single room which was great and didn't need eye mask or ear plugs but if you are going to be in a bay or ward I would think a good idea. 

If you already have mobility aids it wouldn't hurt to look these out so you are prepared if you need them. 

With clothes, for hospital and at home I found comfy, loose fitting better, nothing to tight around your tummy. I took slippers in to hospital but didn't wear them. I bought new knickers for the days after the op and comfy cotton that gently come up around your tummy were better. Nothing with lace etc that might irritate. If you are having the injections to your tummy it can become bruised and tender and you don't need anything tight. As it is so warm at the moment if you are a lady who likes dresses maybe some of those loose t shirt type ones to recover at home. 

I got one of those triangular pillows and had that downstairs and putting my feet up on a firm footstool helped me be in a comfortable position. Small table next to me with drinks, magazines, hand gel etc so I did not have to keep getting up and down. I found it was a balance between moving enough that you don't feel still whilst being gentle enough not too feel any discomfort. 

I hope this helps but if there is anything else you want to know please do ask. 

Good luck with the operation and please let us know how you get on.

Jane

I’m hoping the blood sugars don’t throw up a red flag but I’m prepared for that if they do..all my clothes are baggy anyway as I’m fat..I am going to order a small battery operated fan as hospitals are always too hot and we’ve had cruddy weather here for weeks but next week looks like we will get the hot weather - typical!

Thanks for all the tips x

Good idea about the fan. I had chemo last year on one of the hottest days of the year. Luckily I had the cooling cap on that helped! They did bring out fans but there wasn't enough to have them individually. I wonder if they might let you have one of those small plug in ones that you can clip to your bed head. There were plenty of sockets by my bed that I could use to charge my phone etc. 

I hope that your blood sugars can be under control for you but I must admit it is not something I know much about. 

I’ve ordered a battery operated one which stands up on bedside cabinet.  I’m not T2 I was pre diabetic but all the stress of PMB, biopsies, hysteroscopies etc since January set off my anxiety and I’ve been eating loads of crap for months..my sugar levels are quite high but there may be something they can give to bring them down just for the op..I have high BP which goes through the roof as soon as a medic takes it, but is controlled well with meds at home…when i had my first knee replacement my BP just before the op was 190/130 and they just said oh that will go down immediately we administer the spinal block we don’t worry about that!

Pretty much as jane2511 has advised. Big knickers & loose clothing & a nightie. I took sanitary pads and panty liners in case of any post op bleeding but didn't need them. Ear plugs might be a good idea especially of you're in a ward or a bay. It's not very restful at night as the nursing staff do checks on you so I didn't sleep too well but plenty of time to rest during the day. I took some mints as my mouth felt a bit dry. Good luck with op. 

• Hi. I didn't get to the ward until 5pm so spent the night in the surgical gown. My sats kept dropping during the night and they kept waking me up to tell me to breathe!! Eventually they gave up and put me on oxygen and so eventually I slept! My catheter came out at about 9 the next morning after which I had a shower and got dressed in a loose fitting t.shirt style dress. I bought period pants and wore those for a couple of days, in case I had any bleeding, which I didn't really. After that the only mistake I made was trying to wear a pair of cut off jeans 2 weeks after surgery! Big mistake! Like Jane, my blood pressure high at my pre-op, but had had a normal reading at home that morningband they were happy to record that as well. I definitely suffer from white coat syndrome! Good luck with everything.

Thanks for all the replies, I’m pretty much resigned to it not happening on Monday now, I’ll have to get my blood sugars down and have it in September, can’t see there will be any different outcome after the pre op shortly but I’ll print all these suggestions out for when I need them in September x

Pre op done, I mentioned sugar levels and the nurse said it’s all down to anaesthetist and if a problem they will hopefully let me know before Monday but as it’s a last minute thing I might end up going in and getting sent home, I’m prepared for that, if it happens I have a couple of months to get sone weight off and blood sugars down x

Fingers crossed that it can go ahead for you.

Hi Duffers Mum, there is a discussion thread in this Womb Cancer forum called "What to take in my overnight bag". If you type that into the Search box (magnifying glass icon) it will find it and there are lots of suggestions.  Good luck, I hope it all goes well.