My time for the op!

Good luck fir Monday 

I used  the lady in here called Marmite list of what to take in as that was useful x  I didn't have alot of pain in recovery and came home next day dependant on type of  surgery I expect 

I walked around ward next day and now walk 10-15 mins week 3 

That’s good to know, thank you x

Hi, here’s a link to a thread I put up a little while ago re what to pack: community.macmillan.org.uk/.../top-tips-for-packing-for-a-hysterectomy

Hi I got home yesterday- stayed 2 nights as mine ended up as abdominal. Was discomfort rather than pain - and painkillers on offer when needed. I found that most useful is very long phone chargers so you can keep it plugged in. Also nothing too taxing to read etc as my concentration low. I was last to theatre (3.30 on Wednesday) so very little sleep as have to be monitored regularly for 1st few hours - BP etc.  moving around house is as much exercise as I can manage at mo! Good luck - you’ll be well looked after - I was just glad the day had come and can now start recovery journey.

I arrived by taxi (hour’s journey) with others at 7.30am and through the morning had visits from health assistants taking my details, showing me how to put on my Norah Batty compression stockings, also from the anaesthetist who’d be taking care of me, and also my surgeon. Hospital has free WiFi too so I was on my iPad doing a diary entry for a thread on here! Another healthcare assistant took a note of any valuables I’d brought in - for me it was just my phone and iPad as I didn’t want to risk my jewellery. Walked down to theatre just after midday, and was back in the recovery ward at about 3.30pm. I remember feeling a bit disorientated as I came round but a nurse was by my side the whole time so it was ok. She was offering me sips of water through a straw - it was initially a bit hard to swallow. There were no dressings on my tummy and the wounds looked small, dry and clean. I  had some discomfort, not from my tummy but down below, which from past experience suggested to me that it was the catheter. I was told it wasn’t likely to be that, that it would just be from all the rummaging around for the op, but when it was removed at 6am the best morning the discomfort went, so it was that! Some women don’t feel it or barely feel it, I think I’m just small inside. Anyway I was taken up to a 4 bed ward, which was quite noisy and busy, so when my lovely surgeon came to see me he saw I wasn’t settled and I was whisked away to the next ward down which was empty and I had it to myself which was much better. I was especially glad I’d brought in my own pillow. I had ordered a meal but couldn’t really face it and my surgeon said he didn’t advise a full meal anyway, but suggest something gentle like fruit and jelly, which is what I had. The nurses found some in the ward fridge. I also nibbled at my own snacks that I’d brought in - Soreen bars, Quavers, and chocolate soya milk - and drank squash that I’d brought in rather than just water. Didn’t really sleep much - paracetamol took the edge off the catheter discomfort but I wasn’t in any pain from my op. The 2 hourly checks on my temp and blood pressure and catheter bag would have kept me awake anyway, also the phone help conversations for past patients that went on into the small hours. . At 2am they said the next check would be 6am and I could have the catheter out then or at 8.30 changeover. I opted for 6am. At 6am the catheter was out and I gently slid off the bed and started walking around! Sat in the chair by the window and watched the sun come up. Was on my iPad doing my word games, ate my overnight oats that I’d brought in with me and made up with water and soaked overnight. Wandered up to the nurse station and had a natter, and then back to my ward. When I felt the need I went to the loo and used a cardboard tray thing so I could show them my pee. Assessed through the morning to see if I was okay to go home lunchtime and I was. I’d had the blood thinning jab post op but I declined the ones to do at home, preferring to opt to get active instead (following my consultant’s advice). I went for a gentle 5 min walk as soon as I got home, and did 5 mins a day twice a day for the next 3-4 days, then increased one, then the other, till I was doing 20-30 mins twice a day by 2 weeks post op. From the time my catheter came out, I didn’t need any pain relief. When I came home I took 2 paracetamol at bedtime just in case but didn’t really need it and stopped after a couple of days. I kept my diet light post op, avoiding starchy carbs and focussing on protein, fruit and veg. Had my first poo on day 4, without any “help” and though it was a little painful (urgency) it was ok. I firmly believe that the exercise and light diet helped. Some people get wind pains and I was expecting to, but didn’t. I will also say that for the two days before my hysterectomy I kept to a light diet. The day before my op I had my main meal at lunchtime,e and then just fruit in the evening, so that my bowel was naturally clear by the morning. Please do feel free to ask any other questions! 

Hi EndoCanc

Wishing you the best for Monday and do let us know how it all goes. 

I see Marmitefan has given you a link to help pack. 

I found that the waiting around on the day wasn't great so take something to read or do. I took my i pad in to do jigsaws to pass the time. I was 2nd on the list so had about 3 hours before I went down. 

I found that pain was well controlled and to be honest when I was back on the ward it was more sort of tiredness and achiness. I was regularly checked and when the surgeon came to check on me and offered pain relief in the evening, I had some more because I was scared that I would have pain rather that it actually hurting. I felt a bit shaky but I think that is normal after the diagnosis and build up to the surgery. 

The first cup of tea back on the ward was amazing. I felt quite hungry and I was lucky that they kept me some cottage pie back as it was around 630 by then. I was walking around the bed a couple of hours later. 

They did regular obs so had a bit of a disturbed sleep and catheter was removed at 4am. In the end I got up around 530 as I felt I wanted a wash to freshen up. I also had a wander around the ward. It was then really waiting around for the doctors rounds to start so I could be discharged. Felt a bit uncomfortable on the car journey home but was glad to get home and start the recovery. It was a case of taking things easy. Worst bit for me was the injections as I am not great with needles. The hospital phoned me the day after surgery to check how things were. 

Within a few days I was able to walk to the local shops with my son and I just built up gradually from there. No lifting shopping etc but it was more to get out and about.

Wishing you all the best for Monday

Jane

Thank you so much for sharing this, I’m collating it with my own and it’s super useful so thank you ️

Wishing you all the best for tomorrow! Keep strong 

You’re welcome. I forgot to say that I did manage a couple of hours sleep between the 2am and 6am checks. As you’ll be in a private room you may well get more sleep! 

Hi, I hope you’re ok. I bet you’re glad to be home and sleep the night through. How doing really well. Thanks for the tips, very useful. Stay strong and get well soon xx