Activity after hysterectomy

Hi Nina,

Do not worry too much.

Until my operation my husband did very little around the house and garden just DIY tasks, not everyday stuff. This really worried me. I made sure the house and garden were fairly straight before I went in hospital. I then made him a list each day of what needed to be done. Shopping, washing, hovering,etc  He commented one day about how busy he had been!!!!! (what does he think I do???).

He cooked two evening meals for me but both times I had to microwave them a bit more. (I don't like raw egg, or half cooked fish) After that I made meals and he washed up.(still does that after two years, so every cloud......). My friend said he would rise to the occasion, and she was right. I think it did him good.

I had keyhole surgery and recovered well. I went a walk each day, gradually increasing the distance. Bear in mind you need to get back wherever you walk, so don't overdo things.!! You mustn't lift anything heavier than a kettle, so can make yourself a drink, and a sandwich, depending how long you feel comfortable standing. Leave housework if necessary, and get your feet up. I found I needed to move around a bit to prevent getting stiff, so did an easy job then rested a bit, did another job, then rested. I even did a bit of weeding kneeling down the first week. It was just good to do something normal!!

And as for friends- you certainly find out who your true ones are when you need them. When we needed lifts to hospital when my husband was  ill my best friend was the only one to help. 

good luck xxxx

Thank you. My hubby works from home 3 days per week, but once he’s started he can’t tolerate being interrupted! Thankfully I’m not very houseproud. That became unimportant with 2 youngsters who needed so much attention. Youngest still cannot cope if I don’t give her 100% attention when she is with me. Even at 22 the simplest task is a major effort for her due to her mental health illness.

on the days hubby works from home he usually cooks. I gave up when all meals got spoilt as he would not stop work to come and eat, so I decided he could cook instead!

We have an elderly dog and I could hopefully walk her most days, but she can be stubborn at times and just stops, lies down and will not move. Not a problem if at the field but tricky in the middle of a road. We also have our youngest daughters guinea pig. Even when she visits she does nothing to help. As she is an indoor piggie she needs cleaning out at least twice a week. 

I know rhese are all silly little worries but when the only people who will now make any effort are over 2 hours drive away, and the other person has just had major surgery herself and not driving yet it’s all quite scary. And that’s apart from the fear of the surgery itself, and how my two girls will be as they depend on me so much.

I think you may be surprised just how much you can manage as long as you take it slowly, do a little at a time and have lots of rest stops. Also, absolutely no heavy lifting. I'd suggest being very careful walking the dog, I don't know what she's like but you really mustn't have any pulling on the lead either her pulling you or you pulling her for a number of weeks. Would it perhaps be worth a chat with your husband to make sure he's aware of your worries and perhaps he could think about breaking his work hours up into shorter bursts so that he can give you a little more support for a few weeks whilst you recover. One other thing, you may well find you are quite tired and also prone to being a little bit wobbly emotionally for a while. Again maybe it would be good if both you and your husband were prepared for that and realise that is not only normal but to be expected. It sounds like you spend a lot of your life looking after others, just for once it's maybe time to look after yourself first for a little while. Sending lots of hugs xx.

I quite agree, TeddysMum. I didn't feel very bad about letting my daughters and son - in -laws help! When I thought about how many hours I'd looked after them and grand children, I let them come and bring a meal, or let them do the lawns for me!!! I found it quite nice for a change to be the one being looked after!

Ah yes - the emotions! I was fine until my husband was driving me home from hospital. I was finding the ride bumpy enough when he tried to race another car to the lights. I burst into tears! I was far more worried about my aching tum, than who got to the lights first!! Again, I don't think it crossed his mind I might be hurting, so it did him good!! xxx 

Hi Nina60 as NannyAnny says, you can do some things for yourself you just have to be very careful. Sit down when preparing food (I sat at the dining table to peel veg then let my husband carry the board etc into the kitchen) If you have a travel kettle use that or ask hubby to fill you a small thermos. If he stops for lunch can he make an extra sandwich for your lunch the next day? If you can try to leave things on shelves that don’t need you to bend or stretch. Vaccine and ironing are definitely out of the equation for a few weeks. I agree about walks, a daily walk is good for your physical and mental health but build up slowly. If anything hurts or pulls stop immediately and rest. You have to get back so always pace yourself. My gynae- oncologist made me promise to always take a mobile and some cash so that if I ever felt I couldn’t do the return trip I could phone a friend or a taxi. It’s important to get exercise but it’s also important to rest so don’t be afraid to do that as often as you need too. Generally speaking if that little inner voice is saying “Is doing that a good idea?” then it’s probably not. Your body will tell you how it feels but you don’t want to undo all the good work the surgeon has done. Recovery takes time especially if you have a vertical incision like I had.,The guidelines they give you are just that - guidelines not targets. The best thing my nurse said was don’t compare your recovery to anyone else because everyone is different. The surgeon told me that whilst most people are able to resume most things by about 12 weeks, it can take up to a year to heal fully internally.  I hope all goes well for you x

Hi Nina,

i was able to fend for myself during the day pretty quickly, making drinks and snacks but needed things at waist height to avoid bending and lifting. I organised myself a dressing table to help get ready (I used to sit on my bed with my hair dryer etc stored underneath it). I also had a think about the type of food I wanted to eat and left it where I could access it. I kept my phone charger and anything else I needed at a handy height.

I had open surgery and was able to drive our automatic car at three weeks and our manual one at six weeks, I checked with my gp, the dvla and my insurance company first though to make sure I was covered. I went short distances though, 15/20 mins each way, which was enough to get me around.

lots of love

xxx

Hi Nina60. I ordered my weekly shop online, they will come in and put it on the worktop for you (well most will) if you get a high stool you can sit while you make yourself a drink, don't put more water in  kettle than you actually need, or alternatively get husband to fill you a thermos of boiling water, keep milk in a small jug in fridge. I felt so well that I actually drove my car not too far, after 2 weeks. Make sure you order lots of meals that are as simple as possible to do, I did stock up my freezer with home made cottage pies, stews etc., something easy to throw in the oven ! I have had 4 major ops in the last 14 years I'm afraid, so I am used to sorting most things out now before I go in. Just knowing that you have something nice in the freezer is a godsend, in my view ! You could ask for a perching stool to help with food prep etc., if you haven't got a high enough stool. The hospital can provide them for you.

We run a BNB and was told that I couldn't do any housework, my husband had to do it all, I stood and supervised him I did cook breakfast 7 days after my op for 3 people that we already had booked in, but didn't lift any of the pans. You  will find a way to do little things, but don't try anything that involves lifting or stretching, I stretched up to clean a mirror oooooooo what a mistake to make !

Take great care of yourself,

LC
XX

ps just an aside, my dad has Wiltshire Farm Foods, he really enjoys them. Just a thought for you while you are recovering, and they do special meals for diabetics.

My mum n dad have Wilts farm foods too n recommend them