Sudden drop in mood and energy

Sorry to hear you are feeling under the weather but please be assured that this is normal after a major operation. The tiredness will linger for a few weeks and is not only a side effect of the anaesthetic and all the heavy duty painkillers you had in hospital in the hours following the operation but also the bodies way of making sure if has enough rest to heal and recover . Also I can't recall if you said how old your youngest is but looking after anybody in the first few weeks is hard as you need to look after yourself. I know in some circumstances it is unavoidable but please make sure you don't do too much in the first few weeks otherwise you will put your recovery back rather than forwards. Try and rest as much as you can and don't fight sleep..I was dropping off quite a lot in the first few weeks too. The pain will gradually ease off in time but it's not only the wounds, it's everything g inside which has been bruised when it was moved out of the way to get to the womb and/or ovaries etc. Gentle hugs and much love coming your way. God bless. Love lamb.xx

Ooh I forgot to say the low mood is also due to the hysterectomy..It's called post operative blues! It should pass shortly but if it's lingering or if you are having dark thoughts and feel like harming yourself or worse please contact your gp or phone a Macmillan advisor for a chat. Or come back here and vent..there's always somebody to listen and advise on here as well as raising spirits...and that's not gin by the way (or it maybe) . I meant a chuckle! Take care hun.xx

Hi Nina,

Perhaps you are finally reacting to everything! I was fine until the day I came out of hospital, and burst into tears on the way home!!! It was partly because I hurt so much, but I also think it was reaction.

My brother and family wanted to visit before two weeks were up and I knew I wouldn't cope with cooking for 6 people. They still came and got a meal in a pub!!! I still think I did the right thing there. You have got to think of yourself. By the way - I had keyhole surgery. If you were cut you are doing well. xxxxxx

Hi Nina,

I was taking daily naps until I went back to work after three months off lol. Take it easy, it's major surgery, you deserve the rest and to give yourself a break for a while. 

I found a hot water bottle helpful for pain, just be careful with it so you don't burn yourself if you have painkilllers too. In hospital they gave me lovely heated blankets.

As the others say, the mood dip is usual, I've been up and down since my op and found counselling helped, my gp, my CNS and our local cancer charity were a great help (and the lovely group here too).

lots of love

xxx

 Thank you. My youngest is 22. She no longer lives with us, we actually had to evict her about 18 months ago. After quite a fight we managed to get her into supported living. She was in her second supported living place but she has been totally unable to deal with me being vulnerable and not 100% fit and at her beck and call. She went missing just before my surgery, and then went missing again 5 days after surgery. We adopted her when she was 41/2. Both her birth parents had mental health issues. H developed bi polar disorder aged 15. It is an awful condition and affects everyone around. She has been in mental health hospital under a section - ie given no choice due to being considered a danger to herself and others- 3 times. Plus been admitted 2 more times voluntarily. She has gone missing several times now, and makes false allegations frequently. 

This time she conned someone into believing she was being abused at the supported living accommodation and that they were locking her out so she would have to sleep on the streets and we were not helping her etc. She managed to get this person to pay for her to travel to her birth mother. No one made any attempt to inform us where she was, birth mum would not answer my calls. 

She is now demanding I send her all her money, send her clothes, arrange to meet her in London for her birthday in December. I’m meant to arrange everything for her. But she will not turn her phone on, will not speak to the people she has to speak to, just gets angry when I try and tell her what I’ve managed to do. If I want to speak to her I have to call birth mums phone. 

Sorry, moan over.

Hi Nina.

What a star you are. You are dealing with so many issues when it is such early days after your op. I would echo the advice of the other ladies and ask that you try and be kind to yourself

️ Feel free to tell it like it is as we are good listeners

Big virtual hug to you x

Hi Nina

Sorry to hear things are still so difficult for you and the added stress that is ongoing with H. 

It's normal post surgery to be tired. The body and mind has been through such a lot and will need lots of rest and sleep to recover from this ordeal. 

You are doing well if you are managing your pain relief with just paracetamol. There are lots of alternative pain relief medications out there if you struggle with ibruprofen and codeine and you could ask your medical professionals if the paracetamol is not enough for you.

I am constantly attached to a heat pack which I find helps me so they are definitely worth giving a try.

Hope you are feeling better soon 

Hi Nina60 Sounds like you have lots of things to deal with - sorry that you are having to. If you are struggling with pain telephone the medics, concentrate on you.  I felt very low after my op, remember you have been through a major op but also you might be, like me, still processing all the cancer thing - the emotions, fear, uncertainty.  When you are feeling better,   be you maybe able to manage the additional stresses associated with your daughter. I think you are a remarkable person. Take care and hugs xx Dawn

Wow, you are an inspiration. Well done for dealing with all of that just after your op. I'm at the same stage, 2 weeks post op, as you but have fewer life complications. I agree with everything that has been said though rest is good. X

Hi Nina, what you are feeling is absolutely, totally normal at this point in your cancer journey. From all you've said, it sounds like you are used to being the strong one, the one everybody else relies on. It's not only those around you have to get used to the change whilst you recuperate, but you have to get used to it too. You have to allow yourself to have bad days, to see them for what they are, part of your recovery and to try not to get depressed about feeling down sometimes. Try to be kind to yourself even if others aren't and just for once allow yourself to say no when people demand you do more than you are currently comfortable with. Sending love and hugs xx.