Hi christmas, glad you are back at home now, albeit with the catheter in. Nothing like your own bed for recovery. I found that I was so big and bloated I couldn't turn to sleep on my side because a) it was painful and b)I couldn't roll without rolling back for little bit I could manage..probably similar to trying to roll a beached whale back into the sea! So I had lots of pillows to put around me and cushions and things to wedge in so I could sleep comfortably. Also in the early days I stayed upstairs most of the time because the loo is up there and getting up to go to the loo was a right pain. My husband had to take my arms and pull me upright or I was hanging onto the knob on the chest of drawers trying to get some leverage when he wasn't around but the drawer kept opening so not ideal. In the end of he was going out I had to go to the loo first then stay propped up until he came back. I also had a tray with snacks on, fruit juice boxes(the small ones) and tea,coffee and a couple of mugs and he would bring a flask of boiling water up so I could make myself a hot drink when he was out for some time without him to bring me a drink or food. Later on when I ventured downstairs he put everything I was likely to need on the counter at waist height and moved a dining room chair in and a doorstop so I could watch television because the sofa was too low and squishy. Found it uncomfortable to sit for long in the early days so I USed to potter in between little sit down to keep me moving. I also had a walking stick, grab stick so I could pick up anything I dropped if not too heavy And My coat at a reasonable height if I needed to go outside. I spent a lot of time listening to the radio when hubby went back to work and usually spent morning downstairs until lunchtime then afternoon resting on bed upstairs. I also had a little bell to ring if I needed help(the only time I felt like a downtown Abbey lady)! You discover what you haven't thought of as you go along basically..oh, and wet wipes. To clear up all the clumsy moments of which I had many. I daresay someone else will be along soon with their tips but rest,rest,rest and listen to your body. Don't overdo it. Hope that helps. No bending, lifting or stretching either. Love lamb.xx
Oh by the way, almost forgot, good luck with the chemotherapy. Haven't got any tips for that because I didn't have it but someone will have some. Lamb.xx
I'll second everything that Little Lamb has said, although I think I was more mobile. I stayed downstairs (although we have got a loo downstairs) I did a lot of pottering, then got my feet up as I felt more comfortable moving a bit. I started walks the day after I got home. Initially I didn't go far and had husband with me the first time. I gradually lengthened the distance I went. I did my ironing sitting down, but used to do that when pregnant,(tricky pregnancies) so am quite used to it!! Didn't hoover for about 3 months. Didn't lift heavy shopping bags.
I didn't have chemo, but nursed my daughter through it for breast cancer. She was wiped out the first 5 days and was better in bed, with the television for company, bits to nibble and plenty of water to drink. She found she was better with little meals, often, rather than the usual 3 a day. The second week she was better, and by the third you wouldn't know anything had been wrong with her. It was tough at the time, but 6 years on she is fine, so well worth it.
I am doing pretty much what you both recommend and that reassures me that I’m doing the right things. I was a little worried yesterday because I woke up feeling rubbish when I had actually felt better the day before.
I’ve given in to the tiredness today and like Lamb I have come downstairs for a bit of normality but gone off to my bed and allowed myself to sleep on and off instead of trying to stay awake during the day.
My husband has been great but doesn’t fancy doing the injections for me but you can’t have everything.
I am feeling dizzy and slightly nauseas at times and I’ve cut back on the pain relief 30mg codeine phosphate in case this is the cause. I came off morphine in the hospital for the same reason.
Otherwise not too bad and go back to the ward tomorrow to have the catheter removed if I can ‘do three wees’ as they say!
Wind has been a problem and I only got some relief from that today thanks to Bisodol recommended by the chemist.
I haven’t been out and my husband is able to stay with me as we recently retired together. Time feels like it is almost standing still and I wish I could make it stop completely but onwards and upwards tomorrow.
best wishes to you both and all the wonderful warrior women on here xxx
I stopped all pain killers when I got home. I wanted to cut down in hospital, but they wouldn't let me. I was scared of getting bunged up bowel wise and wanted to get them going. In the end I had less trouble with them than the bladder. I think I was badly bruised because I was kept in an extra day because my bladder didn't empty fully. I just could not feel anything, and actually went back to hospital 2 days after getting out! I had a bath, stood up, and urine just poured out of me with no control on my behalf. Scared me witless! The hospital checked me over and said things were just settling down. After about a week my feeling came back and I gradually got back to normal! I wish they warned you about these things.
I am being careful but it’s a worry isn’t it? so much can go wrong. You’re right the hospital probably don’t tell us enough and seem to assume you know all you need to know. But how can we?
No wonder ladies on here are such experts when you have to figure a lot out for yourself.
I am trying to take the advice I hear most often: take it one day at a time and don’t look too far ahead. I am beginning to properly understand what that means as what’s ahead is scary.
I am fine, thanks. I am two years post op, and was very lucky in that it was caught early and I only needed an operation. I also had keyhole surgery, which is a marvellous invention! I healed up very well, and quickly. I also had insight into the various treatments and stages, etc, as I nursed my husband through throat cancer, and some horrendous times with after effects of radiotherapy. I also nursed my daughter through breast cancer and the effects of chemotherapy. Both are now fine. My daughter is 6 years down the line and my husband 13 years.
We had one awful Sunday evening when he was on codeine, and hadn't moved his bowels for 5 days. He started bleeding from the back passage, and I rang an emergency doctor thinking it was cancer somewhere else! They gave him suppositories, and said never to go more than three days without moving the bowels. Hence my concern over getting mine moving. And hence my trip to hospital 2 days after I was let out. I've learnt not to put up with anything!! And when they offered me codeine in hospital, I refused it!!!
Don't forget to treat yourself in all this. I found a meal out made me feel normal again, and gave me something to look forward to. xxxx
Just an aside. A lot of ladies recommend big knickers for post op. I found these very uncomfortable once stomach had deflated as they chafed my laparoscopy and vaginal hysterectomy scars. In the end I bought a pack of 4 Brazilian style panties from Tesco. These are basic bikini briefs with a band of soft stretchy lace on the front waist band. I found they were slung well below all my scars. If I wore a longish soft cotton shirt on top tucked into them, and then main shirt or top over that, chafing was reduced to a minimum.
Good point! I bought some Bridget Jones pants and they did chafe a bit. I basically lived in pj bottoms and a cami vest for a week or two... I even went out walking in them...bit easier in the summer lol.
picturing the Bridget Jones pants and trying not to laugh as it hurts !!
thank you for the constipation warning which has made me realise I haven’t been since Tuesday so I’ll take your advice and stop the Codiene altogether and take the powder sachets I was given by the hospital.
oh the joys but at least I had the catheter removed today......every cloud eh?
