A few post surgery observations

Glad to read you're out of the other side of surgery, RobinLondoner. I agree with all of these. I ended up listening to music throughout the night on my noise-cancelling headphones as I had a "chatter" in my room. I also have never had any issues with stairs - steep slopes, however - a different matter. It's onwards and upwards from here. I'm amazed at how I feel now 8 weeks on. I almost forget I've had it done!

Hi RobinLondoner, well done for posting; here’s the link for the thread re what to pack https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/womb-cancer-forum/f/general/217904/what-to-take-in-my-overnight-bag/1744221#1744221

I’m with you there on the snacks - thankfully I took a fair few with me as I have a few food intolerances and am generally picky about food, and I, so glad I did! I took Soreen malt loaf bars, Quavers, chocolate soya milk and fruit gums. I usually have overnight oats for breakfast so I packed some oats, sultanas and sugar in a screw top plastic container and a long handled spoon, then the evening after my op I poured some water into it and let it soak overnight so it was ready for me the next morning. I think the only hospital food I ate while I was there was jelly, which was what my consultant recommended as it was gentle on the system and easily digestible,

I’m so pleased for you that you had no catheter in when you woke up - it would have made all the difference in the world to me not to have had one as it was really uncomfortable - I had to have pain relief to deal with it! As soon as mine was out at 6am the next day I was out of bed and walking around!

Could I just say - I think 15 days post op is too soon to be taking stuff out of the dishwasher as it involves both bending and lifting, and also lifting a flower pot if it’s heavier than a mug of tea. 

Have your had your histology results? I wasn’t sure from what you said.

Dear Ms Marmite--thank you for your newsy and friendly note. I am not taking stuff out of dishwasher at all--husband is a hero. I have not had my histology results even as we enter week three. I was told two or three weeks. 

I do feel that I am strongly in recovery, in convalescence, even as I try to do more and more work (my work is desk work as a consultant). Stamina is low. I looked up the meaning of convalescence, and am taking to heart "building strength." 

Robin

Hi RobinLondoner Good to hear you're doing well after your op but remember don't lift anything much heavier than a mug of tea or coffee. It's surprising how a simple act of moving a hoover can affect different muscles! It's also weird the way all of a sudden it's all a distant memory. My bestie's just had a full abdominal hysterectomy and she looked so uncomfortable walking and holding/supporting her tummy just 4 weeks ago and now she's feeling great and can't wait to get to running again. (she was the one who ran a 5k Race for Life in my name back in May)

Forget running! I always believe short walks are the best for good recovery.

Now it's back to the waiting game for results and we're all with you along the way.

Hugs, Barb xx

Just in case you're still checking back here, I'm just wondering about not having a catheter when you woke up and drinking a lot. Wondered how long it is before you can get out of the bed to go to the loo?

Hi Janet12 I also did not have a catheter when I woke up from surgery. I did not need the loo for a good few hours as hadn't really drunk much. I found it quite difficult to go to the loo (it stung a lot and was quite bloody) and I had some blood pressure issues which meant I couldn't make it to the toilet without fainting. I ended up with a commode next to my bed which I found much more manageable (if a bit undignified!) and by the middle of the night was able to do this unaided. I think if I hadn't had such bad blood pressure it would have been better. They were keen for me to get up and try as soon as I got back to the ward!

I've just had a flashback that I'd forgotten about being in recovery ward and them putting a bed pan under me. My body didn't like this alien concept but I think I got a few dribbles out and they were happy!

Janet, hi: I did not have difficulty getting myself out of bed on my own, disconnecting myself from the alarms and going 20 feet to the loo. I did this four or five times that long night. I kept drinking water, and I kept going to the loo. I am a 62 year old woman without a lot of upper body strength, and by no means an athlete. I was not in pain and it didn't cause pain, although I was very slow moving. That was my experience.

OMG, I can't imagine how a woman can use a bedpan!  Bit scared of either that or a commode, I'm likely to be on a mixed sex ward so don't know how I'm gonna cope as it is.  Just hope I have a catheter to begin with then have some assistance to walk to the loo.  

Oh good, that's re-assuring, I just hope I fare as well as you.