Surgery and Recovery

So, I've joined the ranks of the millions of women that have had hysterectomy. Although right now, I can't say I'm enjoying it.

I woke up Monday morning thinking that I was going to be famished since I was on a liquid diet since noon on Sunday and didn't have any real food since about 11:30AM. Instead, I was fine just a little nervous. Now mind you, I've had other surgeries in the past and wasn't' nervous.

I got through the first few hours ok. I pretty much laid in bed and napped, thinking that would pass the time away. Then about 11:00 I started getting hunger pangs. Loud ones! So loud that John was laughing saying that if anything, they would keep the doctors awake! Thanks, honey.

So now I was getting miserable. I wanted food. To pass the time, John suggested we play some checkers. It was an easy, no brainer game. That passed about an hour. Then I took a shower and watch Young and the Restless. We left about 1:30.

So we get to the hospital and my family was already there and told me they called me at ten to two. Ok, whatever, you told me to be there at 2:00. They got me checked in pretty quick and got me to the pre op room. Everything seemed to go pretty quick. They got my IV in, took vitals and both my doctors came in to talk with us. It really looked like they were going to get me into surgery at 3:00 as scheduled.

Oh we were so wrong! The person assigned to the OR before me went longer then anticipated. I was really starting to get an attitude. So was John. Finally, about 4:50 the anesthesiologist came in, talked to us for a few minutes, put something into my IV to relax me. Whatever it was, it really relaxed me because I don't remember leaving that pre op room.

I'm told that it lasted just about 2 1/2 hours. When I woke up in the recovery room, it actually was kind of weird. I was still hooked up to all sorts of monitors, that I don't remember from my other surgeries. I also noticed that the cuffs they wrap around your legs to prevent blood clots were on my legs. The nurse was there, and she said I was in the recovery room and they were able to it laparoscopically, but... But?! But, what?! She told me they also had to take one of my ovaries. I seriously think I was fine with that, because I was still in shock that they didn't have to cut my stomach open. Although I have to say, it sure felt like they did.

Then came the first dose of morphine!!! I think that is the wonder drug. After a few more minutes, they let John and my mom come to see me. I think it was around 9:15pm or so. I was still a little out of it and just wanted to sleep. I could tell they were even shocked with the outcome.

They didn't stay long, mom was getting tired and wanted to go home. I got up to my room at 10:30.

I had a decent night, I woke up a few times when the nurses came in to check on me. My doctor came in about 8 in the morning. We had a long talk. I asked him why I had 4 incisions instead of the normal 3 in lap surgeries. He flat out told me that they had a lot of scar tissue to work around and they needed a better angle to see. He also informed me that I will feel like I had the ab surgery....Ugh! Boy was he right.

Well, I am home now. Recovery is slow. Pain meds are wonderful. So far this is my day. Get up, take pain meds, get dressed, go downstairs, nap. Wake up, walk, eat something, nap. I'll stop there because I'm sure you get the picture. I tire out quickly. I also had to nap in the middle of writing this blog and I think it's time for another nap.

I'll continue this later