Post - Op

I have finally had my operation, it was a diagnostic Lap, cyst removal and hystercopy. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be!

On Monday had to be at the hospital for 7.30 am, it turned out i was first on the list so had little waiting to do. was put in my room and told i might be staying overnight. After being poked and asked a million questions and the same ones by different people over and over I was collected and walked down to the room. Last thing i remember was talking about Jeremy Kyle and then a woman talking to me when I woke up. Actually was the best sleep i've had in ages!

For the first few hours was very groggy and confused but then a by 1pm I was starting to feel hungry and went to the loo. Was discharged at 5.30pm after my surgeon had been to see me. He confirmed the endometritsis and Andeyomosis and he recommended a hysterectomony which I will be having in 2 - 3 months. in the mean time I'm going to have injections to help with the pain and it should mean that not only do i start the menopause full on and I should be able to active like I used to.

The hysterectomony will be done by keyhole so its going to be an overnight stay in hospital and then 7 - 10 days full rest. Basically its going to feel the same as I am now which means I'm just going to be sore.

Looking forward to it, I can see the light and this should mean i can start to run again and not be so reliant on people. Also means my dog won't be as fat!!

My advice for anyone going for a Lap is :

• try and have someone with you, I'm sure thats why I don't feel that bad is because i had someone to talk to and not focus on my tummy.
• a nightshirt is the best for a few days after.
• have everything  to hand in your bedroom. It may be a pain for your other half to keep getting your stuff ready every morning but it stops you constantly asking for stuff.
• Have a packet of biscuits next to you. Im finding that i keep wanting something small as if I get hungry I feel sick.
• Get a good selection of box sets
• Don't let the cat jump on you!! 
• Have lots of water/diluted juice next to you. I'm very thirsty and it helps you keep peeing.
• You will have a sore throat so Polo's and Lip Balm as your lips will be very dry.

And finally one question to ask either pre - op assesment or when the anthetistist comes to see you is you can have anti-sickness injection before they wake you. 

FULLY REST!! Its 7 days for a reason! If you think of the amount of bruising inside because all your organs have been pulled around, its going to take time for them to recover!!

endometriosis

Two months ago I was diagnosed with endometriosis  After months of going back and forth to the doctors i had a scan and then was eventually referred to a gynocologist. 

The trouble was that the back pain was just my sciatica playing up but when it wouldn't go even though i was trying to walk it off it just got worse. then it was thought i'd slipped a disc, again the treatment didn't work. 

on top of this i'd been whinging about hot flushes and painful hips. had blood test and doctor said i was perrimenopause, which is the start of the menopause but not in full swing, so was sent for a scan to see if anything else would back up the menopause.

At my scan found that not only does my left ovary like to play hide and seek but my tubes are twisted and have a growth on my ovary.

The results came back within 7 days and saw the doctor who said i had fryboids and "lots of other stuff floating around". After a discussion about treatment a hysterectomy was the best bet. I have no intention of any more children and would rather have the chance to have a normal life than what i have now.

By time I saw the consultant i was in loads of pain, i could hardly walk. It turns out that theres a good chance that my womb is attached to my bowel and also the tube that connects kidneys and bladder is stuck to womb as well so that when i move it tries to pull its self apart which is why the pain is near enough constant. The "floating bits" are the endo. He upped my painkillers and then last month they were upped again. I now have a date for my op and it feels like the end is in sight. 

The last 2 months I have had to rely on everybody, a lot. I can hardly walk very far, just make it to the shops. Can't even do my daily walk to school, can't stand and most of the time I can't even sit as it feels like I have something stuck either just under my ribs or just above my hip bone. sometimes it feels like its on the bone.

For the first time in ages I have drove down to London. I must have got myself in a nice comfortable place as i had no pain until I stopped and walked around. This is quite an achievement although as I type i can feel the pressure on my hip. The way I can describe it is like a baby's foot stuck on my bone. I keep getting the urge to move it but it wouldn't do any good.

I have also invested in a heat pad. As any sufferer will tell you the hot water bottle is your best friend but when your by yourself getting up to keep refilling it, especially on a bad day, can get tiring. The pad is the best thing and so worth the £29!

The one thing that is hard (other than crippling pain) is the tiredness. Its sometimes very near to exhaustion. On the bad days just making my breakfast is hard and have to sit down others I can wash up and get some washing in the machine and a bit of baking. I can rarely bend over and if i stand too long (2 mins +) i get dizzy. 

My poor husband and children have to put up with a lot and I can't wait till I am no longer a burden on them and I can do everything myself without getting stuck. I've lost all my strength and can hardly open things or hold the dog.