What I did on my summer vacation...

[Pipanella]

Yeah, right.

Since several people have asked, and I didn't make a post about it, I'm doing that now. I don't care who knows, you all know I'm not really a very private person, but I just never posted this.

Last Thursday, I had a complete hysterectomy and a cystocele repair. It was a LAVH, so I just have three 'puncture wounds' on my belly, but definitely major surgery. I have a new appreciation for anyone that has major surgery. I don't want to do this again really soon.

I'm doing well, if you don't count Saturday night, when I accidentally punched myself in the stomach, trying to remove the lid from a chapstick. OUCH. Two hours later, I had the most horrendous bruise, where one had not been before. I did call the ER, and they assured me that it was highly unlikely that I did any damage there, and the bruising was probably a result of my being on 800 mg ibuprofen three times a day. The next day it was much worse...black,even...and I found out from a message board that bruising is common, from the laparoscopy. It still was a dumb thing to do.

Right now, I'm getting around fairly well, but the Darvocet they gave me for pain has caused a slight problem. I won't go into details, but my mom had to bring me some Milk of Magnesia today, and after TWO doses, it's NOT WORKING. This is making me a crabby girl. LOL.

It wasn't the intent to remove anything more than the uterus, but when he got in there, I had extensive endometriosis, which explains the horrible cramping and heavy bleeding I've had for so long, and which has led to my anemia problems. So now, I'm looking forward to feeling much better once I'm all healed up!

I think that's it! LOLOL

[Jaxxie]

WOW!! Glad you are doing well and it is all over with!!!

[Brenda2000]

Ouch....a friend of mine just had abdominal surgery, (removed an overy and had a bladder lift), and she's been really tender.
Hope you recover quickly!

[Pipanella]

Originally Posted by Brenda2000

Ouch....a friend of mine just had abdominal surgery, (removed an overy and had a bladder lift), and she's been really tender.
Hope you recover quickly!

Yep, the bladder lift. That's what the cystocele repair was.


Man, I feel old.
No, I really don't. In fact, it feels weird to me that I had this done. I can't POSSIBLY be old enough to need stuff like this!
*in denial*

[tlspiegel -Closed]

Pip, Heal Quickly!

I know it hurts something fierce right now, but each week you'll see and feel improvement. One of the reasons MOM is working is you're not as active. Try drinking a boatload of water every day. Also drink very warm water whenever you can.

I love you sweetie. It's gonna' take some time to heal up but in 6 weeks you'll feel like a new woman.

[Pipanella]

Thanks, TobyLee! Believe me, I'm drinking a LOT of water. And I'm spending a lot of time in the bathroom, just not .... well ... we'll leave it at that! LOLOLOL!!!

EVERYONE I talk to says I'll feel SO much better once I'm healed, so I guess it must be true. I can't wait! It's been so long since I felt 'good.'

[MrsLisaP]

pip don't feel old! I had a complete hysterectomy and a cystocele repair when I was 23 (4 years ago) I am 28 now. I had severe endo and cervical cancer, I had 7 surgeries in the nine months before my hysto for various problems. I still have problems with the endo, as I have it on my bowel and bladder, and with the "sling" on my bladder they can't do much to remove the endo from there without having to redo the sling .

It does get better I promise! I have a real high pain tolerance(I have been known to go shopping at walmart as soon as I ger released from the hospital), but I did get uncomfortable with a few of my surgeries. Like 3 days after my hysto my son had to go to the Er and get stitches, I had to hold him for 5 hours in the ER while we were there and waiting etc. I was soooooo sore and bruised after that.

Just take it easy if you can, and I know all to well about the "bathroom problem" you are having, I think after my hyster. it was about 9 days before I found relief. I am going to PM you in a few minutes and tell you what medicine finally worked for me, so I don't have to post it.

[Pipanella]

Thanks for your PM, Lisa.

Oh, and just so ya know, I'm feeling a little better now.

[GR8GIRLS]

Pip...you're a hoot!

I had extensive endometriosis also. I had approx 10 laser surgeries, then finally a hysterectomy. Believe you me, YOU WON'T MISS THE MENSTRUATION CYCLES!!!!!!!! It takes awhile to heal, but you'll feel sooooo much better.

Feel better soon, and I'm glad everything came out alright

[lookn4deals]

Pipanella hope you feel better quick. I hear ya on the bathroom thing with my last surgey my pain meds stopped me from going. I was actually cited tho since I couldnt get up anyhow LOL.

[Pipanella]

What's weird is, for YEARS, my doctor suspected I may have had endo, but never really checked it out. He based it on what I was telling him about the pain I had not only when I was having my period, but sometimes when I was not, as well as the heavy bleeding. For the last several years, I was given a prescription for 30 Darvocet a year, just to take when it got really bad, because nothing else worked for the pain.

I have battled anemia for the last several years, and they finally had me go through tests to find out what was causing the anemia, and it was determined it's due to blood loss. So that led to an ultrasound, then an MRI, then my choice of having a D&C and endometrial ablation or having a hysterectomy (uterine only). At first, I was going to go with the ablation, then thought.....hey, I'm almost 47, I don't need no stinkin' uterus anymore (and sure don't need to have those silly periods!), so just get rid of it.

Turns out it was the best decision anyway. My gynecologist couldn't believe just how enlarged my uterus was...the normal one weighs about 100-200 grams, and mine was astronomically larger than that. He showed my husband the pictures he took during surgery (I will get to see them at my post-op appointment next week), and told him, "Here is why she was in so much pain." DH said it was really obvious there was a problem. Finding all the endo led to the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, too.

Yep, I think it's a combination of less activity, general anesthetic slowing everything down, and the Darvocet. I also have IBS, so I figured I wouldn't have this problem, but noooooooooooooo.

Oh well, my beverage of choice at the moment is Wild Cherry Milk of Magnesia. Yummy! LOLOLOL!!!

[YorkieLover]

Pip Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better! Wow, you went through a traumatic thing with your body, and you're lucky to have family to help you get over this.

I am facing major abdominal sugery soon myself for a very large fibroid, and I wish I could have laparascopic surgery, but I'm not so lucky. I will have a very large scar right up the middle. I'm going in for a second opinion next week, but the surgery is inevitable. I'm hoping to be able to keep the organs God gave me, but we shall see. This has all been so heavy on my mind. These kind of things just don't happen to me.

So, thanks for sharing your experience with us!

From the message boards I have been reading lately ...

They say it helps to walk a lot (go shopping or just walk down the road) and that helps to get things moving along.

And most everyone says they feel so much better once they have healed up, and you will so appreciate (and NOT miss one bit) your painful, heavy monthlies!!!

I'm wishing for a fast and uneventful recovery for you. Stay strong!

[Pipanella]

Thanks, YorkieLover! They thought I had fibroids (it was highly suggestive on the x-rays), but the MRI showed otherwise. I pray that you get relief as well, and keep me informed about what you do and when, okay?

I've been walking around quite a bit, actually. I go out every day to trim and water my flowers, walk around the yard, do some light housework (laundry, dishes, dustbust, yesterday I washed some windows...stuff like that.

It really does help to know what to expect, recovery-wise. Having never had major surgery before, I just had no clue. I have a fairly normal to high pain tolerance, but who knows what's normal anyway?

In any case, misery loves company, so if anyone wants to commiserate with me, or me with them, have at it! LOLOL!!

[mrbowler]

Glad to read that everything seems to have worked out well for you Pip, and hope no problems for Yorkie. I must say that you have a good sense of humor so that must help


"Beverage of choice at the moment is Wild Cherry Milk of Magnesia. Yummy!"



Please refrain from posting any pics on your blog

[bestmidwest]

Pipanella, Wishing you a very speedy and full recovery!!