Catching up on the preparation for Hyst/ooph

Here is a run down of my preparation for hyst/ooph and recovery process.

I started my round of consulting specialists. I went to a genetics counselor, who presented my options for reducing my risk. Surveillance means frequently doing tests to check for breast or ovarian cancer, so it can be treated early if, or when it shows up. Vitamins may help the body do a better job of preventing cancer. Tamoxifen has been shown to decrease the risk of breast. Risk reduction surgeries offer the highest likelihood of preventing cancer.

I went to a Gyn Oncology Surgeon, who felt that removing my ovaries was a good option. I went to a breast surgeon who seemed glad that I was opting for surgery to remove my breasts rather than risk breast cancer.

I saw my Family Medicine doctor who strongly urged me to have the ovaries out. I went to my therapist, and she and I determined that I would be able to handle the choices I was considering.

And then I scheduled risk reduction, preventative, prophylactic laparoscopic hysterectomy and oophorectomy, and bilateral mastectomies.

And started getting ready for the hysterectomy. I researched my options for type of surgery, and chose the DaVinci total laparoscopic hysterectomy. (removal of both ovaries and uterus ) My comfortable nerdie surgeon would sit at a computer station and operate a robot to do the internal parts of the surgery through small port sites.

I researched my options regarding hormone replacement, and the side effects of premature menopause. And decided that I would wait to see if the side effects were bothersome before deciding. I read Germaine Greer, about the politics of hysterectomy and decided it did not apply to me.

I considered why God would arrange so many events so that I would be ready to act and have the knowledge of my condition, without any of my known relatives dying. I felt so lucky and so blessed, but confused as to why me. I worried about what responsibilities came with this gift.

I read, with much fear, about how special procedures needed to be used to make sure that the pathologist noticed if there was a small ovarian cancer already growing in the tissue removed. Ten percent chance of there being an occult (hidden) ovarian cancer kept me from sleeping much before surgery.

The day the calls came to schedule the surgeries it all seemed so much more real.

After a nice vacation with relatives in Boston and wonderful face to face meetings with two new FORCE buddies, I started my bowel prep on Easter day. Jello jigglers from my partners Mom. Trying not to worry about the reason for the prep, the possible complication of bowel perforation and all that could entail. Glad for the Peggy Huddleston CD on how to relax before surgery.

Surgery was early in the morning. Fortunately Pam drove well and kept me calm as I walked in to have surgery for the first time in my life. With nothing wrong with me, I hoped. The staff at Beaumont was wonderful, comforting, efficient. In to surgery at 8:30 on the dot. And to the recovery room by 12:30. Vague, brief awareness for a few seconds in the recovery room, and the room, and then finally awake and craving a diet coke by 5 PM. Answered the call from the doc, and got permission to stay the night. Finally felt good by 8 PM, just in time to sign on and check in on the message board, and participate in the Monday night chat. Up walking to the bathroom, and to comfort the lady in the next bed overnight, and then ready for the doc to discharge me by 9 AM the next day. Happy, but nervous after convincing them to let me walk out of the hospital. Made it to the car, and home. Done with surgery #1. Glad to get the report of only a benign cyst by the next week.

Part 3 – very rough but done.
I had DaVinci laparoscopic hyst/ooph on 4/9 at Beaumont in Royal Oak Michigan.
I was feeling good enough by 9:30 PM that I could have gone home. Very little pain.
The day after surgery, I went home by 10 AM, and was up walking short distances comfortably. Needed to rest in the recliner much of the time for the first three days after surgery. Shoulder pain if sitting up straight. Took 1/2 vicodins the first day after surgery and a whole vicodin at bedtime the second night. A little uncomfortable laying flat. Tylenol and celebrex after that for the first week. Took simethicone for gas, and laxative for the first week.
By the 4th day after surgery, I was up more, straightening up the house, and visiting with relative. I could lay on my side or stomach.
5th day, I rode 90 minutes to a family party and was up visiting for 6 hours, before napping on the way home.
6th day, I walked about 1500 feet in the yard.
7th day, drove to run a few errands. dizzy after standing and walking 30 minutes.
8th day. Walked .6 miles.
9th day. Walked 1.4 miles, good pace. Permission to return to sedentary, seated work the next day. (doc said he would be glad to keep me off for 2 weeks)
10th day. Worked, got tired in late afternoon, but stayed up late visiting.
11th day, tired, useless at work.
12th day. Up visiting all day
13th day Rode bike 40 minutes. Very light yard work one hour. Needed to rest between.
14th day. Worked. Came home and took nap after.
15 - 17th worked, and a little tired after. Not 100 percent but better each day.
Still needing to rest and not ready for sustained heavy work.
Not allowed to lift more than 10 lb first two weeks, or do situps.
Nothing in the vagina x 6 weeks.
3 port sites healed very quickly. One came open and bled a little and is nearly healed now.
Bowels screwed up with gas, IBS symptoms for the first week.
Pretty much just as my doctor promised. I was happy not to have to be discharged from the hospital the same day as my surgery.
I can't really explain why I was so lightheaded for several days if I stayed up long, but I really could not have worked comfortably until the 9th day after surgery, and could not have done a demanding job that I could not take it easy until day 14. Medium Physical work, perhaps by 21 days. Heavy work, perhaps by 4 weeks.
Margaret, very pleased with DaVinci lap hyst. Perhaps not the best judge of pain.