I'm recovering very well after my surgery a week ago. There has been some things that I expected that didn't happen and other things that I hadn't expected that did happen. For one thing, I had expected a lot of pain from the incisions and uterus removal. Instead, I ache and am very tender, but there isn't the deep, sharp pain that I expected.
I had been warned that there would be gas pains from the carbon dioxide they used to inflate my abdomen for the surgery, but I hadn't realized that they could continue for days. Many people (81%) only have gas pains for three days while it can go on for seven days for some people. Even though I walked as much as I could, I still have gas pains. It has been uncomfortable, but the anti-gas medication they gave me helped a lot. I did have the gas pains go into my shoulder which hurt, but it only lasted about half an hour and pain medicine (Tylenol) made it bearable.
One thing I hadn't been prepared for was the emotional ups and downs after surgery. When they drained the fluid from my abdomen at the beginning of my cancer treatments, they used a local anesthetic. Each time for a couple of days, I had chills and would suddenly burst into tears several times each day. After my surgery, I also had mild chills for a few days, but instead of crying, I felt anxious. I read scriptures and prayed a lot and made it, but I was not prepared for this and wasn't thinking as clearly as I usually do, so I didn't handle it as well as I should have. I have now learned that people can experience crying, anxiousness, agitation, fear, and suspicion for several weeks after surgery due to the anesthetic. Also, taking out the ovaries can affect moods. Even if you have already been through menopause, you can have hot flashes. If I had been more aware that this could happen to me, I would have been more nurturing to myself. I see now that it was worse when I was tired or in pain. I think I would have watched more comedies, just relaxed, rested more, and would have taken more tylenol.
Since I wasn't having sharp pain, I didn't take any pain medication for my first several days. This made the anxiety far worse than it needed to be and also made deep breathing more difficult. I was just focused on the discomfort of the gas pains and not aware of my total pain/stress level. I hadn't considered the abdominal pain I was experiencing, the discomfort of trying to get my digestive system going again (ate light and used stool softeners), and the pain from my stretched diaphragm and dislocated rib (an old injury). There is also discomfort from the drain bag, something I had not expected. Instead of using pads to absorb the bleeding, my doctor wisely chose to attach a drain bag to my side so the blood would not further irritate my skin which has already been irritated by my chemo treatments.
One thing that surprised me was that I was encouraged to walk after my laparoscopic hysterectomy. I had expected to have to stay in bed, but I am to walk all I can without getting tired, or having increased bleeding or pain. Not only is the exercise helping me regain strength sooner, but it is helping to prevent blood clots in my legs.
Today I've enjoyed a ride to beautiful Snow Canyon and being able to do a few small things around the house such as putting laundry away and go on several short five minute walks around the house. I am grateful that the pain and anxiety are decreasing while my strength is increasing. I feel that I'm doing pretty well for just one week after major surgery!
photo Snow Canyon
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