RAGAN
04-25-2005, 10:49 PM
HEY EVERYONE, Its me...Ragan. Its been awhile since I have been on the board. I have my surgery on Monday May 2nd. This coming up Monday. I go in to the hospital Sunday morning, cause they want to keep me on meds and then I have to do the bowel prep also, cause they have to remove some of my colon. I am having the FULL complete HYSTERECTOMY. I am ready to get it all over with, but I am still kinda nervous about it also. What should I expect?? After ob-gyn gets done with their surgery the colon doctors are going to take over, because I have endo grown inside of my colon, that they will have to remove. I am REALLY SCARED to have the prep for the colon. I have had to do it 2 times before, with my colonoscopy and then barium enimia, I think that is the main thing I am scared about really.lol!!! They are going to do my cut from belly button down. They are taking everything, I MEAN EVERYTHING!!! What do I expect. I will be in hospital for 3 days, unless something comes up, and that will be 4 days counting Sunday. I am counting the days down. ALSO...... I have been on Lupron shot for 2 months and hormone pills and Birth Control pills, (not taking the non-active ones) and I started my period, is this normal?? I understood that I would not be having a period while taking lupron and Birth c. strait through. BUT, I am, anyways..thanks for reading, if anyone could please let me know what to expect, I would deeply appreciate it. I am only 26 years old, but been in such pain, theres nothing else for me to do, I am ready to have a life and stop being in the ER everymonth and living on pain pills. :angel:
Sponsor
RAGAN
04-25-2005, 10:55 PM
I have a daughter that is 5 years old. So I am ready to get this over with. She is my blessing!!!
Also, one more thing. I was 105 lbs before getting on Lupron shots. I am not up to 120 lbs, and I have only had 2 of the shots. Is this normal??? I cant fit into any of my clothes. I dont want to keep gaining and gaining weight, any way I am handle this better?????????????? THANKS AGAIN
Also, one more thing. I was 105 lbs before getting on Lupron shots. I am not up to 120 lbs, and I have only had 2 of the shots. Is this normal??? I cant fit into any of my clothes. I dont want to keep gaining and gaining weight, any way I am handle this better?????????????? THANKS AGAIN
RAGAN
04-29-2005, 02:13 PM
Bringing my post back to the TOP!! :rolleyes:
jazzy_girl
04-30-2005, 01:06 AM
Good luck on your surgery.
I had my exp lap last Weds, it was easier than I thought. They found some endometriosis (which they removed) and fixed my congenital problems, and found I have a deformed vagina (my fiancee's report). I have to wait until 5/10 for my return appointment. I know they sent some tissue to pathology, because he didn't know what it was. Gotta love being a medical mystery!
What are they doing to your colon? How much are they going to have to remove of the colon?
Good Luck again.
jazzy
I had my exp lap last Weds, it was easier than I thought. They found some endometriosis (which they removed) and fixed my congenital problems, and found I have a deformed vagina (my fiancee's report). I have to wait until 5/10 for my return appointment. I know they sent some tissue to pathology, because he didn't know what it was. Gotta love being a medical mystery!
What are they doing to your colon? How much are they going to have to remove of the colon?
Good Luck again.
jazzy
fifistoosh
04-30-2005, 02:30 AM
Sorry Ragan,
i don't know what you will be experiencing after your op.
I just wanted to say good luck, out thoughts and prayers are going out to you.
Take care, we wish you well.
i don't know what you will be experiencing after your op.
I just wanted to say good luck, out thoughts and prayers are going out to you.
Take care, we wish you well.
spongebobgamma
04-30-2005, 04:49 AM
Hi Ragan,
I had a vaginal hysterectomy 4 years ago for endo..so I didnt have the abdominal incision. I had the morphine pump for pain after surgery, it was very effective. Was in the hospital for 2 days and only took half a vicoden as needed for pain when I came home..The thing that surprised me the most was the endo was alot more painful than the hyst.
I was also on lupron for 3 months before surgery..I didn't have any breakthough bleeding but I didn't have the added birthcontrol pills. NOt sure why your Dr added that when the purpose of lupron is to take away the estrogen. I was lucky I didn't have the weight gain but it is a common side effect of lupron, you should lose it when no longer getting the injections.
Im sorry I can't help you with the colon resection. I had endo on my colon, bladder and all over pelvic cavity but my Dr did not remove it..He said the lack of estrogen would kill it. I think its proberly a good idea to just have it removed...
I know how bad those colon preps are,, never like those...
Good luck mon, you will do fine. If you have any questions this weekend I will checking the board off and on..
I had a vaginal hysterectomy 4 years ago for endo..so I didnt have the abdominal incision. I had the morphine pump for pain after surgery, it was very effective. Was in the hospital for 2 days and only took half a vicoden as needed for pain when I came home..The thing that surprised me the most was the endo was alot more painful than the hyst.
I was also on lupron for 3 months before surgery..I didn't have any breakthough bleeding but I didn't have the added birthcontrol pills. NOt sure why your Dr added that when the purpose of lupron is to take away the estrogen. I was lucky I didn't have the weight gain but it is a common side effect of lupron, you should lose it when no longer getting the injections.
Im sorry I can't help you with the colon resection. I had endo on my colon, bladder and all over pelvic cavity but my Dr did not remove it..He said the lack of estrogen would kill it. I think its proberly a good idea to just have it removed...
I know how bad those colon preps are,, never like those...
Good luck mon, you will do fine. If you have any questions this weekend I will checking the board off and on..
ladivapr02
04-30-2005, 10:10 AM
i dont understand what an endo is?
Good luck in the surgery. I too hate those bowel preps. They are really more awful than the procedure itself.
Good luck in the surgery. I too hate those bowel preps. They are really more awful than the procedure itself.
RAGAN
05-01-2005, 08:12 AM
OH gosh!! It is now Sunday morning, 6:00 am. I am soooo SCARED, I have to be at the hospital at 9:00. I am not scared about the surgery tomorrow, I am scared for today!! I have to drink a WHOLE GALLON of stuff to clean me out. I am so FREAKED out. I just know I am gonna get so sick from that and I have a fear of throwing up!!! My head is killing me!!
Thanks everyone for writing back. I guess I will be back on the board when I get home from the hospital, said I will be there for at least 4 days. Please keep me in your thoughts :) Ragan
Thanks everyone for writing back. I guess I will be back on the board when I get home from the hospital, said I will be there for at least 4 days. Please keep me in your thoughts :) Ragan
NodiGoiterGirl
05-01-2005, 01:02 PM
Hey RAGAN,
Just make sure the stuff you drink is really really cold. This will help it go down a bit.
Just wanted to say I had the incision from my belly button down to remove my ovary due to a tumor.
You will probably have more pain than I, and they may put you on a morphine pump after your surgery. They did this for my friend's Mom. She would press a button when in pain and it helped her.
I had shots in my hip of pain reliever and then they gave me darvocet and anaprox.
The worst part of recovery for me was the gas pains. I got terribly constipated also. Don't know what this entails for you with the bowel surgery part.
I was at the hospital three days and at home from work for six weeks.
My scar has shrunk in length about two inches since January and really doesn't bother me much.
Good luck with your surgery, I will be thinking of you.
Nodi
Just make sure the stuff you drink is really really cold. This will help it go down a bit.
Just wanted to say I had the incision from my belly button down to remove my ovary due to a tumor.
You will probably have more pain than I, and they may put you on a morphine pump after your surgery. They did this for my friend's Mom. She would press a button when in pain and it helped her.
I had shots in my hip of pain reliever and then they gave me darvocet and anaprox.
The worst part of recovery for me was the gas pains. I got terribly constipated also. Don't know what this entails for you with the bowel surgery part.
I was at the hospital three days and at home from work for six weeks.
My scar has shrunk in length about two inches since January and really doesn't bother me much.
Good luck with your surgery, I will be thinking of you.
Nodi
RAGAN
05-08-2005, 04:22 PM
Hello. I am now at home. I was in the hospital for 6 days. They removed all of my female organs, said the endo had them "all stuck together" on one side of my tummy. Then they also had to remove a lot of colon also. My surgery took 7 hours and then 1 hr in revovery. I have been in the most pain I have ever had in my whole life. My cut is from belly button all the way down. I do get my staples removed tomorrow, I feel I will never get better. I hurt all the time and my head kills me. I will write more soon.
fifistoosh
05-08-2005, 06:09 PM
Nice to have you home again, I bet you are pleased it is all over!
Take it easy, don't over do anything. Enjoy everyone pampering you, it won't last forever, fortunately neither will the pain.
Glad all went well, take care.
Take it easy, don't over do anything. Enjoy everyone pampering you, it won't last forever, fortunately neither will the pain.
Glad all went well, take care.
NodiGoiterGirl
05-09-2005, 06:26 PM
Glad you're back home!
I have the same scar as you do. Unfortunately they didn't staple mine externally and my incision popped open from fluid build up. But, it still doesn't look that bad.
Hope you are feeling better soon!
Take Care,
Nodi
I have the same scar as you do. Unfortunately they didn't staple mine externally and my incision popped open from fluid build up. But, it still doesn't look that bad.
Hope you are feeling better soon!
Take Care,
Nodi
ktee_uk
05-10-2005, 07:40 AM
Hi there
I had TAH couple of weeks ago and am still taking it easy. I thought I would post cos It might be of interest to you that my husband had a colon resection 2 years ago. He also had an incision from all way down the tummy with staples. He was given basically the same advice about not lifting, bending or driving for 6 weeks and he recovered slowly but well. He does still suffer from occassional diarhea which is the result of having a shorter bowel resection close to anal canal but nothing that over the counter meds can't resolve.
good luck
ktee
I had TAH couple of weeks ago and am still taking it easy. I thought I would post cos It might be of interest to you that my husband had a colon resection 2 years ago. He also had an incision from all way down the tummy with staples. He was given basically the same advice about not lifting, bending or driving for 6 weeks and he recovered slowly but well. He does still suffer from occassional diarhea which is the result of having a shorter bowel resection close to anal canal but nothing that over the counter meds can't resolve.
good luck
ktee
happyelf
05-12-2005, 08:01 PM
Ragan; Been following your post. Hope you're recuperating well and feeling better. I had a radical hyst due to endo and adhesions. My lower back killed me--it hurt so bad. It was the first thing I thought of when I woke up from surgery. (Thank God for Morphine pumps!! :D ) I know it hurts--keep taking your pain meds! That will help. When you're up to it, let us know how you are doing. Gina
RAGAN
05-13-2005, 12:21 PM
Hey Gina and everyone else. Thanks so much for reading my post. Monday week ago I had my surgery. I am still very sore, but walking much better. I am on like just 1 pain pill a day. But I keep KILLER headaches everyday, all the time!! I don't know the reason. I am 26 years old and they had to even take both overies. They wont give me any hormones cause they were unable to get all the endo (and the surgery lasted 7 hrs). They want to try and kill it off, said the hormones would feed 0n it and keep growing. Things seem to be better somedays, and not so good on other days. I am just blessed that I have my baby girl that is 5 yrs old. Its kinda a hard thing to go through at 26 years old knowing that I can never ever have another child, no matter what. It is okay tho,,,I was in such pain for years, there was nothing else to go. They had to also take some of my colon out and do some work to my bladder. I hope to hear back from you all soon. Thanks again soooo much. I can't do anything but watch TV, get on computer, and walk the halls in my home , lol :)
RAGAN
05-23-2005, 12:02 AM
HEY EVERYONE AGAIN!!! Guess what....tomorrow will be 3 whole weeks since my surgery. I feel 100 times better. No more pain (other than headaches) Just very sore in the tummy, but I can deal with that!!! I thought I would never feel better ever again, I am doing great now. I got up and went to church this morning, then to a beauty pageant with a freind, then to eat, and then to my friends parents house. I hope I am not over doing it, but it feels great to get out and do something. I think I will be tired and more sore tomorrow tho, lol. Thanks to everyone for writing. Hope all is well with you all :angel:
ktee_uk
05-23-2005, 11:55 AM
hi ragan
its 4 weeks for me now and like you, i feel great. The mornings are the best for me so I do the few chores that husband will allow me to do then. Then I rest up after lunch. I do get really tired in the afternoon so I spose my body is still reminding me. My scar still bothers me and today I had a good luck by holding a mirror down there. It has healed a little more but still feels like the top layer is open and still red and bruised. Also my swelly belly is finally going down. It was really bugging me cos it seemed to drag over my scar but thankfully that seems to be over.
I am so glad i had this op. All my pain has gone, hopefully forever and I still cannot get over the fact that I still check the TP after I wipe !!!!
carry on healing well
regards
ktee
its 4 weeks for me now and like you, i feel great. The mornings are the best for me so I do the few chores that husband will allow me to do then. Then I rest up after lunch. I do get really tired in the afternoon so I spose my body is still reminding me. My scar still bothers me and today I had a good luck by holding a mirror down there. It has healed a little more but still feels like the top layer is open and still red and bruised. Also my swelly belly is finally going down. It was really bugging me cos it seemed to drag over my scar but thankfully that seems to be over.
I am so glad i had this op. All my pain has gone, hopefully forever and I still cannot get over the fact that I still check the TP after I wipe !!!!
carry on healing well
regards
ktee
RAGAN
05-25-2005, 12:57 AM
OH NO!! I think I might have messed something up inside of me. Today my lil' girl graduated from Kindergarten, shes 5 years old. I had a cake and balloons for her because she had Perfect Attendance, (YEAH!!). Well, I have been feeling okay and not thinking....I went to pick her up and put her on the table for picture with her cake. OMGosh, I think I messed something up in me!!! It hurt so bad I almost cried. This has been like 2 hrs ago and I am still in pain, but not as much as when it first happened. My little girl is 40 lbs. This is my 3rd week since having the surgery. Since they had to do so much, told me not to lift anything more than 5 lbs for 6-8 weeks. Has anyone else ever done this same thing??? Should I go to the doctor??? I took a Lortab an hour ago, so that might be why I'm feeling some better. I just hope I am okay and not bleeding from the inside or anything???? Please write back, thanks so much@!!! :confused:
ktee_uk
05-25-2005, 10:22 AM
Hi Ragan
Congrats for your little girl and her achievement but sorry to hear you had a lapse. It is really easy to do I think and I have caught myself doing stuff I shouldnt.
Anyhow, I think if you had gone straight to the docs with this they would tell you to take some pain meds and and rest up (which means lying down type of rest).
It would be worth your while noting down what time you take you meds and how you feel and just take a look to see if you are bleeding, or your wound area feels hot or red or more swollen, and whether you have a temperature. If you get any symptoms then you could call your docs office and describe them and see what they advise. If you are really worried and the pain wont subside at all, then perhaps it would be wise to visit ER to be sure.
Hopefully the pain you felt is just a reminder and has done no damage. I am still getting sharp reminders like this morning when my scar really seemed to burn in the middle of it, yet when I looked with a mirror it looked ok !!!
Try not to worry and take care.
ktee
Congrats for your little girl and her achievement but sorry to hear you had a lapse. It is really easy to do I think and I have caught myself doing stuff I shouldnt.
Anyhow, I think if you had gone straight to the docs with this they would tell you to take some pain meds and and rest up (which means lying down type of rest).
It would be worth your while noting down what time you take you meds and how you feel and just take a look to see if you are bleeding, or your wound area feels hot or red or more swollen, and whether you have a temperature. If you get any symptoms then you could call your docs office and describe them and see what they advise. If you are really worried and the pain wont subside at all, then perhaps it would be wise to visit ER to be sure.
Hopefully the pain you felt is just a reminder and has done no damage. I am still getting sharp reminders like this morning when my scar really seemed to burn in the middle of it, yet when I looked with a mirror it looked ok !!!
Try not to worry and take care.
ktee
happyelf
05-25-2005, 10:38 AM
Hi Ragan! So sorry you're hurting--hopefully your tummy's better today than yesterday. If it's not, call the dr! You had a lot of work done in there, and even though you're 3 wks post and on the way to healing, you need to be very careful. Better safe than sorry. You'd kick yourself if you ended up back in the hosp-or the ER--OR have the Dr. say "why didn't you call me sooner?" I know it's hard NOT to lift your child--she needs you and you're so proud of her-it's second nature to us moms. BTW-Graduating with perfect attendance--congrats!! that's pretty good for a 5yr old!! :) (I have two 5 yr olds myself--twins) But try not to pick up too much. I was told pretty much the same thing--don't pick up anything heavier than a gallon of milk for 6-8 wks--and my surgery was nothing compared to yours. You were put throught the ringer. I only had a radical total hyster--w/endo and adhesions lasered off my colon, but none of it removed. When I had mine, I had two 4month old babies and a 6yr old at home--like I wasn't going to pick them up. :rolleyes: yeah right. My dr said I could hold them-but if I had to pick them up to try to do it from a sitting position- it's easier on the abdomen.
Hang in there. I haven't been around much lately-all 3 kids passed the stomach bug around-but now it's run it's course. Now I can sleep at night!
Take care--let me know how you're doing today-and what's up.
Gina
Hang in there. I haven't been around much lately-all 3 kids passed the stomach bug around-but now it's run it's course. Now I can sleep at night!
Take care--let me know how you're doing today-and what's up.
Gina
happyelf
05-25-2005, 10:44 AM
kt uk;
I hope you're feeling better also. Just wanted to say hi and hope you continue to heal well...take care of yourself. (you gave great advice to Ragan!!--listen to her Ragan!! ;) ) Keep us updated on your progress!!!
Gina
I hope you're feeling better also. Just wanted to say hi and hope you continue to heal well...take care of yourself. (you gave great advice to Ragan!!--listen to her Ragan!! ;) ) Keep us updated on your progress!!!
Gina
RAGAN
05-26-2005, 10:36 PM
Hello kt.uk and Gina!!
I am much better today. I am still kinda sore on one side of my tummy, but I am not on pain!! Thanks so much for writing me back. It feels good to get online and see a message where someone has wrote back.
I don't know whats wrong with me, BUT I have been so depressed today. Its like I dont know whats going on. I get these spells where I just cry and cry. Is this because I have no hormones??? They will not give me any for 4-5 more months. I dont know what to do. They have me on 40 mg Prozac each morning. At first it helped, (i think), but now I am starting to get really depressed again. I feel like nothing will help me.
Gina, I have always thought twins would be sooooo much FUN, lol!! Twins run in my family, but I just had the one :)
I am much better today. I am still kinda sore on one side of my tummy, but I am not on pain!! Thanks so much for writing me back. It feels good to get online and see a message where someone has wrote back.
I don't know whats wrong with me, BUT I have been so depressed today. Its like I dont know whats going on. I get these spells where I just cry and cry. Is this because I have no hormones??? They will not give me any for 4-5 more months. I dont know what to do. They have me on 40 mg Prozac each morning. At first it helped, (i think), but now I am starting to get really depressed again. I feel like nothing will help me.
Gina, I have always thought twins would be sooooo much FUN, lol!! Twins run in my family, but I just had the one :)
happyelf
05-27-2005, 07:38 PM
Hey Ragan-- Sorry to hear you're feeling so blue. Your body has been through a lot-it needs time to heal, as well as your mind and your spirit. Those hormones can wreak havoc on us, can't they? If they're in, they cause problems--take them out, and they cause problems too-LOL. My ob/gyn was also going to wait a few mos after I had my hyster before thinking about HRT. Ok, I wasn't happy, but agreed to try it. When I left the hosp I got a "Parting Gift"...headaches. When I got home, I got an added treat--THE BONUS ROUND!!! Behind Door #1: hot flashes--change your clothes every other hour-day sweats, Door #2: The Lovely Night Sweats accompanied by insomnia, and Door #3: Extreme moodiness (worse than usual ;) ) w/a weeks supply of crying jags. LOL It was wicked. A week later I was on HRT and LOVE IT!!! Are you having any other symptoms? The reason I ask is, he did no bloodwork when he put me on HRT , and has since changed my dosages(mostly inthe first year when it needed tweaking)-only by the symptoms I have. I asked him "how do you decide what to change in my dosage or HRT type"- like, do you take blood, and he said, "no-just by your description of symptoms. Trial and error." Lucky me. I don't know if anyone else out there has an ob/gyn who takes blood before dosing any HRT, but mine doesn't.
Keep taking your prozac--that way you've done what the dr said to and if you call him, he'll be more receptive to you...Call if the depression gets to be more than you want to handle. Keep coming back to the boards and I'll/we'll try to cheer you up! :D Most of all, you're not alone!! I think what you're feeling is normal. I know it stinks. Take care of yourself and pamper YOU if you can get some time. I know it's hard to do w/a little one!!!
My twins were IVF-the first was a Clomid baby. I worked hard to get them. They are a handful--and there are some days -(as I shake my head thinking of today's events!) --I know why some animals eat their young!! :jester: lol
Just kidding. I ADORE them--like you adore yours!!!
Take care and let me know how you're doing today!!!
Gina/HappyElf
Keep taking your prozac--that way you've done what the dr said to and if you call him, he'll be more receptive to you...Call if the depression gets to be more than you want to handle. Keep coming back to the boards and I'll/we'll try to cheer you up! :D Most of all, you're not alone!! I think what you're feeling is normal. I know it stinks. Take care of yourself and pamper YOU if you can get some time. I know it's hard to do w/a little one!!!
My twins were IVF-the first was a Clomid baby. I worked hard to get them. They are a handful--and there are some days -(as I shake my head thinking of today's events!) --I know why some animals eat their young!! :jester: lol
Just kidding. I ADORE them--like you adore yours!!!
Take care and let me know how you're doing today!!!
Gina/HappyElf
swivlehips
05-27-2005, 08:31 PM
you have to be carefull and not to lift anything i was told not to do any thing for 6 months and did not do as i was told and my bladder dropped i was wetting my self at the slitest movement so rest up i know its hard to watch others work let them do it for you ,you will get better quicker if the pain doesnt ease up go to the docs to be on the safe side keep well mary
shoostar
06-01-2005, 02:30 PM
RAGAN, I can relate to some of your fears. I most likely will be getting a complete hysterectomy also, no, I think mine would be a radical. You are very young but you are strong and I have faith that you will do fine. Sorry I couldn't give you any suggestions or info since I am about to go through a similar surgery except no problems with bowel. GOOD LUCK!!
shoostar
06-01-2005, 02:34 PM
Swivlehips,
When your bladder drops, is that a normal occurance after a hysterectomy? I've heard of bladder prolapse. I'm just learning about all this so I am very curious as I may be having a hysterectomy in the near future. shoostar
When your bladder drops, is that a normal occurance after a hysterectomy? I've heard of bladder prolapse. I'm just learning about all this so I am very curious as I may be having a hysterectomy in the near future. shoostar