Mrs. OR is 1.5 weeks post-hyst. What to expect now?

[Gold Metal Flake]

Tuesday before last, Mrs. OR and her uterus, tubes & ovaries parted company. It had not been a happy relationship, she having suffered from endo since puberty. She's looking forward to a relatively pain-free future, but she's still doing the Uncle Joe now. (She's a movin' kinda slow)

In-laws are installed and functioning, and the PTA has arranged for home-cooked vittle deliveries. Quite a surprise that was!

I am wondering if some DU hyster sisters could hip this hub about what she can expect next. So far, no hot flashes. Just pain from the surery (large abdominal incision).

Any info appreciated.

[prolesunited]

1. Everything you want to know

can be found at this site:
http://www.hystersisters.com/

Still being in recovery from mine on July 5 (though I try to pretend I'm all better and over extend myself and wind up paying for it), all I can say is it is a slow and frustrating process and she'll be a basket case for weeks.

I'm strong and very independent and this whole experience has humbled me. You can't tough or will your way through it.

As for you, just be as patient, supportive and loving as you can. She'll be on a roller coaster for weeks to come and need you more than ever.

The link I gave you has helped me immensely. Good luck to you both.

[Doctor_J]

2. Expect about 3 more months of

spanky-wanky for OR. ;-)

WWW is probably your best bet for vouluminous info on this subject - try WebMD or some such place.

Best of luck.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Had one in '91

It can take up to a year to fully recover from any invasive surgery, and 6 months of adjustment/recovery from this type of surgery for sure. Night sweats did ensue about 6 weeks or so after the operation.

One of the things I found was that I was not responding well to the first HRT Rx of Premarin. It just didn't work for me. So, I tried several other HRTs over 6 years until I started taking Estrodiol (Estrace) 2 mgs/day. Did that for about 6 years, then backed down the Rx to 1 mg/every other day...there can be probs as we age and take HRT over an extended period of time. Am 51, so am not really "old", and this Rx works for me.

While, in some respects have been glad that even though my reason to have a total hysterectomy saved my life, I also didn't have to go through menopause re: what I've been seeing my friends go through. Yet, the older I become, I know that I will never have natural life changes, and I do know that has affected me in some ways over time.

So, in answer to your original question...
After 6 weeks will still tire easily, still should not lift heavy objects...at about 10-12 weeks, will be going through some changes in the mental/emotional adjustment that presents with using HRT as compared to the expected daily physical/emotional responses...it does take some getting used to.

Best advice: At this point don't worry about what may lie ahead. Focus on each day living life, gaining back the physical strength, and find something to laugh about, to smile about at least once a day, whether it's something as simple as a beautiful butterfly that graces your yard, or one of those spontaneous moments of hilarity that always comes out of nowhere. And, accept that it's also OK to cry...and if that happens once or more a day, that's OK, too.

Good luck with the changes, and best wishes for the happy times ahead of relief from no more pain and the knowledge that because of the hysterectomy, life will never have to be lived in fear of the problem that was acting as a thief of life.

[WCGreen]

4. Well, treat her well.. Don't push,,, But don't let her go soft....

A pillow to the tummy helped the Mrs. walk around, keep it from hurting when she coughed or laughed.....

Be patient......