OT The date is set

I'm so glad they're getting to it quickly. Waiting is the worst. I'm sorry = for the pre-op stuff. I know it's stinky, but ... once this is all over, yo= u'll never had to worry about a period again. As one who passed that milest= one some years back, it's a blessing that can't be underestimated. I was 49= when everything stopped. Yay!

About your hospital stay ... ask for drugs. Tell them you feel anxious, the= y will bring you good things and you really won't care that platoons of med= students, interns and residents will be trooping in and out of your room, = going 'ooooh' and 'ahhhhhh' and such like. I spent a month in a hospital be= d, lying on my left side, before my first son was born. I'd been basically = in ICU for the first couple days because of what happened that landed me th= ere (in a helicopter no less). Ask for anything you want or need. No embarr= assment. No hesitation for fear of inconveniencing somebody. You are the pa= tient, you need care, you are the one who is there to be cared for by every= body else. Yell your head off if you like. If you do, they will bring the g= ood drugs without you having to ask. I know this for a fact.=20

Sweetie, I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, will ask my spirit guide= to come see you and give you a big ol' spirit hug. ;) Seriously, just keep= us posted. Ask your DH to give us a heads up when they know how you are. A= nd come back soon.

Hugs, Sunny

Of course I'll never know what you're going through, but wouldn't wish it on anyone. But, Mom said just this summer that after her fibroid of 34 years ago was gone, the world was so much better, and my teacher friend of three years ago, of many small ones said she immediately felt better that very first week. We can wish you all the same too.

So . . . Drugs are good, just as Sunny and Polly said, and me too, when needed. Ask and ye shall receive. Better SOONER than later. Take a good book, just in case you feel like reading. Take an iPod or other such device, just in case you feel like listening and staring out the window. Don't worry about going to sleep on anybody visiting. They shouldn't stay that long anyways.

Look forward to the date as a new day where you'll feel so much better. Sending hugs.

Steven Alaska

I too have spent days in ICU - as Sunny and Stephen said, ask for anything you want to make it easier for you.

Good luck with the surgery - my prayers on the way.

Good luck in all this. Getting a hysterectomy was the best thing I ever did! Barbara in FL, was in SC

I echo the others, to ask for drugs if you want them. I had a pain med drip, powered through with only two hits from it. But the thing it it was there when needed. Antoher thing that seemed to really help, was to get up as soon as I could manage it. I was up and walking in less than 24 hrs, and made laps in the hallway at all hours. "You should be resting" "No, I am not tired, need to walk so I will get tired enough to rest!" Surgery was on a Fri morning, released on Mon morning because the insurance wouldn't pay for any more.

G> I had my first appointment up at Roswell today.

In this case, total means they take all the lady parts, radical means they take the associated lymph nodes and some other tissues as well.

I gather that in some hospitals hysterectomy refers to just the uterus, and they use that longish oo word along with it if they are also going to take the ovaries and tubes. Here hysterectomy is also counting the ovaries and tubes.

I am kind of glad you asked because with terms defined I won't have to try and spell that other term. :D

I am hopeful on the good drugs. Since narcotics and acetaminophen make me throw up, pain is usually something I just have to tell myself will be better tomorrow. DH is telling me that they will probably just give me something to keep me from throwing up. Hey I will take that!

NightMist

Best wishes for successful surgery and a speedy recovery!! Allison

Best wishes and warm thoughts headed your way! I'm glad they're getting the surgery done soon, so you're not worrying for weeks before it happens.

Donna in Idaho

Positive thoughts and prayers are heading your way! ME-Judy

I'm glad they are not putting you on a wait forever list. We'll all be sending best wishes for a speedy recovery for you. Big hugs, Taria

I had my first appointment up at Roswell today. I find I have scored one of the top doctors in the gynecology department there. Of course that means I am a study for residents and interns, I count myself lucky that he only brought in two to poke at me today.

Surgery is a week from tomorrow. It is a relief to me that they are being quick about it because not only do I really want this bowling ball out of my belly, but also I am quite certain that If I get another period my primary care physician will stick me in the hospital to make sure I don't bleed to death.

The mass is too big for laparoscopy, so I am looking at 3-5 days in the hospital. They will start with a total hysterectomy, and then if they don't like the initial pathology report finish as a radical. Then they are going to stick me in ICU for at least 24 hours. Apparently they expect some of my insides to be bruised, and they want to make sure there are no problems when everything settles back to where it is supposed to be.

I am not thrilled with some of my pre-surgery stuff, but you have to do what you have to do.

NightMist

I cannot imagine...! Glad you having it out and praying for a smooth and easy surgery and recovery.

-Irene

Nightmist - having weathered more surgeries than I care to think about, one of my biggest dreads going into surgery is how I react to anything that even thinks it's a narcotic. And whatever that medication they give you, so you won't throw up - makes me throw up too! A few years ago, one of the anesthetists suggested I try the motion sickness little dots that you put behind your ear. That has worked through 4 surgeries for me, so see if they will order that up for you, if it doesn't have any ingredients that will upset you.

Good luck with your surgery. I'm sure you'd like to be on the other side of the surgery & recovering now, but it'll be here soon enough!

Pauline Northern California

I am glad for your plan of action, and am praying for you. My hysteroctomy was the best thing that I ever did for myself. I had sooo many probs, like you. Sounds wonderful that you have a top doc, too. Keep us posted.

Karen, Queen of Squishies

I had the works (hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) well over fifteen years ago, and wished it had been earlier than that ( I was 35-ish). Best thing, ever. 24hrs of discomfort, then just tiredness for a week or six. Be careful to convalesce as slow (or as fast) as it takes. Yes, we were made to get up as soon as we were awake, and encouraged to take our drips and walk. Just be careful not to laugh too heartily for a few days!

Me, I puke blue if they give me morphia, but I had the anti-emetics and a morphine pump, and that seemed to do the trick. only needed it for a little while, but being in control of the pain relief meant I used less of it, and was less stressed. Slept a lot the first day or so, but anaesthetics and me are the best of friends.

I hope it all goes according to plan, and that in a few weeks you are bouncing fit and ready to party.

You take care, now. Nel (Gadget Queen)

(Not yelling)

Make a LIST of ALL MEDICATIONS that you CAN and CAN NOT take.

Next to the Can nots: write what it does to you. They will 'determine' if you are 'allergic' or just 'sensitive' and treat you accordingly.

If you/they have any questions on any of them; have them CALL THE PHARMACIST for further instructions. If your hospital is anything like this one you will go over the list MANY TIMES.

MAKE COPIES ---at least 4 for the DAY of surgery as you will be giving the last one to thh anethesiologist. Even if you have met him before--go thru that list the day of ..they see you just before surgery to be postitive they are in co-ordination with Dr/patient/procedure.

I have a LOT of problems with a lot of meds/foods/etc including pain meds. They will give you a 'shot in the IV" for your tummy before they do anything else if so required, another for 'anxiety' depending on how nervous you are, and will ask you often in Recovery what level your pain is at. BE TRUTHFUL..it's easier to stay on top of the pain than trying to get it under control. ((DD went thru 4 hours of unnecessary pain after the first surgery in CA as they decided to take her off one before subbing it with another. We sure we glad when we got her to 'our hospital' here in AZ.))

YELL if you have to......they hate that......it 'disturbs the other patients'---not that they were 'slow to respond to you'. I'm not knocking nrses we have some in the Family....but not all are 'quick' to respond. ((Just ask Miz Polly how MANY Medical ppl the Gators have been fed in the last 16 yrs I've been here))

Anyway, here are the Platinum Wings for you. Do n't be afraid to keep them as long as you need them

I truly hope you will be relieved like a lot of us have been after having your 'type' of surgical procedure. Do TAKE YOUR TIME in recovery both in hospital and after at home. Do not push yourself for the first 2 months no matter how well you feel. It takes TIME to heal...more than we want it to. It'll be worth it in the long run.

Butterfly (First at 30 and the 'rest' at 44)

Good luck, at least they are being prompt and getting you sorted. The sooner it is done the sooner you will feel better.

Hugs

Janner France