Callie: I've used Gutenburg for years - literally years - my last "normal" job I had a lot of time that I just sat at a computer waiting for a fire to put out. It was at an airline so even though it was twelve years ago I had a rockin' computer and internet connection - for then! I mean, wow, I could even download streaming audio - we were SO cool! LOL Anyway, I'm currently making my way through George MacDonald. Some great Samhain reading there, folks - check out Phantases. Yikes! And then remember the stuff was written in the 1800s!
Thanks y'all. Ron, probably I'll be able to have this type of surgery. Because I haven't successfully delivered children before, there's a chance he'll have to make an incision after all. The exploratory surgery I had a few weeks ago was a laprascopy. That's exactly what you describe with the tube. He had to go in two places, and did a little emergency work to make me more comfortable until I got all this set up.
The worst pain from that was from the pressure on my diaphram from the "inflation" they do. It's referred to the shoulders usually and makes you feel like you are having a heart attack only you have two hearts (Dr. Who anyone?). And it lasts for days.
They stick a light in there and take pictures. I got to see pictures of my insides! That was pretty funny.
I've been reading up and it and recovery seems to depend on several things - first, the skill of the surgeon. My doctor did a fine job last time and it is apparently rare for this problem to be diagnosed without a particular other symptom which I don't have because, um, I have a really roomy bladder and good control. Second, how one prepares - following directions carefully, keeping well hydrated, and staying fit (which I can't do). Third, pain tolerance - pretty darn good, and I do extremely well with general anesthesia. Finally, post op, whether one can walk as soon as possible and keep moving within the guidelines of the restrictions. BUT not beyond - that will be the hard one for me!
Most people are up in a day, moving without reservation in three or four days (with the help of the biggie meds like perc or darv), and doing things like going back to work to desk jobs in three or four weeks. I will not be able to do anything I normally do all day for at least six weeks though. I'm going to go BONKERSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!
Ted is going for a one to two month stint at a trainer - the one he was going to go to Feb, then this summer - things just kept happening and now I know why! It worked out perfectly for him to go now. A friend who has a cousin of Lynn's is taking her for a few weeks (Lynn is the Leonberger-looking dog in the siggy - she's actually a BC/Dutch Shepherd/Golden we have since found out). And another friend who has sheep will take Cord for a few weeks also. That will leave just Zhi, Maggie, Gus, and Lu in the house - one from each food group! The only fussy thing is that Lu is supposed to be leash walking, but she would be way too upset if I sent her somewhere else.
I am THRILLED at this, however. I've been dealing with this for nine years (without knowing what it was). Every day I wake up and every step is a struggle. I thought I was crazy, or chronically depressed. Duh, I had chronic pain and just didn't realize it because I'm apparently good at ignoring pain or "backgrounding" it.
I'll still have my other small issue, which involves my ovaries, because they'll be staying, but once the troublemaker is gone, I'm healthy enough to control that with simple hormones. There's a whole web of issues that I have that should start unraveling at that point. Some people who struggle a long time wake up after the surgery and feel so incredible and relieved that they can start walking around right away. I suspect I'll be there if I don't have to have an incision. I remember I was that way after both c-sections. Painkillers make me that way for the few minutes I'm in the "sweet spot" before the vertigo takes over but the pain is gone.
Anyway, thanks for the nice words and I'd appreciate any other words of advice. I already got a reference to Hystersisters last week, which has been awesome. I have a friend who has ovarian cancer and she has been so sweet and sympathetic - she of course had a hyst early in her treatment - and I'm like, whoa, this is a GOOD thing for me, how are YOU feeling today?
My doctor told me, the good news is you won't die from this - however, you probably feel like killing someone. Joan's surgery didn't solve her problem by a long shot and her condition IS life threating. And here she's comforting me. That's some perspective for you.
To Callie again: I started taking that Herb Pharm Milk Thistle before the surgery, about five days before probably, and then continued it a couple weeks after. A lot of women talk about how it takes them forever to get over the anesthesia. It makes you tired because your body is clearing out the substance and it can take up to a month! For the first few days it was like that. I'd be okay for a while then BAM I'd feel like I'd pass out if I didn't immediately lie down and maybe nap. Then on the fifth day after I felt like a million bucks almost all day! I went and worked Ted and was jogging around and even did some very light farm work (the prolapse hadn't advanced where it is now at that point). I will NOT be allowed to do all that but I believe the Milk Thistle was a big part of my quick recovery. I'd highly recommend it to anyone, and from now on I'll be giving it to dogs who will be put under, if I have time.