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Hello to all

I am 37 yrs old -- on April 12,2005 I had a TAH -- I was able to keep both ovaries -- I don`t know where to start -- I feel that I have so much to say but I don`t want to take up a lot of space -- First I am so glad that I found this site I also read a great book "The Woman`s Guide to Hysterectomy" the revised edition by doctors Adelaide Haas & Susan Puretz -- readings from this book & this web site made me so much more knowledgeable -- I felt so prepared and positive about the procedure from the time I made the desicsion to have to surgery until now days after my operation.

Here`s my story :

January 2005 was when I made the desicsion to have a hysterectomy due to large uterine fibroids, menorrhagia & secondary anemia -- at that time my doctor gave me the Lupron Depot/ leuprolide acetate shot to help increase my iron level -- the shot is used to decrease your estrogen level -- in other words the shot brought on menopause -- yes I had hot flashes, nights sweats and mood swings -- the mood swings were not bad -- I was not fussy or grouchy I just cried at just about anything -- the good part about the shot was I had NO PERIODS -- I can say my last period was Jan. 29, 2005.

March 29, 2005 was the day I did my pre op and registared at the hospital -- I had prepared a list of questions to speak with my doctor about -- when I got to the appointment the doctor was in surgery so I did my pre op with a nurse -- the nurse could not answer all of my questions but I could call and speak with the doctor later that day if I still had questions -- the pre op question & answer time ended with me going to the lab for blood work, a urine sample -- and a pregnancy test -- I also had an EKG I was told that based on my age I did not have to have a chest x ray.

April 11, 2005 the day before my surgery -- I was told at my pre op to eat a meatless breakfast and 3 hours afterward I had to drink 2 bottles of Magnesium Citrate (bowel prep) -- from that time on I was only allowed to have jello, clear broth and popsicles. I was told to drink plenty of water and not to eat or drink anything after 12 midnight

April 12, 2005 -- THE BIG DAY -- I was scheduled to be at the hospital check in at 5:30am -- when I arrived the nurses put on my ID bracelet and was taken to a temporary room where I was told to remove all clothing and was given a hospital gown -- I was given a bag to put my clothes in -- I wear glasses and the nurse put a label on my eye glass case so I could keep them with me -- my sister was with me she kept my clothes -- we had a little time to watch tv and talk before another nurse came in to take me to the pre surgery area -- The nurses in the pre-surgey room were great I was transferred to a warm bed and a warm blanket was placed over me -- a nurse put me on some very warm socks -- at this time I got to speak with the anesthesiologist, the surgey nurse and my doctor that preformed the surgery and the two doctors that assisted -- I had the IV -- It gets fuzzy at this point I only remember being wheeled to another room -- I went out -- I don`t remember being shaved or anything directly before the surgery --After the surgery when I started to wake up I vaguely remember being transferred to another bed -- I remember the nurses cleaning me up -- I had the compression device on my legs to prevent blood clots and a catheter-- I was in and out of consciousness -- When I did wake up -- I was in my hospital room with family and friends. -- I had the PCA pump (patient controlled anesthesia) to help control pain -- but at this time I don`t remember there being lots of pain -- it was more of a discomfort than actual pain -- the nurses continually checked my vitals,temperature and my incision which was bandaged and covered up at the time-- later on the day of the surgery a respiratory therapist came in and talked about the importance of using my lungs-- I was given a deep breathing exercise toy to help activate my lungs -- the next day the catheter was removed and I was on an all liquid diet -- This was the time when I can say I first experienced the real pain -- no more catheter meant I had to get up to go the restroom WOW the first time getting up really hurt --I found myself pressing the PCA pump a lot --and because I still had the IV and I was drinking plenty of water & juices I was going to the restroom sometimes twice within a hour --The next day the PCA pump and IV were removed and I was walking up and down the halls -- I was still on a liquid diet and was given pills for pain & stool softners-- the doctors and nurses will encourge you to get up and move around -- they wanted me to pass gas -- that wasn`t happening -- my doctors would listen to my abdomen area they could hear the gas in my stomach-- but I just could not pass any gas -- I was then given liquid medication --chewable tablets and peppermint tea to try to help me pass gas-- it was`nt until the next day (my surgery was on a Tuesday-- I did not pass gas until Friday)that I finally passed gas -- from the time I passed gas-- I was taken off the liquid diet and was told I could eat easily digestable solid foods -- later on my doctor came by and I was being released (YEA !!!) --the bandages and staples were removed and I now have surgial tape strips over my incision -- I was told to keep the tape strips on for 1 week and the strips will eventually fall off -- my activity level is as follows -- no lifting -- no tub baths -- no douche -- no exercise -- no sexual intercourse and do not overtire myself -- I was told to monitor my temperture and to avoid spicy/gas forming foods -- I was given 4 prescriptions Vicodin --Ibuprofen -- Stool softner and Famotidine a histamine blocker -- I also take a daily multivitamin -- It has been 10 days since my surgery and I feel good -- I think having the surgery was a good decision.

Thank You for reading my story
Zhane