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Surgery Day On February 29, 2012 I had a hysterectomy.

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My Journey to a Healthier Me Being chosen as a Shaklee Cinchspiration Blogger has changed my life!

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In an Instant In September we walked through a tragedy with our church family.

Sierra

I have no idea what 2013 holds, but God does. I move into the new year with Him.

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Some of the things I learned on Hystersisters were what to take to the hospital and how to prepare your bedroom for your first few days home. These hints and tips made that stressful time so much more bearable. Hystersisters also has great information for your husband and kids. I printed out about 3 pages of information so they would understand what I can and can’t do. I am still restricted to not lifting more than 10 pounds and I can’t bend over or push a vacuum or a grocery cart. My family has been awesome and supportive and I have been able to take full advantage of my recovery time and they have all picked up the slack for me.

One of the most important things I learned was that I would want a pillow pet!  I got Raymond the Tampa Bay Rays mascot. Raymond helped me get comfortable in the hospital bed and since I’ve been home but is most important job is in the car. I use Raymond between my tummy and the seat belt so that the belt doesn’t irritate my incisions. Raymond makes car rides so much more comfortable. Now that I am driving I can’t use Raymond, he’s too big, so I have a beach towel that is folded in thirds to cushion me from the seat belt.

I still have a ways to go, full recovery from a hysterectomy takes a year, but I am heading down the road to recovery and I’m grateful for my Hystersisters who have supported me along the way.

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At about 10:40am we gathered our things and headed out to the mini-van and we realized we couldn’t find my car keys. You may remember that my keys have been missing since October. One call to my son revealed that he had the keys to my van with him and he was about 30 minutes north of where we live…Thankfully, my mother-in-law was in the area and she was able to bring us to the hospital.

I checked in at 11:02am and my husband and I were taken to the pre-op area and my son and mother-in-law went to the pre-op waiting area. For the next hour I was treated very well by the pre-op nurses and technicians as I was prepped for surgery. I met with the anesthesiologist and finally my surgeon came in and we discussed my desire to keep my ovaries if at all possible. Then we were just waiting for the daVinci robot to be cleaned and turned around from the previous surgery. My son and mother-in-law took turns coming to see me and then my pastor and assistant pastor each came in and prayed with my husband and I. I was feeling very calm, even before they added the Versed to my IV. I was more concerned for my husband and I was glad he would have plenty of support while I was in surgery.

At about 12:40pm a surgical nurse came and said they were ready to start a little early so I kissed my husband and told him I loved him and then they wheeled me down the hall to surgery. the nurse anesthetist introduced himself and patted me on the shoulder and honestly that is all I remember!

Two and a half hours later I woke up to someone calling my name. I was in the recovery room! After I came around a bit they removed the oxygen mask from my face and asked me if I wanted to see my husband…ummm YES! He came in, with tears of love, and relief in his eyes and kissed me and told me everything went very well and I was able to keep both of my ovaries! Ron stayed with me for a little bit and then he went back out to the waiting area, where my parents had joined the rest of my crowd. They hooked up a Morphine Pump, which I used a few times, and I steadily became more alert while the nurse kept checking my vitals and trying to find me a room to go to. Finally, she asked if I would mind being on the Pediatric floor in a private room. I said I didn’t mind at all. She asked me this question several times as I woke up, probably because some women who have had hysterectomies are mourning the loss of their ability to have children and as such, Pediatrics wouldn’t be the best place for them.

Shortly thereafter I was taken to room 442. Along the way they wheeled me through the surgical waiting room and in God’s perfect timing my oldest son had just popped in to drop off my husband’s truck and get my younger son to go to church so I got to briefly kiss both of my kids before they headed off, thank you Jesus! My husband and my parents accompanied me to my room. the Purple Panda room! My parents didn’t stay long, just long enough to know I was ok. Ron stayed with me for quite a while. The nurse even offered to bring him a bed so he could spend the night with me. At first I said I wanted him to stay, but that was because I was still groggy. We spent the evening watching TV and then at 7:30pm Ron logged into the WDW Radio Live Wednesday Night Newscast so we could hear about all the fun our friends were having during the One More Disney Day Celebration. It was soothing to hear my friend Lou Mongello talk about Disney World and it helped me take my mind off of what I had just been through.

At about 9:30pm I told Ron he could go home, IF he promised to be back first thing the next morning. He left at about 10pm and dozed on and off until 1am. At 1:00am I was finally feeling awake. My nurse came in to take my vitals and give me meds. She also brought me water and a breathing exercise thing to use every hour to make sure my lungs stay clear and I don’t get pneumonia. I spent the rest of the night watching television and doing my breathing treatments at 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30 etc every hour…

I was amazed that though I had some discomfort I didn’t have any real pain. I only used my magic morphine button once after midnight, which I thought was a pretty good feat! I am so thankful to Dr Hradek and all of the staff at Manatee Memorial Hospital for all of their wonderful care. I’ll share my post-op adventures in another post on another day.

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In all honesty, today is the day I have been dreading the most (sorry if this is gross-I’m just trying to share everything in hopes it helps someone else). Today is “Bowel Prep” day and these are my friends in the picture. Today I get a light breakfast before 9am then I start a clear liquid diet. No milk, juice with pulp, solid foods or anything red or purple! I have stocked up on chicken broth, lemon Jello, lime Jello, apple juice, water and lemon Italian Ice.

Then at 1:00pm the real fun begins with taking 2 of the laxatives. Then at 3:00pm I need to start drinking 1 8oz glass of clear liquids with 17g of Miralax in it. I need to repeat this every 15-20 minutes until I have had 10 glasses!! I’m not sure if I will survive this. Then at 8:00pm I take 2 more laxatives and at bedtime I use the enema and take 2 high dose antibiotics. Then…I’m supposed to get a good night’s sleep? I will probably spend from about 6:00pm on in the bathroom…fun, fun.

Anyway, I have been reading and learning all I can about pre-op and post-op care and I am as ready as I can be to have my first surgery! My hospital bag is packed (I should only be there about 24 hours). My husband and sons have been prepped with the information that I am not to do housework for 6 weeks, not to lift anything over 10 pounds for 6 weeks, to spend most of week 1 in bed-except to walk around the house with assistance every few hours and that during my recovery they are to pamper the princess.

I am having the robot assisted daVinci hysterectomy. if you want to know more about the actual surgery, watch this video.

I arrive at the hospital at 11:00am and my surgery is scheduled for 1:00pm. My son will update my Facebook and Twitter if you want to stay up-to-date and I’ll post a post-op update here on the blog when I am able.

I thank you for your concern, thoughts and prayers today, tomorrow and during the 4-6 weeks of initial recovery.

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