1 Week Post-myomectomy (laparotomy)

[Guest guest]

Dear All, I'm now about 8 days following removal of my large

fibroid. Just to let you know how I'm doing - I'm managing longer

walks each day (walked to a local restaurant about 1km away for

dinner last night). I feel energetic in the mornings but am sleepy

and lie down for most of the afternoons. My walking pace is slowly

increasing (was a crawl initially, but now 50/50). I'm trying not to

take pain killers - maybe one a day. My tummy feels like I have a

bad case of gravel rash - some of this I think is from superficial

nerves being cut - if it wasn't for this pain, I'd probably be

wondering " did I have an operation? " - just hoping I'll wake up soon

without this discomfort. Sneezing is getting easier, but I continue

to hang onto my guts firmly for fear of getting a hernia. The

swelling in my abdomen is reducing, I think. The 13cm cut is

flattening out and healing well. I had my first soak in the bath tub

tonight - how wonderful! My appetite is slowly increasing (a bit low

today). I've managed light housework daily since I returned home.

No trouble sitting for ages and reading on the computer. I sat on the

exercise bike yesterday for 10 minutes and pedalled with minimal

resistance - felt fine. Some girlfriends from work took me out for

coffee today - it was lovely to see them. I went for a short drive

in the morning - managed fine but the tummy sensitivity was a bit

disconcerting. Maybe in a week I'll try to resume gentle swimming.

I'm taking one ferrous sulfate tablet each day to slowly boost my

Hb. I feel a bit 'blue' and housebound - but I'm often blue at the

best of times. I have been blessed with beautiful sunny days and the

opportunity to get out of the house for short periods. Next week

I'll try to spend some time walking to and sitting in the local

library - so nice to have the luxury of 'time off' from work to do

this. Hope you're all doing OK too!

Clare, PT, 35yo, Sydney, Australia.