5 Days Post-Myo Update

[Guest guest]

Hi all .... thought that I would take some time to share my

experience during the last few days, as I had a myomectomy on

Wednesday the 11th. I found the postings and personalized responses

from a number of you (to my questions) so very helpful in helping me

prepare for my myo. I apologize in advance that this post might be

a bit long, but I hope that relating my experience will help others

who are preparing for similar surgery.

A bit of background: I was first diagnosed with a fibroid in 1997-

98, and have been largely asymptomatic except for continual growth,

a larger abdomen than I should have for my weight, and probably more

frequent urination. Preserving fertility is very important to me,

and after consulting with a new GYN a couple months ago, decided

that now was the time to remove the fibroid(s). Two ultrasounds

over the last 3 years showed that I had one large fibroid (most

recently around 10 cm) that appeared to be subserosal.

Reading many of your posts, which I have been doing since sometime

in May, helped me prepare a LOT for my surgery. During my first

visit/exam with my new GYN to discuss the surgery, I went with 3

pages of type-written questions (which I'd be happy to share with

anyone). I think this also helped my doctor realize that I'm

someone who wants details, details, and more details, and she

responded well to my ongoing questions to her and her staff.

To prepare for surgery physically, I focused on being in good shape

with nutrition and exercise and some yoga. I take a number of

vitamins and supplements, and recently added Hawthorn Berry and

Bioflavonoids (often combined with Vitamin C in an " Ester C "

product) upon the recommendation of my personal trainer. It's too

early to tell yet if these additions are having a positive impact or

not.

Details: I had my pre-op doctor appointment, blood test and

hospital work done two days before surgery. Because my surgery

wasn't scheduled until 2:30 in the afternoon, my doctor told me I

could have some tea & toast by 6 AM the morning of surgery, which I

did. I had to be at the hospital at 12:30 on Wednesday for a 2:30

scheduled surgery. My only disappointment leading up to this day

was that I never heard from the anesthesiologist, as requested

several times, to discuss my anesthesia options before the day of

surgery. I was called by an orderly around 1:45 to change into the

hospital clothing, and was able to sit with my mom until they took

me into the operating prep room around 2:00. I was then FINALLY

able to consult with the anesthesiologist. I decided to go with

general anesthesia, with his promise to start me on anti-nausea and

pain medication while I was still under. (Some of you know I was

struggling to decide between general and spinal, and am glad I chose

the general route - would be happy to share more details via

personal e-mail with anyone who's interested.)

My surgery started around 3:00 and lasted about an hour. My doctor

removed one large mass measuring 12 x 7 x 7 cm, along with a

seedling or two. She also found and removed a small benign tumor

(not cyst) from my right ovary. The pathology report on both was

good - no problems. I think I woke up in the recovery room around

5:45 or so, and finally got into my hospital room by 7 PM. I opted

to pay a bit more myself for a private room, and am glad that I did

that - was very quiet.

I had some discomfort that evening, and the nurse gave me a shot of

morphine, which really didn't help all that much. I tend to require

larger doses of pain meds for them to take effect. Despite my lack

of sleep the previous night, and a rather quiet hospital floor, I

couldn't sleep much at all the night after surgery. So on Thursday,

I was exhausted. The nurses started giving me Vicadin in the middle

of the night, and that helped with pain. I was on a liquid diet on

Thursday, though really didn't have much appetite. By Thursday

afternoon, the nurser removed the catheter and helped me get up and

go to the bathroom on my own - which was not as painful or as

difficult (in terms of physical movement) as I thought it might be

for me. The nurse gave me a sleeping aid (pill) on Thursday night

and I was able to sleep more.

I took my last dose of Vicadin on Friday morning and switched to

Tylenol in the hospital. I wanted to get away from Vicadin as soon

as possible, as I was a bit paranoid about nausea and constipation

as side effects. I did have a few bouts of nausea which I fought

down on Thursday and Friday morning, but nothing since then. On

Friday I was permitted to eat anything I wanted, though I still

didn't have much appetite - though the bowl of fresh fruit my mom

brought to the hospital was wonderful!

As I was up and walking - a couple times on Friday - and meeting all

of the " criteria " that my doctor had established, she discharged me

on Friday afternoon and I was home around 6:00, just a little more

than 48 hours after surgery. Since then I have been ravenous -

eating good meals and yet still feeling hungry every few hours. My

body's metabolism has been in high gear, as I've lost 7 pounds since

the day of surgery, even with the food I've eaten the last couple

days.

Saturday was a good day for me - walked outside, just down the

street to get mail, and navigated the stairs in my house without

problems. I have had a bit more pain yesterday and today - more

like a " burning sensation " on the sides of my abdomen. A friend who

had a C-section a few years ago said she felt the same thing if she

moved around too much. I guess it's just part of the healing

process. I'm just taking extra Advil and still avoiding the

Vicadin. My mom is here for a couple more days, and then I'll be on

my own. It's been great to have her cook meals for me (and freeze

the leftovers for my use after she leaves).

For those of you who are facing the myomectomy surgery, I definitely

recommend viewing the posts by other women re: lists of things to

take to the hospital and have at home. I packed too much for the

hospital. My doctor had told me 2-4 days, and so I had packed way

too much underwear, socks and nightgown. I didn't use any of my own

clothing until I showered in the hospital on the day I was

discharged and dressed to come home. The hospital gowns were just

fine for me - lightweight and easy to move around in. Having a

small pillow to " splint " your abdomen is an absolute must, and has

been my constant companion. I have a pillow-top mattress on my bed

at home that makes it stand rather high, so my mom bought a small

stepstool that is very helpful for moving in and out of bed more

easily. She is going to buy a " grabber " today so I can more easily

pick things up off the floor. I managed to install a wireless

network in my home so that I could lay on my bed or couch with my

laptop computer, still connected to the internet, rather than have

to sit at my desk to communicate via e-mail (though I'm doing that

right now and am doing OK). I didn't use any of my reading

materials in the hospital - either just watched TV or dozed off.

I could probably go on and on, but I'll close here and just invite

anyone who has questions for me to contact me directly via e-mail.

Special thanks to Pat, Ali, , Francesca, for your

endurance of my pre-op questions and well wishes, and to everyone

who responded to my question about anesthesia (sorry I'm not finding

the list of names at the moment). I really feel fortunate to have

found this group for education and support. I hope to meet some of

you at the California get-together in a few months.