18 days post-myo

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

This will be my last post for a little while; my grandmother passed

away this morning so I'm off to be with my family during this

difficult time. I wanted to post my most recent post-myo experiences

for those with surgery coming up, in hope that it may be useful to

someone.

My surgeon mentioned that some women become depressed 3 or 4 days

after their surgery - there's sort of a euphoria in getting through

the surgery, then you realize you have a long recuperation ahead of

you. Well, either he was right or he planted the idea in my head,

because 4 days after surgery I was quite depressed, because I hated

having to let others help me out so much. But the depression lasted

only 1 day. I'll admit to feeling a bit cabin-fevery, but we did

just have 27 inches of snow here in Boston, so it's quite difficult

to get around. I worry a little about slipping and falling with all

the snow and ice around. The surgical tape or steri-strips stayed on

until the doctor took them off at my 2-week follow-up last Friday.

There seems to be no pain around the incision itself right now, but I

do still have pains sometimes in my abdomen - this is probably

different for everyone, and I did have my ovaries operated on to

remove large endometrial cysts, in addition to having 2 fibroids

removed via an abdominal myomectomy. Also, I have not yet had my

first post-surgery period - am on day 31 and waiting. My incision is

5 inches and *vertical* - remember to check with your surgeon to see

what kind if incision he/she plans on making! The vertical incision

was a surprise to me. But I got over the shock pretty quickly. It's

not a big deal, but you don't want those kinds of surprises. The

incision is developing a bit of a ridge under it. I plan to start

using Mederma per other posters' suggestions in the near future. I

still haven't driven a car, but I probably could. I can do most

everything now that I could pre-surgery, but I'm still avoiding

lifting heavy objects, and my husband wouldn't let me shovel today

(dang!). I'm still also taking a stool softenter for the time

being. Not sure when it's OK to stop - my doctor was vague on that.

I have a 6-week follow-up on March 14, just a few days before I head

back to work.

Have others had the experience of being anxious sometimes *after* the

surgery? I'm also having a hard time getting myself to look at my

scar. I 'm worried about if/when I will get my period. I want to

put the surgery behind me, but sometimes find myself dwelling on it.

I expect I'm odd in that regard, but I just wondered. I guess I've

had a lot of stress to deal with for a long time now (I am in therapy

to deal with at least some of it). I'd appreciate any suggestions or

stories about how others have dealt with anxiety or stress, pre- or

post-surgery.

Many thanks to all, see you again soon,

Janet