Re: Preparation for Adominal Myomectomy in May 19

[Guest guest]

Hi Lai,

The subject of stairs came up before in this group. As for me, I have

one fly of stairs (14 steps). I stayed in the hospital 2 days, and I

went up and down the stairs a few times a day. It was very tiring and I

had to stop, but I made excuses to go up and down the stairs. So if you

have to, you will make it, just take your time and relax as you do, and

don't push yourself.

I had general anesthesia. The surgery was over one hour and I am a

chicken, so I am glad that I slept through the whole thing.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Hi Lai,

The subject of stairs came up before in this group. As for me, I have

one fly of stairs (14 steps). I stayed in the hospital 2 days, and I

went up and down the stairs a few times a day. It was very tiring and I

had to stop, but I made excuses to go up and down the stairs. So if you

have to, you will make it, just take your time and relax as you do, and

don't push yourself.

I had general anesthesia. The surgery was over one hour and I am a

chicken, so I am glad that I slept through the whole thing.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Hi Lai,

The subject of stairs came up before in this group. As for me, I have

one fly of stairs (14 steps). I stayed in the hospital 2 days, and I

went up and down the stairs a few times a day. It was very tiring and I

had to stop, but I made excuses to go up and down the stairs. So if you

have to, you will make it, just take your time and relax as you do, and

don't push yourself.

I had general anesthesia. The surgery was over one hour and I am a

chicken, so I am glad that I slept through the whole thing.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

I stayed in the hospital two days and then a hotel for four days. I

have about 14 stairs as well. I had no problem going up & down them.

Well, it took my breath away, but one trip a day to start. At the

five week mark I make at least 2-3 a day.

In re: to anesthesia - I took the less I knew the better aproach. I

knew I had NO desire to be awake. I figured that would terrify me. I

also read Peggy's book. I think that is the best preparation out

there. I did my relaxation and listened to my music the day of

surgery. I have NO memory of going under or coming out. Thus, no

memory of a tube. It is all done while you are out. SOmeone

recommended bringin cough drops to the hospital. I did and it was the

best advice. You will be very very thirsty and have a scratchy

throat. I sucked on cough drops the first 24 hours. I was told I

paniced coming out of anesthesia. I have very vague memories.

I stressed a lot about the surgery, but I will say for all the

worrying I did it is now a vague memory. They keep you drugged so you

don't remember much - at least I dont'

> Dear sisters,

>

> My Myo is scheduled in May 19. I am trying my best to eat well,

rest well and exercise when the weather is good.

>

> I just made red rice and organic chicken soup for lunch. It tastes

very good and I am sure it is good for my blood. I will start

donating my own blood in the coming Monday. I know I have started

this new journey; I ask for your blessings.

>

> I live alone in the third floor without elevator. Do you gals have

any experience about climbing the stairs after surgery? My doctor

said that I might just stay in the hospital for two days. I am afriad

of leaving the hospital so early.

>

> I never had surgery before. Any thoughts about general / regional

anesthesia? I think I would rather not knowing anything during the

surgery but I am afraid of being inserted an endotracheal tube into

my windpipe. I am reading a book called " The Patient's Guide to

Anesthesia " but I would like to know some personal experience.

>

> I am also reading " Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster: A Guide of

Mind-body Techniques. " If you find some information that would be

helpful for me, please let me know. I will attend the Boston meetup

this Saturday.

>

> Lai

[Guest guest]

You have my blessings and best wishes Lai,

I would plan to stay home for a few days but you'll do fine getting

up the steps and you'll be glad to be home from hospital. My

experience was that I had huge bouts of energy but plenty of nap

times in between. I did laundry second day home (didn't carry the

loads) but my washer is in the celler and steps weren't a problem..

just took it slow and stopped loading when it hurt my belly.

I'm not even sure if I had the epidural w/general that I asked

for..think thats what I got. I had no nausea but it did linger in my

system. I wasn't awake when the tube went in but had no after effects

from that. I had help at home for the first week but it was too much

and would have preferred some drop by visits or phone calls instead.

After 2 weeks I was hitting the malls for christmas shopping but

still taking breaks.

Jan g

PS- the hospital food will be awful but don't eat the candy you

brought for the nurses. I did..huge mistake. Good Luck

> Dear sisters,

>

> My Myo is scheduled in May 19. I am trying my best to eat well,

rest well and exercise when the weather is good.

>

> I just made red rice and organic chicken soup for lunch. It tastes

very good and I am sure it is good for my blood. I will start

donating my own blood in the coming Monday. I know I have started

this new journey; I ask for your blessings.

>

> I live alone in the third floor without elevator. Do you gals have

any experience about climbing the stairs after surgery? My doctor

said that I might just stay in the hospital for two days. I am afriad

of leaving the hospital so early.

>

> I never had surgery before. Any thoughts about general / regional

anesthesia? I think I would rather not knowing anything during the

surgery but I am afraid of being inserted an endotracheal tube into

my windpipe. I am reading a book called " The Patient's Guide to

Anesthesia " but I would like to know some personal experience.

>

> I am also reading " Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster: A Guide of

Mind-body Techniques. " If you find some information that would be

helpful for me, please let me know. I will attend the Boston meetup

this Saturday.

>

> Lai

[Guest guest]

Good luck for your myo Lai.

I found that stairs were OK after my abdominal myomectomy if I

took my time. They didn't cause pain, but I got out of breath a little

more easily during recovery.

You should avoid any activity that strains the stomach muscles,

such as trying to lift or move heavy objects or doing sport. If you

can spend longer in hospital or get any help, I would. I would

even bale out washing up bowls of water, as things like that will

be heavy and awkward. You'll be able to walk to your nearest

corner shop, but take it easy and don't over-estimate how fit you

feel as the tiredness and aches may hit you later in the day. It's a

good idea to buy smaller size containers of food and drink so

that they're lighter to carry home and to pour. I took a short walk

up my street and back every day.

You'll be able to help yourself to easy to prepare foods like tinned

soup, cups of tea and microwave meals.

If you're alone, some kind of long lightweight stick such as a

gardening bamboo cane (A back scratcher, or a long ruler),

might be invaluable for saving you having to bend down to pick

up dropped objects and stretching for things out of reach.

The Goodwin, Border and Drum book 'What your doctor may not

tell you about fibroids' has a useful few pages about operation

recovery sensations and scar appearance.

< I never had surgery before.>

I was the ame and it was much better than I expected. Do ask

hospital staff about morphine use and nausea before the

operation.

The tube is put in you and removed when you're unconscious. I

didn't feel odd in the throat at al and wouldn't have known they

did that if I hadn't read about it. You could take in cough sweets

but follow advice and err on the side of caution about eating after

the operation.

< I will attend the Boston meetup this Saturday.>

Cool! Sorry I'm not in the USA.

Aztek

[Guest guest]

I had my myo on April 2. On April 4th I was sent home. I had general

anesthesia and don't remember a thing. When I woke un in recovery I was in some

pain and they gave me 2 injections with pain killers. After that, I didn't ask

for more pain killers because the pain was bearable. The day after surgery, the

nurse helped me get out of bed and shower. Getting out of bed was painful, but

I managed. I walked slowly and I sat on a chair in the room for most part of

the day. I have stairs at home and I have not had a problem with them. After

surgery, I ate soft things because I had heard that bowel movements could be

painful. My recovery has been excellent. Every day is a big improvement. I

feel like going to the mall and shopping, but I'm trying to take it easy at

home. I think a big part of the recovery has to do with your attitude. Try to

stay positive remembering that every day that passes will be better that the

last. I do have swelling on my abdomen, but my Dr. says

it's normal. I had 13 fibroids removed along with endometriosis. I was also

placed on Lupron before surgery. Try to have someone stay with you in the

hospital the first night, you might need the extra help and support. Good luch

with your myo. Best wishes.

[Guest guest]

lai,

I am 2 weeeks post myo. I have a 2 storey house and was planning to

stay downstairs when i came home from the hospital but was surprised

when I came home and had no trouble with the stairs. In fact, stairs

are a lot easier because I have the railing to hold onto for supoost.

I also read " prepare for Surgery.... " and the companion tape and

they helped me tremendously to relax prior to surgery. The tape also

helped me after the surgery to relax, block out hospital noises, and

helped me to breathe (which the doctors and nurses are very adament

about).

I was able to choose my own anesthesia and I chose an epidural (for

post-sx pain management) and heavy sedation. I am SO thankful I had

heavy sedation instead of general anesthesia because I had NO side

effects afterwards (ie, sore throast, nausea,heqdache, etc). The

sedatives were given via the IV and I was out like a light the

moment they wheeled me into the OR. They woke me up right away after

the surgery and took me to the RR. I would highly recommend it.