9 weeks post op
Sugar Teddy
I realised this week that I am now 9 weeks post-op and that I am only 3 weeks away from being able to run again. The recommendations by my doctor and physio were that no heavy exercise for at least 3 months after my total abdominal hysterectomy. I am in my 3rd week back at work and what a 3 weeks it has been.
In my first week back, I had a “phased” return, which only saw me working 4 hours a day. In that week I re-started an evening class (cake decoration), I was sedated at the dentist and my Gran was taken into hospital, which meant that one day and I had to go straight from work (in Manchester) to the hospital (Whiston, Merseyside).
My second week back, I went back to full-time hours with a 6:30am alarm. In that week, I had a 2 day trip to London to watch Strictly Come Dancing and we had a slight family drama, which involved a late night and an early morning.
My third week back has been slightly calmer, but last night I think everything just caught up with me, as I fell asleep on the couch at around 19:00. I woke up at around 20:00 and just took myself to bed – I was shattered. I then slept almost unbroken until 06:00 and by the time my alarm went off at 6:30, I was wide awake and ready to get up.
The thing about having the hysterectomy that is unseen, is the toll it takes on your whole body. I don’t think I had any real concept of what “Major Surgery” meant. Of course, I understand English, so I know what the words meant, but I had no idea what it would mean for me. I remember questioning why on earth I would need 6-8 weeks off work and I couldn’t even imagine why anyone would need 3 months off sick!!! But now I realise that it’s a slow process of recovery and that you don’t just snap back into normal life, it all takes time.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t feel ill at all and the pain for me was relatively minimal. After the first week to 10 days at home after the op, I stopped taking pain killers altogether. It was bad at first, I’m not going to lie, but after that, it was no more than an ache, and only if I did too much in one day – certainly no worse that the period pains I had been experiencing beforehand 
The thing that has taken the longest to go for me (and as predicted by my consultant), is the tiredness. I guess my body is still healing itself which means that my energy levels are not back to what they were before the operation. I wonder if some of the sluggish feeling is because I am not allowed to run and things? Who knows, but what I do know is that being tired is a small price to pay for no more periods, no more period pains, no emotional roller coast and no more “feeling sad” a couple of times a month.
I think this whole thing will turn out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. xx
Back to Work
It was kind of inevitable really, Its another hurdle to get over within my recovery and even though I like my job and where I work, it’s still a bit of a hurdle.
Oh well tomorrow it is 7 weeks since I had a total abdominal hysterectomy and it’s amazing just how far I’ve come, the true definition of slow road to recovery!
6 week check
Soooo, last night I saw my consultant as part of my routine 6 week check as I am 6 weeks post-op. He said I was a “good example of why some people need a hysterectomy” as very often people have views an opinions on why or why not people should have this operation when they don’t have all the facts.
I know what he means, as people very often told me I was too young to have this operation and very often I think they wondered if my symptoms were really that bad…..but they really were and I wouldn’t have put myself through this whole ordeal if they weren’t. It’s a simple as that.
I also after an examination by Mr Griffith have got the green light to get my life back to normal, which means driving, swimming, having a bath and even going to the gym. I am SO pleased about the driving as I really felt like I lost my independence without my little brum brum.
I feel great and this also means that I am going back to work next week (mini scream). Mr Griffith gave me a sick note that said I could go back but on reduced hours initially, so I think I am going to work 4 hours next week and then the week after I am going somewhere amazing (more about that in a minute) and will just be working 3 days. I feel ready. Woo Hoo.
6 weeks post op
OMG, I’ve had a GREAT day! I have been to Mere Golf Club for a drink with my mother and father in law and it was lovely. But the exciting part was that whilst we were sitting enjoying the view we just happened to bump into Robbie Savage and Kevin Keegan. I was too embarrassed to speak to them properly, but my mother-in-law chatted to them before they left and we managed to have a little giggle and I even go too (slightly rubbish and very surreptitious) photos….
Then after the “meeting” we went into Knutsford for lunch and I managed to get a free lunch as there was a little mistake with our order….. but to be honest the lunch was a treat from my in-laws so I am a very luck girl with either way. ♥
Then tonight I have been to WW and I have lost a total of 5½lbs in 2 weeks. Bring it on!
Anyway, tomorrow night I am seeing the consultant tomorrow night as we are officially 6 weeks post-op. I am hoping I get the green light for driving, swimming, and all the other “naughty” things I have been banned from doing for 6 weeks *blushes*. I am pretty much ready to go back to work, but I think I am going to ask if I can do short days if only for the first week. I feel completely fine being at home, but going to work is a very different thing. I am fully anticipating being completely bushwhacked the first week back, but I think that will happen whenever I go back at this point.
I’m ready. x
5 weeks post op
It really is true that time heals everything, well certainly the effects of a hysterectomy. Now I am 5 weeks post-op, I feel like my time at home recuperating is quite rightly coming to an end. I am walking normally and able to do stuff almost like I did before the operation. I still am banned from lifting anything above 6lbs till after my 6 week check-up and doing any vigorous exercise for up to 3 months post op, but that’s a very small price to pay I reckon.
To be honest the two things that are really still catching up with me are the tiredness and the constipation. However I am able to do most things normally, I just still seem more tired that I would have been before I had the operation – I am going to ask Mr Griffith about that when I see him next week.
The constipation is still not fab, but I have had irritable bowel for years and years and it seems to have become slight more aggravated. When I first came home from hospital I had the opposite problem (if you know what I mean), but now even though I seem to be going once a day, (sorry I know this is gross), it’s quite painful, crampy and difficult. Again something to mention when I go back to the hospital next week.
But even despite the very minor setbacks, I still feel great and raring to go. Bring it on x
Hysterectomy Blog
Hi, Just FYI, if you are looking for a UK hysterectomy blog or diary, then you are in the right place. Follow this link to start at the very beginning and follow my journey from inital consultation to going back to work and beyond.
Post Op Physiotherapy
The one thing I didn’t really think I would have to do after my hysterectomy is physiotherapy. I was visited twice whilst I was in hospital by the physio, once to see if I could walk down the corridor and then up and down a flight of stairs (which I could).
The second visit was on the day I came home and it was to give me exercises to improve my tummy and back muscles. These exercises were as follows:
Lying on the back
With your knees bent up:
- Rock knees gently from side to side, trying to get them as far down as possible, still keeping the shoulders in contact with the floor/bed.
- Slide hands under the small of the back, try to press down onto the hands so flattening the curve of the spine.
- Pressing down on the feet, try to life your bottom off the floor/bed.
With one knee bent, one knee straight:
- Lengthen and shorten the straight leg by pulling up and pushing down from the hip. Repeat with the other leg.
Each exercise to be repeated 6 times at first, building up to 12 times each. Repeat all exercises 4 x daily.
So you see, it hasn’t been all watching telly, I’ve had some physical things to do to. They also said I couldn’t do any heavy exercise or swimming in addition to the not lifting anything. But they DID say that I could walk – which is great for me, as I already do a lot of that
But on Friday I went back to see the physio as the exercises increase slightly once you are 3 week post-op. So in additional to the ones above, I now have to do the following:
Lying on the back
With Knees bent
- Reach towards the knees with outstretched arms, lifting head and shoulders only, and gently lie back again.
- With the arms held away from the body, but resting on the floor/bed, lift one hand over to touch the other hand, while raising head and shoulders only. Repeat with the other hand.
With both knees straight
- Lift one leg, keeping knees straight until the heel is about 9″ from the floor and lower again gently. Repeat with the other leg.
As with the early exercises, start off with 6 times each and gradually increase to 12 times each daily.
So as you can imagine, I expect to have an abdomen like Kelly Holmes by the time I am finished!!!
3 weeks post op
So, today I have a pretty full on, but good day. It’s funny as “full-on” has meant many things to me over the years, but today it meant a visit from my mum and 5yo niece followed immediately by a visit to Houghwood golf club with my mother and father-in-law.
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The view from the clubhouse was gorgeous and you could even sort of make out Liverpool Cathedral. It was very peaceful and quiet believe it or not and I had a great time. It did mean however, that I had to have a little snooze on the couch when I got back, but other than that, it’s a lovely sunny day and I feel good.
Tomorrow sees me going to my great auntie’s funeral and then on Friday I am going back to the hospital physio. Bring it on. x
2 weeks post op
I am officially 2 weeks and 1 day post op today and I feel pretty good. I still feel quite tired on occasion and I still am not allowed to lift or carry anything over 6lbs, but other than that it’s all going well.
My wound is now healing externally and I am forming a scar nicely. There are marks where the staples were, but they are healing gently like any other cut that scabs over. I am still being careful about rolling in and out of bed, but even that has got easier and I am even able to sleep on my side comfortably now – which is a MASSIVE relief. 
I am finding walking much easier and am up to about a 2o minute walk – Come on! Although my friend visited me last night and she warned me that this was the “Danger Time”. What she meant was, that I feel much better so the temptation is to start doing normal things again – however, I will have to reign myself in. I might be healing on the outside, but the inside is still mending. I still have to take it easy and not do too much.
I still think my trend is up though, which is fab x
Visitors Galore
Well today I have been blessed with visits from both my Gran and Moochy’s mum and dad. Both just came and chatted and my Gran when asked if she wanted a cup of tea, said “Yes, and I’ll have a toast butty too!” – To those of you not familiar with my gran’s vernacular, she actually meant she was hungry and would like some toast. 
Classic.
I have also managed to go for 2 x 10+ minute walks as well, so I am not doing too bad. I also even had a breakthrough last night as I managed to turn onto my side when sleeping. This is the first time since my operation and it was a blessed relief. I can of course sleep on my back, but relax much more when I am on my side. It’s not completely comfortable and I think it will be even better tonight if I take a small cushion up with me to sort of lie on when I do turn over.
Tomorrow, we plan to do just one walk, but to the local corner shop, which is that little bit further away and then on Sunday, we plan to go to Bents Garden centre for a cup of tea. Small victories make for big progress I am finding.
Also, my IBS is still giving me problems, I won’t go into details, but I find that I can’t eat anything too rich as it.. well… goes straight through (sorry TMI).
But…. overall, I feel the trend is up. xx
