Re: For Jessica...going in for a laparotomy....HELP :(
From: Elisa (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu Mar 29 20:37:21 2007
Hi Jessica~
I am going to be thinking about you. I promise it will get easier as
the weeks unfold. Think of it as the best way to really see and cut
away all those areas needed. I liked the concept that if something was
near the colen/bowel areas that they already have us opened to see what
is going on and nothing hidden :)
I am having one done in May and I am with you on that feeling of being
scared. We need it and want to get it over but it's still scarry. Your
a trooper and will do just fine. I don't know if this will help but I
always take my trusty heating pad with me when I go. There are times
when the soreness hurts that just a little bit of heat (not directly on
it) seems so soothing. Someone mentioned the pillow and I never did
that but I will this time too. That is a wonderful idea for comfort on
the belly. :) Cari, what did you use for scar cream if you don't mind
me asking.
I have opted for the PCA pump for dispensing the own medicines on a
timed basis per the Dr.'s. You also have the option of the epideral but
I only tried that once and prefer the pump. It will be OK and just know
I will be thinking of you through this and when I am doing that old
familiar walk you should be standing a little taller by time I get there
:).
Keep me posted when you get home OK? Thinking of you...
--
Elisa
At Thu, 29 Mar 2007, jessica wrote:
>
>thank you so much for all the information ladies, it has kinda put my
>mind at ease. I know recovery is really going to, for lack of a better
>word, suck. I'm sure i will survive though...any idea on what to do to
>keep busy while on bed rest?
>
>At Mon, 19 Mar 2007, Cari wrote:
>>
>>Hi Jessica,
>>
>>I have had the laparotomy. It is no fun but you will get thru it. The
>>tough part, for me, was getting in and out of bed the first few weeks
>>and the first time the nurses got me up and out of bed to use the
>>restroom was brutal but eventually I got the hang of it. Lower your
>>hospital bed as much as you can and try to move your legs both at the
>>same time until you get used to it. When you are home, again for me,
>>rolling out of bed proved to be a bit easier and when you get back in,
>>roll back in. Your stomach will feel as if it is detached from your
>>muscles, felt like I had a bag of skin...where my normally tight tummy
>>used to be...but I got that all back too. My doc wanted me out of work
>>but I went back after two weeks which proved to be very hard so I
>>recommend taking all the time off that is suggested. I was living alone
>>at the time and trying to be a "tough guy" by not staying with family
>>etc. I would not make that choice again because getting around is
>>brutal. Hopefully you will have someone around to get you whatever you
>>need.
>>
>>The main thing is that you will get thru as I said, just give yourself
>>time and don't overdo anything. I actually laugh at myself looking back
>>at it becuase I really thought I would not stand upright again...but one
>>day you wake up and you made it thru all of that. Lots of scar cream
>>too.
>>
>>If you need anything in regard to more of my bad advice, let me know!!
>>
>>--
>>Cari
>>
>>At Mon, 19 Mar 2007, jessica wrote:
>>>
>>>good afternoon ladies:) first please let me thank every last one of you
>>>for all the information that you're experience has giving to us out here
>>>who feel alone dealing with this. To be honest, i would have lost my
>>>mind without being able to find others who are going thru this as well.
>>>so the reason for me writing today is this...i'm going to have a
>>>laparotomy in about 2 weeks. I'm really scared. i have no idea what to
>>>really expect as far as pain. From everything i've read it's going to
>>>be a long slow recovery compared to a laposcopy. i had one of those in
>>>october 2006. that was the first time i was told that i have endo, i
>>>also had a 2cm cyst on my left ovary as well as many smaller cysts on my
>>>right ovary. the doctor that preformed that surgery removed the cysts
>>>and removed what she could in reguards to the endo. Well now it's
>>>march, i'm still in pain daily, and just found out that i have more
>>>cysts. Currently a 2cm dermoid cyst on my left ovary as well as several
>>>fibroids on my right. My doctor is telling me that i'm now going to
>>>have to have a laparotomy because my right ovary is incased in endo, and
>>>he wants to remove the whole ovary. I'm really scared because i'm only
>>>26 and every doctor i go to tells me that since the endo is so severe,
>>>that i have less than a 1% chance of ever becoming pregnant EVER:( i
>>>need help ladies. If anyone has been thru this type of surgery i would
>>>love to hear from you....any information will help. once again, thanks
>>>for everything, i know i'm not alone when i say that you ladies make a
>>>world of difference:)
>>>
>>>--
>>>jessica
>>>
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