I am so scared

[jennmommi]

I am 30 years old and have been having cyst problems for 5 years. When I had my c section 5 yrears ago, they said I had bilateral corpus luteum cysts. They were small, and did not remove them.

For awhile now I have had nausea when ever I eat anything (even small amounts), IBS type issues, GERD, painful intercourse, bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. My Promary care Dr sent me to a gastroenterologist who said it was IBS and sent me on my merry way with medicine that did not do a thing for me, so I quit taking it.

At my last yearly GYN checkup which was Jan 28, I told the nurse that I thought the pain might be GYN related since the IBS meds did not help me, and I was having painful intercourse. I also knew I had felt a lump when I laid on my stomach but thought it might just be scar tissue from my c section. During the exam the Dr felt a large  mass in my abdomen below my belly button on the right side. I went in  for ultrasound and they could tell something was there but not what, how big, or exactly where. So they sent me for a CT. Did the CT on Friday Jan 29.

Well, I am having surgery on Friday Feb 19, 2010 for a dermoid that is 13cm by 9.5 cm. I am having a laparotomy. I am really scared although I have had a c section before when my twins were born, but the recovery took a long time and I had some complications of the incision oozing and opening back up.

I work full time, take college classes, and am a wife and mother of 3 kids ages 7 and 5 yr old twins. I have family coming in to help with the kids while I am in the hospital so my hubby can stay with me when I want him there, but I am just terrified.

Any advice on what I can do to speed up my recovery and how long I might be down from the surgery? I have paid medical leave I can take from work, but I really want to get back to my college classes as soon as I can. My professors are being very understanding and I am greatful for that, but I am just terrified of having this major surgery and the possibility of a hysterectomy, cancer,  or complications. What are some of your experiences with this type of surgery and recovery?

[jennmommi]

I get to go home Sunday as long as everything stays ok. I have a massive headache this morning, hoping that goes away with the next round of pain medicine.

[Cammz]

Such a relief to hear from you. Sorry about the iv, i had the same problem. The worst is over now-your surgery. Now the recovery depends on you. U need 2 take care of yourself. Ask the nurses 4ice cubes, it helps ease the throat. Apple juice also soothes the throat. U wil hav 2walk around now, it wil help u in the long run but dont over exert yourself, for now it should jus be to the toilet and back. U wil stil feel dizzy from the anastetic so ask the nurses 4asistance wen u walk. Hopefuly the nursing staff are nice and that they are good 2you. Take care of yourself and dont forget no lifting heavy things wen u get home. God bless. C

[MarieMichele]

Wow, that's horrible with the IV.  The nurse's first attempt with my IV resulted in a blown vein.  Not fun.

Not much you can do but drink water until your throat heals up.  That's a normal after-surgery feeling to have.  Rest up, but remember they are going to make you walk, probably tomorrow.  Do it slowly because it's very possible to be lightheaded at first.  Congrats on having the surgery itself behind you.  That's the worst part. I found healing much easier than the anticipation of surgery.

No morphine pump?  Having to get shots for pain is certainly less desireable, especially during the middle of the night.

[babs_the_fly_girl]

Well, take it easy and enjoy the wifi!  How long will you be in the hospital?  I hope your recovery is speedy and easy...babs

[jennmommi]

Thanks everyone. I had my surgery this morning, the Dr was actually able to leave my ovary. I am in a lot of pain though. I can only have a shot every 3 hours for the pain.  Worst thing was that 4 people (3 different nurses and the anesthesiologist) tried to give me an  IV seven tries and and no one could get a vein. The veins just kept blowing, even with the smallest needle. They finally got one on the inside of my forearm halfway between my wrist and elbow. I am having chills and hot flashes, and also my throat is very sore and swollen feeling (i assume from being intubated during surgery).

Bonus is the hospital has wifi and I can get on my laptop! :)

[Jess011701]

I hope you and your surgery come out well. I had a 30 lb. ovarian tumor removed in 2005. It was the size of a basketball. Recovery was rough because of the 60 plus staples that went down my belly but I relied on the strength of my husband and my mom. They stayed with me day and night while I was in the hospital. Just remember to be strong. You and your family will be in my prayers. Get well soon! :o)

[Cammz]

It is only natural 2feel nervous and scared about the surgery, we al were. But realy helps is prayer. U need 2ask God 2give u peace of mind b4 your op. It is imperetive cos if u are stresse b4 your op, your presure is goin 2go up and dat is risky 4your op. Plse try 2relax yourself. Your cyst is the same size as mine only diference is i had a dermoid cyst about 5cm large within a cyst. As a result my left ovary had 2b removed. You have 2take care of yourself afta the op. Like mariemichele says, no lifting heavy stuf, the worst thing u can ever do is force yourself back to work and your daily duties b4 u are physicaly well enough. I had my op about 3weeks ago and im stil on sic leave. They say u have 2b of work 4almost 6 weeks. Dnt lift heavy things, no kneeling or squating/bending. U need bed rest, there wil b days wen u cant pick yourself out of bed, u must alow your body 2heal. Listen 2what your body is telling you. U can walk around your home during the day but dnt overdo it and no stairs. Da chances of a dermoid bein cancerous is very unlikely but not imposible but dnt wori about dat now. Deal with dat wen u get the results frm the pathologists, dnt stress yourself unnescesarily. Best of luck to you tomoro. U wil b in my prayers. Post us once u are feeling beta. God bless. C

[jennmommi]

I was afraid of that. I am always just go go go and never slow down and I am the wheel that makes our family run smoothly. My husband is a big procrastinator and does not think about things and planning ahead. I am worried that he does not understand the seriousness of my situation and how long it will take me to recover. I am going to have to be firm and let him know I can NOT do things and he will have to take charge and make sure things run smoothly. This scares me more than having the surgery.

[MarieMichele]

You can read my laparotomy story in my profile.  You probably won't like how much time I needed to recover.  I went back to work after 6 weeks but was still walking slow until about week 8.  The internal "jiggling" of the pelvic parts still hurt a lot while walking with speed and being vertical all day, even sitting, was exhausting (missed that afternoon nap in a big way).  Took a long time to have enough energy for a full day of work.  I was reasonably better by week 10.  However, it was possible to get out in a car on my own (very carefully) by about week 5 for short errands.

The recovery period will be similar to, if not longer than, the c-section recovery with NO heavy lifting of 5 lbs. or greater for several weeks. Sorry!

But this is a crucial surgery for you and really all things must be put on hold in favor of YOU.  This is our biggest problem:  accepting the fact we must let go of our responsibilities for awhile to focus on our own healing while others step in to assist.