Week 7/Day 49 - I made it!

The end of today will be 7 weeks post-surgery, and I'm feeling fully recovered.

Last Saturday (end of week 6) was my clinical clearance to resume all normal activities, including exercise. Right in time with that, I felt completely back to my personal normal on both Sunday and Monday. Tuesday/Wednesday there was an ever-so-slight 'presence' in my uterine area, but come Thursday I was great again.

This morning, I took my first post-surgery run. Just 2 miles to see how it went.

• Post-surgery-wise, it went great: no pain, discomfort or weird feelings in the surgery region. 
• Exercise-wise, I definitely have some work ahead of me: My lungs aren't as strong, from 7 weeks of no cardio. And while my legs felt good because of the lunges I've been doing, I could feel in the first 5 minutes how much weaker my abs and waist area are from no attention all this time.  

Still, it's a start. It felt great to release the energy, and I have no excuse to get back into a routine; not even the holiday season. My body's good to go.

How strange, physically, to feel like I never had surgery (except the feeling of my scar lumps when I run my fingers over them). I've gone through such a range of stages in my personal health in this short period of time. 

I would have preferred not to have needed surgery, but in some ways I'm grateful for the experience. And I'm so glad I kept this blog, as much of it seems so distant, now....

It really is amazing how our bodies are able to go through such trauma, and heal. I can truly say that this recovery journey has come to an end. Thanks to all who stopped by from time to time to share it with me.

A final sayonara. :)

Week 6/Day 37 (Sunday) - I can see the light...

This Friday will mark the end of 6 weeks post surgery, and I'm feeling 97%. This past week I've been filled with energy and feeling like I can actually use it.

First, I survived the period from Hell. In addition to the killer cramps, it was super heavy. I hope that's a surgery side effect and not my new normal.

My daily life is mostly back to usual. I am doing my daily work commute, during rush hour, and working full days; I have full range of motion; and I'm not on any kind of drug, powerful or mild.

Since I still don't have the OK to do physical activity like jogging, Pilates, or sex (going nuts, here! Richard, too!), I've been doing torso stretching/leg strengthening moves + fast-paced walks for exercise. I'm proud to say I'm back to overtaking the average walker. Despite the frustration, I can tell that my body's not ready for the bigger stuff yet.

My only complaint is an occasional twinge in my lower right (similar to the ligament pains I mentioned in an earlier post); it's been going at it for a bit tonight.

For the record, I'm posting a timeline of my visual healing, as my scars are now looking much better and probably close to their permanent recovery place.

Day 1 - Saturday, Oct. 13 (Fresh wound padding)

Day 3 - Monday, Oct. 15 (Steri-Strips)

Day 14 - Friday, Oct. 26 (Scabs)

Day 37 - Sunday, Nov. 18 (Scars)

That all for this week. I'll check in again once my full 6 weeks are up.

Sayonara.

Week 5/Day 30 (Sunday) - Period Pains!

Wooow. My period arrived today, with a vengeance.

I'm only posting on this because I'm a full two days earlier than usual—it technically came last night, but without the pain—and it's super crampy. Both of these are incredibly unusual for me since the birth control pill I'm on regulates the hell out of my system (fantastic for someone who thrives on consistency).

Even post-surgery, when I was due for my period just several after (great timing, right?), it came precisely on schedule. And contrary to my doctor's warning that it would likely be heavier than usual, it was completely the opposite, with minimal additional cramping to my existing discomfort.

Well, no such luck this time around! One of the worst periods I can remember.

My period is either:

1. in the process adjusting to my new and improved uterus, in the final stages of healing;
2. teaching me a lesson for dancing/overdoing it the other day; or
3. getting me back for an easy first post-surgery period.

I'm thinking it might be a combo of 1 & 2. 

In any case, it's good to feel..."alive"? 

Week 5/Day 29 (Saturday) - Oh so close...

I am officially into week five, and only a couple days away from my one-month mark. This past week has been inching along in terms of noticeable progress, but I can taste full recovery.

Monday was the start of my daily subway commute into Boston/working in the office. A colleague applauded my decision to work from home during week 3; he had abdominal surgery years ago and returned after week 2, and said it was so hard on his body.

Monday though Wednesday were trying on my core from sitting at my desk. I now realize how ergonomically lacking my chair is. (And I work in occupational safety and health! Go figure.) But by Thursday, quite a dramatic change actually, I felt fine. So I should be in great shape for next week.

Even the subway was doable, though tough, the one day I had to stand in a sardine-packed car during rush hour.

Other positives for the past week:

• I'm back to my regular walking pace, without feeling winded.
• There's barely any tenderness when I rub my incision spots (which expands my wardrobe options tremendously).
• [to tune of 'The Safety Dance'] I can dance if I want to!

Me and Richard at Dance Spot #1

I really tested myself yesterday, but passed with flying colors:

My sister held the 'Last Dance' of her public art piece, Dance Spot Boston. Since I couldn't participate earlier due to my surgery, I had to join the congo line for this.

I tried to be cautious, and took several breaks from the action. But dancing inevitably involves quick movements and bouncing. And I was fine! I think the tiredness I felt was more due to my lack of exercise than my body still healing. No cramping, no soreness.

They really have this 6-week recovery timeline down to a science. In another week, it's going to feel like my surgery never happened. Except for feeling even better than I did pre-surgery.

Week 4/Day 23 (Sunday) - Take It Easy!

I'm to the point where my body feels normal much of the time. This both good (great, even) and bad.

The great side is obvious: It's nice to feel like my old self. I've even started to view some of my previous posts about discomfort/pain as whiny, even though I know they are 100% legit; so that shows how removed from surgery I'm beginning to feel.

The bad side is that even though I feel back to normal, my body still has another couple of weeks to go before it is.

I physically have the strength and mobility back to do active things, like walk briskly or carry heavier groceries, but doing these things strains the parts of me that are still healing. And because I feel better and want to be active again, it's hard to remember (and accept) that I'm only halfway through my recovery and still need to take it easy.

Good thing my body has natural reminders built in!

The steps I jogged down this morning.

Reminder 1: On Friday, feeling really good and energetic, I dropped my car keys under the driver's seat and had to dig them out. Not very active, but a lot of bending and twisting. I was completely winded after the 45 seconds it took to get them out.

Still not OK to make awkward movements.

Reminder 2: I quickly hopped down our front steps today when I went out to get the paper. Didn't think twice about it because I, again, felt so good, and my pre-surgery pace up or down our steps was a jog. After I went inside, I started to feel cramp-y in my uterine area, and almost a little queasy.

Still not OK to bounce.

Both good reminders for my first day back in the office tomorrow. I'd better get some sleep before the big day.

Sayonara.

Day 20 (Thursday) - Milestones

Several updates and milestones to report on, this morning! Today marks the end of my third week post surgery.

• Milestone #1: I slept on my stomach last night for the first time since my surgery. This is a major 'normal' activity for me that's been impossible because of both how it stretches my core (similar to standing up straight) and the pressure it puts on my incisions. It's especially exciting/surprising that this happened last night because I slept horribly the previous night; my incision spots were really acting up and I could not get comfortable. Now, it's really just my belly button and lower right incisions now that still hurt at times when pressure is applied.


• Milestone #2: On a similar note, I can officially stand up beyond upright (shoulders completely back, back arched), and for more than just a minute. I have been moving pretty well, anyway—no more waddling, I can twist—but this is going to make such a difference in my daily activities in terms of fatigue because of the stress it takes off of my back.


• Update: And speaking of movement, I have continued with my 1.25 mile walk at least every other day, and my pace has picked up tremendously. I've gone from a 35-minute-mile to about a 22-minute-mile, which is only 5 minutes off my personal normal. Still very winded from it, but all the more reason for me to be doing it often and picking up speed as best I can.
  
  I am officially a human animal again:

I'm passed the zombie stage, but thought this was appropriate post-Halloween.

I was saying to Richard just last night that it's been really bugging me out to feel winded after such low-key movements, like walking or sitting upright for long periods of time. So I'm really pleased to be able to report on these milestones.

Off for my walk and coffee, and then work.

Day 17 (Monday) - Part 2: Scarring

One of my scabs came off today while I was pulling up my pants (yes, I can button my pants again!), the one over my smallest incision.

Looks pretty good, but as expected, there's a small, visible scar.

Upper left, scab still over healing incision;
Lower right, scar left from incision.

I have other scars, but from external injuries, not full incisions, so they are much less dense and barely noticeable to the touch. They're also on firmer parts of the body (leg, hand, etc.).

It's strange to run my fingers over this one and feel such a hard, tiny lump in the middle of such a soft area of the body.

I assume the one in my belly button won't be visible, but no doubt I'll be unveiling three more of these surgery reminders in the days to come....perhaps by Halloween!

Day 17 (Monday) - Road & Recovery

I expect my posts will become less frequent from here forward.

It's nice knowing that I am over the physically hardest part of my recovery, and that I'll be back to work tomorrow (if only from home). But I will continue to blog about important milestones and thoughts up until week 6, at by which point I should be completely back to my personal normal.

Yesterday was a pretty low key day. The biggest event was making a Costco run with Richard for things we've been needing given today's storm warning for Hurricane Sandy.

I drove for the first time since pre-op days, which felt OK and was better than bracing myself while Richard drove, wonderful as he is. However, for as good as I've been feeling, I learned the hard way that there is a movement I am not yet ready to do: The Twist.

Without thinking twice I did a super full turn and stretch at my waist to see while backing out of our parking space at Costco (a mad house)—you know the posture, one arm around the back of the passenger seat. Owww.

Any incision tenderness left was revived to the fullest.  But hey, the days have been more boring lately without as much pain to fill the time, so it added a little excitement. ;-)

"After a fall such as this, I shall think nothing of tumbling downstairs!"

- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll

Day 15 (Saturday)

Being so in tune to my core these past couple of weeks has been quite an eye-opening experience.

It is amazing how much energy and muscle goes into even the simplest actions, like sitting. I'm not going to say I took these things for granted—my abs and back are the body parts I take best care of when I'm healthy because I know a lot depends on a strong core. But I definitely didn't appreciate this to the fullest.

Case in point: Richard and I went out to dinner tonight for the first time since my operation, which was wonderful. But after an hour or so of being in our booth I had to turn to him and say, "I need to leave, I can't sit here anymore." I just couldn't maintain the posture.

Definitely the right decision to wait another week before going back into the office.

Sayonara.

Day 14 (Friday) - Part 2: Post-Op

Looks like I am going to spend one more week at home.

I will still be working, but remotely. My mind is ready, but Doc says my insides need a little extra strengthening time before exposing my core to the daily office posture. I'm inclined to agree after my commute trial run.

I was completely winded after the 1/2 milk walk and subway ride into Boston. I wasn't expecting this since I've walked over a mile on each of the past three days. I was wiped by the time I got home.

Still, I am healing well. My incisions look great (her words not mine), though she cleaned two of them out with peroxide which was uncomfortable (both of them) and made me really squeamish (belly button one).

Blurry (i.e. less gross) photo of my healing incisions

Got some info on some of my questions:

• First, not that they weren't anticipating it, but my fibroid/tumor was confirmed to be benign. It was also 10cm (4 inch) ball all around; now I have dimensions. 
• Because of placement, they didn't have to cut all the way through my uterus to remove it--very good *, but unusual for a fibroid at this stage. They did still have to cut away at layers to get to and detach the fibroid: it was growing off the outside my uterus, but smooth muscle had grown all around it, sandwiching it in. The backside of my uterus is in the process of strengthening and re-growing smooth muscle.
• Forgot to ask about weight gain, but that was just curiosity. 
• A lot of the gas pains I'm still having (not to mention hypersensitivity to my bladder) is because there's suddenly extra room in there. My pieces are all slowly moving back into place as they re-learn where they belong. In the meantime, any trapped gas has to find a creative path out. 
• Finally, the small pains I've been having in my lower sides are likely some of the ligaments that hold my uterus in place; they, too, are healing.

So many working parts!

Bodies sure can be gross, but they're also amazing.

Sayonara.

* Because they did not have to cut open and stitch back together any part of the uterus, if I were ever pregnant I could likely labor no problem, vs. automatic cesarean.

Day 14 (Friday) - Week 3!

Today is both the end of my second week post-surgery and the day of my (first? only?) post-operative  appointment with my surgeon.

Yesterday was very busy--ended up having two overnight guests! So I didn't have time to post. But despite the busy day, staying up very late and getting only 6 hours of sleep, I woke up feeling quite strong in my core--like my old self at moments.

I'm hoping to get positive feedback on my recovery so far at today's appointment. I will also ask about what my body is going through at this point in the healing process, so I can be in tune to that--especially if I decide to start work back in the office on Monday.

Questions for today:

• How much was my uterus cut open to get the fibroid out, and how was it stitched back together?
• What about the surgery/post-surgery caused me to add so much initial weight? 
• I'm still having some piercing pangs from trapped gas. Normal?
• What are the occasional internal pains in the lower right and left of my pelvis?

I'm sure there will be more, but these are currently on my mind.

My surgeon is also a regular practicing Ob/Gyn, so I may ask if she is accepting new patients. I've loved her since day one, and after going through something so...intimate, it might be nice to build on that doctor/patient relationship if it's an option. We will see.

Wish me luck!

Day 12 (Wednesday) - Highlights

It's been a long and busy but good day.

I'm tired, so quickly, here are the highlights:

• Good: I have upgraded from a sloth to a turtle! I did my Dunkin' Donuts walk again at a comfortably faster pace than yesterday. 
• Good: I did a couple loads of laundry--sheets and things--and prepared our guest room for a potential overnight visitor tomorrow (!). 
• Great: I sneezed four times today, and it wasn't agony. I can also laugh again, reasonably hard, without it hurting.
• Good/Gross: I removed the steri-strips from my over five incisions, which was gross enough that I'm not posting a photo of them yet. This was on schedule, and will hopefully air them out more. Don't get me wrong, I think they're healing the way they should. They just don't look all that appealing as the blood continues to scab and harden to the point of falling off (you didn't think you'd get away with no gross-out factor whatsoever, did you?).

My body is definitely getting and feeling stronger, but I'm wiped and looking forward to a good night's sleep.

Sayonara.

Day 11 (Tues) - Part 2: Anatomy Lesson

Well, I've just spent the past hour re-learning female pelvic anatomy.

My last true reproductive anatomy lesson was probably in 8th grade (mind you, through my Unitarian church's Sunday School About Your Sexuality course--middle school was useless for sex ed).

By Fabiform, Wikimedia Commons: License Info

More specifically, I have been reviewing the precise location of everything surrounding my uterus so I can try to make sense of the pains I still have.

NOTE: There are far more graphic drawings than this out there; I'm trying to keep things as G-rated as possible.

To give you a sense of my ex-fibroid in context of this drawing, imagine a large, round mass drawn in at the middle-backside of the uterus. That's where my fibroid was. And it was even larger than my uterus.

(I hope to get a copy of one of my pre-surgery ultrasounds. Another woman, whose fibroid recovery blog I came across, managed to get one.)

Unfortunately, my anatomy review hasn't been helpful. There's nothing I can find located where I still have pains: very lower right and left, about level with the pubic bone (not shown here), which falls in front of the bladder.

I have to assume these pains are my incisions still healing internally. The area on my right hurts the most, which is also my largest incision, and maybe the spot through which they removed the fibroid, piece by piece. Ick.

Day 11 (Tuesday) - Achievements

I've reached a good place on a number of goals today, and all before 1pm!

My accomplishments so far today:

• I cleaned out my system (finally!).
• I completed my 1.25 milk walk to Dunkin' Donuts and back (pretty tiring towards the end, but still felt really good).
• I can stand up nearly straight without it pulling or hurting.
• I have lost nearly all of my post-surgery weight.

"Post-surgery weight? What's that?" you ask. 

I, too, was unfamiliar with this concept until the evening I arrived home after my operation and stepped on the scale, hoping to have lost a couple pounds from the weight of the fibroid. 

Imagine my surprise (and dismay) to see that I had instead managed to gain 8 pounds in less than 12 hours!

A lot of it must have been the fluid they pumped into me immediately post-surgery when they were trying to get me to pee on my own. Maybe my swollen internal organs were also filled with extra fluid?

In any case, after 11 long days, the weight is nearly gone. Not bad considering I have been devouring all sorts of forbidden foods in quantities much greater than I typically eat.

Clearly, in light of these achievements, I treated myself to a pumpkin donut in addition to the delicious, large coffee I had been longing for.

Day 10 (Monday) - Part 2 :-)

Center : Cards from my nieces.

In regard to my last post, still working on progress there....

But on a delightful note, a great boost of get well energy arrived in today's mail: hand drawn get well cards from two of my lovely nieces (ages five and three).

I also got a card from work on Saturday that was really sweet and encouraging.

I'm building quite the collection!

Day 10 (Monday) - Warning: Poo talk.

Is it really only 11am? Yup, that's how today is going so far.

Let me preface this post by saying (sorry in advance) this is my second day in a row of being constipated.

I was told moving around would help with this in addition to the Colace prescribed. So, so far today (got up around 9:30) I have:

• had a cup of tea and a little cereal; 
• loaded and run the dishwasher;
• wiped down the kitchen counters and stove;
• loaded one small wash, and folded another small wash (my clothes for today);
• brought the folded wash upstairs;
• tried to poo thinking that's what my body was telling me it really wanted to do, only to find out my body was lying to me.

My body wants to go, yet my body won't let me go. My muscles aren't strong enough.

In addition to the pains this is causing, I'm annoyed because the single goal I set for myself today was to (very slowly) walk to Dunkin' Donuts, about 1.25 mile walk roundtrip. A nice rest and coffee reward after the first half, and I can always take a cab back if I'm too tired. Yesterday's walk just felt so good. 

Right now I am far too uncomfortable to walk to DDs. Funny, a cup of coffee would probably help! If I drink a cup at home then I won't want another which ruins the motivation for going.

How chicken & egg: Need the coffee in order to go; Unless I go, I can't get the coffee. 

There's probably a song in there, somewhere....

I'm onto cup of tea #2 and still need to shower and dress, which may help move things around in there. But even if I manage to get one out, I'm thinking DDs is off at this point. I've been so active already that it will probably be too much.

There's always tomorrow.

Day 9 (Sunday) - Sunday Stroll.

Today was mostly restful.

I woke up from 10 deep, comfortable hours of sleep (back on Percocet at night), took my time getting up, and then mostly just chilled for the day.

We did cut back our overgrown morning glories this afternoon, so I did a little weeding but was very careful in any pulling.

What my back is going to look like.

It was such a beautiful day, that I also thought it would be the perfect time to go for my first walk. Richard accompanied me on a stroll around the block. The air smelled so nice, and the trees are gorgeous with all the leaves turning.

My core felt pretty good for it, and my legs felt great getting some solid exercise. Funny how I'm qualifying a slow, quarter-mile walk as exercise for myself, when 2 weeks ago I was running a 5K. Oh well, I'll get back to where I was. Still no regrets.

I'm really looking forward to the day I can stand up completely straight. It really tires my back to not be able to. In the long run, I suppose I'll have a stronger back for it all.

Day 8 (Saturday) - Part 2: Pants don't fit.

After trying on four different pair of jeans and chinos, I've given into the fact that I still cannot wear normal pants (instead of stretch/sweat pants). Even the ones on which I can get up the zipper comfortably, the button is just not happening.

As we're about to go on a daytime outing (!) to the pharmacy, I insist on looking like a well put together human being. So, instead, I am wearing a skirt. Luckily, I still had one that was in line to be given away.

Note: Always keep on hand at least one non-athletic-looking skirt or pants with a super stretchy elastic waist band, no matter what your age. You just never know when you'll be grateful to have them.

Day 8 (Saturday) - Good morning!

View from my bedroom window

It's going to be a beautiful autumn day which will be a boost of energy. The rain clouds are already dispersing and sun trying to come out, and temperatures might reach 72F/22C.

The perfect day to go into town and dance on the streets of Boston with my sister! (plug for the day) My energetic task for the day will be to decorate our front yard for Halloween.

In recovery news:

I'm still feeling better today, now that I'm up. But I went no-Percocet last night for the first time and didn't sleep well.

My doctor had said the drug would primarily help at night when I rolled around in my sleep, and she was spot on. From around 3am on, it was very uncomfortable every time I changed position, which made me change positions all the more.

That said, I was reviewing my 'home instructions' this morning, from the hospital, and I have been right on track with the things to expect.

I experienced everything on this list, and in all cases the pain/whatever stopped within the time frame stated. Bleeding from surgery even stopped within 3 days -- Go robot cutting precision! And go me!

Day 7 (Friday) - Whew!

Well, I've made it through one full week of recovery, and today was a great day to end on.

I had two sets of visitors: My sister stopped by this afternoon (lovely, fragrant flowers in hand), and my parents came by for a nice visit tonight.

It's not like I was particularly active, but after all the visiting I'm not exhausted which would not have been the case even yesterday. I just feel relaxed. The wine helps, but I think my body is finally feeling less on edge and like it has to be ready to brace itself at the slightest action.

Richard says I seem less hesitant in my movements, and there were several brief moments today in which my body felt like it hadn't been operated on. That must be a good sign.

I talked to another close friend of mine on the phone today (coincidently, another MD/PhD) who reassured me that I was right to keep walking around and staying mobile as much as was comfortable because it would help my body recover faster than being sedentary.

So, despite the ups and downs (gas, shoulder pain, abs/incision pain, hobbling, itching, quivering), a good first week. I assume the first will have been the most challenging, so I look forward to making progress x3 in the next.

Sayonara.

Day 7 (Friday)

A quivering uterus (at least for me, last night) = incredible gas build up.

I know this because I've deflated multiple times over the past few hours, and no more quivers. I feel so much better for it. My stomach is growing smaller as a result, which makes it easier to walk.

But just in case you were curious, here are a couple definitions of 'quivering uterus' courtesy the Urban Dictionary:

• The painful cramping during the menstrual cycle (Context example - "I can't got out tonight I've got the quivering uterus, it sucks!")


• A medical condition experienced by quiverfull* women after having between 6 and 18 children (Context example - "I'm surprised Michelle Duggar's quivering uterus hasn't burst yet.") 

On a completely different note, I'm expecting my second visitor momentarily! Very exciting. Ciao for now.

* quiverfull = a branch of Evangelical Christians who take the Bible literally and believe that one of the most important of God's commands is to "be fruitful and multiply."

Day 6 (Thursday) - A visitor!

Today, I received my first visitor! So exciting.

A good friend stopped by, tasty goodies in hand. It was so nice to sit and chat and feel like a non-invalid for a while. (As she has an MD/PhD, it was even nicer to be completely uncensored in talking about my ex-fibroid.)

Interestingly, she reminded me that the Castellot Lab at Tufts University's Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences (where she got her PhD and I worked for 7 years--nice plug there) has a focus on uterine fibriods.

I never really processed this before now since I wasn't familiar with fibroids. The more scientific name for them may also have thrown me off: leiomyoma, which refers to any type of benign smooth muscle overgrowth, not just uterine fibroids.

Castellot's lab is researching how the use of a specific protein, CCN5, may help prevent or slow the growth of uterine fibroids (currently working in mice). This is interesting to me because women who have troublesome fibroids once (like me!) are likely to see a recurrence at some point.

My hope is that if or when I start growing more friends, they will either be non-bothersome or I will be at a point in my life where a non-surgical type of treatment will suffice. (For the record, many women have fibroids that never amount to anything, and never interfere with pregnancy, lifestlye, etc.)

All this talk of fibroids has caused my uterus to start quivering (literally). Not sure how I feel about this so, on that note, I'm going to get up and go walk around the house.

Day 6 (Thursday)

I am itchy today! Which is better than being in pain.

I slept for nearly 11 hours last night--a solid deep sleep, thank you Percocet--and woke up feeling incredibly well rested, and much less sore.

Visit from Opus

My incision sites are not tender on the outside at all today, but I so want to scratch them. Lightly scratching the skin immediately surrounding them is no longer doing the job (all of you know exactly what I mean, even if you've never had surgery - think mosquito bite, etc.).

Instead of giving into scratching, I am using the heating pad* Mom let me borrow. It is helping a little.

Opus has also been keeping me company, which is a nice distraction.

Just have to keep telling myself, itchy is a good sign....

[break]

While getting ready to post this, I sneezed. Most painful thing ever.

Mind is off itchiness.


* I don't think I mentioned before that I used the heating pad to ease the gas pain on Day 2. It was recommended by my nurse, and it did make me feel a little more comfortable.

Day 5 (Wednesday) - Part 3

Third and final chapter for today. This describes it well:



Quick updates first:

• Good: Only had to go to the toilet ~six times today. That's what I'm talking about! I expect this means that the swelling is down and finally giving my bladder some breathing room, and also I that I'm regaining some control over my organs. I like control.
• Good: No Percocet today, back on track with that.
• Bad: Took my ibuprofen nearly 3 hours late this afternoon. Annoying because until today I'd been like clockwork, every 8 hours on the dot. This has messed up my entire day's schedule.

In more exciting news: 

After a day of rest, I just had my first outing since arriving home from the hospital! Richard drove me to the supermarket.

Sickeningly sweet halloween cookies

It was strange to be there and not be able to zip through the aisles. I keep thinking of of the movie What About Bob and taking 'baby steps,' literally, because I have to walk all hunched over. I definitely got a few curious looks: on the outside I look completely normal, but there I am, moving at the pace of a sloth.

However, I bought cookies. While I am sick I can eat anything I want, and as they are 'sickeningly' delicious cookies, I think they were an appropriate choice.

In pain/recovery news:

Remember all the laughing I did last night, after overdoing it in the AM? I'm paying for it now.

It feels like the day after doing an intense abs workout after not exercising that part of my body for a year.  Still thinking I'll be stronger for it, but ouch. Forgetting to take my ibuprofen on schedule this afternoon is not helping.

I've had to tell Richard twice tonight already to not make me laugh. (Sticking to 'Gossip Girl,' no more 'The Office.')

I can't decide if sitting/laying in bed for literally 4-5 hours straight this afternoon was helpful or less so. Probably the right thing for today, as I am completely wiped after our outing. But I will probably try to mix it up tomorrow with rest interspersed with walking around the house.

Since I've had a day completely free of mind-altering substances, I am rewarding myself with a glass of wine. Mmmmm....

Sayonara.

Day 5 (Wednesday) - Part 2

Did I mention that I'm using my recovery time to watch the entirety of Gossip Girl: Season 1? I am.

It makes for great get-well drama. I highly recommend it.

Day 5 (Wednesday)

Welcome to two days in a row of showering on my own! Today I even washed my hair, which took some extra core energy but felt just heavenly. For the first time since last Friday I feel completely clean from head to toe.

I'm happy to say that I feel back on track today, after what felt like back-tracking yesterday.

I still have pain and tenderness around the incision sites and some occasional internal throbbing, but it's no worse than yesterday and I've learned not to over-exert myself while I'm experiencing this tenderness. While I've made a few trips up and down stairs, just to keep mobile, I'm doing my best to stay in bed. And as I'm not bored out of my mind yet, I guess my body needs the rest.

Day 4 (Tuesday)

Today, I wore myself out early on from a false sense of feeling so much better yesterday, and paid the price in increased pain later on.

All before 1pm today, I showered, made multiple trips in and out of bed and up and down the stairs, made and ate a simple breakfast, went to sit outside, baked cookies from scratch, loaded the dishwasher, and made about eight trips to the toilet.

Not only did I tire out my entire body--especially my back from all the standing and walking--but it took a toll on my five healing incisions, and they started to vocalize their discontent by around 2pm.

I expected my incisions to start itching annoyingly as they healed, which has begun. But after reaching Day 4, I didn't expect them to suddenly become painful, which has also now begun. I wonder if all the swelling that has finally gone down everywhere created some kind of padding before now.

Each spot is super tender around the incision site, especially if touched or brushed in the slightest, which includes repositioning myself in any way. I'm also having pulsing pain in a couple of internal spots below my belly button, which I can only assume is the uterus healing since that also had to be sewed up. Yuck.

In any case, I had thought I was off Percocet now except for before bed, but I guess not yet.

Richard did not help matters tonight when he insisted we watch comedy (the UK 'The Office') instead of drama. I was unable to control my (intense) laughter multiple times, which hurt so, so much. I can only hope I will be stronger tomorrow morning for it, and not in even more pain.

Sayonara.

Day 3 (Monday)

Today felt pretty good, and I have been super mobile.

Receiving flowers and 'get well' cards certainly helped, too!

Still some gas in there trying to escape, but only minimal right shoulder pain this morning. Because I am less bloated, I have been able to walk more upright which has helped in being more active.

No shower, because I'm being overly paranoid about the steri-tape over my incisions now that that protective film and gauze is off (even though my instructions say I can shower).

But, I got dressed on my own, made two dozen trips to the toilet and up and down the stairs, harvested a bunch of basil from our garden, potted some of the basil so I can keep it over the winter, sat outside in the u for a while (gorgeous day outside), and was more or less independent all day long since Richard is home but working.

Needless to say, I got really tired on and off in between some of these activities. But it didn't feel bad, it felt like strengthening. It was mainly fatigue (not pain) in my back which I assume is working extra hard since I don't have the strength I'm used to in my abdomen. I just need to make sure I listen to my body.

One of the most challenging parts of this recovery so far is not the boredom, but the transition from being fairly physically active, and not even thinking about the 'little' things I do in a typical day--like walking downstairs to make a cup of tea, and bringing it back upstairs--that are now physically exhausting.

No Percocet all day, just at bedtime, and it's only the third day!

Sayonara.

Day 2 (Sunday) - Part 2

I am still feeling very bloated, but things are a little better now that I have done two things:

1. managed to take a poo (full disclosure here!); 
2. taken a Percocet (which may not lessen the gas/shoulder pain, but certainly distracts me from it).

In the meantime, since it is my third day in a row of taking a narcotic, I thought I would read up on it a little.

Things I learned about Percocet [oxycodone/acetaminophen]:

• opioid = synthetic narcotic; opiate = naturally active narcotic found in opium
• oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from thebaine, one of the three major natural opiates found in opium (the other two being morphine and codeine)
• Health communication note: While either the term narcotic or opioid can be used interchangeably for opioids (narcotics being more general, opioids more specific), people generally perceive each word differently. 
• While drug dependence can be a concern related to narcotics abused or used over a long period of time (generally not an issue when prescribed post-surgery pain), equally or more concerning with Percocet is overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol). In fact, this is the main thing I was specifically cautioned about regarding my prescription drugs in my written home care instructions (though I was verbally instructed on both my ibuprofen and Percocet).

Just thought I would share, since I've never really used an opioid before. Though I took codeine (pure opiate) w/acetaminophen post wisdom teeth surgery several years ago for one day. It made me incredibly nauseous and sick, so I coped with the pain after that. This time is much better. Guess there's a reason for the semi-synthetic versions.

Day 2 (Sunday)

Well, today is pretty darn uncomfortable, so far.

The gas they told me about, that they used to inflate my innards so they could see what they were doing during the surgery, is taking its toll.

On a positive note, I took a shower this morning that involved minimal scrubbing and no hair washing, but still felt good. Richard waited in the bathroom, to be safe, and helped me dry off  and dress afterwards. Unfortunately, that has been the extent of my real action today as I find it difficult to even hobble a few feet forward.

I am so insanely bloated in my belly from the gas, which is not only making it awkward to walk because I cannot for the life of me stand up straight, but is also feeling painful as it keeps moving around trying to get out with no escape. I have had two intense bursts of pain, which I think were small gas bubbles popping inside me.

In addition, I'm starting to feel the shoulder and neck pain I was told is common among women post-surgery--the brain for some reason translates the large amounts of trapped gas in the body into right upper right shoulder pain.

And the Percocet doesn't help with this pain - only the release of gas will ease it. Incredibly unfortunate, as I am (also as predicted) constipated!

Yuck, and ouch.

Day 1 (Saturday) - Part 3

Consider this my intro post! Where you get to meet me (quite intimately from here forward) and learn more about uterine fibroids (if you aren't already well acquainted with your own, hehe).

Me (Sara): Age 33; about 5'5" 130lbs; African American/Caucasian mix.

Fibroid: Buried away within my torso was a grapefruit-sized fibroid (non-cancerous tumor) growing off the back of my uterus.

Needless to say, this was not comfortable. It was causing constipation, very frequent pees, and discomfort during sex. All of these were interfering with my every day life, though I was convincing myself otherwise since I wasn't having the more pronounced symptoms like super heavy periods and intense cramping.

Interestingly, in my web searching prior to surgery, I hadn't come across this CommonHealth blog post before now. It is a great explanation of the exact procedure I had (though I had a different surgeon--you can meet Dr. Elizabeth Gagliardi here, and hear her talk about fibroid removal here):

The other video in the post actually takes you through the medical/robotic steps of the surgery. I didn't post it because it makes me a little squeamish, but it is a great visual of what happens.

So that's the intro: who I am, what I had, and what I did about it.

From here on it's going to be about my experience in recovery mode.

Day 1 (Saturday) - Part 2

I'm starting this post-surgery blog for several reasons:

1. I just read an online post by someone who went through the same procedure as me, and found it helpful to read about her recovery experience now that I'm going through the same thing. Maybe others will find something helpful in one of my posts.


2. I hope this will help pass the time as I recover. I'm told a 2-6 week recovery period, though I pray to be back to work after two, even if I have to keep taking it easy. (I'm going stir crazy thinking about it!)


3. I'm a health communicator and feel that I cannot go through an experience like this without somehow documenting it.

More soon on getting to know me.

Day 1 (Saturday)

It is my first full day home after my surgery.

I am the now happy survivor of a robotic-assisted laparoscopic (minimally invasive) myomectomy (surgical fibroid removal). Not so happy yesterday....

Yesterday, Friday, I left home at 5am, arrived at Faulkner Hospital at 6am, and went under/into surgery around 7:30am.

I totally freaked out before going under, as anticipated. I cried. They brought in my husband, Richard, and Mom to calm me (which I was told I wouldn't have been able to do at Brigham & Women's), though I think it just made things worse because I wanted to make them proud. My doctor/surgeon calmed me more than anyone else. She was wonderful.

I woke up in recovery for the first time around 1:30pm. I slept on and off for another hour or so, and then was joined in recovery by Richard and Mom.

My surgery took an hour longer than expected because my fibroid was much larger than they thought - about the size of a grapefruit (last ultrasound suggested the size of a large apple or orange). An extra hour under general anesthesia = longer time getting back to normal afterwards. Ugh.

Richard and Mom waited patiently while I built up both enough 1) fluid in my body (was catheterized throughout surgery) and 2) control of my abdomen muscles to be able to pee on my own. Never thought it could be so hard to pee.

Home by 5pm. What a long day, and I was out for most of it! Much longer for my company, to whom I'm incredibly thankful for staying so close by.