After surgery needs/advice please - Page 4

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

@Laura14wrote:
Thank you so much all!

My mom is having a hysterectomy (robot so small abdominal incisions not the major cut). I love the shower bench idea and the puzzles. I think both of them love crosswords so I will grab a bunch from the store.

I think they both read on their tablets so they should be good there with whatever they download. My sister lives down the street and I'm sure her husband will be out and about with her husband and his friends from time to time but that is a good idea to ask her to see if he is available.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate the suggestions.

@Laura14 I had a DaVinci hysterectomy almost exactly 4 yrs. ago. I'm not saying this will be your mom's experience, but I bounced back quickly. Even so, there were a few limitations and restrictions. Just make sure your mom doesn't overdo it too soon but try to balance that by not being too hovering, if you know what I mean. I wish her well.

Laura14 · ‎06-09-2014

@JeanLouiseFinchwrote:
@Laura14wrote:
Thank you so much all!

My mom is having a hysterectomy (robot so small abdominal incisions not the major cut). I love the shower bench idea and the puzzles. I think both of them love crosswords so I will grab a bunch from the store.

I think they both read on their tablets so they should be good there with whatever they download. My sister lives down the street and I'm sure her husband will be out and about with her husband and his friends from time to time but that is a good idea to ask her to see if he is available.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate the suggestions.

@Laura14 I had a DaVinci hysterectomy almost exactly 4 yrs. ago. I'm not saying this will be your mom's experience, but I bounced back quickly. Even so, there were a few limitations and restrictions. Just make sure your mom doesn't overdo it too soon but try to balance that by not being too hovering, if you know what I mean. I wish her well.

@JeanLouiseFinch Thank you! I hope she recovers that well too. Watch me go through all this and she feels well enough to hop in the car for the trip home. LOL

DearPrudence · ‎06-19-2010

I wouldn't worry so much about anticipating their every need They'll have their car at their disposal, so your mother's husband can go out and get whatever they may want that you might not have on hand.

Good luck surviving the two week stay. I was sent home to recuperate at my son's following my total hysterectomy because my place had too many stairs, according to the doctors. I lasted two nights before I decided to go home, sweet home-three flights of stairs be darned. Love him dearly, but had to get home!

We have at least seven hospitals within an hour of here though, so driving six hours for a hysterectomy wouldn't be necessary.

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

@Laura14wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinchwrote:
@Laura14wrote:
Thank you so much all!

My mom is having a hysterectomy (robot so small abdominal incisions not the major cut). I love the shower bench idea and the puzzles. I think both of them love crosswords so I will grab a bunch from the store.

I think they both read on their tablets so they should be good there with whatever they download. My sister lives down the street and I'm sure her husband will be out and about with her husband and his friends from time to time but that is a good idea to ask her to see if he is available.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate the suggestions.

@Laura14 I had a DaVinci hysterectomy almost exactly 4 yrs. ago. I'm not saying this will be your mom's experience, but I bounced back quickly. Even so, there were a few limitations and restrictions. Just make sure your mom doesn't overdo it too soon but try to balance that by not being too hovering, if you know what I mean. I wish her well.
@JeanLouiseFinch Thank you! I hope she recovers that well too. Watch me go through all this and she feels well enough to hop in the car for the trip home. LOL

@Laura14That's a very real possibility. I had my husband here for the first few days but after that he had to return to work and I was on my own. He arranged a couple of work from home days if I had a post op appointment and couldn't drive. I remained a couch potato for the first week or so, but I still took the dog out and made dinner. Recovery from the DaVinci is so much easier than how they did it back in the day. There's a site called hystersisters where you (or your mom) might find some helpful information on what to expect. If you have any specific questions, there are a lot of women here who have gone through this. I'm reasonably confident that they would be a helpful resource for you too.

Laura14 · ‎06-09-2014

@JeanLouiseFinch If I could come through the screen and hug you I would. Thank you!!

Ms tyrion2 · ‎05-08-2017

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy at the end of December 2016. I stayed just the one night in the hospital because I was doing well.

I live alone so my good friend came and stayed with me for the first 4 days. I was able to shower by myself. She helped with food, laundry, and cat care.

I spent a lot of time sleeping those 4 days. My appetite was very small. I wanted mostly liquids, yogurt, and strangely, craved canned pineapple and applesauce. So, don't depend on what your mom may like pre surgery. Play it by ear to see what her desires might be post surgery.

As someone else mentioned, your mom will be constipated from the drugs in the hospital. Although I took nothing more than extra strength Tylenol once home, I did have a problem. Lay in a supply of Senacot. My Gyno recommended them.

Make sure your mom gets up and moves often. She will feel a lot better for it and it will help with the constipation problem.

Good luck!

Laura14 · ‎06-09-2014

@Ms tyrion2 Thank you! Applesauce is something I don't normally have at home. That's a good idea. And I am so glad to hear that OTC meds did okay for you. I am not a fan of her prescription and told her so but if she needs for a brief time she needs.

Glad you made it through okay and that friend is a keeper!

Ms tyrion2 · ‎05-08-2017

@Laura14wrote:
@Ms tyrion2 Thank you! Applesauce is something I don't normally have at home. That's a good idea. And I am so glad to hear that OTC meds did okay for you. I am not a fan of her prescription and told her so but if she needs for a brief time she needs.

Glad you made it through okay and that friend is a keeper!

Glad to help @Laura14.

If your mom needs the RX meds, it's ok. I have a very high pain tolerance. It's far more important for her to be comfortable and able to sleep in the first days after surgery.

Oh, one more thing. My heating pad was my best friend when I got home!

Laura14 · ‎06-09-2014

@Ms tyrion2 That I have and I will gift wrap it for her pillow. LOL

BirkiLady · ‎02-22-2015

@Laura14Many hospitals send a water pitcher home with the patient. You might contact the hospital first or wait until your mom is dismissed before spending money. You or your sister could make a quick trip if necessary. OR, have a pitcher on hand but keep the receipt so you are able to return it if not needed. Great questions! Been through all of this with my mom. It's great training for years later when you are really needed. Our mom's are great patients! And you, Laura, are a dear daughter and such a sweet person. Keeping your mom, her husband, you, your sister & her husband and all other family members in my thoughts and prayers throughout the surgery and for a speedy recovery.

Love that you kept the master bedroom for them to visit! I probably would have done the same thing! They'll be right at home and will feel comfortable doing things for themselves, which is the best type of exercise your mom could possibly do . . . work up to normal activity slowly. Her husband will be able to take her for short rides and walks in the neighborhood. She'll know what she's capable of doing and when. Glad it's not a major incision. Just make sure they have both read the instructions provided by the hospital upon her release! Blessings.

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