I can hardly believe it has been 8 weeks since my hysterectomy! Most days go by and I do not think about the fact that I recently had surgery. It seems like long ago already. For the most part, recovering from the hysterectomy has been easy. Again, the part I found most difficult was not being able to pick up Matthew. I think we both did pretty well with the restrictions. Although, towards the end of the recovery, we were feeling fairly crabby that I couldn't pick him up. He would look at me, hold up his arms, and cry, "mama up, pease mama up." Break.my.heart! I would gently remind him and show him my "owies" (my 5 small scars from the incisions). He seemed to understand, although not happy. At 6 weeks, I had another follow up visit with Dr. Saner. Thankfully, I had my restrictions lifted, and I was able to pick him up! It was a good day for us both.
A hysterectomy typically has a 6 week recovery time frame. During my recovery, life continued on, albeit slowly. We enjoyed an outing to 7-11 for our free Slurpee's. I watched my 13 year old daughter grow up a little bit more, and take on more responsibility (especially for Man Cub).
As each week came and went during the recovery, I was able to do a little bit more, and accomplish additional tasks. I remember taking the kids to the Olive Garden (pictured above) solo around week 3. I have to say how nice it was to get out of the house and feel "normal".
When I was staying overnight in the hospital, after the hysterectomy was over, I remember telling my sweet nurse how hungry I was. I had been a on bland diet for two days prior to surgery and everything sounded so good. I remember telling her in my loopy state, "I want Olive Garden with a side of Chipotle." She laughed and gave me graham crackers. Haha.
Summer has been slow, and yet I feel we enjoyed ourselves and didn't miss out on too much. The 4th of July was the only event I look back on and wish that we could have celebrated. But I was in no shape to do anything. Those first two week post hysterectomy are the toughest. I felt I had been run over. Dr. Saner said I would be tired...and she was correct!
We watched a lot of cars and life go by from our bedroom window. He would sit for long periods of time right where you see him above. He would watch outside, and then every once in awhile exclaiming "white truck," or, "red car" and I would laugh. I watched him from my bed where I would be laying. We figured it out. We also have watched a lot of TV, and I have not felt the slightest bit of guilt at all. I gave myself permission to let them watch TV, and even embraced this time in our lives by ordering the biggest DISH cable package I could for two months.
At 4 weeks post op, Grace and I went to the Phantom of the Opera. I felt really good. I was tired by the end of the night; however, I enjoyed myself very much and was thrilled to share this experience with her.
We made many trips to the library during my recovery. Each kiddo spent time ready books, even the littlest. They each joined the summer reading program and have earned prizes for their reading accomplishments.
I survived 4H Clark County Fair at 6 weeks post op, with only one breakdown. Haha. I was very tired when the fair was over, and left early a couple of days, but felt no need to apologize because I was doing what was right for me. (Another post coming on the fair experience soon).
We've played a lot of Legos, and let a lot of rooms go untidied for longer than I would have liked typically. But, I had one opportunity to heal correctly and I took care of me and let messy rooms go for a bit.
We visited the fair as a family before our 4H events began.
We took a lot of silly pictures...
I tried to stay in each moment, knowing that all too quickly time goes by.
This last weekend we took the kids to Great Wolf Lodge to celebrate them! They have been troopers through the surgery and recovery. They have each helped me in so many different ways, and we wanted to do one last fun thing before school began. I think I might have had as much fun as them!
Finally, the two of us, went to the movies and ate popcorn and nachos for dinner. Celebrating a new season, a new chapter and us. I think one of the biggest surprises I have found in this recovery is that I really don't feel different. I guess I thought I would be aware of what was missing. The only things that are missing is the incredible pain and bloating I had all the time, and horrible awful periods...which I DONT MISS!!! I still feel like me. I still feel like a woman, I don't feel less...if anything I feel like more...so much more.
