So I Had a Hysterectomy and It Wasn't What I Expected (Part 2)
LISTEN HERE: ITUNES | SPOTIFY
If you’ve been paying attention to my corner of the internet, you know that I recently had a hysterectomy. I did a podcast episode last week all about how I knew something was wrong, the doctors visits, and the decision to have the hysterectomy. You can listen to that episode here.
In today's episode, I share more details about what was supposed to be a routine hysterectomy, my semi-horrific hospital stay, and why narcotics scare me to pieces. This was probably the most recent really traumatizing experience that has happened to me and really made me think 'I don't ever wanna be cut open for nothing.'
THE SURGERY
Normally, these surgeries take 2-3 hours. Mine took 6 hours. The doctor told me that my bowels kept getting in their way.
Once you touch your bowels, all hell breaks loose and it’ll never be the same.
I woke up in unbearable pain. I have a whole child, I’ve had natural childbirth and still this is pain on a level I have never experienced before.
THE MISERY
I was screaming in pain and they came in to ask me if I want morphine. My answer was no because my father is an addict and I did not want to chance it.
After a short while longer barely tolerating this pain, I asked for the morphine. I can’t even explain what my experience was like on morphine, but I can tell you for sure that I don’t want any more of it.
I had another medication through an IV, then a Tylenol and a Motrin. After a while, I started to feel nauseous and had to vomit, which was incredibly painful.
THE NIGHT SHIFT
The night shift nurses did not have the same bedside manner as the daytime nurses.
They seemed to think the IV was causing my nausea and refused to give it to me. They thought all I needed was extra strength Tylenol.
I decided it was time to advocate for myself and ask to speak to the OBGYN on duty. The OBGYN told me the same thing.
What is it with nurses and doctors not listening to us when we voice concerns about pain?
THE ANXIETY
The daytime nurse Gina walked into my room and restored all of my faith. The catheter was removed and I was told to pee or else they’d have to insert it again. So of course I made that pee come out.
Then the anxiety set in. I was greeted by the same awful night nurses at the end of the day. And remember that I was not allowed overnight visitors.
The upside was that thanks to Gina, I was on tramadol in the IV every two hours. It’s like a superior version of Advil and it was working.
THE DESIRE FOR HOME
My OBGYN came to see me and explained that as soon as I passed gas or went #2, I could go home.
I was given stool softeners every 2 hours. It worked because I passed gas and went #2, but the problem is that I then had violent diarrhea.
It became clear to me that they just wanted/needed the hospital bed. They prescribed me something and sent me on my way.
In next week’s episode (Part 3), I will share what happened when I was sent home too early as well as some of the heartwarming testimonies you have sent me. I am so grateful for all of you.
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