Wednesday 25 October 2017

I am back

Just a quick update, I had my ops yesterday. Hysterectomy, and front and back pelvic floor repairs (so classed as 3 ops).  I spent one night in hospital and was discharged at lunch time today.

I have been signed off work for 2 months but have been advised by the consultant that the recovery period will be 2 and a half to 3 months! I was told 12 weeks when I agreed to the op but thought that once I could drive (6 to 8 weeks) I would be back at work.

I can't lift anything heavier than a kilo for the first few weeks so even if I am feeling OK I have to resist getting involved with the likes of vacuuming, pushing the trolley round the supermarket, hauling washing in and out of the machine etc. Luckily hubby is on hand to pick up all these tasks, although we have agreed that he doesn't have to do any ironing and I am prepared to go with the flow in the short term.

I am feeling fine so far but I am ready for my painkillers when the time comes round.  I didn't sleep to well last night but I think that was down to the amount of sleep I had had during the afternoon. I am starting to get swelly belly due to the gas that is used as part of the op, I am drinking peppermint tea and sucking mint sweeties in the hope of moving it!

I will keep you updated on my recovery but in the mean time don't forget to do your pelvic floor exercises it may prevent you going through this xx


Saturday 7 October 2017

Things that don't go to plan

Hi All,

It has been a while since I posted anything and there is a reason for that.  I had scheduled a post about a weekend away we were taking down to St Ives, our usual trip on the sleeper train, pottering about, taking a few snaps, enjoying a cream tea etc etc. However, my body decided that this was all too boring and it wanted to add some drama to the event and I had a prolapse!  My exact words to my hubby were "my insides are falling out!"

After the initial shock I called 111 for advice, I was told this is a common occurrence! (according to the NHS website 1 in 10 women suffer from prolapse). A Doctor called me back explained that many women just live with this, he said I could go to Penzance that evening if I wanted to go to a walk-in centre but I would be OK to just take it easy and not lift anything.  As we were 7 miles away and didn't have a car I decided that I would wait and see my GP when I got home.

My GP confirmed the over the phone diagnosis and arranged an appointment with a consultant gynecologist. At the appointment I was offered either a pessary (a ring that sits inside and holds things up) that needed to be changed every 6 months or surgery.  I have opted for surgery, it will be three ops in one, anterior and posterior pelvic floor repairs and hysterectomy.  I am scheduled in for 24th October, I am going in as a private patient using hubbys BUPA package.  There is a recovery period of about 12 weeks! I fear that after the initial pain has calmed down boredom might be my biggest enemy.

So ladies what ever your age please do your pelvic floor exercises every day, they may prevent this from happening to you and if it does happen the stronger your pelvic floor muscles are the better you will be able to deal with it. I have just downloaded an app from TENA that has a guide on how to do them and a reminder to add to your phone to give you a nudge so you don't forget to do them.

I will let you know how it all goes but in the mean time keep up those pelvic floor exercises x