slice and dice

I went in for my hysterectomy a week ago yesterday.  November 2nd to be exact.

I honestly had kept the surgery in the back of my mind, and had not thought too much about it, leading up to it. 

I focused on my half marathon's, Halloween, and doing the daily things that go with life in a big family.

On Sunday evening, the day before the surgery, it finally slapped me in the face, and it was really weird.

I wasn't really nervous, just anxious to get it over with and for life to get back to normal once more.

Ben had to stay home and get the kids off to school, so I drove myself there and did all of the pre-surgery stuff.

I still wasn't too nervous that morning, in fact, I was looking forward to lying down for a minute.  I was really tired and sore from the marathon a couple days before and from the Halloween festivities.

I just kept thinking I was having a baby though.  I have never had a surgery (aside from three D&C's) before. And I have never stayed overnight in the hospital without bringing a baby home.  I kept finding myself going through the list of things I needed to have ready for the baby, and then I would realize that I was not having a baby.  It was a little sad for me, but also a relief at the same time.

The nurse was great, and she even numbed my hand before putting the IV in.  She deserves a gold star and a cupcake!

When it was time,the sandman came in, and put an nice dose of his magic juice in my IV.  I reveled in that amazing medicine as long as I could.  That stuff is the BOMB!

But, sooner than later, they wheeled me to the freezing OR room, placed a mask on my face, and then...lights out. Rats.

I woke up in a lot of pain, and Ben was by my side.  I was so relieved that they had remembered to call Ben, so he could be there when I woke up.

After a few rounds of morphine, a trip to the bathroom, and sleeping for another few hours, I was actually feeling OK.

Dr. Clark came in and told me that everything went really well.  He didn't stay long, but I was happy to know that things went smoothly.  He is a great doctor, and I have a lot of trust in him.

Ben stayed as long as he could, and then headed home to be with the kids for the night.  I pretty much laid there in a drugged blissful stupor, and slept on and off until the next morning.

I was surprised with how well I was doing.  I was sore, but with the medicine, it really wasn't terrible. I was extremely tired though.

I had another visit from Dr. Clark, and a few other people, and then I started the check out process.

Yes, I did order carrot cake, and they did have it, but I was never really hungry during my hospital stay, so I didn't eat it.  CRAZY...I KNOW.  What was I thinking!

Ben and the kids came and got me from the hospital later that morning. (Mary and Sam insisted on being checked out of school to come get me).

I pretty much slept the next couple days, and then my mom came on Wednesday.  It was so great to know she was here and that we had the much needed help, and that Ben could get back to work.

Ben did a great job holding down the fort those first few days.  He had a great attitude with the kids, and was very loving and caring toward me.  I sure love that guy.  I am very lucky.

By Thursday I was off pain medicine, and on Friday, I went on an outing to Walmart with my mom and the two babies.  I rode the cart thingy, and my mom helped with the food and the bags.

That one outing did me in for the next day. I was soooo exhausted.

My mom was wonderful with helping with the kids, taking care of me, and cooking lots of yummy food.  It was comforting to have her here, and I was sad when it was time for her to leave.  I feel so lucky to have a mother that is able to come and help, and a mother that I am close enough to and that my kids love.  What a blessing!  I hope to do the same for my kids someday.

My mom left Sunday, after making us a nice Sunday dinner, and Jolene arrived a few hours later.

It is now Tuesday, a week after the surgery.

I still have pain, but nothing Advil can't handle.  The worst part, by far, is the fatigue.  I cannot believe how tired I feel all the time.  Not tired enough to sleep, but too tired to really do much.  It is a weird feeling, and one that I pray will pass soon.

I really miss running, being out and about, and just having energy.  It can get depressing if I let it, but at times, it is nice to just slow down also.

Jolene has been a wonderful help so far, and I am so glad she will be here this week.  She is great with the kids, and seems to know exactly when I need to have some peace and quiet. We are all so blessed to have such amazing mothers and grandmothers in our lives.

I am so relieved to have the surgery done, and I am really excited for my future life without endometriosis, and so much pain every month.

I was a little sad to be losing the organ that has carried all of my precious babies, but the pros so completely outweigh the cons, and the sadness didn't last for long.

So here I am...one week out.  Still a little pain, but not bad, and working though some serious exhaustion and fatigue.

I will check in again in a week, and hopefully have some great progress to report on...maybe even an outing to the gym?!?!?!