The past few days, I've been feeling a whole lot better. I guess as I'm approaching week 7, that's probably how I should be feeling by now. I only have 3 little issues that I need to sort out:
1. I still have almost no sensation warning me that I need to urinate.
Although this is sometimes a blessing, since I don't ever have to get up in the night to go to the bathroom, I think it's going to be a problem long-term if the sensation doesn't come back. My surgeon said "that might never come back". Thanks for that! Anyway, I've read that some people start to get the sensation back after a few months, so I'm still hoping that will repair itself. In the meantime, I was told by my doctor that I needed to do bladder training. Go on a schedule, and then your bladder learns when it's time to go.
2. I am having intense hot flashes.
There are varying degrees of post-hysterectomy hot flashes and night sweats that women may experience - unfortunately, mine are pretty consuming. They only last for a few minutes, but I turn a nice shade of pink (according to my sister), and I start sweating profusely. They are very uncomfortable, and apparently I wasn't feeling them before because Gabapentin is often used to treat symptoms of menopause. That's why I only started to feel the flashes after I stopped taking the medication. After reading some threads written by other women experiencing the same thing, most of their hot flashes eventually stopped after a few weeks/months. In the meantime, I plan to talk to my surgeon about it, and maybe look at some natural ways to curb their intensity until my ovaries wake up.
3. I am still very fatigued.
This is likely, in part, related to my hot flashes/night sweats. I am waking up regularly throughout the night to cool myself down. Then I get chilled, and have to pull the blankets back on. It's like an endless cycle of hot and cold! :)
Anyway, I am not getting enough sleep, which is essential to getting fully healed. Despite that, my energy is slowly increasing; I'm able to do some longer walks now. I've also been doing some light lifting, vacuuming, sweeping, and carrying my own laundry. Almost back to normal now. I should be ready to go back to work on July 4th, assuming the surgeon gives me the 'all clear'.
I've had my cousin staying with me all week, which has been great ... and my best friend is coming to stay with me for the weekend, so I'm feeling pretty excited. I can't emphasize enough how amazingly supported I've felt; you can never underestimate how important it is to surround yourself with family and friends. You might need some help one day ... and I hope I can return the love and support to others, as well!
Here is one of the photos from a walk I did with my sister this week. Gorgeous!
1. I still have almost no sensation warning me that I need to urinate.
Although this is sometimes a blessing, since I don't ever have to get up in the night to go to the bathroom, I think it's going to be a problem long-term if the sensation doesn't come back. My surgeon said "that might never come back". Thanks for that! Anyway, I've read that some people start to get the sensation back after a few months, so I'm still hoping that will repair itself. In the meantime, I was told by my doctor that I needed to do bladder training. Go on a schedule, and then your bladder learns when it's time to go.
2. I am having intense hot flashes.
There are varying degrees of post-hysterectomy hot flashes and night sweats that women may experience - unfortunately, mine are pretty consuming. They only last for a few minutes, but I turn a nice shade of pink (according to my sister), and I start sweating profusely. They are very uncomfortable, and apparently I wasn't feeling them before because Gabapentin is often used to treat symptoms of menopause. That's why I only started to feel the flashes after I stopped taking the medication. After reading some threads written by other women experiencing the same thing, most of their hot flashes eventually stopped after a few weeks/months. In the meantime, I plan to talk to my surgeon about it, and maybe look at some natural ways to curb their intensity until my ovaries wake up.
3. I am still very fatigued.
This is likely, in part, related to my hot flashes/night sweats. I am waking up regularly throughout the night to cool myself down. Then I get chilled, and have to pull the blankets back on. It's like an endless cycle of hot and cold! :)
Anyway, I am not getting enough sleep, which is essential to getting fully healed. Despite that, my energy is slowly increasing; I'm able to do some longer walks now. I've also been doing some light lifting, vacuuming, sweeping, and carrying my own laundry. Almost back to normal now. I should be ready to go back to work on July 4th, assuming the surgeon gives me the 'all clear'.
I've had my cousin staying with me all week, which has been great ... and my best friend is coming to stay with me for the weekend, so I'm feeling pretty excited. I can't emphasize enough how amazingly supported I've felt; you can never underestimate how important it is to surround yourself with family and friends. You might need some help one day ... and I hope I can return the love and support to others, as well!
Here is one of the photos from a walk I did with my sister this week. Gorgeous!
So glad to hear that you're on an upspring Melissa - continue to take good care of yourself
ReplyDeleteAgreed - glad to hear things are getting better day by day. And I am endlessly jealous of your scenery!
ReplyDelete