Before having this procedure done, I was nervous and was reading how other women like myself recovered through this.

And you know what I learned? Every woman is different.

I have good days and bad days.

Day 1 – Operation day

Tony dropped me off in front of Kadlec at around 6:20am for my 6:30am check-in time. I already did all my pre-check in requisites a week ago – so all I had to do was go straight to the 2nd floor.

The front desk lady perhaps saw my face full of worry. And she said, “it’s okay to feel scared and anxious, your uterus is a part of you and it’s okay to be a frightened.”

Okay, it is normal to feel scared.

Next thing you know I was weighing-in and having my last urine sample checked. Just in case I was pregnant. They do that in these kind of procedure.

I also had to go through a lot of the same questions. And I did mention that I was a lightweight when it comes to drinking adult beverages. Which is a good thing, because the anesthesiologist was able to create the right concoction for me.

At round 7:00am, I was being wheeled in the Operating Room (O.R.) and within a few seconds I felt drunk and saw all the pretty lights and cool equipment in the O.R. and then I was gone.

I woke up at around 10:30am in the recovery room, feeling the urge to pee – but nothing came out. The nurse had to place another IV bag and I requested for some chicken broth, jello and the lemon ice thing she ordered.

I had small bites and next thing you know, I was throwing up… NOTHING.

I slept and woke up at around 2:30pmish… And this time I was able to pee! And the Physical Therapist in me said.

Gigi, you need to walk.

So, I did down the hallway. My one hand trying to cover my butt with my gown and the other hand holding on my IV pole… I was able to cover around 30-40ft and I heard my Obgyne call me and as soon as I turn.

I’m going to throw up.

But, I kept my mouth shut and kept walking and was able to use one of their emesis/barf bags.

I. DID. NOT. MAKE. A. MESS.

Dr. Tuck showed me a picture of my Frankenstein uterus along with the attached alien nation of fibroid tumors that I have grown through several years.

It was gnarly.

I wanted to go back home that same night. But, I was too nauseated and too much in pain. So, I stayed the night.

Day 2 – Going Home

I was able to eat a light breakfast. And I had another jello. 🙂

And I was discharged to go home.

And then I farted. Ooh that was PAINFUL. I never thought farting would be painful.

Day 3 – Getting on my Meds

I made an alarm for each of my meds, and kept an alarm – so I had Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, docusate and oxycodone on board. I was able to eat and walk around a bit.

But, I was almost always sleepy.

Day 4 – Food from my Co-workers!

My good friend Amber started a meal train for us and we have been getting yummy foods since Day 1!

I also received some get well soon cards from friends and care baskets with books and chocolates! It is pretty awesome!

Day 5 – I thought I was going to Pass Out…

I did’t realize how doing number 2 felt like an X- Games event. I was sooo happy and scared I was either going to pass out or that my insides were going to come out.

But that was the big win for me on Day 5!

I was also feeling better that I wore my abdominal/belly binder on and sat up on the couch watching some movies with an occasional nap or two on the couch.

Day 6 – Paid the price

I was OUT most of the day and I didn’t realize that sitting down takes a lot of energy – core energy – that is healing from the inside out right now. I stayed religious with my medications. Walked a little bit in the late afternoon. But, I was sleeping most of the day.

Day 7 – Not quite…

Morning was better, I was able to read. I was thinking of catching up on emails and doing some studying/training… But, the spurts of abdominal pain still comes and goes. And I just did my best to relax and REST.

Felony, our dog – seems to know that I am not too great right now and is just by my side all the time. 

I have a few more weeks of recuperating. Rest and not doing anything is not one of my strongest suits. But, I think next week – I will feel better and start answering and go through my emails. My brain is still in a fog.

Oh, found out today too that after they did a biopsy of my fibroids. Everything is benign. 💃🏻

Still on the mend, but on the road to recovery.

Today is Day 3 since my hysterectomy. And I am feeling a bit better.

I did not have a full hysterectomy, I had a partial one. My Obgyne left both of my ovaries in – so I don’t fast forward myself to menopause. I am 44 years old.

I have had some friends reach out and wondered why I had it done. Well, I have always had some sort of back and abdominal pain for years. It gets worse around my monthly period. But starting mid-2019, it just started to get worse. I tried not to think about it – but pain coupled with blood splattered sheets in the middle of the night – when it wasn’t even my period… I knew it was time for me to see a doctor.

She found some small polyps through ultrasound, and that I had a fibroid tumor the size of a grapefruit embedded in my uterine wall.

I could still bear through the pain, but during the last quarter of 2020. It was getting uncomfortable and at time unbearable. I would take Ibuprofen almost every night especially after a long day at work.

My Obgyne, Dr. Alexis Tuck (Kadlec) recommended that she can get rid of the fibroids – but it has a chance of coming back… Or get a partial hysterectomy, where taking almost everything off will reduce my chances of regrowth and possible cancer too.

So, I opted for the latter. I will write a bit about my journey here – for my memory and maybe – it can help someone out too.