Day 14 Post-Op

 31 March 2022

        Two Thursdays ago, I bade farewell to my female reproductive organs. A hysterectomy that removes both ovaries, the Fallopian tubes and cervix together with the uterus is, technically, referred to as a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy as opposed to a total hysterectomy, which leaves the ovaries and tubes untouched. 

        My recovery, so far, has been good. Pain has been minimal, apart from the first night after the surgery. It was initially slightly painful getting into and out of bed. Climbing up and down the stairs was, on the other hand, painless. Pain was intense when coughing the first few days after discharge, but it doesn't hurt anymore when I cough now.

        I have been moving around a lot at home as I know this is the key to a swift recovery. It also prevents post-operative venous thromboembolism. However, my energy is sapped fast and I need to take frequent breaks on my favourite sofa in the living room.

Obediently lying on my favourite sofa to recuperate

   

I diligently wear these T.E.D. (thrombo-embolic deterrent) stockings, as recommended by my gynaecologist. Derrick lovingly puts them on for me daily.

        According to a London physiotherapist on YouTube, patients recovering from hysterectomy can start walking outdoors for 10 minutes at the end of Week 2. Hence, this is what I'm going to do this weekend.

        Despite visible exterior recovery, I have to bear in mind that it takes 3 months for complete recovery as there are internal wounds to heal. This is something I have to keep reminding myself because at times when I feel fresh and energetic, I tend to aim to do more. Lifting anything heavier than 4.5 kg is still a big no-no. Remember, bunny, more haste less speed.

A Mother's Love Knows No Boundaries

28 March 2022

        Needless to say, regardless of how fit one is, a major surgery does take a toll on one's body. No matter how capable a surgeon is, inevitably there will be blood loss. Average blood loss for a hysterectomy is a little over 200ml (equivalent to 3/4 cup). Prior to my hysterectomy, I was warned of the necessity of blood transfusion. Having a large uterus and obesity are risk factors necessitating the need for blood transfusion during hysterectomy. Thank God for His grace that a blood transfusion was not necessary in the end!

      To nourish my body after the stress of a surgery, fight inflammation and inhibit infection, my doting mother has been double boiling chicken to extract its essence. It is believed that this tasty chicken soup helps to revitalise one's energy.

       Seeing I was slightly pale after my surgery, Mummy has also been boiling red dates tea for me. Also known as jujubes, red dates nourish the blood and relieve fatigue among other conditions.

       After painstakingly boiling these two for me, my 82-year-old mother then takes the trouble to bring them to me daily. In addition, she brings me food for my brunch. 

Mummy pours her red dates tea into my thermos mug.

Chicken soup : testament of a Mother's love

       Agatha Christie certainly got it right when she said, "A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."

       She was the first person I broke the news to when Dr. Chuah told me that my fibroids and cysts are all benign. And her reply was, "Mummy is the happiest person in this world today."

Enjoying The Little Things In Life

27 March 2022 

          Happiness is enjoying the little things in life. This has always been my motto; I even use it as the quote for my profile status in WhatsApp.

        Hearing the birds exchange their morning stories in my garden, catching sight of a squirrel scampering away in my garden, provoking a neighbour's Golden Retriever to wag its tail or bark excitedly as I pass by on my morning walk, listening to the pitter patter of the rain as it washes away the pollutants in the air, inhaling the scent of bergamot rind in my facial cleanser...these are some of the little things that can bring a smile to my face.

        In addition, other little things that mean a lot to me include my daily telephone conversations with my mum as well as my weekend afternoon tea with hubby. The former is not only a chance for me to update her on news but is, more importantly, a way to ensure she's doing all right. As for the latter, it's not just an excuse to deal with the hunger pangs between brunch and dinner. It's quality time spent with hubby. And our afternoon tea does not involve crustless sandwiches, a tier of fancy cakes or scones with clotted cream. Sometimes it can be a simple curry puff or a bun from the local bakery. At times, it can even be any tidbits that are available at home.

My not-so-posh afternoon tea

        It was on one of our afternoon tea sessions last year that I discovered the lump at my neck, which led to my total thyroidectomy. And this afternoon, during our afternoon tea, I could not help but enjoy it mindfully as I am now out of the woods following my recent total hysterectomy. With God's grace, I am able to luxuriate in this simple pleasure of life.

        Besides that, with God's grace, my recovery has been good. Although I am still not able to lift heavy things, I can resume simple chores without pain or difficulty. As with all Sundays, it was time to iron hubby's work clothes. This, I was able to do, today. I honestly don't understand why a certain hypochondriac relative can insist she's not able to do simple chores like hanging laundry outside to dry!

New Life in my Lord

26 March 2022

        "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight." (Proverbs 3 : 5-6)

        This is my favourite bible verse and serves as a good reminder every time I falter. It is like an anchor every time I struggle in despair. And today, it rang true again.

        After recovering at home for a week, it was time to step out of the house for my follow-up at Dr. Chuah's. Despite her reassurance on the day of my discharge that my fibroids looked non-cancerous, there was the slight trepidation that the histopathology may uncover the opposite, especially since the 6cm-big fibroid showed areas of reduced enhancement from the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and sarcoma could not be ruled out.

 

         Praise the Lord! Today Dr. Chuah conveyed the good news that my multiple fibroids and cysts are all benign. She examined my wound, which is healing well, and changed the dressing. She then prescribed Premarin, a hormone replacement therapy, as she says that it is too early for me to go into menopause.

         I will continue to recuperate at home until Easter Sunday and will return to work on 18 April. That means my sick leave is for 4 weeks. Easter...the resurrection of Jesus...the promise of a living hope...a new life for me in my Lord.

 

Day 07 Post-Op

24 March 2022

        Exactly a week ago (on a Thursday afternoon), I went under the knife. My hysterectomy was scheduled for 2 p.m. and I was told that I would be wheeled into the operation theatre after 1 p.m. It caught me by surprise when the nurse came into my room at 12.30 p.m. and told me to don the garb. I was slightly frantic because hubby had not arrived. He was still parking his car. I told the nurse that he was on his way and insisted on waiting for him. Fortunately, hubby soon arrived. He too was surprised that I had been called in for surgery earlier than scheduled. It was a good thing he was there to help me to change into the surgical gown as I was a bundle of nerves.

        From my room, I was wheeled to the operation theatre on a wheelchair, with hubby by my side. Then he had to let go off his hand and I had to proceed on my own. I met my anaesthetist, who tried his best to calm me down. After he set the IV drip for me, I could feel everything turning into a haze. 

        When I finally came to, I was about to be wheeled back from the recovery room to my own hospital room. I remember feeling cold and was in pain, which I complained about. The nurse assured me that painkillers would be administered as soon as I got back to my room. True enough, I was given a portable painkiller dispenser. I held the pump in my hand and only had to give it a squeeze every time the post-operative pain kicked in.

        As soon as I was back in my room, my good friends, Angeline and Wei Ming, dropped by. Wei Ming, who is a neurosurgeon in the same hospital, found out that my surgery was over and brought his wife over. I was too woozy to chat with them. But I remember telling Angeline that I was cold and asked her to get me my socks and sweater. She even kindly helped me put on my socks. What a sweet angel! I then asked her to inform my hubby and mummy that I was out of surgery.

        And that is all I remember about that night.

         

Sexy Is The Man Who Cooks For You

 22 March 2022

        Today's hubby's last day of leave and he returns to work tomorrow, thus ending his 24/7 pampering of the invalid. So whilst out buying brunch for us this morning, he made a spur of the moment detour to the wet market to procure provisions to cook tonight's dinner.

        Ahhh! What is sexier than a man who cooks for you, especially when you are unwell?

"I'm hot, it's delicious and we know it."

Testing to see if the oil is hot enough

In goes the 🐔

 

So intent was he in his cooking that he just realised there was a naughty photographer around.

Posing for the camera

Cincalok Chicken bathing in hot oil therapy

Fried Cincalok Chicken ready to be devoured

Stir-fried Beansprouts with Fishballs

Merci beaucoup, mon amour!

Yay I Pooped!

 21 March 2022

        Poo should not be taboo, but most people shy away from the topic, perhaps wrinkling their noses in disgust. Well, I'm proud to proclaim victoriously that I've succeeded in pooping today, not once, but four times!

        Having difficulty evacuating one's bowels after a hysterectomy, or any surgery, is normal but not to be trifled with. The anaesthesia used during a hysterectomy is partially to be blamed as it had paralysed our bowel movement. Hence, our bowels take time to recover from surgery. Patients who have been deemed fit for discharge should have, at least, be passing flatus. First bowel movement should occur four to five days after surgery (and today is Day 04 Post-Op). When my mum had her total hysterectomy way back in 1994, the superwoman emptied her bowels on the day she started walking, which was the day after her surgery. For a strong lady whose threshold of pain is very high, it was heartbreaking to see her face contorting at the excruciating pain. However, my pooping experience today has been anything but painful. I had soft stools and there was only minimal discomfort during the first round. From then on, it was all done effortlessly. Praise the Lord!

        Memories of the night before my hysterectomy resurfaced. As an anaesthesia pre-op requirement, I was given two doses of phospho-soda, which is a laxative. For the first 30 minutes, no action was to be seen and I relaxed, thinking it was not going to be such an ordeal after all. I was so wrong! Throughout the night, the toilet and I became inseparable. I'm so glad that I was the only occupant in the two-bedded room that night. All in, I ended up pooping 24 times! Talk about a sore ass!

The potent bottle that I never wish to lay eyes on again!

Day 03 Post-Op

 20 March 2022

        Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I would have had to go under the knife again in less than a year. But this was how the story unfolded. After my total thyroidectomy on 1 April 2021, I had to brave myself for another major surgery on 17 March 2022. So when the Irish celebrated St. Patrick's Day and got themselves happily intoxicated with pints of Guinness, I surrendered myself to the capable hands of the anaesthetist to get myself knocked out so that Dr. Chuah Joo Ngor, my obstetrician and gynaecologist, could remove my uterus, ovaries, cervix and Fallopian tubes. In short, she performed a total hysterectomy on me. The need for this was my multiple massive fibroids, the largest measuring 16 cm, another slightly suspicious one at 6 cm and a few other smaller ones.

        The surgery, performed on the afternoon of the 17th, was a success. Dr. Chuah reported that it was a straightforward surgery and took less than the three hours that she had expected. The following day was a hazy one as I slept most of the time. But I remember having my catheter removed in the afternoon on the 18th, which enabled me to start walking. There was a fair amount of bleeding (vaginal discharge) following that, which necessitated the use of a sanitary pad. Ambling around initially was mildly painful; it hurt more to get out of and onto the bed. I was also allowed to start eating a soft diet on the 18th, but my appetite deserted me.

Day 01 Post-Op

       When Dr. Chuah visited me on the morning of the 19th, she was pleased with my progress and pronounced me fit for discharge. The discharge procedure was quite smooth-sailing and I could bid adieu to Room 1007 of the O&G Ward, Pantai Hospital at around 1.30 p.m. The 5km drive from the hospital back to our home was a short one, but I had never felt this glad to be travelling this route. I will never take small things like this for granted again.

        Back home, royal treatment was bestowed on me by hubby dearest. I tried to get some rest in the downstairs room, which I had prepared beforehand. However, it was far too hot for me to rest well. After tossing and turning (and each turn being mildly painful) for more than an hour in the night, I carried my smelly pillow and comforting bolster to gingerly climb upstairs. Surprisingly, the climb did not hurt at all. And I could finally sink into the comfort of my bed for a good night's rest.

        I'm happy to note that I feel so much better, so much more alive today, the 3rd day after my surgery. Apart from being plagued by some coughing fits, which hurt very much, I have yet to open my bowels and my appetite has not fully returned. However, I'm definitely on the road to recovery, albeit a long road. I've managed to boil half a kettle of water and have even made myself a warm drink of red dates water. And I'm here, alert enough to start this blog to document my journey to complete restoration.