I wish I had recorded my recovery properly instead of trying to remember it in retrospect but the reality is, I was sleeping a LOT - stringing together phrases would have felt like far too much of a chore. After six weeks at home I was into a phased return at my job and my focus was readjusting to the weekly schedule.
I thought, rather than painstakingly trying to recreate the stages I went through for this post, I would collate a few tips and 'lessons learned' for others.
Ask whoever is taking you home to bring at least one pillow/cushion with them. Place it between your stomach and the seatbelt when you get in the car. Get them to drive SLOWLY.. When you get home, take a dose of whatever painkillers were prescribed to you during the hospital discharge process - if you don't you are going to feel the trauma of the trip home the next morning.
Keep AHEAD of the pain, don't deny yourself prescription drugs to see if you can handle it (this may be obvious to some, but I had to be told this after a rough day).
If you have been prescribed other medication such as an anticoagulants (blood thinner) and iron supplements, keep up with regular doses as instructed to avoid unnecessary complications
Sleep as much as you need. I know loved ones want to visit, showing support and checking you are okay, but sometimes that adds unnecessary pressure to stay awake and 'entertain' when your whole body is exhausted.
Use as many pillows as you need to prop your body in a way where you can sleep.. if you don't live alone, get a bed to yourself somehow. If, like me you had Zoladex injections prior to your operation, remember you're dealing with severe pain ADDED to day and night sweats. You can't reach out for covers if you're freezing because you just can't grab and pull ANYTHING without feeling like your whole stomach is about to drop out.
Coughing (and laughing) hurt like.. I can't even think of an analogy here. THEY JUST HURT. You can't do much about the coughing, but I'd suggest you DON'T take the opportunity to catch up on boxsets of your favourite comedy series in the first couple of weeks at home.
Don't do too much! Have someone decant milk / juices into smaller containers so you're not lifting anything too heavy. For the first week at home get into the habit of microwaving a cup of water instead of struggling with a kettle full (or as a friend discovered, using a little travel kettle is perfect).
Listen to your body. You will soon become familiar with an internal feeling of a rope pulled too tight in your lower stomach if you walk or stand for too long, acknowledge that and rest - no pushing yourself too far and regretting it a day later.
Walk every day. As you feel improvement go a little further each time.
Be patient with yourself, you've been through major surgery. It may take six weeks to get back into the flow of your schedule but there is healing going on inside for at least six months afterward.
I think that's it from me. If you are reading this because you are about to have a myomectomy or are recovering from one, I hope this post has been of some use.
I wish you a very smooth recovery!
