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Post by hellsbells on Dec 24, 2009 9:12:57 GMT -5
And it's strange, I almost feel like a different person. A few days ago I was a woman with a lot of inexplicable pain who was totally fed up. Now I'm a woman with endometriosis. Hard to explain.
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Post by JC on Dec 24, 2009 10:19:03 GMT -5
Well the dressing mostly help with bleeding and if you have an open wound. But since you're not bleeding, it's been a couple of days, I'd take them off but keep the steri strips where they are. If you notice them bleeding again then you can always re dress them. If they're anything like my incisions, they're extremely small and shouldn't require excessive dressing changes. Plus some good ol' fashioned air to them will help the healing. As far as the diagnosis, it's definitely an up and down process. You said it very well on how one day you were a woman with pain and the next you're a woman with endometriosis. I think it makes total sense even though it's hard to put into words. You get that initial "finally an answer" feeling then it's like, well sh*t now what?? It's an uphill battle and at times can be very frustrating. Take it one day at a time. Plus you've got a whole slew of women here that know exactly how you feel.
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Post by hellsbells on Dec 24, 2009 10:44:48 GMT -5
Thanks Jenaya. There are a few women I know who know something about it, and my friend's sister has it but I'm not sure to what extent. I can't put into words how amazing and comforting it is to be part of this lovely group of women. Even when I'm feeling crap, it's nice to post to help someone else too, kind of keeps things in perspective and it's nice to 'give and take'. The idea of going through this without this forum just doesn't even bear thinking about! I appreciate every one of you!
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Post by hellsbells on Dec 24, 2009 10:47:06 GMT -5
Oh and btw, still doing ok with the patches. Now reduced to the middle strength ones. I've had a few ups and downs with the ciggied over the last few weeks, but was determined to stay off before and after op to give myself the best chance of healing quickly and getting better.
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Post by hellsbells on Dec 26, 2009 10:58:58 GMT -5
Well I think I may have overdone it yesterday, preparing and making dinner. I had a lovely day, family left around 9.45 pm and I went to bed not long after. I fell asleep fairly quickly but woke at about 2 am, then spent 4 hours rolling round the bed in agony, just horrendous cramp. Think I managed to fall back to sleep around 6 am. I still don't know what's normal and what's not but I couldn't imagine turning up at hospital and saying 'I've got really bad cramp'. I was up twice to get painkillers and also had by first BM since the op, wondering if that's sparked up some inflammation. Better today but still a bit crampy. **sigh**
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Post by KSA on Dec 26, 2009 11:01:08 GMT -5
I am playing catch up with everyone's posts and I am glad you got the answers you needed. You are stopping smoking too! WOW you go girl! You will have ups and downs with finding out you are are a ENDO GIRL now but know you have all the support on here and alot of women who want to listen. Sometimes the docs and hospital rush women thru and do not give you everything you need. Be persistant it sounds as tho you are already and get the answers you deserve. Good luck with recovery. Take it easy:)
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Post by hellsbells on Dec 26, 2009 13:16:27 GMT -5
Cheers, trying to be sensible and not do too much just yet. Still getting my head around the diagnosis!
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Post by hellsbells on Dec 27, 2009 15:02:16 GMT -5
Quick question - how long do you think it normally takes these incisions to properly heal? Dressings off now, steri strips still there and cuts looking pretty good, no oozing, itchiness or soreness. Am planning on going back to gym on Jan 4th, fairly sure that should be long enough??
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Post by Karen on Dec 27, 2009 16:02:42 GMT -5
Honestly, I can't remember how long it took for mine to seal up nice and good. I know I was back at the gym after 2 weeks and that was too soon for me, but everyone is quite different. Sounds like you're healing quite nicely, though!
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Post by hellsbells on Dec 28, 2009 8:48:20 GMT -5
Wow - steristrips are off my belly buttom and I swear, if I didn't know better I'd say nothing happened. I can't see anything that resembles an incision/scar, nothing, nada, zero. Amazing.
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Post by JC on Dec 28, 2009 14:27:30 GMT -5
LOL thats how mine were. I was so amazed at how tiny they were. I am trying to remember but I don't think I went back to the gym too quickly. You think you feel fine then all it takes is the wrong twist of the torso and BAM you're on your ass again. If you do go to the gym, I say take it easy on heavy lifting and anything requiring abdominal muscles or twisting. LOL sorry, that doesn't leave much but maybe light cardio would be ok. Just be careful.
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Post by hellsbells on Dec 28, 2009 15:22:23 GMT -5
I went into the city centre this afternoon to browse the shops. My goodness, quite an increase in pain in tummy and I kept feeling a little light headed. Not good. It's been 6 days and I suppse I feel I should be ok, based on what some friends have said and how tiny the incisions are. I keep forgetting about what they did inside, the bits you can't see.
Also took the steri's off the other incision, and although it's more noticeable than the one in my belly button it just looks like a scratch. Skin hasn't quite held together on surface but honestly, they've done such a good job. There is absolutely nothing to see in my belly button.
As for going to the gym I'll probably just start back with some walking on the treadmill, and perhaps a gentle swim (followed by stint in sauna and jaccuzi :-))
Thanks for all the advice girls, I really don't know what I'd do without this forum. I'm totally addicted!!
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Post by hellsbells on Dec 29, 2009 12:24:19 GMT -5
Oww oww oww. I've been tidying my spare room/office/library/dressing room (it's quite small but gotta lotta rubbish packed in) and doing a lot of bending/twisting and my innards are playing up again, like a nasty period cramp. Has anyone had the Mirena fitted, I'm not sure if it takes a while to settle down or something but I've had more cramp in the last week than I ever get with a period.
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Post by cherry on Dec 29, 2009 15:08:02 GMT -5
You'll have to avoid all of that. I lifted up a frigging dyson vacuum cleaner and regretted it for a week after. Treat yourself as though you've had a hyster. That's the best way to go, be delicate and err on the side of caution. You said it. it's easy to forget that a major op has gone on cos of the tiny incisions. My doc increased the time he signs his patients off for and suggested up to 6 weeks, just for a lap with excision! First time I had a mirena I was in a lot of discomfort for 6 months and ended up having it taken out. This time, not so bad, the pain I get is from my old endo sites. Take it from me, I tried to do little things after my lap and ended up taking months and months to recover. It's all so tightly packed that the pain could be from elsewhere, it may not be uterine cramps. Just take it easy or I'm hopping up there to tie you to your sofa! Think of your excision sites like a scrape on your elbow, it scabs over but it's still sore when you move it, and sometimes will start bleeding again cos you're doing too much and the scab can't stay on and your elbow then takes longer to heal. Take care.
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Post by hellsbells on Dec 29, 2009 15:22:57 GMT -5
Wise words there missy. For the most part since Christmas Day I've been behaving as if nothing's happened. Crazy I know, but that's me. Little Miss Stubborn I Can Be Brave and Just Get On With It. Doh. It's only been a week, and the pain isn't what I'd call constantly excruciating, I just keep feeling pulls and twinges that make you go 'Oooh that stung!'. I promise I'll try and take it easy xx
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