On the Mend

I am doing really well. God has been so good.

I’d say I’m at about 75% by now. I have hardly any pain and I’m not taking any pain meds, aside from the occasional regular ibuprofen. Of course, that doesn’t really matter, but my point is that I’m doing GOOD!

I still don’t have my usual energy and I get tired easily. I’m still taking it easy and doing very little. But I can think more clearly (the anesthesia fog + pain meds made the first 3 or 4 days a little odd) and definitely feel more like myself.

I am healing really well. My four incisions are scars now -literally, I’ve healed that fast. You can barely see them. It’s incredible. I’ve been taking homeopathic remedies to help with healing and I think that’s made a huge difference. (Arnica Montana, Bellis Perenis, and Staphysagria.) Of course, the Lord gets the credit here. I am in awe at how faithful He has been. I’m a little ashamed of how afraid I was before my surgery, but hey, it’s another lesson learned, right?

I can even pick up Luke. No, I’m not overdoing it. My doctor said to not pick him up for the first few days and after that, I could, just listen to my body. It’s been so nice to really cuddle my babies again.

I had a little bit of a meltdown on Thursday. I think the emotional aspect of this whole thing finally hit me. I don’t have a uterus anymore and I’m not even 30. Wow. But I’m still okay with it, it was just a little dose of reality that this really is a big deal. I cried and then I felt better. Nate was really sweet. I also had a tough moment because being around the kids was wearing me out. I want to be with my children and to have to go upstairs to take a nap was really hard for me as a mom. But again, I cried it out and felt better. From Friday on, I’ve been doing pretty well.

Nate has been incredible. And my mom-in-law. Mom was here through Wednesday and she was amazing the way she just picked up where I left off – hugging the kids, bathing them, making dinners, doing laundry, and all the other little details that make up the life of a mom. I am so grateful for her stepping in to help us out. It made such a huge difference in my recovery. Thanks, Mom. I love you!

My own mom was so sweet, and even though she couldn’t be here, she sent me a care package with special gifts to open. I got a cute stuffed purple hippo to hug at the hospital, a couple movies, a book, and some chocolate. Exactly what a girl needs to help her relax. Thanks, Mom! I love you too!

It’s also been wonderful to have extended family checking in. Even my aunt and uncle surprised me with a beautiful flower delivery – it definitely made my day! My dad’s been calling and even offered to come up and help with the kids. He doesn’t have any vacation time leftover, but still offered. Thankfully, I’m doing well enough that we’re all set, but it was a big relief to have that option, should we have needed it. I love you Dad!

But back to my husband. Nate has tirelessly taken care of the kids, especially after his mom left on Wednesday. He took off work Wed, Thurs, Friday, and has done an awesome job of taking care of the kids and me. He’s always asking what I need, bringing me a hot pack (that’s been great for my sore tummy) over and over again, even without me asking, and being so supportive. I’m so blessed to have such an awesome husband.

I had to laugh yesterday. Nate said something about he doesn’t know how I do it, day in and day out and stay sane. I said “I bet you’re looking forward to heading back to work on Monday, huh?” And he goes “Just a LITTLE bit!” Haha.

Because, yep, tomorrow I’m on my own with the kids. I may even bring Joshua to his first day of preschool, since it’s just down the road. (And yes, I’m okay to drive, since I’m doing so well and off pain meds.) I just plan on taking it easy. If the kids watch tv all day, that’s okay – this is the kind of situation where that’s fine. One of my best friends is bringing us dinner tomorrow night so that will help. Then on Tuesday, another dear friend is coming to help for the day. So that will give me a break if I’m worn out from Monday.

Honestly, I’m just taking it one day at a time.

My doctor had emailed me this week to check on how I’m doing and when I said I was more tired than anything, she assured me that was completely normal and that I’d be 100% myself again within a month, and probably better! I’m also anemic so that’s contributing to my lack of energy, but I’m eating lots of iron-rich food – spinach, steak tips (yum!), even blackstrap molasses. So hopefully, that will resolve very soon.

Thank you, my dear friends and family, for praying for me -and my whole family. I have felt that prayer power so much in the last week and a half and it’s been incredible.

I am going to ease back into “normal” life slowly. I’ll be writing my surgery story out soon and will be sharing that probably later this week. I’m going to take it easy this week and then hopefully, next week, I’ll start to come back with more of my usual. 🙂

Read My Complete Hysterectomy Story here:

1. Girl Talk in Too Much Detail
2. Hysterectomy at Age 30?
3.  A Surgery Date – Hysterectomy
4. I’m Afraid
5. Two Days
6. Home and Resting
7. On the Mend
8. My Story: Hysterectomy at Age 29
9. Healing
10. 7 Weeks Post Hysterectomy
11. 6 Months Later…After My Hysterectomy
12. 5 Years After a Hysterectomy [2018 Update]

Questions or comments? Feel free to email me at erika at livingwellmom . com (no spaces). I’ve received countless emails from women with similar stories to mine and I love hearing from you!