One Week Post-Op

I hit the one week mark and I am feeling pretty darn great. It's amazing how our bodies heal.

So, How am I feeling at the one week mark? Well, I still have sore abs- I won't be doing crunches any time soon. It's a feeling I can't quite explain- I guess it feels sorta like I spent waaaaaay to much time at the gym since the soreness wraps around from my abs to my back. Getting up from sitting or from being in bed is still very difficult. I can manage the sit-to-stand on my own, but Rob is still helping me out of bed. Coughing, sneezing, yawning are still my enemy! I have avoided sneezing by pinching myself when I feel one coming on- it really works!

I had some issues with coughing up until very recently- I guess the breathing tube that I had during surgery irritated my throat, and I would get a tickle that would instantly make me cough. Coughing with hurting abs.....sucks!!

Posturally, I can't really tolerate much standing or sitting yet- I need to take breaks and get horizontal every couple of hours. Usually that turns into a nap, which I find that I am still needing during the day. The belly-band (hardcore abdominal binder) really helps a huge amount with my sitting and standing. Without it I think I would be in far worse shape- and I'd be lying in bed far more than I currently am.

Let's talk about swelly-belly. For some reason I thought I could escape it's wrath. HA! Basically, my belly is swollen from the surgery. So, I got rid of a few huge lumps and bumps that made me look pregnant and I traded them in for a belly that looks like a wad of pizza dough. The belly binder helps keep this at bay because it offers some compression to my abs.

My steri-strips are still intact; covering the five "holes" that are healing on my belly.

Believe it or not, I think that I am going to start doing some upper body exercise today- to help with my arm and back strength- no weights, just resistance bands and just a few reps.

Yesterday I spoke to a friend on the phone and she asked me how I was "psychologically", which I thought I would report on today: the short answer is that I feel great. The anxiety caused by the fibroids was tremendous and now that's gone and I know my body is healthier for it. How can I not feel wonderful about that? I feel exuberant, in fact.

As for the "no uterus" factor, honestly, that isn't even an issue for me. I guess I was fortunate in that I had worked through any and all uterus/childbearing/womanhood issues...and I am perfectly at peace with the emotional weight that each of those presents.

I don't want to belittle the emotional gravity of this surgery-because it is intense. Many women feel very depressed post-surgery and I can totally respect and understand that. In my particular situation, I can only say that that hasn't been the case for me.

Overall I feel that I am doing really well physically and mentally. The worst seems to be behind me and I am so appreciative that my body is as strong as it is and is healing as quickly and as well as it is!