Recovery: Horizontal Laparotomy, Right Salpingo Oophorectomy, and Appendectomy

Since 2005 I have experienced abdominal pain.  I went to many Doctors all of whom had a different personal opinion on what was wrong with me, none of their opinions included a search for the cause of pain only treatment of it.  I have a very high tolerance of pain, but over the years that tolerance has been forced to adapt to higher thresholds with each new platform of increased pain.  By 2009 I was experiencing such debilitating pain that I would be truly frozen in agony.  After a severe episode of pain that seemed very much like appendicitis I went to the Emergency room where I was told they believed it to be simply a large abscess around my right ovary. 

After many visits after that Hospitalization, my private Doctor also agreed to the diagnosis, but I had long lost my confidence in modern Doctors as none ever looked for cause, not even after my Hospitalization.  It was not until the day of my surgery that the real Diagnosis was found and that I find a very bitter truth.  The surgery is complete now and some weeks after; so, while it is still fresh in my mind I will relate my recovery process as I know from personal search that it is difficult to find such things.  I found many for ovarian cancer recoveries, but that is hardly my situation.

Normal prep procedure as far as I know. I get a little fuzzy around the time I went to the Operation room and I was out until around noon. Evidently I had a severe case of Endometriosis that just covered me inside.  My appendix had been covered and stuck to what used to be my Right Ovary but had become a Chocolate Cyst.  Before I woke up I was given a shot of Depo Lupron. I woke to feeling burning, stinging pain at the cut. I was not surprised to feel that.

The cut was a little lower than the pubic line and a tad off center with a curving edge on the left side looking down on the cut. The closure was by the Super glue stuff and I think the right edge may have a stitch deep inside that stuck out a little. It annoyed me for a long time.

The nurse provided me with the Morphine Injection button upon waking so I immediately set about using it until the burning, stinging pain was distant. I spent most of that day sleeping and trying not to move.

Oh, they kept me with the Urinary Catheter.

I am more alert, but still using the Morphine somewhat heavily.  The nerves around the cut are not dead yet.  There is a great deal of internal swelling now.  Enough swelling so that the cut is beginning to be a indent.  I am able to walk around today, but breathing is ragged do to swelling restricting lung space.  I cannot stand straight, but still quite mobile. 

Not as much sleeping, but still quite a lot. 

Urinary Catheter is still in.

Much more alert.  Unfortunately, now I have a horrible room mate who keeps yelling about her bed pan.  Using less morphine, but still quite a bit.  I notice I'm getting pretty low.  I wonder how much that is for 3 days usage.  Is that a lot?  Maybe. 

Urinary Catheter is removed at some point during the day.  I'm now officially allowed to move around, though I still can't walk straight.  Blasted IV has me running to the bathroom every few minutes so not nearly as much sleep as before but still sleeping quite a bit.

Still on liquid diet.  No bowel movements since surgery.  I can feel it beginning to work again, but nothing.  Still it is nice to be able to walk now and then.

Nurses are trying to push me out, just waiting on a bowel movement. Hardly any morphine for me today. Actually I'm still somewhat confused about the timing. I know I left late that day for home, but I can't remember if the real food started the day before or not. Real food only came after a bowel movement. Confusion among the nurses led to me getting a second shot of Depo Lupron.  Yea.

Morphine not only warps your sense of time, but it gives you really weird dreams.

The ride home while jarring and a little painful was not too bad, just really taxing on my energy.

The pain before surgery was simply just so great that the pain after surgery was minor in comparison. Something like a hangnail to a broken bone.

Unable to sleep in bed because the bed is too high to get into and out of comfortably; it was also too flat. I had to sleep on my futon because it reclined. While able to walk - I did not leave my apartment. I slept a great deal, but spent gradually more and more time awake. Only used Hydrocodone in small amounts sporadically.

Lupron effects begin.  Mild Hot flashes.

Finally able to sleep in bed. Also the muscle strain is now gone and while still unable to fully stretch I can now stand straight. Greet the Day yoga position is not an option. No longer sleeping more than 7 hours a day. Lots of boredom. No hydrocodone Day.

Hot flashes continue, somewhat stronger now.

Greet the Day yoga position is still not an option. Not sleeping more than 7 hours a day. Lots of boredom. Menstrual cycle begins. Very painful. Almost swoon at first pain stab. Internal swelling is down, no longer indent on cut. Forced to use Hydrocodone to help with menstrual cramps. Lots of fleshy like globs coming out from inside me. Bleeding lighter though compared to periods before surgery. I had desperately hoped that I would avoid the period due to the Depo Lupron, but no such luck that time.

Hot flashes continue and stronger.

Returned to work on light duty then reached full duty.

Can bend a little further backward now. Begin work again. Just a little tired from working, but quickly regain strength. Internal swelling is not visible. Some spotting continues after menstrual cycle ends, but not long after maybe 3 or 4 days after.

Hot Flashes are now frequent throughout the day. Some acne problems due to hormone fluctuations. Pain only internally with stretching movements.

Strength is gradually regained, still have to be tentative on stretching, but more stretches are possible now.  Depo Lupron is in full effect.  Constant Hot Flashes, but I'm getting used to them now.  Last two periods did not come.  Nice.  Getting ready for next shot of Depo Lupron soon.

Was able to have pain free sex, though the numb portion of skin above the cut line is still there. 

Thinking about trying a slow mile jog in the next 7 days.  Been able to do 50 m and less sprints around for work with little pain.

 Throughout this period of time hot flashes continue very strongly.  The numbness at the incision site is almost completely gone.  The surface nerves completely healed and functioning, but still a tad of numbness deep underneath.  Not enough to really notice. Scar tissue is still firm, not as firm as initial tissue, but still pink and stiff. 

I have officially started a 30 day challenge workout and have not encountered any physical limitations as of yet.  Phsyical workout is basic calesthenics and aerobics, no crunches and no ab work. 

 Days are now at a rough estimate.  Hot flashes are gone.  Just completed menstruation, full week, dark blood.  Light cramping, but not debilitating just uncomfortable.  Health is good.