My First Week Post Op, Pain Meds, and That Darn Cat

One week ago today I was under anesthesia, my uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and cervix being evicted from my form.

How has it already been a week?!?

I’ve watched so many YouTube videos, like this one about Underconsumption Core, which I thought was just us living within our means and respecting the environment. We’ve watched some of season three of The Bear, which is utterly brilliant, some of these episodes are pure art. And I’ve been watching the Democratic National Convention live on YouTube as well and feeling such hope again. 

This morning my partner returned to work, “I wish I would have taken more time off. It feels too soon.”

This morning I slept in, avoiding the inevitable tasks of self-care that are now mine and mine alone to complete. 

There’s a neighborhood cat that has decided our driveway is their personal kitty-cat highway, our garage their clubhouse to hang out in, and our side yard is now their territory – even when our dog is on the other side of the dining room window losing her ever-loving mind barking at it on the grass bellow. The other day my partner took the dog out to potty and that darn cat came tearing out of the garage in front of them and our darn dog tried to bolt after it with a silent speed that tells us kitty better stay out of reach. It all happened so fast she ended up yanking my partner HARD as she about pulled the lease out of his hand.

We’re both more than a little nervous about her trying that nonsense again while I’m the one holding the lease.

I’ve got plenty of celiac safe, nutrient-and-protein dense food to eat already made and just needing me to put containers in the oven to eat. Also plenty of protein shakes to start the day because eating first thing is not my jam. I’ve already drank one of them when I took my pain meds to protect my tender tummy.

Speaking of pain meds, I was sent home with only a 3 day prescription of Oxycodone!

Three days!!

I have three incision points on my abdomen and a brand new vaginal cuff made via cauterization, along with the general pain that accompanies your internal organs repositioning themselves into the new space.

Three days…

Thankfully, I had 2 days worth leftover from my biopsy in June so I didn’t have to start pulling back on dosing until Monday. And I’m saving one for next week’s follow-up appointment so I’m not in agony while sitting in the uncomfortable chairs at my OB’s office waiting.waiting.waiting for my turn. 

I’ve never not waited to see her. I don’t mind waiting though because she runs late because she doesn’t leave the exam room until the patient is done – she’s given me the same time to ask questions and then receive thorough-non-rushed answers. 

But so, yeah, I’m home alone for the first time today. 

I won’t lie and pretend it’s all bad – the silence of being home alone is a balm for my autistic, highly sensitive soul. 

I’m thinking of doing a weekly blog about my recovery, both to simply document it but also to help me stay mindful that my partner and I have decided that I’ll spend this entire next year focusing on recovery. I want to explain why but I’m running out of spoons and mental clarity as my pain rises.

I didn’t expect typing to wear me out like this and I certainly didn’t expect it to cause increased pain like it has. 

So, for now, I’m gonna close things up and I’ll explain the year of recovery concept hopefully next week.

Love, 

Kat