My pre-operative assessment

It doesn’t matter how many previous pre-op assessments I’ve had, I still get so nervous, more so this time around as it’s all a guessing game. I won’t know what I will wake up like, other than I know I’m having a full hysterectomy, removal of Buddy the cyst, excision of scar tissue that’s currently impacting my stoma and stents in my urethras. I may wake up with a urostomy. I won’t know until I’ve come around as the scar tissue in my pelvis is rather extensive.

Pre-op

This surgery has been a long time coming and I am now a week away from surgery.

This pre-op appointment was pretty extensive, it’s the longest appointment I have ever attended. The gynea nurses have been absolutely amazing and they have helped me so much in the last year.

The surgery was explained to me, I was also provided with some rather extensive literature about what to expect

What surgery I was having
Anaesthesia – what to expect
What to do in the lead up to surgery
ERN – what to expect with your enhanced recovery nurse
Recovery timetable

I also had to have to my MRSA swabs done, alongside a blood match grouping and bloods to check my general health. Unfortunately my bloods came back abnormal as I was still recovering from an epic three day blockage and recovering from severe dehydration. I am up at the hospital this Thursday to have my bloods taken again to make sure I am fit for surgery. I also have the god awful pre-op drinks to give my body the energy it will need to get through this extensive surgery.

My hospital bag

Packing for hospital typically causes my nerves to be a little frayed, however being well prepared means less stress for my husband trying to find my stoma supplies or bring up the right knickers.

Here’s my list:

Chargers
iPad
Phone
Dressing gown
Low rise knickers ×7
Two cotton nighties
Tracksuit for coming home
Stoma supplies x14 bags, x14 barrier rings, adhesive remover, scissors & dry wipes
Toiletries (I got a silicone bottle set from Amazon to help keep the bag light)
Razor
Body spray
Water bottle
Sanitary towels (the Always night time ones)
Slippers
Socks x2
Sports bra
Trainers (I will be wearing those up to the hospital)
Teddy
Pillows

For the first few days I will be in hospital gowns. I don’t typically get into my own night clothes until I’ve had the catheter removed. Past experiences with surgery due to the adhesions removal means I will bleed quite heavily as there’s always free floating blood due to the tinkering. If I do wake up with a urostomy then I will be able to wear my night clothes sooner.

I’m spending my last week sleeping as much as possible so I feel ready to go for my surgery. I’ve been told that full recovery will take about 18 months as I am nearly 40 but this has to be better than the amount of pain I am currently in.

My surgery is on the 29th of January.

As always,

Many thanks for reading

Louise | @crohnsfighting Xx