Baby steps
by Jillian Bogater (Exile From Hysteria)
Wearing jeans never felt so good.
After spending almost three weeks in nightgowns and sweatpants, I have managed to squeeze into my jeans.
By the end of the day, I slowly unzip them, to give room to my swollen belly. From my research, “swelly belly” is common in the evening hours after a hysterectomy.
Each day I measure my success in baby steps.
Now that the doctor gave me permission to increase my walking, Matt and I have decided to go on one field trip a day. It’s about all I can handle, and it helps to do it early in the day. Usually these trips are simple, such as going to the local grocery store to pick up a couple items for dinner.
Yesterday I broke through to a new accomplishment. I walked the entire distance of Costco without getting dizzy.
I had found myself getting woozy anytime I walked further than from the recliner to the loo. But not yesterday. I made it from the entrance to exit, just as focused as when I arrived.
Unfortunately, I am now paying for my bravado.
Last night I noticed a burning/pulling pain in my groin. By the time I woke up this morning, the pain was still there. My mind went berzerk. Is it recurred endometriosis? A blood clot? A hernia? After a panicked call to my surgeon’s nurse, she told me I pulled an abdominal muscle.
So for now, I’m grounded. No more stairs, and I’m taking it easy. With all this walking stuff, I had gotten cocky. Today I had planned a full day, including a trip to Kinkos, Costco, Kohl’s and Petco. What was I thinking??? Instead I will stay in my jammies and watch some bad TV.
Anyway, I want to rest up. Tomorrow we are adopting a cat. Her name is Cora, and she has 25 toes.
Exile From Hysteria 
Jillian! Just remembered this blog! Was thinking of you and glad to hear you are progressing. One day at a time, right? Hope all continues to go well. I will check back often 🙂
Thanks Cherie! So good to hear from you. I was up and running, then reminded to take it slow. Ha. Oh well. Still, it’s all moving in the right direction…. 🙂
Hey, apart from the slight hiccup, it sounds like things are going really well now! Do look forward to meeting Cora and all her toes 😉
Thanks! I do feel really good. It’s just a small set back. And i can’t wait to get Cora!!!
Isn’t that always the way? Leave it to us to do too much too soon. My surgeons said I could start walking in the treadmill April 1st. I shaves and bathed my dog 2 days before that and just finished paying for that! Will we ever learn?
Congrats on Cora!
You’re right about baby steps, you can never take too many of them. Looking forward to meeting Cora, I’m definitely a cat person.
Awwe, thanks! I’m feeling better today. And we pick up Cora on Saturday. I can’t wait!!!
Hi! Just wanted to pop in for my 2 cents worth – I had groin pain as well after I started walking around after the operation. It feels very painful indeed but I found that it passed in a few days. Don’t let it freak you out, it seems it is pretty common in recovery.
Thanks! You are right on. This morning I am feeling much better. But wow, that was painful!!
WOW. Just discovered this blog and that’s all I can say. Hi endosister (ex-endosister?) be AWAP – as well as possible
Thanks so much, Rachel! This blog has been a real life saver. It’s kept me sane through the most difficult decision of my life. Please read through the posts, and drop a line if you want to chat: exilefromhysteria@gmail.com
Cheers, Jillian
At least you can get into jeans! That’s worth celebrating even if you need to slow it down a bit.
So true! I usually have to switch back to sweatpants by dinnertime, but I’ll take the progress!!
Glad you are recovering well. I remember going shopping in jeans a few weeks after my hysterectomy, but I’d forgotten that I’d undone the zip and button to make room for swelly belly. My knickers were on show for all to see and I only realised once I’d been around several shops (it got a bit drafty down there). I was very embarassed.
Oh my. Haha. That really made me laugh. In all honesty, my jeans are undone a few hours after I get them on. That darn swelly belly is a real thing, and it always wins!
[…] was jealously reading another blogger the other day as she described putting on jeans a mere three weeks post surgery. Until I read her […]
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Stick with it!