1st post! question for the ladies... kind of embarrasing.

[hedgewick]

Hi! First of all I'm really happy to have found this site. I just joined yesterday so this is my first post. My question is kind of a personal one but I'm worried it may be important. I'm scheduled for surgery Oct 5th. My period is pretty irregular and I'm concerned it may come at that time. If I have it on the day of surgery or just after is this a problem for them. I don't want to sound graphic but I'm thinking of the bladder catheter and stuff like that...sigh. I hate to bring it up to them since I really have no clue if it will be there or not and don't want to reschedule. Is there anyone here who has had this happen to them? Is it really a problem or am I just worrying for nothing. Thanks!

 

[Taysgrama]

Hi and welcome to the Zoo - sorry for the reason, but glad you found us! Have you checked with your PCP about the shot that can stop your cycle for a few months? My girlfriend, who had OHS in Oct. 2008 asked for and received that. She did not have a preiod for almost 6 months, then she had the lining burned to prevent them happening at all anymore. I am not sure if it is a shot or something else, but I would check with my PCP since you do have time before your surgery. I had a Hysterectomy in my very early 30's so that was not an issue with me. Maybe some of the other ladies out there can give you better information than me.

Let us know what you find out!!!!

 

[netmiff]

First of all, welcome to the zoo - and those are the kinds of questions that can be asked here, without embarassment or feeling stupid, 'cos we've all been there (especially with the "stupid " questions bit).

Personally, I can't help you, I was 52 years old, and no longer having a period. I would certainly ask one of my doctors to put my period into "remission" for a wee while; this surgery is hard on the body, and the blood (aneamia is a common problem post-surgery), to start with, and then having to cope with that, too - ugh!

 

[hedgewick]

Thanks guys. I think I'm just a bit nervous because the last time I had this surgery I was 12 (I'm 36 now) and when I was in ICU my very first period started. It was scary for me and kinda surprising to the nurses. I was at a children's hospital so they weren't used to that sort of thing happening.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome! Even if you aren't scheduled to get your period around you surgery, don't be surprised if you do. It's called S-T-R-E-S-S. It's not a big deal for the nurses and you're going to have so many other things going on you will give it little thought. I can only imagine how embarrassed and horrified you were at 12 having it all happen in front of so many people.

If it's something that really worries you, then see if you can't coordinate some sort of "stop" with your GYN and cardio.

 

[TeresaCW]

This happened to me and was not a problem at all, even though I have heavy periods. The care staff have seen it all before and it's just another day to them. I mentioned it on admittance, they made a note and just dealt with it. They gave me disposable underwear, pads that go with them, and also disposable pad squares about the size of a bathtowel that you lie on, all of which they changed frequently. You're so drowsy there's no embarrassment! The catheter was out within 24 hours when I was able to use the loo and bidet, and I was taking care of it all myself again. You'll be surprised at how quickly you become self-sufficient again - although in a painfully s-l-o-w kind of way....

 

[Bina]

Hello and welcome.
Your body will be stressed and will decide what it wants to do. Don't be embarrassed.
You have enough to think about without worrying about normal bodily functions.

 

[hedgewick]

Thanks guys. I feel a lot better about this now. Glad to have a good place to ask questions no matter how silly they seem.

 

[Mary]

Many times the surgery causes you to have a period whether you are due for one or not. It's just one of those added bonuses women get along with a new valve. It happened to me, and it wasn't any big deal. Please don't worry about it, but go prepared.

 

[hedgewick]

LOL Mary, I'll skip that "bonus" thanks anyway. I think if stress brings it on I'll expect to have it now.

 

[Jkm7]

So happy you found us and want you to know we are happy to answer any question you can think of. None of us are embarrassed or disturbed by most any question as our reason for coming here is to help those who are walking the walk we already took.... some of us more than once as seems to be the case for you.

This is a very supportive, caring, knowledgable group who try to help in all ways possible.

Welcome to VR.com.

 

[netmiff]

Thanks guys. I think I'm just a bit nervous because the last time I had this surgery I was 12 (I'm 36 now) and when I was in ICU my very first period started. It was scary for me and kinda surprising to the nurses. I was at a children's hospital so they weren't used to that sort of thing happening.

Well, they shouldn't have been surprised! I was a Guide leader for many years, and the first thing the first-aider packed was a large supply of various feminine hygiene products - it is a well-know fact that young girls away from home for the first time will have their first period. In fact, I was a late starter, and as a teen,trailed around with a box of pads every camp I went to for about 3 years, dished them out to all my friends (old and new), but never had to use one myself!

I think my worst moment in hospital was the first time I had to go to the bathroom. I had been fasting for 12 hours pre-surgery, then sedated for over 2 days, then on Jello and pudding for 2 days, then light meals (broth and crackers) for a day or two. They kept giving me stool softeners 'cos I wasn't going (there was nothing in my system). When I finally went, I found that with my sternum still taped up, I couldn't reach round to wipe, and had to call a nurse. Talk about embarrassing! I had been up walking the halls, keeping the staff amused, quite independent, and here I was worse than a two-year-old!

So yes, leave your dignity at home, and take it as it comes!

 

[njean]

Glad you found us & please don't be embarrassed about asking any question you might have. We're here to help put your mind at ease.

First of all, there's nothing that the drs & nurses haven't seen or dealt with so that is the least that you need to worry about. If you happen to get your period, it will be dealt with. You may want to mention this to your nurses when you go into the hospital. They will reassure you that this is nothing to be concerned about. Nature takes it's course & that's the bottom line!

Wishing you the very best with your upcoming surgery in October!

 

[Bina]

Jeanette makes a good point. POO issues can be much worse....ask my HUSBAND what he had to do for me.
(I think he is still traumatized)

 

[hall]

Can't add much more than what has been said. Wanted to say Hello and Welcome.

 

[kfay]

Having a period wasn't an issue for me this time around since I've had a hysterectomy. However, for my first surgery when I was 17, the nurses woke me up in ICU to ask me if it was time for me to be on my period. I had actually had my period 2 weeks beforehand but the stress of everything on my body made me start bleeding again. I was so out of it, I had no idea how they took care of it, but it turned out to not be a big deal.

The nurses have seen it ALL...don't be embarrassed, just accept that it may happen and if it does, no biggie.

Kim

 

[Kim B]

Welcome! I was concerned about the same thing and brought tampons in case I needed them. Sure enough, I had spotting on day 2 while still on the catheter. I was embarrased even though I knew they had seen it all. The nurse just said well of course you got your period, doesn't it always seem to happen at the worst possible time? She said we see it all the time with female patients right after surgery. She also said I was the first to ever ask about using a tampon while the catheter was still in, which surprised me. She recommended I not do that and said if it got too heavy they could give me some special type of underwear thing with a pad. I told her I'd just stick to using tissues and wipes during the brief moments no one was in my room since the flow was so light. She said that sounded like the best thing and moved the trash can within easy reach. No one could tell what it was since I made sure only the white tissue part was visible before it hit the trash. Then when the nurse tech was getting ready to remove the catheter, I warned her what to expect and she just laughed and said she sees much worse on a daily basis. I'm wayyyyyyy too modest and hate having to deal with stuff like that, but I guess it will get easier as I get older and have to face who knows what type of medical problems.

At least there were no poo issues during my hospital stay. I don't know how I would have managed to deal with that, but I guess we find a way to do what we have to do. One nurse told me, on the poo thing, not to flush when it happened but to call in a nurse to look at it. I was non-compliant on that request, LOL. Also the urine output bowl, I emptied it myself and wrote down the amount. I just couldn't see having a nurse do that for me as often as I go. I think they actually appreciated it when they realized I was seriously tracking the amount. I can't believe I've just written all this, but actually my mood had improved quite a bit during this post. I guess I need more potty humor (time to visit the nephews!) and less of the heavy stuff.

Good luck with your surgery!

 

[Adrienne]

- it is a well-know fact that young girls away from home for the first time will have their first period.

I'll vouch for that!

 

[Nancy]

BTW, re: the poo thing and the nurse having to "observe" what you produced , it is important. Dark stools can indicate bleeding, and I would bet that is the reason for the needing to see it.

So, please all, be compliant with that issue. Don't want to miss an important clue, if bleeding is going on.

 

[lisou]

I wouldn't worry about it, it happened to me I started my period the day before I was admitted and they were not due for another 2 weeks. When admitted to the hospital I mentionned it to the nurse during admission and she said that should be the least of my worries that they had pads the size of my bed, we laughed about it which made me feel so much better, like everyone says STRESS does it all.

Good Luck