Surgical Specialty Center

I went in recently for a hysterectomy and had a rough experience. I spent 3 days as an inpatient. The first nurses were ok. My pain was completely unmanaged the day of the surgery. I was asked to postpone pain meds immediately following the surgery at the request of the anesthesiologist because my respiratory rate was low. I understand and respect that because the Dr was trying to keep me safe. Though, I’m not sure if the team understood that, because my pain levels were so high, it was too painful to even breath. I began having seizures due to pain and they did offer me meds at some point, but the pain was still not even halfway under control. It was easily the most back pain I had ever felt in my life. The progress was slow from there. I have pre existing conditions that make recovery much more intense. My day nurse was far more interested in getting me out the door than she was in actual progress or my comfort. During both the first and second day of the surgery I was blacking out from pain every time they had me walk a few steps. I couldn’t make it to the bathroom. Despite this, the nurse kept pushing to have the catheter removed. I asked her how I’d be getting to the bathroom and she said I’d have to walk (?? 🤦🏼‍♀️ Maybe she kept forgetting that I hadn’t yet even made it into the bathroom). Off and on all day, we tried several times to get me to walk; she kept talking about sending me home; despite the uncontrolled pain, weakness and blacking out. I asked for PT to come in for a proper assessment and he had me almost immediately go back to bed. Afterwards, AGAIN, the nurse told me it was time to take my catheter out. Again, I asked how I was going to make it to the bathroom. No wheelchair was even discussed or offered, which would have made her goal more feasible. Another matter that I brought up several times was getting in to my house. I have to walk up 10 steps to get inside; I also have 3 flights of stairs once I get in. I needed to be able to make it in to my house! I don’t know how many times she told me that I needed to get home; and every time I would discuss the concern about my stairs (to which, she’d somewhat acknowledge the conundrum). Despite this, she kept pushing to get me out. She had a goal; and that goal was more important than the person she was caring for. I understand the concern for infection caused by catheter. And, considering I’m the one who would have to deal with it, I didn’t like the idea of it. If infection is a concern, but impossible, send the patient home on antibiotics! … Regardless, I had NO control over my recovery, and blacking out/collapsing/uncontrolled pain wasn’t something I was enjoying. The 2nd night I (barely) made it to the bathroom and she told me that the next morning she wanted me walking laps around the floor (really??). The next day I was able to make it up a few stairs and was getting ready to leave. After she discharged me she said goodbye without offering a wheelchair. I asked her for one and she looked at me incredulously. I am now 3 weeks post op and I can easily say that I STILL would not be able to walk laps around the floor or walk myself out of the hospital. This has been a HARD recovery. During the last few weeks I’ve been collapsing after several steps. To get to the bathroom, I walk a few steps, collapse to the floor, wait 10 min, walk, collapse, etc…until I make it. I have Ehlers Danlos and my body is not like a typical woman’s. I felt like I was dismissed and treated as though I wasn’t trying hard enough. I was also sent home with very few meds for pain, which impacted my recovery at home.