Frequently Asked Questions

1. A Hysterectomy? What is it?
2. A Hysterectomy? What Kind?
3. Frightened and Anxious?
4. Go to doctor appointment with her?
5. How can the rest of the family and friends help?
6. How to Prepare the Room?
7. Is a Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy Best?
8. Light housework? What is that?
9. No Libido?
10. Post-op bleeding?
11. SEX! When can we get back to normal?
12. Swelly belly? Tender belly?
13. Trouble getting out of bed?
14. What Type of Surgeon for Cancer?
15. When can she cook?
16. Why Does She Need a Second Opinion?
17. Why is my wife not feeling better?

* Light housework? What is that?

My wife's surgeon said that as she felt better, she can do light housework. Exactly what is *light* housework?

Its important that your wife doesn't do anything that would exceed the limitations of lifting that her doctor has specified. (Usually this is nothing over 5 pounds.) But it isn't just the lifting of an object that could be harmful but also pushing, pulling, straining that could be just as damaging.

Light housework can mean: dusting, dishes, cooking. Laundry is allowed if someone else lifts the laundry baskets and your Hyster Sisters just puts the laundry into the machine a piece or two at a time and folds it as it comes out of the dryer.

This is certainly not the time to spring clean and move the sofa to gather up the dust bunnies reproducing under it.

As your Hyster Sister feels better and is healing each day her energy level will add more and more to her housework list.

"My doctor said absolutely *No Vaccuming*. I've asked him if he can extend these instructions forever."

Picking up pillows and repositioning them....allowed

Turning on dishwasher after others have loaded it....allowed

Changing roll of toilet paper....allowed

Flipping on light switch....allowed

Folding laundry...allowed

Vacuuming....NOT ALLOWED

Sweeping....NOT ALLOWED

Carrying laundry across house to washer...NOT ALLOWED