Autistic/epileptic cousin undergoing hysterectomy - need advice

[Climbergirl]

**I am going to cross post in the health forums as well**

Ok, so my 18 year old cousin (who is a fairly mid to low functioning autistic girl) is having a hysterectomy next week. This has been an ongoing thing that the doctor thinks will improve her epilepsy, which has been getting worse and worse (she is having grand mal seizures pretty regularly). My mom and her dad will be taking care of her as her mom (my aunt) has just been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma and will be having extensive tests next week to figure out what to do for her.

I am not sure I agree with the hysterectomy thing, but that is the decision her parents have made, so I am just trying to get info to help with recovery.

My mom wants to know what things to do to help her deal with the surgery and to help her deal with being in the hospital. I don't know if the surgery is going to be laproscopic or an abdominal incision similar to a c-section (I really hope not in her case since she is very sensitive).

Does anyone have any suggestions? I tried finding a pdf I found at one point on helping to recover from a c-section, but I am not finding much.

Thanks!

[CarrieMF]

Is it a total hysterectomy or a partial? They try to do most hysterectomy's through the vagina now.

Internal infection would be a main thing to watch for when she's home.

how does she react to pain? That would be the other thing.

If she does have a c-section type surgery, or even externally laproscopic will she mess with stitches?

[Climbergirl]

I found out a little more info. They are going to do an abdominal incision (like a c-section). I think it is a full hysterectomy. They said they can not do vaginal because she has not had a baby and her uterus is too high to get to easily from the vagina.

They think they are going to use glue instead of stitches (but yes, she will mess with it). I don't think she handles pain all that well, but she doesn't talk, so it is hard to know exactly what is going on. That is why my mom wants me to tell her comfort measures I needed after my c-section. But I do want to tailor the advice to a child who can not communicate or ask for what she needs. And her mom, who really knows her, can not be there

I am so frustrated for the whole family....