Fussybird - Alumni Hostess 2004 - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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Fussybird - Alumni Hostess 2004

Fussybird - Alumni Hostess 2004

From the Alumni Staff Bios Articles List

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Options to Hysterectomy
Pre-Op Hysterectomy
Post-Op Hysterectomy
Hormone and Menopause
Intimacy after Hysterectomy
Pelvic Floor
Fitness after Hysterectomy
GYN Cancer
Grief and Loss
Endometriosis
Uterine Fibroids
Hysterectomy Stories
Ask A Doctor

My name is Rita and I live in Southern California with my husband, Kevin. We are both originally from Upstate New York, where we married in 1985.

We currently live with our 4 cats; Sophie, Smudge, Peace and Quiet (the last two are twins and we found them in our backyard when they were 2 weeks old), and our two cockateils named Peep and Tweety.

I enjoy doing artwork, mostly photography, and scrapbooking (a more recent hobby). I have a big heart for animals and children. I'm very interested in learning about the deaf culture and learning ASL. I'm working towards my certification as an ASL interpreter.

I have been unable to have biological children (a history of anorexia and endo problems prevented me from becoming pregnant) so we’ve begun the process of adoption through the LA county fost/adopt program. We’d like to adopt a child who is deaf.

My journey to hystersisters began years ago…I have always had painful periods since the age of 13, along with heavy bleeding, but each time I mentioned it to a GYN I was told it was normal for periods to be a little painful. They simply didn’t understand what I was dealing with.

My endo problems were masked by an eating disorder. At the age of 17 I started with Bulimia and in time progressed into Anorexia. Because of the Anorexia my periods stopped and any pain I experienced would be dismissed as related to the Anorexia and/or the laxative abuse. I would purposely starve myself to avoid having periods because they were so painful and heavy if I gained enough weight to have them. This is one of many reasons I had for living a life of starvation.

I am proud to say that I have been fully recovered from the eating disorders that I had for 20 years. I’ve been recovered since 2001, during the time of the death of my beloved Daddy from Pancreatic cancer (see note below). It took a lot of hard work and determination, but I survived. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do and it nearly killed me, but I came out of it a stronger, more compassionate person.

It wasn’t until I experienced the horrendous pain of having a cyst rupture that I found out about the endo. The doctor in the ER was able to give a quick diagnosis and I had my first laparoscopy a few days later. The GYN surgeon said I had stage 4 endo and it was one of the worst cases he’d seen. As bad as it felt to find out something was wrong, it also helped me understand the years of pain that went undiagnosed for so long. I finally knew what I was dealing with and could educate myself to be proactive in my recovery.

The following year I had a laporotomy because the right ovary was still causing problems and the endo would not cease. Following this lap I was put on BC pills that caused me to get as close to a mental breakdown as I could be without being put in an institution. It was truly that horrific! I went without the BC pills and because of a neck injury shortly thereafter I coped with the pain by using an endless supply of vicodin.

When the vicodin would not longer work and I knew I could not even try to conceive while taking medications (how would I live 9 months without pain meds?) I found another GYN to help me. She insisted that I use BC pills or Lupron (no Lupron for me thank you…I need to be able to stop the hormones at any moment!). I tried the BC pills and ended up in more pain as well as an emotional mess. My attempts at controlling the endo only made my life more unbearable.

So…I asked for another GYN referral and found my current doctor. He talked with me and helped me decide on a treatment plan. I went home feeling confident that I could finally get the help I needed. I did not want to try another laparoscopy because the first 2 did not offer me any relief from the pain of endo and I knew I could no longer follow up with any hormonal treatments to keep the endo from returning. After careful consideration, I returned a week later to the doctor’s office and requested the hyster…and a friend on an endo support board I was directed me to hystersisters!

My recovery from my hyster (SAH) has been challenging. Immediately after being discharged from my hyster I was readmitted to the hospital for a blocked bowel. After 3 more days of treatment I went home and felt much better. My recovery went well for some time, but then sometime around the 5-month mark I started developing severe pain whenever I ate anything. I’m currently following up with a GI doctor to find out what the cause is and how to fix the problem. I’m still thankful for my hyster because it did relieve me of the relentless pain of the endo, adeno and fibroids. I wasn’t prepared for this new complication…but with the support I have here at hystersisters I know I will do just fine.

I cannot begin to tell you how hystersisters helped me through a horrible time in my life. I was devastated by the pain I had endured and terrified of the surgery I was facing. I always feel that knowledge is power, and hystersisters gave me the knowledge I needed to find the best possible solution for me, along with all the love and support a girl could ask for.

Hystersisters kept me sane during a very difficult time. I will be forever grateful for the support and friendships I’ve found here!
You never know what challenges life will give you, and you never know what blessings will come from those challenges. Although I have had a long, hard struggle in dealing with the endo and now some post-op complications, I am forever grateful for the chance to meet each and every wonderful woman I’ve met here at hystersisters.

Rita

*Note: I work with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network because both my Father and my Uncle died from pancreatic cancer in 2001. I'm working hard, with a team of others, to raise awareness of this deadly cancer and I'm always available to answer questions and to guide people towards the latest information regarding current clinical trials and treatment approaches. There is currently no cure for this cancer (the average life expectancy after diagnosis is 3-6 months) and the number of people dying each year is increasing.
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and is symbolized by the wearing of a purple ribbon.

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Recommended for Hysterectomy Recovery

The HysterSisters Store has gathered products made specifically for your recovery from surgery. Here are the best sellers we can recommend to help you:

The Great Binder Set - We have made it very easy for you and combined the two best binders and the Silky Sac into a great set to save you money! Our favorite is the Perfect Pocket binder with cold/hot packs!
Deluxe Hyst Prep Set - As you plan, we've gathered the best products into one set for special pricing.
Post-Op Panty - These great panties speed recovery, and reduces scarring. They contain a medical-grade silicone panel over incision to reduce scar's apperance while they provide support to weakened muscles and tissues from surgery. Excellent!
Softest Bra Ever - When you want to wear something, but feel nothing. This is the softest bra ever, in microfiber with no hardware or tags to chafe or dig! The comfort-ribbed underband stays in place gently, so it is perfect for sleeping and lounging.
HysterSisters Accessory Kit - Are you a HysterSisters fan? This set has a fun collection of HysterSisters items.
Very Private Moisture - Once your doctor gives you the green light for intimacy, this is the stuff! This is a best selling product with a high rate of permanent, satisfied, repeat customers! Relieves vaginal dryness instantly, protects tissue & enhances intimacy. "Buy it for the problem, use it for the pleasure."

Fitbug - Jody - Hostess Alumni 2002

Gadgetgirl (Sara) - Alumni Hostess 2002

Find A Doctor Near You

Michele Cowling, M.D. 303 Nicollet Blvd Burnsville MN 55337 952.460.4000	Aileen Caceres, M.D. Center for Specialized Gynecology/Florida Hospital 410 Celebration Place, Suite 302 Celebration FL 34747 (407) 303-4573	Brad Cohen, M.D. 2477 Route 516 Suite 103 Old Bridge NJ 08857 732-679-6900
Iris Orbuch, M.D. 202 Spring Street 2nd Floor New York NY 10012 212-343-3040	David Mainman, M.D. Desert Bloom Obstetrics & Gynecology 6452 E. Carondelet Drive, Suite A Tucson AZ 85710 520-885-5300	Sherry L Neyman, M.D. Renaissance Women's Group 12201 Renfert Way Ste 200 Austin TX 78758 512-425-3875
Christopher Stroud, M.D. 11123 Parkivew Plaza Drive Suite 101 Fort Wayne IN 46845 2609695071	Bruce Pierce, M.D. 2 Princess Road Lawrenceville NJ 08648 609-896-0777	Steven McCarus, M.D. 400 Celebration Place Suite310 Celebration FL 34747 4073034190

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