TAH/BSO - Life and Almost Death at the Castle - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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TAH/BSO - Life and Almost Death at the Castle

TAH/BSO - Life and Almost Death at the Castle

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So, I have this history of “female problems” (strange term since these “female problems” inevitably become “male problems” as soon as a DH or bf are in the picture!). It began with a late-term miscarriage (22 weeks) in 1998. When I was finally ready to try and conceive again, I seemed unable. My DH and I went to a fertility specialist for a battery of tests, one of which was an ultrasound for me. ‘Lo and behold, there was a cyst. A big one. A laproscopy was scheduled in November of 2000 but during the procedure it was determined that the cyst could not be removed without an actual incision. My hubby gave his consent and my simple “procedure” become abdominal surgery. Fun. They removed the monster along with quite a few of her cohorts and a considerable amount of endometriosis. I got pregnant less than two months later.

Then in February of 2003 I had my second child by c-section. The DR noticed more endometriosis and more cysts so he cleaned things out again. Then last December I went to the DR again with heavy menstrual bleeding, cramping, frequent lightheadedness and fatigue.

They did a vaginal ultrasound and found two small fibroids, did lab work to diagnose anemia and put me on iron supplements. In January I met with my DR for a surgical consultation. I asked for the hysterectomy but he wanted to try BCP’s first. Let me tell you, that went well! Instead of bleeding very heavily for a couple of days, I bled very lightly for a couple of weeks! It never failed, stop the pill, stop the bleeding, on the pill, more bleeding. Obviously that solution wasn’t working.

So yesterday I went for my follow-up surgical consult. The DR looked at my notes from the last three months and said “so what do you want to do”? I told him that I just want to be done with the problems and if a hysterectomy will fix that then great. Let’s do it.

After much residual “should-I-or-shouldn’t-I” debating, I entered the hospital at 8:15 am on Tuesday, May 4, 2004. My surgery was scheduled for 9:45. I got all suited up (or down, as the case may be!) and settled into my pre-op bed. The nurse came in, shaved me a bit (a requirement for abdominal surgery, apparently) and helped me into those gorgeous next-hot-fashion-trend leg cuffs. An IV and a nice warm blanket and I was ready for my DH to join me. I was so nervous, my bowel prep was still working and I had to get up twice for a trip to the lavatory.

Next we got a visit from the anesthesiologist, who explained my options and helped us decide how to proceed (incidentally, I chose to be completely unconscious under general anesthesia).

Now let me tell you ladies, as the song says, the waiting IS the hardest part! I was so incredibly nervous and with no television or magazines, my DH and I could only sit and watch the clock. Finally, at 9:45, a nurse came in to tell us they were running late and I’d be up in about 30 minutes. Then another anesthesiologist came in to introduce himself and tell us that he would be working in tandem with the other man. Just before I was taken to the OR, my DR came in to say hello and see if we needed anything. And then I got a pretty little shower cap and I was on my way.

The next part of the story comes from my incredibly foggy memory and things my DR and DH have told me.

I was wheeled into the OR at about 10:40 am (although my DH says I was still awake, I strangely don’t remember anything at this point). At about 12:30, my DR came out and told my hubby that all was well and I was in Recovery. My DH waited and waited and waited and was beginning to wonder what was going on when my DR came in and told him that I’d started bleeding and they needed to go back in immediately and fix the problem. DH of course told him to go ahead.

During this time I have very fuzzy memories, just fragments really. I started to wake up in Recovery and found that I couldn’t seem to form words. I consciously remember thinking it odd that I couldn’t speak. I was in pain but seemed unable to ask for medication. I settled for saying “pain” and “hurt” over and over. Guess I figured that would get the point across to the nurses I hoped were nearby (as I hadn’t opened my eyes, I didn’t know if anyone was there). Then somebody pressed on my abdomen and I screamed. The doctor later told me this was him and when he did that, I “came up off the table”. All of the sudden there was lots of commotion (again I didn’t see anything but heard it going on). Several people were talking and, just like in the movies, I heard “Stat!” “Stat!” And that is my last memory until I woke up in ICU. Yep. Intensive Care Unit.

It turns out that during my first “recovery”, a suture pulled through my uterine artery causing massive internal hemorrhaging. I had to be taken back into surgery immediately to save my life. The DR was able to repair the artery and re-circulated 6 units of my own blood that had spilled into my abdomen. For the next two days, everyone waited to see if I would make it or if I would need a blood transfusion.

I have no memories of anything else until Wednesday morning when my DR came in to see me. He told us more of what happened and explained to my nurse that I “tried my darndest to leave this life”. He also told us that had it not been for the keen attention and quick thinking of the Recovery room nurses, I might not have made it. Several of the Recovery nurses even came up to see how I was doing.

During my first surgery, the DR removed “boatloads” of endo that was all over (and inside) both my ovaries and my bladder. I had huge cysts and fibroids and was pretty well a giant mess. He had to do considerable work to my bladder, including lots of stitches. I would be on a catheter for the next 6 days. Once he got into my abdomen, he says there was no doubt that I’d made the right decision to have the surgery.

Over the next several days, I went through the usual recovery efforts. On Thursday night I was moved from ICU to a regular room. My cool and savvy nurse managed to put off my transfer until after Survivor was over. Gotta love that!

I had to fight for my escape from the hospital, though. My DR noted in my file on Friday that if all was well and I continued to improve then I could be discharged on Saturday afternoon. He had to leave town but said he was only going to be two or three hours away and would always be available by cell phone. He reassured me that he would never go if he thought I was still in any danger.

So, I walked, even showered, tried to eat (yuck- with all that medication, who would have an appetite???) and rested much. Saturday morning the on-call doctor came in to see me and informed me that I wouldn’t be leaving until sometime on Sunday when my DR came back in town. I was heartbroken. I missed my beautiful children and my comfy home. The nurse came in as I was on the phone tearfully telling my mother that I couldn’t come home yet. When I explained to the nurse what was going on, she took charge, telling me that on-call doctors don’t like to discharge patients who are not their own. She read through my file, went to the head nurse for permission to insist that the on-call DR call my DR so I could speak with him directly. It worked. My DR later told me that when he heard my voice on the phone that day, he could tell I was back. He agreed to call in my discharge instructions later that afternoon.

I finally got to leave the hospital late Saturday afternoon and am doing well. I got to take the catheter home with me (what a lucky lady, I am!) but even that was more easily tolerated than more hospital time. I went to the DR yesterday (6 days post-op) and had the catheter removed. He said in spite of the scare, everything is healing beautifully. Thankfully.

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TAH/BSO - Laura's TAH castle story - LONG and detailed

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John Lenihan, M.D. 314 ML King Jr. Way Suite 104 Tacoma WA 98465 253-403-5432	Douglas Coslett, M.D. 24 Main Street Luzerne PA 18709 570-714-1444	Kym Boyman, M.D. 1775 Williston Rd., Ste. 110 South Burlington VT 05403 802-735-1252
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Bret Lewis, M.D. 5780 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Ste 295 (#2 Location) 11975 Morris Rd., Ste. 310 , Alpharetta, GA 30004 Atlanta GA 30342 404-255-3633	Ruslana Kadze, M.D. 5525 Etiwanda Avenue Suite 228 Tarzana (Los Angeles) CA 91356 818-343-1717	Sherri Levin, M.D. 929 Gessner Suite 2100 Houston TX 77024 713-464-4111

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