SAH - for large fibroid - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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SAH - for large fibroid

SAH - for large fibroid

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Hi ladies,

Just two short hours post-gallbladder surgery I heard the words "They found something else." Oh. My. God. Cancer? Me? Now? NO WAY!! OK, don't panic, it might not be cancerous. Just breathe. "You're not leaving the hospital until it's gone" said the surgeon that did my gallbladder. "If you have no other symptoms, maybe it can be left until menopause. Let's do some tests and we'll see." said the gyn consult.

Next day, ultrasounds (vaginal and regular -- try THAT with your gallbladder out, OUCH!) and CT scan, ok, more info -- the sucker is 17 centimeters long, can't see ovary on right so we can't rule out cancer, and oh, by the way, your right kidney is squashed, about 20% of the size it should be, and in danger of kidney failure. Oh, yippee. Now what?!

A week later, feeling a little better, appointments set up with the gyn consult and a second opinion. Found Hystersisters while searching the Internet. THANK GOD! Started posting and looking at alternatives. Got some great advice and a little less freaked about the whole thing. Learned most importantly that I'm normal and that the chances of cancer were pretty low. Phew, what a relief.

First consult - not too horrible. Recommended a SAH with bikini cut, possibly vertical, we'll see. Hmmm.... ok. Second opinion -- NO WAY would I consider a bikini cut for a 17 cm fibroid (actually pulled out a tape measure and did a conversion) and oh, by the way, do you realize you could DIE from this. You're too overweight and this is a life threatening surgery for you. ARRRGGHHHHH --- PANIC! Posted on Hystersisters -- Ok, yes, the fibroid's large and so am I, but not THAT large. Phew, relax again. Decided on SAH, keeping ovaries if everything looks good, ditch anything that looks hinky.

Two days before surgery, last visit from Aunt Flo, 5 days late. Possibility of surgery cancellation, but morning of, everything's a "go". Had to be at the hospital at 5:15 am, doc wants me to have Heparin to help prevent blood clots because of my size and the number of sutures that will be required. No problem. Hey, where's my aunt and mom? They were supposed to be here before surgery. They had a flat tire. Aunt hitched a ride with a local cop (oh, thank you!) and made it just in time to calm a freaked out young woman. Mom made it 20 minutes after start of surgery.

They woke me in the operating room (in my gallbladder surgery I woke really quickly and almost fell off the gurney) so I wouldn't freak out. YEEOUCH! Man, where's the pain control?! Oh, that's better. Recovery about a half hour (once I'm awake, I'm awake), then up to my room with the lovely PCA pump. By noon I'm on the phone making calls and "checking in" to tell everyone things are okie dokie. Called my best Hysterbuddy Reveilleur and she agreed to post that I was out of surgery and doing well.

Couple of days later, home at last, minus a 5 lb 13 oz fibroid that had grown to 24 cm (that explains the extra back pain), and a small polyp, but with a Jackson Pratt drain and Lovenox injections to continue blood clot therapy.

Recovery has actually been pretty good, so far. I'm at just shy of 2 weeks and feeling pretty good. Incision is closed, drain was removed a few days ago and is closing on its own. So far no problems with blood clots.

All I can say is that I am so thankful for Hystersisters. Everything from answering all of my questions before surgery, calming my fears, and meeting new friends. I've also had help figuring out what's "normal" in my recovery and helping to avoid any potential problems. I am so glad that I had this surgery. Even though I didn't know about the problem I had until it was found, I'm already enjoying better health (my weight loss has started again, and I have no back pain).

Good luck to all with your journey.

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