Hi
My history included lots of pelvic pain, cramps, clotting, a thickened endometrial lining, and multiple small fibroids~ but it took some very embarrassing flooding episodes before I finally got help. I decided on a 3 month course of Lupron to shrink the fibroids and uterine lining, followed by a rollerball endometial ablation with a hysteroscopic myomectomy. During the myomectomy it was discovered that some of the “fibroids” were actually nodules of adenomyosis, which could not be removed.
The ablation did lighten the bleeding, but my cramps became horrific. A repeat u/s a few months later showed bigger fibroids, more adenomyosis ~with blood pooling under the scarred lining, and also two complex ovarian cysts. The decision for a hyst was a no-brainer. I had hoped to keep the ovary w/o the complex cysts, but we were suspecting endo too, so I signed for LAVH/LSO - possible BSO.
They discovered the whole pelvis was obliterated by thick, fibrous adhesions and dense, deeply penetrating endo implants~~ so both ovaries were removed. Removing the endo & adhesions doubled the surgery time, but they felt they got everything except for that which wasn’t safe to remove from the bowel. My intro to sudden menopause was teary, but I felt much better after getting the right HRT. Given the severity of my endo, HRT was a tough decision, but I needed the hormones. (I knew how to cope with pain - I didn't know how to cope with tears from nowhere that my sudden menopause brought to me!) I figured even if I did have have more endo problems, it could never be as severe as it had been before my hyst.
Unfortunately, I did require additional surgery a year later. I had an exploratory lap, lysis of adhesions, excision of recurrent endo (sigh) an appendectomy and a posterior repair. I had hoped this time they'd remove the bowel endo when they removed the other implants but they said they couldn't do so without doing a colostomy, so it's still there. I expected the second surgery to be easier but it was miserable. The abdominal part was okay, but the posterior repair was very painful. I developed an infection and part of my incision opened, so my healing was delayed.
I still have some pelvic pains but I am so much better than I was before my hysterectomy. I only wish I hadn't waited so long before getting the help I knew I needed ~ maybe things would’ve been easier if I hadn't waited so long.
I found ((HysterSisters)) when I was a LIW. It was a perfect mix of what I needed. My family & friends were wonderfully supportive, but I certainly didn’t expect them to “talk hysterectomy” every time it was on my mind --- which was always in the weeks surrounding my surgery. This was a place of comfort I could visit whenever I wanted, as often as I wanted. I remember the first “Hi Beth” with the little waving smiley and how it made me feel. It truly was a cyber hug, from a sister who knew what I was feeling. Its no wonder ((Kathy’s)) vision has become so important to so many. There truly is a sisterhood here, and I love being a part of it. I have always enjoyed participating in random acts of kindness, but there is nothing random about the kindness you’ll find here. It is specifically for you, our fellow HysterSisters.
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