TAH - long story, positive outcome - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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TAH - long story, positive outcome

TAH - long story, positive outcome

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This post is pretty long but it has a positive outcome and I felt I needed to tell the story from start to finish.

I had some episodes of prolonged periods in my 20's but I was on the pill for a long time and that took care of the bleeding. When I turned 40 my blood pressure started creeping up and my Primary Care Physician wanted me to go off the pill. My husband had a vasectomy so I didn't need them anyway. That's when the bleeding started. My OB/GYN put me on Provera. That controlled things for a little while but then I started bleeding more. She ordered an ultrasound and told me about the fibroids. She was very unconcerned about the whole thing and said they were nothing to worry about, they'd go away when I reached menopause. I trusted her judgment and didn't worry about it. A couple years later the bleeding was worse so she decided to do a D&C and another ultrasound. Everything was negative except for fibroids. By this time I was bleeding about 2-2 ½ weeks out of every month. I was tired. She remained unconcerned and told me they'd go away after menopause and she doubled my dose of Provera. She offered no other options although I asked her if there was anything else that could be done. I read up on other procedures but she brushed them off with no explanation. Shortly after the D&C the pain and pressure started, lots of it. I was peeing 4-5 times a night and was often constipated. I was bleeding, in pain and I was exhausted. I did a lot of abdominal exercises due to a back problem and when the pain started I thought I might have a hernia. I went to my PCP and he said he didn't think so, he thought the fibroids were causing my pain and sent me to my OB/GYN. She told me fibroids don't cause pain and it was probably a hernia. She sent me to a general surgeon. The general surgeon didn't think I had a hernia. He flat out told me I was going to need a hysterectomy. He doesn't do them so he had nothing to gain. He sent me for a CT scan to rule out anything else. It was negative for anything but a 'bulky uterus'. Again, the surgeon felt a hysterectomy would solve all my problems. I called my PCP because he is a personal friend and I trusted his judgment. He felt a hysterectomy would solve my problems but he didn't want to make the decision for me.

I did lots of research and decided that I really did need a hysterectomy. I'm 47 and menopause was several years away. I was miserable and knew I was only going to get worse. I called my OB/GYN to tell her I wanted a hysterectomy. The nurse said she'd have the doctor call me back. It didn't happen so I called again the next day. The nurse said she'd have her call that morning. Nothing. I called in the afternoon and the nurse told me the doctor wasn't comfortable doing a hysterectomy. No explanation, she wouldn't even talk to me. She referred me to an oncologist if I wanted surgery. Don't ask me why because cancer was not an issue. The oncologist was too far away anyway. Reality hit me right then. After 13 years of seeing this doctor she abandoned me with no explanation. I was forced to find another doctor in a sea of doctors. I was stunned, devastated and totally depressed at the prospect of having to start this process all over again with another doctor, that's if I could even find one I liked and get an appointment. I was in my office at work and I wanted to roll up into a ball and die. I sat there stunned and finally decided that I had no choice, I had to rally. The general surgeon had given me a referral so I called and made an appointment with that doctor. It was 3 weeks away and my hopes of making it home for the family camping trip were all but dashed. I work at a college with a nursing department so in an act of desperation I sent an email to the secretary because I felt sure that a department full of women could recommend a good doctor. Within an hour I had a great recommendation and an appointment with another doctor. The appointment was still 3 weeks away. I was going to have to wait. The following Monday I called the office on the off chance that there would be a cancellation that week. They had one that afternoon! I was in!

I was so nervous at the prospect of a new OB/GYN. But I got there and his office was small, with a small staff of older women. I felt very welcomed. I met the doctor, he did his exam and then had me go into his office. I loved him instantly. We sat in his office and talked and talked. He was so mad at my previous doctor for abandoning me. He offered me other options for my fibroids but I rejected them because they were not a sure cure. A hysterectomy was the only sure cure. The doctor was so great, I felt like I was in his living room. At no time did I feel as if he wanted me to go away so he could get to his next patient. It was as if I was the only one there. By the time I left the decision was made. I was having a hysterectomy. Fast Forward>>

I had my TAH (kept ovaries) on Thursday, April 28. Here's how it went:

I had to arrive at the hospital at 9:15 am; surgery was scheduled for 11:15. I got there a little early and it was around 10:30 before they called me back to pre-op. I won't go over the pre-op routine because it's pretty much like everyone else's. I will say my doctor came in around noon and asked me once again if I still wanted to keep my ovaries if they were healthy. I said yes. By this point every medical person I had had contact with asked me if I was keeping my ovaries. There was no doubt in anyone's mind what the plan was.

I don't know what time they wheeled me away but it was well after noon. I woke up in great pain. It was 5:30 pm before I got to my room. My husband told me everything went well and I nodded off. I spent a miserable night with them trying to control my pain. They finally got it stabilized even though my pain level was still very high. The hospital had a pain management specialist that visited a couple times a day to make sure I was doing okay. She raised my dosage of morphine at one point.

Friday: I was still in pain and had not slept at all. I felt like crap and my back was killing me because the bed was so very uncomfortable. My efforts to slide myself into a better position resulted in a friction burn on my butt. At about 9 am the nurse came in to remove my catheter. The catheter was my best friend and I didn't want it to go away. The nurse insisted. They brought me a liquid breakfast, the first food I had seen since Wednesday night. Later a couple nurses came in to change my sheets and get me up. One of them washed my back which felt totally awesome. I slowly made my way out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom. My bladder worked! A milestone that only a post-op person could appreciate. I could pee, I was halfway home. They gave me a toothbrush and washcloths so I could wash up. I put on a new gown and went back to bed.

My doctor arrived and told me about the surgery. I had 5-6 fibroids that he could see but there were fibroids on top of fibroids and he couldn't get an accurate count. They were all mashed up together. My ovaries were fine so he left them alone. My uterus and the alien beings within were extracted successfully. He assured me I would feel much better after recovery. It was over, I was going to be fine. He continued to rant on about how mad he was at my old doctor. Before he left and said he'd see me tomorrow. He said if I was able to pass gas I could go home, otherwise I could stay until Sunday.

I developed a headache and nausea from the morphine later in the day. Friday afternoon the nurse asked if I wanted to try oral meds. I said yes. My pain level was still high but I wanted off the morphine. She left everything connected and told me not to use the pump unless I really needed it. Later in the evening my pain level had not worsened so she disconnected the IV. Free at last. I took several walks. Everyone that came in was obsessed about whether I was passing gas. There was lots of pressure (no pun intended) to perform. Friday night I was feeling a little better and my head was starting to clear. The nurse gave me a mild laxative and some Ambien so I could get some sleep. I had not slept in 48 hours except during surgery.

Saturday midnight: In comes the roommate from hell. They had tried to bring in a roommate earlier in the day but I reminded them of my private room request and they honored it. Unfortunately, this was an emergency and there was no room at the inn. This mess of a woman was in my room for 10 hours. I won't go into details because it's a long story. If you really want to read it send me an email. I'll laugh about it some day. Maybe even tomorrow.

Saturday morning: I was feeling a lot better despite getting only about 2 hours sleep. My wonderful sleeping pill had been rendered useless by the blob in the other bed. My tummy was rumbling. They brought me another liquid breakfast. By now I knew that lemon jello was the nectar of the Gods. It had never tasted so good. I made my way to the bathroom. I was still missing my catheter a great deal but was very happy that my bladder was working. I spent several minutes on the toilet waiting for gas. Funny how the little things become important. Then, thank the Lord above, I farted! I did it a few more times and marveled at how such an act could bring such joy. The deal was done, I was going home!

My husband arrived and I told him about my poopage. He graciously thanked me for the information. The rest of the morning and early afternoon was spent waiting for the doctor. The roommate from hell had been taken away for surgery so I didn't have to listen to her. My doctor finally arrived. He was still mad about my old doctor . I asked him if he was going to make me go back to her and he said, "Hell no! I won't LET you go back!". I was happy about that. Then he asked if I passed gas and I excitedly told him I had. He listened for bowel sounds and found them to be satisfactory. He removed my bandage and asked me if I wanted to stay another day. It was my time to say, "Hell no!!". He released me and I arrived home at about 3 PM on Saturday.

I took a shower first thing and it was heaven. I followed this with a nap in my own, wonderful bed.

I'm five days post-op and feeling pretty good. I armed myself with Prune juice, peppermint tea, Milk of Magnesia, fruit, water and stool softeners. I'm happy to report that my bowels are moving with very little pain. I have swelly belly and it's still very difficult to get in and out of bed. But all in all I'm doing well and so very happy to have the whole thing over with. The first couple days post-op were hard but I can now look forward to better times ahead.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. I made the right decision come what may.

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