TAH/BSO - Another success story... - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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TAH/BSO - Another success story...

TAH/BSO - Another success story...

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Well, after reading these posts, I decided to add my story to the boards. I had a TAH BSO on May 4, 2001. I am 47, married and have a 19 year-old daughter. It is now 3 weeks post op and I am doing great! I have to start out by telling you that I was THE biggest chicken there ever was. I have suffered for probably 8 years with terrible bleeding and pain and horrible PMS--so bad that I have left two jobs and my life revolved around my periods (I was a teacher and then a librarian and couldn't do it). I had several large fibroids (runs in the family) and resisted surgery because of my fears. A lot of you will know what I am talking about. I just put up with things and hoped they would "go away." I also have to say that I went through several doctors who were not right for me and some were downright nasty. All men, by the way--what was the matter with me?? Last year I got so fed up with the bleeding that I actually scheduled surgery with my last doctor but then cancelled because he wouldn't answer my questions and kept referring me to his "pre-op nurse." He said, "She'll answer any questions you have." Get outta here! Big red flag went up and surgery was quickly cancelled and I was on the search for a new doctor. Again.
Well, luckily I asked around again for referrals and two friends at work went to the same FEMALE doctor who they loved and said she was just the greatest. I called and she was very booked but I got an appointment for Nov. 2000. She WAS great--I liked her right away (what a difference from the MALES). She saw my other charts and agreed with the other diagnoses--my uterus was HUGE and had to come out. So by December we started with Lupron injections to shrink the uterus (I was not thrilled with this but it turned out OK). I saw her once a month for 3 months and the uterus shrank about 40%. She also did an endometrial biopsy, sent me for a IVP (just to make sure kidneys and ureters are in the right places), I gave my own blood (just in case) and scheduled surgery for May 4, 2001. She explained everything and answered every question. I told her I was really scared and had general anxiety disorder. She was great. She said I was very healthy and I would be amazed at how good I would do. We'll see, I thought.
I was consumed with the fact that I was having surgery and the time went by but all I could think of was all types of bad thoughts, risks, problems, etc. I just didn't know what to expect. I had only had foot surgery 20 years ago (general anethesia, 4 days in hospital) so I didn't know if that was anything to compare it to. Surprisingly, I wasn't nervous the last few days prior! I was so ready and organized that I just wanted to get it over with. I was scheduled for 12 Noon surgery so I had to be there by 10:00. My wonderful hubby took me and we breezed through the paperwork, etc. Everyone was very nice. I was calm. The reality hits when they guide you to pre-op and take you in. Once you are in a bed everyone does their job with such efficiency that you don't have time to think. It wasn't so bad! My husband was by my side some of the time. My doctor came in and we joked a little. They will give you meds if you want them (I didn't but probably should have). I don't know about every hospital (especially after reading the variety of experiences here) but I loved that fact that after I was prepped and ready, they put the med in the IV in the pre-op and I was OUT. I never saw an operating room, a hallway, anything. It was great. Just right for me--maybe it's because I told the anesthesiologist that I was a scaredy cat. Anyway, I kind of woke up in my hospital room--groggy but not sick--and my husband was there and that's pretty much all I remember about the surgery day. I know nurses talked to me and told me things about the IV pump etc. but I think all I did was smile and shake my head.
I did not have terrible pain. They got me up the next morning and took away the IV. It was uncomfortable but not bad. I walked the halls and went to the bathroom myself. I was not dizzy, weak or nauseous (I had heard a lot of people say they were so sick after anesthetic). I ate liquids. I didn't have a roommate (lucky) and the nurses were great. They gave me Darvocet every three hours or so. I didn't sleep well in the hospital which is my only complaint. The beds are so uncomfortable and so are the pillows. Getting out of bed was not fun but that gradually goes away after you are home. Taking a shower (I dreaded the thought of that one) was good. It felt so good--the warm water, clean hair. I had no problems with the gas--some people have a lot of pain--they gave me some tabs to chew. I drank a lot of juice and water which helps you feel better. Anything I asked for they were great. One night about 3 a.m. I couldn't sleep and felt a little nauseated. I went out to the nurse station (I think I was lonely too) to tell them I was a little sick (I didn't feel like throwing up-just a little sick) and they came to the room with crackers, ginger ale and a shot. I was fine in five minutes. That was very nice. I was on a brand new GYN floor so the nurses are so tuned into what ladies need.
My wonderful doc came to see me every day and she is a ray of sunshine. I finally got to go home Mon. morning (surgery was on Friday) and was ready to GO HOME. She gave me prescriptions for Darvocet, Motrin 800's, Premarin and an antibiotic. My hubby came and off we went. Totally a positive and happy experience considering how much anxiety I had endured for so long.
Getting home was great. Ahhhhh. You feel immediately better. I have taken care of myself well. One week later I went to have the staples taken out and my doc was amazed at me. Walking straight, all dressed up and walking in the neighborhood. Only taking occasional Tylenols for discomfort. She was amazed. One week after that she looked at the incision and all was well. All labs came back from surgery A-OK. I go back to her in 4 weeks and that's the final post-op check up.
Just as info: my doc said the surgery was a little difficult and took longer because of several factors. One, the uterus was still large and even with the shrinkage from the Luron, she had to take it out in pieces. I had a vertical incision (which she told me ahead of time). She said I am built "deep" and she had to go way in with special instruments (my mother's side of the family are all built short, wide and solid so thanks a lot to my heredity

. So my advice is if your uterus is very large don't wait--it just gets harder for doctors to take out and this is not a good thing. Mine was a 4 month size and the path report showed at least 5 fibroids--some inside and some growing outside the uterus. I had had ultrsounds for years and the ultrasounds only showed 3 fibroids inside--so it shows you , until they get inside they really don't know what's going on in there. Ultrasound can only show so much. Also, I went to the doctor every year and had every test religiously. Never missed a check up and I'm glad I didn't. I was amazed at a woman I met briefly in the hospital that was 45 and had a hysterectomy too except she had a tumor the size of a volleyball and they found cancer. She told me she never went to the doctor. Can you believe it?! Now she not only had to face recovery from a total hysterectomy but she had to start chemo too. A lesson.
Well, I wanted to tell my story and let all of you facing this know you can do it and it's not as bad as your mind imagines. I can't wait until the reality really sinks in and NO MORE PERIODS, NO MORE WORRYING ABOUT WHAT TO WEAR, No MORE LEAVING WORK, etc. Wow, I can go on vacation without worrying. Unreal. Feeling great all month long? Can it be true?? Yes! Take care, JAN (Arty)

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TAH/BSO - An Encouraging Story

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