Fritzi64 - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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HysterSisters Articles

Options to Hysterectomy
Pre-Op Hysterectomy
Post-Op Hysterectomy
Hormone and Menopause
Intimacy after Hysterectomy
Pelvic Floor
Fitness after Hysterectomy
GYN Cancer
Grief and Loss
Endometriosis
Uterine Fibroids
Hysterectomy Stories
Ask A Doctor

My name is Chris, and I live in Wisconsin (near the Milwaukee area). I am a college professor and teach freshman composition at a two-year college. I spend most of my non-work time reading, knitting, and avoiding housework. I have a husband and three kids. We have a dog and a cat, both of which shed profusely enough that I’ve wondered if there’s a way to convert their fur into something I can knit with. I write a lot, which results in a blog, lots of HysterSister postings, and the lengthy introduction you’re about to read.

I had heavy, crampy periods my whole life. In 2004, the cramping began to get worse. Soon, I began experiencing severe pain even when it wasn’t my period—after sex, after a pelvic exam, after an overly full bladder, after intestinal troubles, etc. Several times, I nearly passed out while driving, pushing a shopping cart, and teaching. At one point, we were thinking I might have adenomyosis, and since the only treatment for that seemed to be hysterectomy, I visited HysterSisters. I admit that I was turned off. It was too purple (and purple is my favorite color) and too happy. Obviously, I was only looking on the surface. My doctor at the time stressed how valuable a uterus was beyond childbearing, so when the MRI showed just a small fibroid and an endometrial polyp, I was happy to not have to think about hysterectomy any more. The ultrasound and MRI had triggered extreme pain, but it was good to know that I could keep all my parts. Early in 2007, I had a hysteroscopic resection of the fibroid and polyp and had an endometrial ablation.

The next year was lovely. I had absolutely no bleeding and was pain-free. In addition to the complete lack of bleeding, my ovaries had settled down to the point that I experienced absolutely no PMS symptoms. I was saddened by how I was no longer connected with the rhythms of my own body, which had become part of how I perceived my life and my world. I also had to come to terms with having no more children. Although I didn’t want more, I had needed the possibility in front of me. This was a very difficult process for me. I wish I had been told that this might be something I would need to deal with. Still, I was overjoyed that I didn’t have to deal with tampons and pads anymore. The joy was short-lived. In November of 2007, I very happily went in for my annual exam, gloating about how I loved my ablation. A week later, I was informed that I had an abnormal pap for the first time in my life, with possible high-grade squamous cell changes. So I began to think again about hysterectomy and dying. A colposcopy showed two lesions, and the biopsies showed one on the cervix was a benign HPV marker. The one on the vaginal wall right next to the cervix was diagnosed as low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia. My doctor consulted with a gynecologic oncologist and determined that the best thing at this point was follow-up paps at 6 months.

Two months later, my pain returned. Although I had no cyclical pain, all the other triggers were still there. My doctor wrote an order for an ultrasound. Before I had a chance to schedule it, I got a call that she was retiring and I needed to find a new doctor. I saw the new doctor, had a completely normal follow-up pap (yay!), and got a new order written for an ultrasound. However, the pain was even worse this time around than it was before and I put off the ultrasound because I knew how much it would hurt. Finally, I couldn’t stand it anymore. I had the ultrasound, and had a whole week of pain as a result. But it found another fibroid. I had two clear choices—become a serial fibroid sufferer for the next ten or so years until menopause or have the artery embolization. I was so afraid that my doctor would try to force me into a hysterectomy, so before my consultation with her, I spend several weeks reading books and medical journal articles about fibroids, pelvic pain, and—just to be fair—hysterectomy. That was when I came back to HysterSisters. This time, I was looking for the horror stories so I could better explain to my doctor why a hysterectomy was wrong. Imagine my surprise when I worked through all the options on my own and determined that the hysterectomy was actually the best choice to give me a quality of life. I wrote about my decision on my blog.

Meanwhile, my attitude toward HysterSisters completely changed. Because I truly needed the information and support, I dug a little deeper, past the purple and the animated icons into the real experiences of women who, like me, struggled with their gynecological health in some way and faced a life-changing surgery. In September 2008, I became a member the same day I made the decision to have the hysterectomy. I had three months to prepare for the surgery, and the site was a sanity-saver. My surgery was scheduled the day after Christmas—December 26, 2008.

What came to amaze me about HysterSisters was how met my changing needs. It was there when I was still struggling with my decision. It was there when I was preparing for surgery. And if it hadn’t been there in my early pre-op days, I think my doctor would have blocked all calls from me because I had so many questions. The more time I spent there, the more I realized how well it worked for so many women. In fact, the first thing I did when I got home from the hospital was turn my computer on and post a message on the post-op board for the first time. I was so excited!

As I was getting support, I found that I got something out of supporting others, too. My heart felt pulled to some of the questions and concerns that were posted, and the next thing I knew, I was responding to my new sisters. This reawakened something in me. The reason I went into higher education is because my soul is fed by helping people. Responding to women on HysterSisters fed my soul in the same way. It’s a way of “paying it forward.”

As a new member, it was hard for me to find my way around the website. One of the things I like about the pre-op forum is that it gives women a place to be introduced to the other forums and resources while developing a sense of community. Most of us who come to the pre-op forums are anxious, and it’s wonderful to see women stepping in to hold a sister’s hand along the way.

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Recommended for Hysterectomy Recovery

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Post-Op Panty - These great panties speed recovery, and reduces scarring. They contain a medical-grade silicone panel over incision to reduce scar's apperance while they provide support to weakened muscles and tissues from surgery. Excellent!
Softest Bra Ever - When you want to wear something, but feel nothing. This is the softest bra ever, in microfiber with no hardware or tags to chafe or dig! The comfort-ribbed underband stays in place gently, so it is perfect for sleeping and lounging.
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Very Private Moisture - Once your doctor gives you the green light for intimacy, this is the stuff! This is a best selling product with a high rate of permanent, satisfied, repeat customers! Relieves vaginal dryness instantly, protects tissue & enhances intimacy. "Buy it for the problem, use it for the pleasure."

Elsie 1122

Kathy - Keeper of the Keys

Find A Doctor Near You

Amie Napier, M.D. Medical City Hospital 7777 Forest Lane Suite A331 Dallas TX 75230 9725667760	Mark Richey, M.D. 1200 Airport Heights Ste 205 Anchorage AK 99508 9072724443	Mayra J. Thompson, M.D. 5323 Harry Hines Blvd Dept OBGYN Dallas TX 75290 214-645-3888
Kym Boyman, M.D. 1775 Williston Rd., Ste. 110 South Burlington VT 05403 802-735-1252	Jonathan Y Song, M.D. 2455 Dean St. Suite A St. Charles IL 60175 (630) 513-9160	Wilfredo R. Ramos, M.D. 5301 F Street, Suite 210 Sacramento CA 95819 (916) 453-3440
Mini Somasundaram, M.D. 4845 Knightsbridge Boulevard Suite 220 Columbus OH 43214 (614) 583-5552	Francisco Garcini, M.D. 1870 Silver Cross Blvd Suite 210 New Lenox IL 60451 815-463-3000	Christopher Stroud, M.D. 11123 Parkivew Plaza Drive Suite 101 Fort Wayne IN 46845 2609695071

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