SAH/BSO - A Happy Castle Story - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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SAH/BSO - A Happy Castle Story

SAH/BSO - A Happy Castle Story

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My background: at 13 I had an oopherectomy, then regular periods until I turned 30. Was then diagnosed with many fibroids, endo, adhesions, a variety of cysts. After 2 laperectomies (through punctures in belly) and 3 laperotamies (through incision in abdomen) I finally decided to go through with my hysterectomy at 37.

I had been holding on to the possibility of having children, although my husband of 6 years and I split up, finally divorcing. Since I had gained 80 lbs through my sickness and treatments (lupron) I had been struggling with my weight, trying to lose to see if I wanted to marry again and have children before it was too late.

I finally came to terms with my reality, and after one more year of internal struggling I scheduled an appt. to see my Dr. about my hysterectomy. I knew I was a mess inside and was miserable - tired all the time, in pain and cranky. I found this website 2 weeks before my surgery date and found all the answers to my questions here, and the strength I needed to move forward (not to mention a few friends).

February 20, 2003 was my surgery date, my best friend drove me to the hospital and I went through all the pre-op stuff. I had decided I was going to make a quick recovery with a positive attitude - that I would use this surgery as a starting point to change my life. Tina (my friend) drew Elmer Fudd on my belly in different colored eye liners, saying,"Shhhhh...be vewy, vewy quiet....We're hunting utewuses...hehehehe." It was a hoot! The surgical team appreciated the effort and since I was the last surgery of the day, it helped motivate them to do their best.

My surgery was 2 1/2 hrs since they came across a lot of unexpected adhesions. I had a Supracervical Abdominal Hyst with BSO. My Doctor (poor guy) said that my intestines were going north when they should have been going south...all sorts of things. He told me his hair wasn't gray until he met me. Poor guy. I asked him to get pathology to take a picture of my uterus. I wanted to see what this horrible thing looked like. It was ugly and I'm glad it's out of me. But my castle stay was the best. Now remember I have had previous surgeries and numerous hospital stays at the same hospital, so this visit was unexpectedly wonderful:

I woke in the recovery room feeling no pain. I asked them to give me Dilodit instead of Morphine since Morphine makes me cry. The Dilodit worked GREAT. When they moved me to my room I discovered that I would be sharing it with another woman who just had the same procedure done at the same time by an associate doctor. Her name is Cindy, and she and I formed a very close sisterly friendship from the start.

My nurses were wonderful - cheerful and understanding. They were supportive in helping me walk and let me babble from the drugs without judgment (or lowering the dose). My friends said the first two days were the funniest since I was so doped up and saying the oddest things. I'd find myself talking to myself out loud about something crazy, like aliens landing, realize what I was doing, get embarassed and try to cover by telling Cindy I was "just kidding". I made it a point to take a walk every time I got up to tinkle. The best part of my castle stay was my nurses aid, Mark.

Mark was a blond angel sent from heaven, I swear. He put on my TED hose with baby powder and so much tenderness that I practically asked him to marry me. He would give me shoulder rubs upon request and he became known as Marky when he walked in our room, like Norm from Cheers. Cindy and I took naps at the same time, and I argued with the nurses about her meds when none of her family was there to advocate for her. A friend of mine brought in an angel statue with a soft glowing light in the base, and Cindy and I used that as our nightlight at night. The staff was gentle, and I was pain free. The scar was as predicted, not the prettiest, but healing nicely. I know if I take care of it the scar will get smaller and lighter in color. I have also lost about 15 lbs.

What's odd is that the need to stuff myself with food has passed. I think I was eating because I was so uncomfortable and I was trying to comfort myself. I'm doing what my doctor and mostly what the women on this website have suggested. I'm eating fruit (my aunt brought over 2 lbs of prunes), taking stool softeners and gas-x too. It was hard leaving the hospital because I was there for 4 1/2 days with my dear friend Cindy and that wonderful staff. I actually cried when I walked out the door of that room.

One more thought - the first day after surgery they had me walking down the halls of the hospital. I walked slowly, holding on to the side rails with my other hand on my abdomen as it occurred to me that my belly hurt...but not as much as it did with that uterus in me! I was free!!! I couldn't feel that alien organ dominating my body and my mind anymore! I knew my abdomen would heal and that heavy, angry, overbearing pain my uterus created in me was gone...forever!! Now I do not have children, and obviously never will, but I do not have to suffer any more holding on to a dream that wasn't meant for me. That whole thing about adoption - well I choose that as my dream now. I need to grow up a bit before I have kids anyway (even though I'm 37).

My friend stayed for another 10 days with me after I got home since I live alone and have to care for 2 big dogs. She was great. My friends have also been helpful, stopping over to vacuum, taking me to the grocery store, etc. I am using this surgery as my new beginning. Enough of the dreary Barb who can't go out because she's in pain. When the doctor okays me to, I'm working out, losing weight again and starting over.

Finally having this surgery was a big step for me - a difficult decision. But now that it's over I realize that I made the decision FOR me. I wouldn't stand around watching a friend suffer for so long, so why did I do that to myself? Holding out for a dream, that's what I was doing. I realize I needed that time to process all what was happening to me, but I also learned a long time ago that life rarely goes as planned, so I need to learn to roll with the waves. I'll just change dreams now and with a happy heart and healthy body.

This website was the calming influence I needed to help me with this decision - the decision that has transferred my body and hopefully my life. The friends I've met here are incredible. I'm still in touch with two specific wonderful ladies whom I now consider friends. Women helping women is a mysteriously powerful force, and this website uses that power to help women all over the world. I'm so glad I found it.

Love,
barb

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