'm so pleased to have this opportunity to introduce myself and to welcome you to Hyster Sisters!
I'm Cecee and I live on Vancouver Island, on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. I'm 42 years old, single and work in retail sales. I am an avid angler, a novice poker player and a Blues afficienado. I spent many years as a performer, but now am happy to sing really loud, alone with my guitar in my living room and, when inspired, at jams with my old musician cronies!
For 14 years, I was a counsellor and advocate for abused women and their children. I don't know if it's possible to put into words what a blessing it was to be a part of helping such incredibly strong women find ways to make their lives safer. I do know that their bravery remains a source of inspiration for me every single day.
But, after hearing so many violent and disturbing experiences, and working a really demanding shift schedule for so long, it became clear that it was taking a physical toll. I left my work, and the city where I'd lived, in search of a life that could be focused on less stressful and more joyful things. I found that here in Victoria, and found improved health and hope, too.
My gynecological troubles started a long time ago. My mother and sister both experienced debilitating menstrual pain and excessive bleeding, so when it happened to me, I saw it as par for the course. When I was 28, I had a pap that showed dysplasia. I went through a colposcopy and cryosurgery (and all the fears that come with the words "pre-cancerous cells"). Because of my history, the gynecologist felt that some more investigation was wise, so I also had an exploratory laparoscopy and D&C at that time. The outcome? - the gyne said that I had "inner beauty"!!! The only option given to me for controlling the bleeding at that point was BC pills, and because I didn't want to go that route, I just decided to live with it.
When I was 41, about 14 months before my TAH, in addition to increasing menstrual pain, bleeding that was unmanageable and passing clots that were getting larger and larger, I started to experience pain during intercourse and difficulty inserting tampons. I went to the clinic thinking that I was dealing with a potential uterine prolapse, only to find out that I had a "grossly enlarged" uterus. The likely diagnosis was fibroids, but it took a long time to rule out all of the other possibilities. (I'd gone way too long without a pelvic exam.) Months of testing ensued, and the end result was my TAH for fibroids on 06/04/02. As I write this, I am now closing in on 6 weeks post-op, and already feel so much better. I truly didn't realize how much daily pain I was managing, until it was gone.
I found Hyster Sisters when I came home from the clinic on that scary day. I was a complete internet greenhorn, but stumbled my way here after first coming across some really distressing doomsday prophesy sites. What a relief it was to find women helping women - honest about their experiences, good and bad, but staying focused on supporting each other. To witness that taking place with such gentle, respectful consideration and heartfelt concern felt like coming home. It reminded me of my early days of working in the shelter, and of how encouraging and uplifting that kind of sisterhood could be.
I was honoured to be asked to join the Hostessing Team. What an incredible group of women! But, what is the most inspiring to me is that, as dedicated as they are, and as hard as they work to keep the wheels of Hyster Sisters turning, they clearly recognize that the beauty and strength of this site is that every single sister who cares enough to comfort, console or inform another, is the real reason that this site is so beloved and valued by its members. Kathy has set that tone from the very beginning, and it remains the primary focus.
You are why Hyster Sisters continues to meet the needs of all of the women who are lucky enough to find each other here. And, for reaching deep inside to summon the energy and compassion to inform and nurture us, in the midst of your own journey, I can't thank you enough.
Store »
Hysterectomy Checkpoints
Hysterectomy News [Read More]
What 100,000 Women Know About Hysterectomy
