Article: suzyq23 - HysterSisters

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Article: suzyq23
Hi,

I'm Sue. I have been married 37 years. I have lived in Texas, just north of Dallas since 1985.

I have 2 grown daughters, one who lives in Denver and one who lives in Manhatten, NY.

I love to read, shop, travel, listen to music, bible study, go to musicals and enjoy going to the beach in Florida.

I have worked in the school district for over 10 years and now retired.

As a young girl I never really had any problems with periods or PMS. When I turned 40 I developed painful cramps and PMS. This went on for years with me putting up with it because nothing seemed to work, not hormones or BC pills.

When I turned 50, hot flashes and irregular periods developed and period cramps were worse . Last year before my surgery, fibroids were discovered and a polyp with heavier bleeding and backaches. The dr suggested a D and C with hystascope or a vaginal hysterectomy. After going over the pros and cons of each I decided to have the hysterectomy on March 5, 2003 with removal of ovaries and posterior repair. I opted to have the ovaries out because my Mom died of ovarian cancer at 57.

This surgery was my first major surgery and I was terrified. I found Hyster Sisters one week before my surgery, but I wish I had known earlier . I was so glad to see that I was not alone and others were going through the same fears as myself.

My surgery was successful, but post-op was painful at first due to the posterior repair. The constipation problem was just awful, but did get better as time went by. I could not sit for six weeks until the posterior repair healed so that was something I had not expected. I found out I was a slow healer and had a stubborn case of granulation which took 3 silver nitrate treatments and a little minor surgery in the office to get rid of.

I had joint pain after my surgery for about a year, but with exercise, hormones, and anti-inflammatories this has all been much better.

I started out after my surgery taking .075 bio-identical Vivelle dot patch, and have been on it 7 years. I am on the lowest dose so it does get better with time. I will continue to take it as long as my health allows.

In the fall of 2003 I was asked to hostess in Pre-Op and feel honored to help here on this wonderful site.

I hope that all who come here find the support and information they seek for better health as I have. Hyster Sisters is the best "women helping women" site there is.