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Need advice
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06-09-2002, 07:42 PM
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Guest
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Need advice
Hi
My name is Karen and I'm from Monroe, NC. I now live in Simpsonville, SC and am scheduled for a total hysterectomy on June 20th, in Greenville, SC. My Dr. tells me I have Adnomyosis. She did a endometrial biopsy, and pap on the 4th of June. I'm completely terrified of this surgery. I have a 4 year old daughter that I have to take care of after my surgery. Can anyone tell me what to expect? Any advice you could give me would be appreciated. P.S. I haven't got the results back yet from the biopsy or the pap the Dr says I have all the classic symtoms of the Adnomyosis.
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06-10-2002, 11:25 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 6,807
Hysterectomy: January 4th, 2000
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Need advice
Hi Karen , I'm ing your post to the top so hopefully someone in your similiar situaton can help.....
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06-10-2002, 11:54 AM
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Posts: 236
Hysterectomy: June 20th, 2002
Surgery Type: TAH
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I'll be your hyster buddy!!
Hi, Karen,
My doctor also highly suspects Adenomyosis, and I am also having surgery on June 20th. I have 3 children ages 6, 4.5, and almost 3.
Do you have helped lined up for your initial recovery? You will need the most help in your first week.
You 4 y/o is old enough to be a quite a bit of help to you,.. and there are LOTS of things you can do together with her even while you're imobile for the most part. You can play lots of games such as 'Mother May I', 'Simon Says', 'Rock, Paper, Scissors',.. sing sings, and do finger songs games. This is good opportunity for lots of extra good quality story time, and kids eat it up when their parents take the time to sit down and watch their favorite cartoons with them,.. now you'll have lots of time to spare! My kids & I have been learning Sign Language as one of our electives (we homeschool) and so we plan to get extra practice in there as well. You can also get some books on how to do those string games like 'Cat's Cradle' etc, that would be fun to try to learn together, as well as oragami. Coloring is another good idea... my kids & I have coloring wars... you have to do your best, (no scribbling on purpose, that is), and you have to color the ENTIRE page from top to bottom... it's alot of fun, and brings out the kid in you. There are just a whole slew of ideas you can do with young children during recovery that won't impose on the quality of your recovery either, and you'll establish some really awesome bonding.
Also, you can set things up so that your child can be pretty self sufficient, and help you out as well.... by setting up 'supplies' in lower cabinets and the lower shelf of the refridge,.. she can easily get her own (& your's too) snacks, sandwhiches, and drink pouches. I bet she will feel really special to be able to be such a big girl and such a tremendous help for mommy.
To prepare her, one of the best things you can do is talk to her about your surgery. Explain to her that mommy has parts inside that aren't working very good, and that doctor is going to do an operation to take those parts out, fix other parts, and make mommy all better. Talk to her about how you will have an owie, and that it will look yucky so that she won't be alarmed later. Talk to her about how you won't be able to lift her, but how you can still do all these other fun things together, but how she will need to be careful of your owie, but that you can still cuddle lots & lots.
Involve her, and encourage lots of questions. Be honest, validate conscerns, but promote confidence & well-being.
For your own comfort & ease, you may want to consider putting a shower stool or plastic patio chair in the shower & make sure you have one of those showerheads with the hose attachments because you will get tired easily. I wouldn't try to shower alone unless you have another adult home for the first week at least too. An abdominal binder is said to work wonders for belly support, and keeping a tummy pillow handy will help you with coughs, laughs, sneezes, and the wiggly arms & legs of your preschooler. Any help you can get at home for the first few weeks would be great if you can get it,... and whatever doesn't get done, try not to worry about it... it'll keep.
Concentrate on getting as much rest as possible, drink plenty of fluids, and do alot of (short) walking. And if you can't any other time then definately nap whenever your child does.
I have a whole slew of ideas, as do the other women here,.. if you'd like any more info please fel free to email me or PM me, and also feel free to add me to your buddy list. I have lists & lists of ideas and suggestions that I've built up over the past 3 weeks that I've been here, and feel about as prepared as I can be,.. this place is wonderful, and I'm so glad that you found it.
Everyone is very supportive here, and there are no stupid questions!! This site is very addictive, but well worth all the information, wisdom, experience, suggestions, ideas, encouragement, and support!!
Best of luck, and please feel free to contact me if you'd like!!
PS- What time are you scheduled at the castle on the 20th? I check in around 7AM, and my surgery is shceduled for 9:30 AM PST.
God bless, and you'll be in my prayers!
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06-10-2002, 12:17 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 215
Hysterectomy: May 6th, 2002
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Need advice
Have you thought about getting a second opinion just to help you feel sure about your decision on major surgery. I just had surgery on May 6th, 5 weeks ago. I also had adenomyosis, but didn't know it till the pathology report came back. I had the surgery due to endometriosis and a edometrioma cyst on ovary, etc. They used the Laprascrope and did a vaginal hysterectomy taking tubes and ovaries. I have a little one who just turned 7 years old. You will need help, especially for those first few weeks! You may need some a little "space" from the little one and need family and friends to fill in for those times. It will not hurt your child to have some quiet time or time with family. Matter of fact, my daughter loved getting to do more things with family then usual. It made it special. I didn't do special crafts and things with my dd, but she loved coloring get well things and giving them to me, and making pretend she was a doctor or nurse and giving me a blacket or stuffed animal. I really couldn't do much with her till the past couple days! I am 45 years old, so it may be taking longer to heal with age, plus had complications due to my own health issues. I still have pain, but I had a lot done with adhesions and bladder, etc. Everyone is different. However, it is still major surgery, so I always like the idea of a second opinion before going into this surgery. I myself had three different doctors opinions before I made my mind up. I'm glad I had the surgery as I had so much wrong inside, although it has been hard for me as were are still trying to "iron" out some complications, like post operative anemia and a high heart rate. However, I know personally know many woman who jumped right back into life so much quicker then me after this surgery. My next door neighbor is one and she has two boys. Everyone is different and recovery is the same way, just be prepared for plan A, B and C Best wishes and God bless.
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06-10-2002, 03:50 PM
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Need advice
Thanks to Jerianne & Tahnee for the responses! I'm so nervous and scared over this, although this isn't my first major surgery (had my gallbladder removed in 1989) it's still a little nerve wracking.
As far as my daughter is concerned, i've decided to take her to NC to her grandmothers to stay during my days in the hospital. The reason I'm doing that is because it will be easier for my husband to be with me, otherwise he would have to drag her to the hospital, and neither one of us feel it would be a good place for her to be. I'd rather her not see me hooked up to IV's and stuff. She and extremely intelligent child, and for her to see me like that would be totally upsetting to her. She knows that mommy has a boo boo inside, and that the dr is taking the boo boo out, and ever since i've explained this to her, she's now so upset that sometimes it's hard to console her. So she now thinks she's going to granny's house for vacation. I'd rather her have happy memories of this than sad ones. After I get home she will come home and my best friend will take her to and from pre school. Then home with me at night. Unfortunately I just moved to SC 3 months ago so I know not a soul here. Just my best friend and she has a job from 10-6. My husband is an over the road truck driver, he will be with me on the day of the surgery and 2 days following surgery, but then he has to go back out. (His company frowns heavily on unexcused absenses). So he has to go as to not lose his job. So I'll be pretty much on my own.
I've already got some ideas on how to entertain my daughter while she's home with me, but I'm also going to grab a few of yours because she gets bored easy. lololol.
As far as a second opinion goes, this is pretty much my third opinion. My dr in PA told me in 1992 when my mother died of ovarian cancer, that my best preventitive for ovarian cancer was to have a hyster. My second dr in NC told me when I had my daughter in 1998 that he thought i was Pari-menopausal, and due to my family history it would be a good idea to think about a hyster in the next few years. Well here it is a few years later, and yet a third dr says I now have what she thinks is adnomyosis, and should have a total hyster (ovaries to because of my mom). It's been kind of a domino effect thing. Either way, I'm darn tired of pain, emotional ups and downs, and having my period every other week. And bleeding so much its ridiculous. So I guess in my own way im looking forward to feeling better, but not looking forward to surgery.
My surgery is scheduled for 730am on the 20th. I have to have all my pre op done this thursday. This has gone so darn quick considering I just went to the drs last tuesday.
Thanks again for talking with me. I appreciate all the support and kindness. If anyone would like to chat im on msn messenger or aim messenger or yahoo messenger. Just let me know.
Karen
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06-10-2002, 04:54 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 215
Hysterectomy: May 6th, 2002
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Need advice
Karen, I didn't know about the ovarian cancer in your family. So sorry about that. Yes, you have very sound medical advise, yet we know it is scary. I am going to pray for you! You won't have to suffer with all that bleeding and pain anymore and the fear of ovarian cancer will be gone! Just take it one day at a time and you will be fine and in God's good care. God bless.
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06-11-2002, 12:50 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 13
Hysterectomy: June 18th, 2002
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Advice
Hi Sis,
This is just a humble opinion about having the help you need with your 4 year old. Personally, I opted to have my husband take the days off when I was going to be out of the Hospital and knew I would not have my Mom around. That may not be an option for you, however. It is a great idea and a great help that dd can go on a little 'vacation' while you are in the Hosp. Perhaps it is very important for you also that your DH is there during and after your surgery. My Mom is able to come when I get out of the Castle, and my husband is going to be at the Hosp. until I am in recovery. Mom goes, he steps in on the weekend, then I implement some of those great ideas from the other posts, for the kiddos. I truly wish and pray for everything to go smoothly for you. My dd has been very sensitive about my surgery also, she is 8. But, I assure her that I can be a much better Mommy when I am recovered from all of this. Just think, our lives revolving around life instead of our cycles!!!
Your Friend,
Jackie
June 18-TAH/BSO for adeno, endo, enlarged uterus, prolapse, bladder tack-----and we'll find out what else is going on in there.
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06-11-2002, 04:11 AM
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Guest
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Need advice
I wish it was an option for my hubby to stay home with me for a couple of days. Unfortunately it's not. He would love more than anything in the world to be home to take care of me. I'm seriously thinking of going to my mother in laws house in NC a week after my surgery. It's about a 2 1/2 hr drive from where I live. That way I'd have some help. Thank goodness I'm a tough old goat stubborn to, so I do the best I can.
Thank god he will be there during my surgery. Although I imagine he'll be a nervous wreck!
I'm so glad I found this sight. It feels so good to talk to ladies going through the same thing. I hope all goes well for all of us and if I could give everyone a for real I would!
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