Hi - I'm new

I there I am brand new to this site and so happy to have found it...
My dr. gave me the info about this website this morning when he called to give me the date of my surgery...hysterectomy and bladder sling......Jan. 30th
I am 31 years old and have fibroids, 18 day periods, and a prolapsed uterus and bladder. I knew it was going to happen, the surgery that is, but I am still freaking out. My grandmother & mother both had the same thing...but many years ago and they don't remember much.
I am scared to death...scared of the surgery, scared of not waking up and sacred of losing my uterus...is this normal??? I have read some things and it seems to aonly make things worse. I am hoping this is the place I need to be...with all of you who know what I am going thru...
I have tried to talk to my husband, but he just doesn't understand and most of my friends don't either...they feel for me and they let me vent, but they don'e REALLY understand.
Thanks for your time!

Hi Pamela: Glad you found us!!! This site is wonderful. I found it after my surgery, but I have found lots of valuable advice and tons of humor here. But be careful...too much laughing can hurt the belly, lol!! It is normal to be scared. I wasn't scared, just so anxious to be done with the pain. I also had the bladder sling too!! And everything went great. I quit smoking a week before my surgery and went back to work 7 1/2 weeks post op. I feel like a new person. I found out that I really like me. I had a LAVH/BSO so I am on on HRT Esclim .05 and feel great, so far so good. Now to lose a few pounds........Feel free to post anytime and welcome. You will find that most of the women here have the same fears as you do. There are a lot of caring ladies here. Feel free to e-mail me anytime. battyjunior@hystersisters.com

LaDonna

Hi Pamela

Isn't this site great! It has certainly helped me during the past few months. This is the only place I know where one is REALLY supported by caring and loving women.

You are very normal to feel afraid, scared, worried, etc. We all have or had those emotions. I too was very afraid of not waking up after surgery during a tubal in 1996 but the meds they gave me pre-op wiped away all bad thoughts and concerns. As you may have noticed here we often say that "waiting is the most difficult part" And it really is unless you add the post-op gas!

I found it difficult to talk to DH too. We have been married 14 years and is still very uncomfortable talking about or being near a conversation about monthly periods. DH could have cared less about the mechanics of the surgery only wanted me to feel better.

In fact, he is so uncomfortable that I asked DR not to mention any female specifics to him other than "surgery went fine and this is what we found.." I had even arranged for my youngest sister to be available via telephone for the DR to discuss any surgical concerns if necessary. You can image that DR and I had a good laugh over DH squemish (sp) ways.

It may be good that your Grand and Mother do not remember much about surgery as things are very different these days.

Please post often and wander around the site. I'm sure you will find it wonderful and full of useful information.

One good thing is that you don't have much time to worry since your surgery as only a few weeks away.

Rebecca
Unt Bunny

Hi Pamela!

My surgery is scheduled for the 31st and like you, I am scared to death!! I found the site because I felt like no one could understand why I am freaking out over this! As you can see, you are not alone. My fears are very similar to yours:
What if I don't wake up from the surgery?
What if they need to remove part of my bladder or other organs?
What kind of pain am I going to have during recovery?
And for me, the list just keeps going on and on and on.

Since I haven't had the surgery yet, I obviously can't help you with what to expect, but I wanted to let you know that you aren't alone!! And if anything, I hope that can give you just a little peace of mind......

Good luck!
Katie

(((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))) WE HAVE ALL BEEN IN YOUR SHOES IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. I LIKE YOU HAD ABSOLUTELY NO ONE TO TALK TO WHO COULD RELATE OR AT LEAST COMMISERATE WITH. I GET THE FEELING THE MY FEMALE FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND AND FEEL THAT I MADE THE WRONG CHOICE. HECK EVEN MY OWN SISTER HASN'T EVEN CALLED TO SEE HOW I MADE OUT. NOT SHE DOESN'T CARE I KNOW SHE DOES, BUT I KINDA THINK THAT SHE FEEL I SHOULD JUST BEAR WITH IT. HER THAT HAS ALWAYS HAD PERIODS WORSE THAN MINE!!!! ANYWAY YOU CAN TALK TO US ANYTIME. FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL. I AM NO LONGER A LIW BUT AS A RECENTLY CROWNED PRINCECESS THE APPREHENSION AND FEAR ARE STILL FRESH IN MY MIND. YOU'LL BE A GREAT PRINCESS!!!

CILLA