Input needed: Why did you register at HysterSisters.com?

After being diagnosed with severe Pelvic Congestive Syndrome and endometriosis everywhere and having TAH/BSO offered as an option ( #4 out of 4) I went in search of honest answers and came upon the Hystersisters site. I still have not made my decision as of yet, I have a few more tests to go through and an appointment with an Interventional Radiologist on the 8th of June. As many of our sisters have said a Dr. can give us all of the medical and scientific info but it takes someone who has been through it to give the kind of information I was looking for and I found it here. Experiential. I have found pertinant info on the pre-op board and much info on the hormone jungle board. When I make my decision I know it will be the right one for me and I know I will have the support of wonderful women who have been in my shoes, and have walked this same walk. Thank you, thank you!!!!

I found this site and registered once I found out that a hysterectomy was recommended due to the fibroids lurking around. I have found invaluable information to make my decision (TVH is June 9th). I feel very prepared and was able to ask my doc all the right questions to become prepared due to the wealth of information and support on the Hystersisters site. Prior to making my decision to have the hyster, I really valued the lack of pushing for or against the hyster that I found so strongly on other sites I checked out for information. What a wonderful site!

The day I scheduled my hysterectomy last June, I got on my computer, did a Google search on "hysterectomy support" and shopped around. I know one other website called HysterSisters a "pro-hysterectomy" site, but I've not found that to be the case at all.

I registered last June and I've never looked back!

The support I have been able to get here is incredible, and I always feel as though the members on the site really care about me. This is a safe place where we can get our questions answered about almost anything related to women's health and I can't express my gratitude enough.

Well....

I am on a variety of message boards, so I wasn't afraid to register or anything like that. I decided that I might want to post or ask a question here, so I went ahead and registered before I decided for sure to have my hyst. I found this board to be quite informative and helpful, and read many articles about UFE and posted a question about it prior to making my final decision. But I registered in order to really be a part of the community.

Rosie

I registered for HS after surfing the site for over a month....appox. 3 months ago I began having problems and many visits to different doctors without feeling like my problems were not being addressed. I began researching my symptoms and looking for "people like me" I was on a different disscussion group who had a link to HS. This has been the best resource to educate myself. Doctors follow protocols and not always listen to you symptoms or "concerns." I was terrified by what was going on with my body, I knew something was not right, that there was a change...that my condition had gone to the next level. After visiting a GYN who was more concerned with diagnosing me with diabetes than taking care of the fibroid he told me about, I felt defeated. I was in pain, tired, and really no place to turn. I work so many hours (retail management). My DM has her own list of medical problems and the rest of my household is male. This web site has truely been a life saver for me. So many women with the same issues or simular. Suggestion on questions to ask and more importantly, teaching that we are in control of our medical journey. We are the BOSS!! If your doctor does not respect that, find one that does. Of course reading other ladies stories is a comfort now that I am awaiting the big day myself. Thank you again! for this wonderful site!

At my last dr's appointment I was told that I had an ovarian cyst that needed to be removed (I had been having increasingly severe "attacks" that left me vomiting and bent over from pain). The doctor recommended that, given my age - 58, a complete hyst should be considered. When I got home, all I could remember of the conversation is that I had agreed to the surgery. No details, no specifics, my mind was blank...
My first reaction was, "Oh sh--! What did I agree to?!"
My second reaction was to hop on my pc and Google "hysterectomy."
HysterSisters.com was the third listing and certainly the most inviting one on the page.
After visiting the site and a couple of the message boards, I was comforted by the caring and support everyone was showing to each other. Before I logged off from my first visit, I was feeling better and had made a list of things I needed to consider prior to surgery.
This site is invaluable - I've already upgraded.
My surgery is scheduled for 6/1/05 (TAH/BSO). I hope I will be able to help others deal with this "speedbump," the way I've been helped so far.

s &

I was searching for information. Once I came upon your website, EVERYTHING I needed was in one place. I didn't need to waste my time looking anywhere else. You've given me info about conditions, procedures, what to ask, what to bring, how it will feel, and ways to handle the pain of recovery. Aren't women just wonderful? I ordered your book the second time I logged on. I still can't believe how much support and info you've given me in such a short period of time. I was so happy to receive an immediate response when I logged on with a question.
Thank you, thank you, thank you all so much!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maria

Amen to "ChocolateChick". My thoughts and reasons exactly!!
Also I was a "lurker", till I felt guilty and decided to register (after surgery). Anything and everything being discussed here is helpful to someone on a daily basis, any problems, weird feelings, etc. etc. seem more normal when most of us are in the same boat. Thank You!!!

I first found Sheila Martin's eBook "The Worried Woman's Guide to a Happy Hysterectomy". I purchased the book and read it. She refers to the site so I checked it out and registered. I feel that the support I got here helped me make it through my post-op time. I have a laptop so I was able to surf the web as soon as I got home.