To have the surgery or not???

Hello,

I have a history of endo, adeno and prolapses(uterine, rectum, bladder). I *think* I am done with pregnancy but am not 100% sure. I am physically ready to have a hysterectomy but emotionally/mentally I don't think I am. I don't know if I ever will be 100% ready. How do others feel? Do most people have misgivings about this or is the decision easier?

I want to be out of pain from endo (although I know it isn't 100% accurate), adeno and the prolapses. I don't want to worry each month that I might be pregnant. On top of this, in the last year I have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma and told not to even try a pregnancy for 5 years...I will be 41 then! Plus, I have a history of tachycardia which gets worse during pregnancy. I have no business getting pregnanct again! Will I be heart broken if I make this final decision? Will I get over and go on with my life? Will I still feel like a female? Any advice???

I am sitting here with cramps, lower right abdominal pain and back pain. I am not enjoying life right now. I am tired of not feeling like myself. I have scheduled an appt with an internist who will do a colonoscopy and possibly be in the operating room to excis any endo that might be on the colon. I think I need to just schedule the appt and get it over with.

Thanks.

Cindy

Hi Cindy,
Only YOU can make that decision..it's not easy. Just follow your heart and you'll do what's right for you.

As far as your questions, I don't feel any less female than before...in fact I feel more! I don't have to worry about what I'm wearing due to the time of month! I can always look and feel clean! The pain was making me miserable to live with, I felt awful. It's only been 2 1/2 weeks but I already feel better. I'm sore but I don't have that "period" feeling all the time.

Good luck
Pennie

Hi Cindy
I think many ladies struggle with the hyst decision. If you have any thoughts of bearing more children in the future, then you probably should postpone this decision.

That said, even when ladies are certain they don't want to have more children it's still tough to close the book on that chapter of life. I was 46 when I had my hyst, knew I wasn't going to have more children, but it still made me incredibly sad. Each of us just has to come to terms with this in our own way, in our own time.

As for still feeling like a woman - absolutely! In some ways I feel more feminine now that I'm not in pain so often and having no energy. I think that feeling of being feminine has more to do with your brain that your uterus or ovaries.

I know how hard it is to make this decision. Only you will know if a hyst is the right decision for you at this time. We'll be here for you, whatever you decide.

Beth