Been through it and it was just fine...

I just wanted to come in here and tell you ladies my experience, and how much better my life is now.
I had a vaginal hysterctomy on 9/22 of this year. I had fybroids and always suffered painful and long, heavy periods. Tons of nasty clots that made embarrassing sounds when passing. Quite embarrassing, especially when I was in meetings which involved the male specie.
The doctor was suspicious of cancer, but the good Lord blessed me with only the removal of my uterus through the vagina, but I also had lots of complicating endo to remove.
My biggest fear was not the cancer, but going under anesthesia. All went fine, and the pain wasn't even that bad. The worst I would say is the gas pains. Wow! Never knew a fart could hurt so bad. LOL!
There are lots of odd symptoms that happen along the way, but keep tuned into this site, and don't be afraid to call the Doctor. I think one thing many of us can't comprehend is we had major surgery. Weird stuff happens. Don't be afraid of sounding like a hypo.
I love
not having a period
not buying pads
not getting birth control
not getting cramps and clots
not basing my life around aunt flo
not getting constipated anymore (unless I'm eating unhealthy)
and I love.... my new vagina
maybe this is TMI, but I'm "in the mood" quite often now. Sex has a whole new meaning since the surgery.
Bottom line, this is the best thing I ever did, and should have done it a long time ago. You are all in my prayers, and this surgery for most is a very good thing. Put your fears in the Lord's care.
Elisabeth

Thank you for sharing your story. I wish I would have had this done 3 years ago.. I was so discouraged when doctors kept telling me "it was nomal" at my age to bleed so much. Finally, found a good doctor in August and on Oct 28 had the surgery.. I feel so much better everyday and can't wait to get on with my new life.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is the first message that I have read that is positive since joining hystersisters!! My TAH is scheduled for Jan 3rd and I have been making myself sick reading all of these messages and really wondering what I am getting myself into. I decided when I scheduled the surgery that I was going to be just fine, I will recover and be myself again. I am very aware that I am going to have some issues to deal with, but I wish to face those with the best positive mental attitude I can have. Thank you again for making things so much brighther!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by KCat1234 Thank you, thank you, I have been making myself sick reading all of these messages and really wondering what I am getting myself into. Thank you again for making things so much brighther!

I had to quit reading this board prior to my surgery as I too got a touch of "fear' from reading some of these poor gals experiences. But I must tell you; I feel absolutely WONDERFUL now! (and I am NOT JOKING)

Before I was in so, so much pain with hemorage bleeding (all the way to my shoes) Cramps as if I were
in full blown labor, several trips to the emergency room,
overnight hospital stay, recommened to a "specialist"
in his field (GYN) 4 years worth of "testings" , medications that turned me into a raving lunatic the
week I took them (wanted to break dishes in fact)
Mood swings (poor husband) doctor telling me this is
normal symptoms for a "perimenopausual" woman?

American GYN specialist found 1 large fibroid tumor
and 1 typical cyst thru intra-vaginal ultrasound tests. That's it, that's all he found (remember this)

his answer to all my symptoms was to perscribe a pill, we tried several in fact, none of which worked for me by the way ~ oh well that one didn't work as well as
we had hoped? so lets try this next??? hugh??? c'mon!

(I can't take medications & I told him so) he sent me home to suffer another 6 mths up to 1 years time.
(this was my 4th doctor by the way) something about
medical protocol, taking all steps before he would take
me in and perform a hysterectomy.

I was so tired of being "sick & tired" all the time, 18 day
constant flow heavy cramping, cloting periods. (sigh)
Once I bled for 6 weeks, more recent bled for 5 weeks
a fainting spell, hitting my head out in the horse barn.

I mean now, went thru super tampons, with jumbo pads
as "back up" changing every 3-5 minutes during these
all out hemorage spells, resorted to diapers a few times.
(and still went all the way to my knee's or my shoes)

Never knew "when" aunt flo was coming, it quit for 3 or 4 days, and wham, right back again, could be at work in a meeting, at the mall shopping, or standing in church
singing, never "knew when" and it was embarassing

double over in horrid pain (cramps) what a life I had...
constant use of "female products" were getting quite expensive as well... it was "affecting" my lifestyle.

I took the bull by the horns, flew to Chennai India, yes
middle Asia. I took all my "medical' testings from home
with me. Got over there and they insisted on re-testing
which we are glad they did. India GYN findings:
Admited Nov. 7th 11:00 AM
Testings Nov. 8th (all day) including mamogramm
Surgery Nov 9th @ 8:00 AM

1. 1 large tumor (which irradicated the left ovary)
2. smaller tumor hiding behind larger one
3. Endometrial Implants (2 bleeding unterine lesions
filling abdominal cavity with blood) no wonder I looked
Four months pregnant!
4. Adhesions
5. 1 larger cyst on right ovary
6. 2 smaller cysts on backside of right ovary
7. Endometriosis (advanced/actue stages)
8. Dysnemorrhea & Menometrorrhagia

My doctor in India was absolutely amazing. The hospital
I was at is ranked 4th in the world (behind Mayo clinic)
I had never in my life been treated like royalty as we did
while over there in India. My "team of doctors" were triping over themselves to 'serve me' My surgeon even gave me his private cell & home phone numbers! told me to call him 24/7 if I have any type of discomfort.
I was so "spoiled" for the 10 day hospital stay, I didn't
want to leave!!! We plan to return next fall as well.

Now that I'm home "recovering" quite well in fact.
I cannot tell you how much better I feel ~ I am finally
regaining my strength once again, no more swollen
breasts, bloating, cramping, bleeding, no more mood
swings (snaping at my husband) oh, if I had known that
I would of felt "this good" I would of had it done 4 years
ago saving myself alot of pain & suffering. I finally feel
like I have my life back, and it's good to laugh again.
Just spent Christmas with Family, and they too have noticed a drastic change in mood, my sister said I was
simply "glowing" and seamed so much happier, I feel
fantastic, and so ready to get on with my life again...
(thank you Jesus!)

God Bless
Ronda