I'm new at this!

This is a great sight! I think I have learned more today, than I have all week searching the web. I am arranging tenantive surgery (tvh bso) for the third week of March, but I am seeing a urologist first to make sure my bladder is ok - overactive lately. I have endometriosis with massive bleeding, clotting and pain, a new problem - a mass (biopsy indicates benign) that gives me symptoms of pregnancy and pain, and cronic reoccuring painful cysts on my overies. I have had enough x-rays, biopsies, cryosurgeries, ct scans and untrasounds for 5 lifetimes. I have adult kids (18 and 22) and am ready to have this out. Enough is enough. To me, this is going to be a celebration. I wonder if there are or have been other women that see this the way I do? Am I in for any major shocks? Any information or experiences would greatly help.

Thanks, Denise

I can honestly say that I feel the same way you do!! I guess by your post that you are probably a little older than I am(32), but I've had problems forever too! I had to have cryo on my cervix in 1995. I had some kind of scar tissue or something, and they found it when I was pregnant with my second son. I have also had all kinds of hormone therapies for bleeding and clots, and now the parts have decided to start falling.
The way I feel about it is: I've had three children(2boys ages 10, 7 and a girl age 2). I can be a much better mother to them if I don't have 2 weeks out of the month where I just can't function. I can be a much better wife to my DH if I'm not unhappy and in pain all the time. I also don't want to go through the expense and pain of reconstruction on something that I feel I don't need and at this point don't want! So for me and my family this seems to be the best option. I get to keep my ovaries if they look healthy, so I don't have to worry about HRT right now either.
I think that it is good to have a good out look and you sound like you know what you want, so go for it!! Recover well and be happy!!
Kelkie
PS welcome to this site, there alot of women here who are very kind and willing to help. All you need do is ask!

Hi Denise! You have been through alot! No wonder you are ready to have all of this behind you! When you reach the point where as you say "enough is enough" then forward is the only way you can go. I waited 2 years before I threw the towel in. It was a wonderful day (although I cried for the most of it) for me to finally come to the conclusion that my life was going to be miserable and never better if I didnt have this surgery. When everything was set in stone all I did was focus on getting better. I am a firm believer in positive thinking and it worked for me I am happy to say!
I had never had surgery so I didnt know what to expect pain wise etc. I have to say, it was somewhat uncomfortable but manageable. I only took Percoset when I came home for a week or two. To me, the worst part was getting in an out of bed. Luckily for me, my husband is home based, so he was here 24/7 to help me. I was walking up and down my driveway in about 4 days. They want you moving asap, very slowly of course. No bending, lifting etc. for about 6 weeks. Your body will tell you what you can do and what you cant! My doc. had me add 30 mins. each day in the morning and afternoons to the time I was on my feet. I took lots of naps and sat in the sun on my deck and read. You will find after a few weeks that its hard to sleep through the night. If you are resting all day, being awake at night is fairly common. It kinda drives you a little crazy for a while, but it soon passes as you become more active. I was out of work 6 weeks and after a week or two of getting back into the swing of things, I started feeling like a new person. Each day gave me more energy and the reality that I was no longer going to have to suffer with horrible periods ever again. Now nothing slows me down. I am a bundle of energy and for the most part am in a good mood all the time.
Please ask any questions you may have. You will get lots of different answers. I found that the majority of the women here are very helpful and upbeat! This site was such a blessing to me, I have continued to stay around to try to help others if I can.
Take care!
MB

Denise. Welcome to hystersisters. Glad you're enjoying the site.

My surgery and recovery were both uneventful. Prior to surgery I worried about everything...you name it...I worried about it AND as usual...it was all for nothing Don't know why I do that to myself.

We'll be with you every step of the way.

I am amazed and touched by your replies! I feel as if I have found a place to get answers that I have been unable to find anywhere else. I am 42 and I think this is going to be a new beginning for me. I had gastric by-pass surgery 2 years ago and so I am familiar with surgery and pain. And I found out yesterday that if I get this done vaginally, my stomach surgeon will remove the excess skin on my stomach. So I get rid of all the problems and a new flatter stomach!! Life is good! I do worry about menopause. Has anyone started hormones before surgery? I have hot flashes and night sweat now (not sure why)
and wonder what are other symptoms?

Thank you all, Denise

Welcome Denise!

I had a tvh/bso on 11/19/01 and it was the best thing I've ever had done. My surgery and recovery was very uneventful for me. I felt so good the day after that I kept asking myself, "when will I feel different or where's the pain?" I was put on hrt directly after surgery so I had no time without hormones at all. I also had hotflashes and cold chills at night about two months prior to surgery, since surgery those are gone too. Good luck with your surgery.

& s