Life saving vs. life threatening surgery

I was terrified when I got the "official" diagnosis that I needed a TAH. My case is a little unusual since I have a uterine AVM which is actually communicating with my fibroid. Some of my periods lasted TWENTY FOUR days and it is a miracle I have not become anemic. So basically I have changed my thinking that this is not LIFE THREATENING but LIFE SAVING. Because I was told my AVM could rupture and I could bleed to death. So this is a NO BRAINER for me, I still get nervous, but i know I need to do this. Even so, I am having trouble sleeping at night because when I wake up I am one day closer. I feel like a crazy person since I KNOW I need this surgery but still don't want to actually do it.

I think those feelings are normal. Not many women will admit to actually wanting to have surgery. I really dreaded my surgery, but I looked forward to how I would feel after recovery. Quality of life is a real concern, so whether it is life-threatening or not, sometimes it is the right choice for some of us. in there.

Has your doctor referred you to an interventional radiologist? Embolization is a possibility in some cases of uterine AVM. It might be worth looking into.
It will treat your fibroids as well and surgery might not even be necessary.
It never hurts to look at all of the options available to you. Especially if you don't want a hysterectomy.

Surgery, via TAH, was also my only option due to prolapsed fibroid causing similarly unpleasant constant discharge and anemia. Woke up with 15 staples and my pain never got above 6. Barely used the morphine pump. Now I'm shopping and driving and feel great. Your quality of life should be so much better on the other side. Think positive, tackle one day at a time and you'll get there! Let us know how you're doing after surgery and best wishes for a good recovery.