The reality is setting in....

I am scheduled to have my LVTH on May 4th and am just a ball of mixed emotions. My husband wouldn't even talk about it and I don't want to tell anyone. I feel it is a private matter. I haven't even told my closest friend, yet.
I am getting the LVTH done because of endometriosis. I have moderate bipolar (in treatment) and am not a good candicate for any of the hormone treatments. My psychiatrist strongly recommends against it. I am inclined to follow his recommendation.
But this morning I woke up and I am scared to death! How long will I be off work? How much pain is there going to be? What is sex like afterwards? I have a very physically demanding job, when will I be able to go back? Sure the doctor generically answered many of the questions but no one knows like someone that has gone through it.
It's like closing a chapter in my book of my life that I never got to complete. I'm not sure that makes any sense.
I'll be lurking and posting around. Thanks for listening to me.

Hi tattooedneck
I joined this group recently too with the same fears and questions that you're posting. Within a couple of days of reading some of the forums and talking with some of the sisters on here....I felt more informed than after any of my visits with my surgeon. Informing myself empowered me to go back to the surgeon's office with my questions written down (because I felt more like I knew what the heck to ask) and came away feeling like I understand now. Having information also relieved a lot of my anxieties. Good luck on your journey!

I know how you feel - I did not tell anyone but my closest family members and friends at first. (I had an urgent TAH so I did not have much time prior to my surgery) I left it up to them to call who they wanted...it is kinda hard to just say "by the way..." I found out that letting people know what you are going through gave me a much larger support group. I had meals coming from friends that wanted to help - offers of support, cards and e-mails from all over. It was wonderful.

I can't tell you how long you will be off work, as each Princess is different and each surgery is too. Listen to your doctor and do what they tell you. Don't push yourself. Take as long as you need to feel better and stronger. No matter what kind of surgery you have, there are lots of stitches and lots of healing to be done.

Take care and keep us posted,

Mary Beth