Response

Thank you Ladies...for your answers and support...what a great place...!!!
I have been trying to put this off...but I think I better make an appointment with my doctor and get this show on the road...

Celeste - I'm a smoker too. Had tah/bso March 2000 and didn't have any problems at all. Like Lisa mentioned there is a little breathing exercise you'll be doing after surgery..but think everyone that has general does the exercises. My brain was so fogged I kept forgetting whether I was supposed to breath in or blow

I was told pre-op not to have any cigarettes after midnight before my surgery in the AM.

Yes, Dot, you are right. Everyone (all patients who have major surgery---not just hysterectomies) does those same breathing exercises---smokers and non-smokers. One thing they don't want happening with all post-op pts. is having pneumonia settle into the lungs. I was told that these breathing exercises help to get the lungs awakened after having been under for surgery.

Yes, the respiratory therapist came in around midnight to show me how to do the exercises!!! Woke me out of a great sleep. No resting allowed in the hospital. Somebody always needs to do something to ya. I was glad to come home and SLEEP!!

Celeste,
The respirator will be removed when you wake up. They may have a little oxygen tube placed in your nose to aid you with breathing though. I am a nurse and I also have Asthma and I did fine! When I woke up I had the nasal cannula in my nose and I was relieved because I worried about breathing good. They have to have a respirator breath for you in surgery but it will be long gone when you wake up. Good luck and try to quit stressing! That was the worst part of all of this for me. I am a worrier too.

I too had large tumors (9 mnth size). One was 8+ lbs and the other 4+. The larger one went up to just under my rib cage. My surgery took around 3 & 1/2 hours but my tumors were thought to be cancer (they were benign) so my gyn/oncologist was taking time to make sure there was no involvement with other organs. My incision starts at the pubic area and runs up and around my belly button. Looks like a question mark. I did fine, it just took a lot of rest and not doing things that would set me back. Large fibroids can really drain you so you may feel so much better afterward. Try to look forward to that.

Thank you all AGAIN AND AGAIN....this helps so much...
The more nervous I get the more I want to smoke...I know its wrong...
I am hoping I feel better after surgery....I am so tired all the time.....but I get in bed and can't sleep...which does not help.....
I am scared to go......but can't wait until its over...I just tell myself......be thankful its not cancer....so many poor women out there are not as lucky I am

Again, Thank you all....and I wish you all good luck and good health

CELESTE

DID YOU HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS BEFORE FINDING OUT ABOUT THIS FIBROID? DID IT GROW FAST? GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION. I ALSO HAVE FIBROIDS.

HAVE YOU NOTICED YOUR STOMACH GETTING BIGGER AND THOUGHT YOU WERE GAINING WEIGHT? KEEP US POSTED ON WHAT IS GOING ON.

CLG

No, I had no symptoms...not really....my stomach got bigger and bigger...I am not a thin person...but I never had a belly this big..
It all started last summer...my feet were swollen...I thought it was from dancing at a wedding...2 weeks later....still swollen....went to MD....he said try these water pills...months passed....now my legs were swollen too....he finally felt my stomach...and felt this "mass". It is SO big..it is blocking my circulation to my legs and feet. I am ashamed to tell you...I had not been to GYN in 20 years...
My periods were normal.....only one very bad one...but I am 50.....well...he sent me for a sonagram...and there was this HUGE fibroid.....The GYN said it must weigh about 20 lbs...and it will be very hard to get out...does not make me feel so secure...
And it got bigger....my stomach is real round now....I have never been pregnant....so I don't really know how it feels...
I am told it is in the uterus....but I am lucky I guess....I am uncomforable...but not in pain.....period still comes on time, no bleeding in between...so I count my blessings...and my next GYN appointment is next Thursday...May 30th...when we will schedule...."the Deed"....I am very nervous to have the surgery (as I am sure we all are)
I pray for all of you....and your support has been so comforting to me.