New, just wanted to say hello.

I found this website a few weeks ago, and now it's the only one I go to for info and support on hysterectomys.

On March 23 I will be having a TAH-BSO, a uterosacral suspension, a paravaginal repair, a cystoscopy and a lymph node biopsy. Needless to say, I'm just a tad nervous. Scared out of my mind might put it better.

A Urogyn is doing the surgery b/c I felt most comfortable w/her. She was my 3rd opinion. It's being done b/c of an ovarian cyst which got bigger on the 2nd ultra-sound, and a thickened endometrium. (The cyst is little, barely 1 cm), but since I've been post-menopausal for about 3 years (I'm 51), these things could be a cancer concern. Although the Doc says she thinks everything is benign, she and my general Gyn said it's not safe to take a chance b/c I'm post menopausal. They were hoping the cyst would be gone on the 2nd scan and instead it got a bit bigger. Another Doc said to just take out the ovary and do a D&C (tried but couldn't to an endometrial biopsy. Guess my insides are too old to let the catheter through my cervix.) Since we're doing this, both Docs said to do the prolapse repair, so I decided to have a Urogyn do everything.

My pre-op is tomorrow. I have a list of questions a mile long, many of which I got from Hyster-Sisters. I'm getting chills down my legs just thinking about it.

I'm afraid of the pain, the catheter, throwing up or even feeling nauseaus, BMs and again, the pain. I really haven't even thought about the pathology. She's going to send whatever she needs to to the pathologist during surgery for a preliminary report, so I guess I'll know as soon as I wake up. (or as soon as I want to know)

I am sorry this is so long. Just wanted to say hello. Would asking for a private room be too uppity. I want my DH to stay w/me and the nurse said the hospital won't let anyone stay if I have a roommate, which I fully understand. Also, is the pain and catheter worse b/c of the repair work? Thanks for reading.

Hi Sheila,

Glad you found this website. It has really been a God send to me. I will be having my surgery on the same day as you. I'll keep you in my prayers!! This is scary even though necessary. I hope that you've been encouraged though by posts left by the other LIW and Princesses.

I personally don't think asking for anything is too uppity Hope you get things done the way you want.

Debbie D

Hey Sheila,

You are having a lot of work done, and I won't pretend to be able to help, except to say that I found my experience (TAH) at age 47 wasn't as bad as I had been afraid of. I'd never had a catheter, didn't like the idea AT ALL, but it turned out it was no problem.

Pain control was very good -- I was on Demerol (shots in my behind as needed) and it worked very well. I was told to ask for pain meds whenever I wanted it, that staying ahead of the pain was important.

You are worried about nausea -- do you mean from the anesthetic or afterward from the meds? Have you had nausea before, due to surgery? You can let the doctors know, and they can add extra drugs to help for that. I had a bit of nausea, but it turned out to be from the drug I got put on after the Demerol (it was Percocet) and disappeared when I just switched to Extra Strength Tylenol.

Going on this site and asking all the questions you can -- and seeing what your doc thinks of the answers you find, may make you feel less anxious. It worked for me.

Good luck to you -- you may well feel MUCH better when this is all over. I do.

Debbie and Georgette,

Thank you so much for replying. I am sooo glad I found this website. The caring, kind nature of everyone shows through and is the best support. I also love the humor. Last week I was laughing right out loud at a post I was reading about bowel prep, which I will be doing the afternoon before surgery. Even my husband reads over my shoulder on occasion and has a good laugh. I ordered him the Yes, Your Highness apron. He said it is worth every penny.

Georgette, the nausea I'm worried about is from the pain meds. I know I'll get something in the I.V. so I don't get sick from the general anesthesia, but I'm thinking it's a "let's try it and see" with the pain meds. No good reason for my worrying, except that I used to have terrible problems w/nausea all the time. I need to remember that time is gone and believe everything will be fine in that department. The pain is what has me really nuts, so I'm going to start relaxation tonight.

Debbie, good luck to you on our day. I'm sure we'll both be just fine. Please know, you'll be in my prayers.

I'll post again tomorrow after my pre-op, probably full of more worries and needing encouragement.

Thank you so much, again

Hi Sheila, a warm welcome to Hystersisters and it is good to hear you are finding the information and support here helpful. There are many thoughtful, kind women on this site who will gladly share their experiences with others - you already are beginning to see that with your first post. If you have not found them yet, you may find the following two links to pre-op and post-op articles particularly useful for new LIWs:
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/hsl...s=&forumid=170
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/hsl...s=&forumid=171

I hope you come back often and that you will continue to find this site helpful and supportive as you prepare for you surgery and during your recovery too. s and blessings, peggiesue