An intro...and a thank you...

Hi,

I just joined. I probably should have sooner, will be having my hysterectomy on Friday, the 13th. I don't have my pre op until Thursday, the 12th which feels really weird. Though I know what I will or will not be letting him take! Just the uterus please. I do not know which method he will use or if I'll be spending the night. Those details...or lack thereof are making me really nervous.

I'm 36 and have been dealing with they think...adenomyosis for a little over two years now. It has robbed me of my life and I am looking forward to the potential of that being gone, the adeno not my life lol!!! I did really fight it for the last few years, willing to try anything except this. So here I am....

I found this site and have been encouraged so far. Thank you for sharing your journey. I've gleaned a lot of information!

If anyone has a success stories to share about adenomyosis...after a hysterectomy I'd really love to hear it. I need to hear it. The only reason that's what they think I have is because they've ruled out everything else. The pain is severe and constant....and the periods, can't leave the house when aunt flo is in town.

I was doing okay until tonight, that's when it suddenly hit me, only 2 more days. Poor hubby doesn't know what to do and I don't know what to ask him to do. I broke down into tears and my beautiful little pomeranian (a year old, sweetest snuggle bug around!) came to me with such a look of concern and love in his eyes I couldn't help but smile. What a mama's boy! He is so sweet! He did cheer me up a little.

It's nice to be here in a safe, encouraging and loving place.

Hi Java, Welcome to the best place for information or venting on the web. I had adenomyosis, but no longer. I am so glad I got rid of it, I had to be rushed to the hospital three times in labor like pains from it. I have not had a pain like that since my surgery. I know that surgery will also help you with it. My periods were like yours, but mine lasted for 2 weeks out of the month. NO MORE PERIODS!!!! WOOHOO!!
Best of luck to you, I hope your recovery is speedy.

Thanks I really appreciate you taking the time to share. It's good to hear that you are pain-free and happy about things.

It really surprised me how upset I am going in to this...I've had so many surgeries! I didn't think it would freak me out this bad.

Anyway, thanks for sharing.

Oh boy - your post made my eyes well up. It reminded me of how very scared, nervous, anxious and everything else I was just a couple of days before my surgery.
............I don't know what I was, but I was NOT myself!

Hubby does not know what to do - that's so natural. They are scared and nervous too. Tell him to just give you a hug. Hugs do truly help. Even if he is not the mushy type, nor are you, a hug does wonders.

I had adenomyosis. (of course it was just suspected till after the hyst as they can't 100% confirm that is what it is until after they take out the uterus). I also had endometriosis, pelvic congestion syndrome, enlarged uterus, inverted uterus --- ack,,,, a few other things but I think it all goes hand in hand with the demon called adenomyosis... It was the adeno that did the most damage for me. The pain, the bleeding, the gushing, the not being able to sit for the shooting pain. The monster blood clots so large I felt bad for flushing them thinking they may actually be a live entity and that perhaps I should be naming them instead of flushing them -- after all, these huge alien things were a part of me.
And I fought, oh how I fought to not have a hsyt. I had four prior surgeries - I was willing to try anything BUT....
Alas, as you can tell from my info, last october I had a full hysterectomy keeping both ovaries. (seeing you are so new to the boards, the term FULL HYST refers to your cervix and uterus.... PARTIAL HYST refers to your uterus only. If your tubes and overies are removed, it is called oop~something....(sorry forget the term.)

I can't say everything is 100% since the surgery but I can say that things are sooooooooo much better. No more blood loss, no more pain where I can't sit. No more being house bound for fear of a gush. No more sitting on the throne waiting for the blood to stop running.
Things ARE better. I should have had this surgery years ago when they first suggested it.
Many things will vary for you depending on the surgery you are having. YOu can always call your doctors office and ask the nurse why type of surgery you are booked for. From there, you can make the proper arrangements and have half an idea on what you need to do to prepare. It would be so very nice for you to at least know how long you will be in the castle and whether you are having an abdominal surgery with a big incision or some other type.
I am sending you some big hugs and hoping you find out some answers soon.....
WARNING -- don't go over to the post-op boards too much before your surgery. They tend to scare people more than help them.

I have adeno and my hysterectomy is on the 20th. I have missed so much work from the pain of my periods. I was going through pads every 20 mintues, and I called my clots (sorry - it's such an ugly word) 'after birth' because that's exactly what it feels like when it comes out. And probably just as big. The pain in my back gets so bad I can't stand, and sitting just makes it crampier. I can't handle the painful bowel movements anymore. the pain that tears through my stomach is excruciating. I think my adeno symptoms scares my DH more than the operation itself. I know he feels so helpless when I lie in bed and cry. When I first started experiencing numbness in my thighs during my periods and pressure and numbness between my legs, I knew things were just getting worse. I'm happy I made the decision for the surgery, but I am scared, and that's normal. It's hard to talk about this with my DH. He just doesn't understand. It's helped me a great deal to post on here. To read, and learn and vent and express myself, as well as have a million questions answered. Nobody here will pat me on the back and say "there, there. You'll be fine. Stop worrying." Here, people know what I am going through and can say, "hey, I know exactly what you mean. I can totally relate. Here's some advice." My feelings are validated and I'm not left to feel that I have a "low thershold for pain" as one male doctor put it. I wish you the best for your surgery and recovery and I understand your fear.

Thank you! I'm telling you I am NOT myself right now. Reading your post was like a look into my world. I dont know about the other things you mention having difficulties with, but as far as the bleeding and the pain..it's exactly the way you described it....yes that's me! LOL naming them....I can SO relate to that!!!

I have a whole list of questions for my doc tomorrow. I am fortunate to have loving support here. My mom will be here with the kids while hubby and I go to...(love it) the castle. I keep getting told that I may not have to spend the night. Which would be great, never rest well in that place anyway. I think he usually does these procedures laproscopically. Really I have no idea until tomorrow. Good idea to call...think I will!

Anyway, just wanted to say thanks again. I was really having doubts because it wasn't "confirmed". I know they can't diagnose 100% until after the fact, but it would be nice to have a strong indicator in that direction ya know? I am hoping to keep everything but the uterus. Doc mentioned taking an ovary...I'm like why? So will stand strong on that point. If they were diseased or something I'd let him take them, but apart from the occassional cyst they are fine.

I read enough here on the pre-op board to NOT visit the post-op ones lol, but do appreciate the head-up. I really don't need any help to make my anxiety worse at this point.

Thanks for taking the time to share your story and advice with me!
Christina~

Easterlily,

I am SOOOO tired of male docs talking about hysterectomies like we're just getting a haircut or something (Makes me want to say "Hey lets talk about cutting your **** off so casually shall we? ) Sorry...man it makes me mad! I have been through three docs because of this. Finally found one who is at least somewhat empathetic!

Everyone here at home is supportive, but they are like oh be positive...like that's gonna take it away? I am normally a very positive person and I am trying to look at the good things that will come from this, like no more pain...no more planning events around my period only to have it come early and ruin it anyway.

Still, we need permission to be upset, to vent, to feel what we feel. I am grateful that there is a place like this that we can come together and share in this journey...to support each other.

I will post when I feel up to it after, because I prayerfully expect everything to go very well! (even thinking that, it's still hard to not feel totally freaked inside!) Sometimes I'm glad it's so soon, and sometimes I wish I had more time.

Hugs to you and thanks....for sharing your story!