Am I that dumb that I did't notice what was happening???

Sounds a lot like me. I know I have fibroids though because I kept going in once I was on insurance when ever I was bleeding and clotting even more than usual. But I sure can't tell what symptoms besides that are part of it and won't until it's over. But I have to say, that sounds a lot like how I have felt most of my life since puberty.

The thing is with a lot of these symptoms they don't just appear over night but gradually get worse over some time, that you tend not to notice how bad things have become. In fact its not until after the op when you are sitting there thinking ok I can tell I've had an op but I feel so much better already than I did before the op. I have to say the thought of never having another period is wonderful
Good luck with the op.