TAH: Finally got a date! But really down and out : (

So I had my appointment with my GYN this morning and just like I figured I bawled like a baby. We discussed what would be the best option for me. My GYN said that she agrees that I need a hyster because of my past problems (that I mentioned in another post a couple of days ago).

And even after getting my surgery date, which is April 11th, I am still really down about alot of things. The surgery in general not being one of them.

I asked my GYN which type of hyster she thought was necessary and appropriate for me. I was kinda shocked when she said TAH. I really thought she would be able to do it laparoscopically. And am kinda upset that I didn't even ask why it could not be done this way. I kinda guessed because I had a prior c-section. So many questions were going through my mind and mixed with being in pain and emotional, I was not able to ask everything I wanted.

I'm okay and not so worried because I still have to see her again for pre-op on April 7th. She asked me how soon I wanted the have the surgery done and I said today. Which I knew was not gonna happen, but I wanted her to continue to know that I am in great pain and am ready to be rid of it. She did give me a choice of either the 11th or the 18th. And of course I was going to pick the earliest date she threw my way.

With that said, she did remind me that on the 11th, I would be her fifth case. And if I waited until the 18th, I would be her second case. Is there some other reason she told me this other than the point she made in saying that I would have to go all day without eating? HELLO!! I would go 10 days without eating if I knew it's what I needed to do to be able to have this surgery and get my life back.

I am happy to have gotten a date. And I am being serious when I say that It does not make me nervous at all. I know it will be painfull. I know because I have had a c-section and I am betting that it will be pretty similar in comparison. Maybe not, but that is why I am here. To learn from the best of the best ; )

I am more upset that I will not have the family support that I feel like I will need. And I'm not real sure why this is worrying me, because I really did not have the support I needed when I had my c-section either. And I must mention that I live very near to my mother and stepfather. And also to my brother and sis-n-law. I'm going to be a good person and not even go into detail as to why I feel like I will not have much support from the family mentioned above. Maybe I will save that for a post-op story. Lol. I just really hope they prove me wrong this time and help.

Okay I think I have wrote enough : )

Thank you to everyone for your kind words and thoughts as any of us are going through these "rough times".

Hey, I just got my date confirmed today, too! Doc said it would be May 16 or 17, and it is now the 17th--so I could be the first case of the day. I think, based on some surgery a few years ago, that if there are emergencies that 'bump' you (from 2nd to 4th to 5th to 6th), you could go all day (as I did--scheduled for 10 AM, got in at 4 PM) without food, be late getting to your room, throwing off when you go home, etc. or WORSE, they keep you there all day and then send you home if things run too late! Given a choice, I personally like being the first or second case, but that is probably different for everyone...He also said he preferred Mon or Tues if possible, so his patients could be resting at home by the weekend--great by me.

I too have to have a TAH because of scar tissue--mine was a myomectomy, but it's similar to a c-section scar/incision. I'm scared, too, particularly about the pain. I remember it being fairly bad before. Did you have pretty good management of pain with your c-section?

How would it work if you had a 'list' of the kinds of help/support needed? Would it be beneficial to those who want to help but maybe don't 'see' what you really need? I know that there are a few friends I have just simply had to say, when sick, "Thanks for your love and offer of help--I will ask if I need anything, but I'm covered for the moment." The last thing I or anyone needs when recovering is having to play hostess and get food ready, etc. KWIM?

I hope you and your doctor can work out a good date to get this done. Let us know how it's going!

Dee

Oh boy, lol. I'm not wondering if I should have picked the 18th. But I have been in so much pain lately, that I'm just ready to do whatever I need to have this done and over with. I think I can handle the wait for food. And hopefully something will be moved around or cancelled by someone else. Although I'm sure it's not likely. Lol.

I had an emergency c-section because I could not dilate any further than a 5. So to the OR I went. But they did so much pushing and prodding that it left me so bruised. I am almost sure this is not how a scheduled C goes. But my OB/GYN was having a very hard time getting my son out. And I guess had to be rough just to get him out and safe. I did have alot of pain with it. But like I said it was not a normal scheduled C.

The pain meds that I was on helped alot. I took them on time every time. Because a few times I didn't and I felt it. I think this time will be just a bit easier for me because I kinda know what to expect, but at the same time am not having to care for a newborn. So I will get to relax a little more.

And about the help, your idea is great! But the thing is these people know what I need. It's just always been this way in my family, and I dread each and every surgery I have because I know the support will not be there. Like I said, maybe they will prove me wrong this time : ) And as far as my friends go, sure they say "let me know if you need anything". But I always take it as they are just trying to let me know that they care, but really, let them be the last person you lean on. Hehe.

Maybe as these next few days pass I will be more comfortable about it all. And maybe I will get the support I need.

Thank you for posting! Isn't it so great to be able to post on here with so many others going through the same things?!?!

Since you now know you can't expect help from your family, start preparing now. The hysterectomy is not like the C-section. Your insides will have to resituate themselves and that may be painful.

So, shop now for all the food you will need in the house. Do the laundry. Clean the house. Cook food and put it up. Make sure you have your pain medications (you may need to ask the doc for the scripts before hand). Get all your Gas-X, Band-Aids, Stool softeners, etc.

Prepare your bedroom. Hystersisters has excellent information on how to prepare. So, prepare as if you are going to be alone. That process will help you feel less angst as you go into surgery.

See if you can get a friend or church member to be around the first couple of days. And if you don't have that, ask the hospital for help. They can send a CNA or homemaker to assist.

Good luck! Congrats on the date. :hugs5:

I will be having my surgery on April 6th and like you I'm worried about not having the support I will need. I have 4 kids ages 10months to 10 years. My husband works full time and goes to school and he just started working in Jan after a 9 month lay-off, so no way can he take off. I have 2 brothers-in-law in town who are both married and my mother-in-law lives with us. I'm always helping them but I don't usually get help when I need it. I guess since so many people have counted on ne for so long I sort of developed superwoman syndrome. Someone else gave me good advice tho, make a list of what needs done and maybe everyone will be more apt to help. I will pray you get the help you need.