Having second thoughts 1 week out...

I just scheduled my abdominal hysterectomy today for next Tuesday. The surgery center called to ask questions and give me info for that day. So now I'm freaking out.

Here's the deal: Since I had my little guy almost 4 years ago, I've had increasingly large clots all through my period, recently to the point of wishing I could stay home instead of taking him the half-hour to town for preschool. I have to plan where I am for a week so I can be sure to change the hardware before I leave an embarrassing trail. I haven't been on hormones since 6 months before having the baby. Finally, I got fed up and figured I should get to my OBGYN (I had naughtily skipped that appointment for 2 years).

He put me on 2 cycles of NuvaRing and I still had clotting. At my scheduled ultrasound, with an additional fluid-injection ultrasound, he saw (in my words) a "defect" in my emergency c-section closure of my uterus...looked like a flap hanging down to me. He also saw what he thought was a Nabothian cyst and some "common, no-big deal" cysts on one ovary. He mentioned before he saw the "flap" that I could try ablation, but I said if isn't 100% going to get rid of this period, then don't bother. He says that ablation may not reach the defect anyway, so it's out either way.

So I'm left wondering today if I jumped too fast on this and should try a few more months of the NuvaRing to see if it helps the clotting. I don't have any pain and the doc didn't say a thing about cancer, etc. In fact, as he was leaving the room last week he said I could try the hormones a little while longer when I asked about that.

Having been through a traumatic c-section I thought "no big deal, I can handle this," but now reading all of the other details at this site, I'd rather avoid it for now.

I think I've talked myself into cancelling, but maybe tomorrow I'll be back on the wagon. I just had to vent (I'm also stressed out right now since the weather conditions made my wood stove backdraft and I've just spent over 2 hours dealing with a smoldering fire and now a smoky house and a wet ashy mess to clean up). Thanks for listening.

It is perfectly normal to have fears and doubts! So you are not alone!

If you do not feel that a hyst is the 100% right choice for you, I would suggest waiting. A hyst is a major, irreversible surgery. Once it is done, it is done. It is not a surgery you should rush into if you are not in a life or death situation. And a second opinion regarding what might be best for you is always a good idea prior to any major surgery.

If there are alternatives and/or options available, my recommendation would be to try those for awile and see if they help. You may find that given time, one of them may work and you can avoid the hyst altogether.

I wish you the very best for whatever you decide is right for you! Weigh the pros and cons, research your condition and your options, get a second opinion, and do what is best for you!

I'm all for keeping your organs unless it's absolutely necessary to get rid of them. I'm in so much pain I can't wait to get to the castle. I wish I could go sooner. I begged my dr. to take me sooner b/c I can't even work or take care of my ds without help (he's only 2) these days. But I'm leaving everything I can in there, and the hyst is a last resort b/c none of the other treatments worked. The other treatments could be stopped, but surgery is a huge commitment.