well its official, im having a TAH

Yes, its true, its all sinking in, and strangely enough, im quite calm about it all. Due to all my ongoing issues because of cervical stenosis from a past cone biopsy for cin3 , im having a TAH on the 4th november. I have to have the TAH due to my cervix being so tight and my gyno wants to go the safest way. Im all for that, even though I know my recovery will be a little longer . My mum, sisters, sister in law and friends have all jumped on board to help out as i have three children, the youngest being two. My husband is worried sick about me ofcourse. And im nervous, yes, but i have had time to reflect over the weekend and now i need to move forward and think positively about the future. Im sure you will hear more from me sisters/ I have written a few posts recently, and if there is anyone else out there who has issues for cervical stenosis, i would love to hear from you.

cheers lunanic

I had cervical stenosis, but that didn't affect whether I had a TAH or not. It had an effect much earlier in the diagnostic process. When my gyn tried to do a endometrial biopsy, she couln't - my cervix just wasn't letting her put the probe through to my uterus. So I had a hysteroscopy/D&C instead. That resulted in a diagnosis of endometrial cancer, which resulted in a TAH. I was told that a TAH with a vertical incision gives the gyn onc the most room to have a look around for signs of cancer outside the uterus. That sounded like a good idea to me!

Here's the part I need to stress: a TAH is not necessarily an awful thing to have. My surgery went smoothly. I had a pleasant three-day hospital stay, followed by an easy recovery. I had minimal pain and no complications. At two weeks, I could walk a mile at my normal stride and pace. At four weeks, I returned to my job (part-time desk work) with a restriction on lifting heavy boxes. At six weeks, I could handle the boxes too.

Now, at almost four months, I still have a bit of swelly belly in the evenings. My belly looks as if someone drew a 7" line down it with a purple Sharpie. I know from experience with other scars that the colour will eventually fade.

It's going to be okay.

I do not have experience with what you describe, but I want to offer blessings and support to you. I did not have so long to consider options before my hysterectomy, but if I had, I would have pursued a 2nd opinion. Not that a 2nd opinion would have changed my outcome, but I feel that being totally prepared is best. My only advice is to get a 2nd opinion(if you feel you need one) and to do as much research via this site and others. Knowledge is power, Sister!

Blessing & Healing to You!

Thank you for your responses,

Im happy to hear the recovery process may be quicker than I have expected. As for the second opinion, it's all ok. This has been ongoing for two years and we certainly didn't jump onto this decision lightly. I have had time to think as I knew this may eventually be a possibility down the track, and here I am. My gyno is so supportive and understanding . Will keep you posted.

Thanks for listening