Surgery Tuesday, July 15

I'm sort of looking forward to surgery on Tuesday, but naturally a little scared.

I've been having moderate to serious problems for about 1 1/2 years (that I ignored) and debilitating problems for the last 3 or 4 months. I had to switch dr. because my body was telling me that something was very wrong and my dr. said it was stress. When I finally found a good one, he went in and looked around (laparoscopy) about 1 month ago. He was 99% sure it was endometriosis from my symptoms and expected to laser away some of my troubles. However, he was wrong. So I'm glad he went in and looked around before diagnosing me.

I have generalized pelvic pain at all times, its just part of life right now. It varies from about 3 or 4 to 10 + on the scale. I also have acute concentrated, excruciating pain on my left side at the approximate location of my ovary. This pain will drop me to the ground like a stone and cause me to faint. Not fun. I have 7 to 10 day periods that are very irregular, anywhere from 21 days to as much as 58 days apart. Yuck!

When the dr looked he found adenomyosis (he called my uterus "boggy"), and what he called pelvic congestion. He said the veins in the tissue/ligaments between my ovaries and fallopian tubes were enlarged and inflamed (like varicose veins). Ovarian cysts (rupturing) are the suspected culprit for my acute left side pain. There's a fibroid there too, but no visible trace of endometriosis. Since I am basically disabled, he recommended a TVH except he's leaving my right ovary. He also wouldn't promise a vaginal, he said he might need to do an abdominal depending on the bleeding.

I hate my life right now. I hurt all the time...I can't work more than 3 or 4 hours a day and I have to take a nap almost every afternoon. I'm right in the middle of a summer semester at college too. Fortunately my boss and my instructors are being very understanding. I will get an additional 4 weeks after the end of the semester to finish my work at school. We had to cancel a family vacation because of my problems. My kids really seemed okay about it, but I have been beating myself up. I feel so guilty about this summer. I haven't been able to do anything...garden, play in the community band, play with my kids, be a wife (in one sense of the word), cook regular meals, etc.

My hubby is wonderful and spoils me rotten, so I'm sure I will be pampered when I get home after the surgery. Everyone I have talked to so far has said it was the best thing they ever did. They got their life back afterward. I hope so. My biggest fear is that the pain will still be there. There's no reason it would be, but I still worry. The dr. also says he thinks I could start to go off Sarafem (an antidepressant) afterwards. He believes that my Premestrual Dysphoric Disorder and depression was/is directly related to my pain and problems. I'm looking forward to that too. I hate taking meds.

I've rambled enough, huh? The next few days are going to drag. Thanks for the site. I have read a lot already, especially the post-op stuff that has given me hope that things will be better.

Hi thump,

Welcome to Hyster Sisters!!

While I'm sorry that you have been in such pain and are facing surgery, I am glad that you found HS and posted to introduce yourself.

Please try not to feel guilty - your DH and kids know that you have not been well, and it sounds as if they (and your boss and instructors) are being very understanding and helpful. Once you have completely recovered, maybe you can reschedule your vacation, or do something else special with your family.

If you haven't already found them, please be sure to read the Pre-Op Hints (click here) and the Post-Op Hints (click here). They are full of great advice that will help you to prepare for your surgery and recovery.

I hope you'll continue to read and to post any questions that you may have - we'll do our best to help.

's

You and I share the same surgery date. Hang in there it will be okay. I agree with what you've already read.....you will feel better afterwards. I am keeping myself very, very busy to keep my mind off of surgery. I'm working all day on Monday and have a lot of errands to run after work, then dinner with DH. After all of that......it will time to go to bed and wake up to go to the castle.

My surgery is the day after yours. I also have ovarian cysts, one is the size of a grapefruit and I have two smaller cysts on the other ovary. I also have pain but not as bad as yours! I have chronic lower back and pelvic pain that sometimes makes my legs hurt also, well in fact, certain times of the month I hurt everywhere. I will have a vertical incision, maybe even past my belly button because the cyst reaches to my belly button. I can actually feel it when I lay down, this huge lump on my right side!
Let me know how your surgery goes. Best wishes to you.
Justine

Best of wishes on your surgery I too have surgery Tuesday!!! I am ansy and hyper. I check this site 4 times a day. I am ready for Tuesday. I will say alittle prayer for you and all the sisters with surgery coming up!!!

My surgery is the July 15th, also. I can't wait. The only problem I'm going to have that day that I know of is not food or water until my surgery which is at 3:15 in the afternoon.

Only a man would make a woman wait that long for food or water.

I'm also having surgery on July 15. I have my pre-op tomorrow and have to be at the hospital at 5:30 on Tuesday morning. I'm really getting scared. I've never had any kind of surgery before. I just know I won't be able to sleep until this is all behind me.

My sugery is also July 15th. I don't have a time yet. Tonight I can't sleep. This is about the third night in a row that I have had problems sleeping. I am a little nervous about the surgery, mostly the GA and the possibility of my TVH changing to a TAH if there are complications. I look forward to not having a period again. Tomorrow is my day to have a full breakfast, light lunch and then clear liquids. Oh what fun!!!

It's nice to hear from others who are as nervous as I am. It's getting close now. I already can't concentrate on anything...like I'm dazed all the time.
I look like crap. Everyone who sees me right now knows I'm not well. I'm fair skinned anyway so when I'm sick I take on this lovely shade of gray! I have large rings under my eyes from a combination of lack of sleep and drug induced periods of unconsciousness. Bride of Dracula you might call me.

I'm really looking forward to getting back to my old self, but I must say I have some fear of the next few weeks. Some people say I'll be down a minimum of 4 weeks and some people say "oh, you'll be up and around in a week". Hmmmmm, one sounds like it ***** and the other sounds unlikely.

My real problem is the total lack of control I have over this situation.

What is everyone taking to the... "castle"?