TAH - Cathys tale

Hi Im Cathy, 38 and had TAH, with severe adhesions and fibroids on May 25, 2005. I was able to keep my cervix and ovaries. I had a small cyst on my right ovary which the Dr. was able to pop.
My story started last September when I went to a new Gyn for my annual Pap. After the innitial exam, I explained to my Dr. that over the past year or so, my periods had gradually gotten more painful with heavy clotting and flooding, she recommended a hydrothermal ablation which was done in December 04. Unfortunately due to an irregular shaped uterus, and tons of small fibroids this procedure failed, and my symptoms got more severe as the months past. She recommended a second ablation, but after finding Hyster Sisters and doing some investigating of my own I found out that, ablations often fail on woman with fibroids, so I asked myself why try again????? I got a second opinion and this new Gyn after extensive testing, told me he advised a hysterectomy, he could feel a tumor on my bladder,, and on my uterus and was worried about endo, so feeling more comfortable with him we went ahead and scheduled for 5/25/05, only 2 weeks from my innitial oppointment with him.
I really got myself worked up, found myself in tears quite often, and roamed this web site frequently, after scanning a few posts, I felt wow, these woman really care!!!! I could feel the compassion everytime I read the replys to posts. I registered with Hyster Sisters because I new I needed these Woman, for friends, for sisters "which I don't have", just to have another woman understand what I was going through. My Mom is from the old school, and felt that if she suffered untill menapause, then I should too, so I really couldn't talk to her about my problems. But I could talk here, vent , cry, get support, support others going through this tramatic experience, and it helped me to get a grip on what was happening to me and to exept and understand that this surgury was essential for me. Well 5/25/05 came sooooooooo fast, next thing I know Im waking up and its done. My Dr. came to me in recovery and explained that he was able to save my ovaries and cervix, and that he was glad we didn't wait longer, because my bladder was trapped tightly by adhesions against my uterus, and that thats what he thought was a tumor, but wasnt'. I am now 9 days down the road to recovery, and Im doing very well. My bladder gives me the most trouble, shes not emptying completetly and so everytime I lay down , I have strong urges to go,go,go. Dr. said this will take time to function normally, but will be fine in the long run. Im healing nicely and no longer need pain meds during the day, and I am sooooooo glad that I went ahead with this surgury. I know there might be a lot of bumps in the road ahead recovering, but I also know that any niggling doubt, or question I might have I can come here to my sisters and work through them. I visit everyday, sometimes posting my own questions, other times answering questions to ladies in waiting trying to deminish some of the fear that I know there feeling. I hope that I can be a help, like so many of you have helped me. Cathy