TAH/BSO - My Story

My story starts 15 years ago when I was 37. I'd gone to my ob/gyn for a tubal ligation. While operating, the surgeon discovered a tubal pregnancy that had burst. My abdomen was full of blood. The surgeon wanted to do a total hysterectomy, but he couldn't find my husband in the waiting room to get permission, so he just removed my fallopian tubes. (My husband was washing the car when he couldn't be found). I've never let him forget that he was washing the car in my time of need...lol.
Fast forward to the present...
I was having hot flashes, horrible hot flashes. I got pneumonia in December 2005 and went to the doctor. While there, I requested hormones for the hot flashes. My family doctor gave me a prescription for Prempro, as long as I promised to get a pap smear and mammogram within the month. I hadn't had a pap or mammo for 4 years, so I knew it was way past time to get this done.
When I went for the pap smear, the doctor informed me that I had fibroid tumors and that my uterus was very enlarged. He recommended a TAH BSO. I was actually eager to get this done.
My surgery was schedule for Feb. 13. I wasn't nervous at all until the day before. That day I was panicky and scared, but I went to the hystersister site and realized I wasn't alone in my fear.
Early the next morning we drove the 30 miles to the hospital. I was prepped and before I knew it, I was on the operating table. The last thing I remember is the nurses putting my arms on the boards.
I woke up 2 hours later in the recovery room. They wheeled me up to my room and I probably slept for a while. My husband came in to see me, and I asked him how the surgery went. He told me that there were complications. The doctor had to removed my appendix, he said it looked very bad, and thought perhaps it was cancerous. I asked my husband if I was going to be okay, and he said "I don't know".
Lucky I was on morphine or I would have probably freaked out.
I got up and walked that night, with help. My stomach wasn't gurgling, so I didn't get to eat until 2 days later.
The doctor came in the next morning, and told me he hadn't gotten a report back from pathology about my appendix, but he said that even if it was cancer, it was contained in the appendix and was out of my body, so not to worry. I wish either my husband had been clearer with me, or the doctor had been clearer with my husband, because the way my husband told me and my family, everyone was sick with worry.
As soon as I got the news from the doctor I had to call my parents, children, siblings to let them know they didn't have to worry about me.
I walked four or five times that day, sore but determined.
The next morning the doctor came in and told me that my tumor on my appendix was benign. He said that the tumor was about to burst, and that I was very fortunate that it didn't. He said it could have been fatal.
The second bit of good news he gave me was that I was finally able to eat. I hadn't eaten since Sunday at 5 pm and it was now Wednesday morning. He also told me I would be able to go home the next day.
So, today is Monday, my surgery was exactly a week ago. I'm glad it's over. I wear out easily, so I'm not on my feet as much as I'm used to, but everyday I feel better and better. I'm looking forward to the rest of my life!
I'm so grateful to the hystersister site. It's answered all the questions I've had and let me know I was normal for worrying about everything. Thank you so very much!