LSH - A Real Blessing!

A month ago (Jan. '06) was the beginning of a journey that I thought I would never have to take. I had always had heavy, painful and long periods. Many doctors had told me over the past 15 or so years that it was due to fibroids in my uterus. Then 4 years ago I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an autoimmune disease of the thyroid) and I was told that my diseased thyroid could cause my monthly problems of pain and bleeding. But once I got my thyroid back to "normal", my monthly problems didn't diminish, but seemed to get a little worse and longer. 10 days of bleeding each month doesn't leave much time for romance in my marriage, but dh is very understanding.

After bleeding for 3 weeks in January I decided that maybe something else was wrong and went to my regular gynecologist for a check-up. Without even discussing what he was going to do, he and his nurse came into the room and promptly prepared me for a uterine biopsy (I have since found out that is the first test they do for heavy bleeding). After the biopsy, his comment was that my uterus was almost 12 weeks in size with a big fibroid and "boy, you really bleed heavy!". Duh! That's what I've told him for several years. He then informed me it was time to make a decision on a hysterectomy and that a LAVH would be my option. I was in shock and could hardly speak as the dr. stood there waiting for me to decide. I finally told him that I needed some time to think about it. Afterall, hysterectomy had been suggested before and I dodged the bullet then.
I decided I needed a second opinion and sought out a gynecologist that I had seen years before. His bedside manner was much nicer than the first dr. I knew this was the dr. to take care of me because I felt a sense of peace the minute I walked into his office. He scheduled me for a vaginal ultrasound to double check what was going on inside (something that wasn't even offered by my the first dr.) The ultrasound was painless, but showed that I had not only a large fibroid but many others and possibly advanced endometriosis and my uterus was tipped "way back" (the main cause of my lower back pain). The only option he gave me was the hysterectomy or just live with a growing uterus that would eventually have to come out anyway. He was experienced doing LSH and explained everything in detail to me.He told me that most of his "girls" go home the same day and that the incisions were much smaller and the recovery time a lot less. He told me and my dh to think about it and call him when I was ready.

That's when I came home and started doing some research on hysterectomies and happened upon this wonderful site. I learned all about the hysterectomy options, how to prepare for the surgery and the recovery period. Just reading about women all over the world going through the same emotions, pains and fears that I had made me feel like I was not alone in my journey. This website has been a real blessing to me and helped me decide to go ahead with the surgery. I was able to face my surgery with minimal fears and concerns. I knew I was prepared the best way I could and also knew that my decision was the best for me with my dr's help.

Everyone at the hospital was so kind and considerate. My dr. even popped in before getting ready for surgery and gave me a little "pep" talk. I was given anti-nausea meds and something for my acid reflux before surgery, along with some nice calming medicine called "versed" (great stuff!). I don't remember anything until I was in recovery and the nurse was talking to me. No real pain or nausea; I just felt really tired. My dr. said the surgery went just like "textbook" and even had pictures to show dh! I was able to keep my ovaries and cervix, but my sick uterus and tubes had to go! I had arrived at the hospital at 6 a.m. and was wheeled a little early to my scheduled 8 a.m. surgery (7:36 a.m. according to dh) and I was in recovery by 10:15 a.m. and left for home at 1:10 p.m. The nurse said not everyone goes home as soon as I did; some stay overnight. But I felt I could get better rest at home and my dh would be a very attentive nurse.

Now that my 5th day of recovery is almost over I can look back and say that the second day after surgery was the rockiest. I had severe pains in my right shoulder and under my right ribs due to the gas they use in the abdomen area; but with movement it did finally subside. Each day I've felt a little stronger and less tired. My lower back pains are completely gone! I had only a tiny bit of vaginal bleeding the first 2 days and its been practically nil since then. Just some slight soreness around my incisions, but mostly pain-free. I am taking it very slow and resting when I can because I want to complete my healing process without incident. I'm glad to be finally free of pads and tampons and all the monthly pain that I endured over the years. I'm finally going to get back my life and try to live each day to the fullest.

All in all, my journey has gone well and I anticipate a full recovery. Because I had a good dr. that I trusted and this website to guide me along, my LSH surgery has truly been a real blessing!