Getting my life back

I'm impressed but discouraged at the speed so many of you have managed to get back to work.
After nearly seven weeks I'm still in pain. I can walk about 30 yards and car journeys are an ordeal.
Despite 4 weeks of hrt Im still getting 15 hot flushes a day.
My weight is still dropping. I've lost 45lbs since I was misdiagnosed with late terminal cancer at the beginning of March. It turned out I simply had thyroid cysts, severe anaemia, very big fibroids, and my uterus was above my heart.
I'd love to bluff my way past my gynaecologist at my check on Wednesday, but I admit that before going back to work I have to be able to get there! Am I alone - or the big failure of class June 2006?

Blinkle, we all go at our own pace and I for one could never have gone back to work after 6 weeks.
You also have thyroid issues. I am hypothyroid and have been on levothyroxine for 12 years and know only too well how difficult it is to feel well when the thyroid is out of balance. I hope you are getting medical attention for this, by the way.
Tell your gynae exactly how it is and concentrate on getting better in your own time.

Hi Blinkie
you are certainly not alone - many of us are 'slow' healers.
I was certainly not ready to go back to work at 6 weeks - still achy and tired.I had to ask for 2 more weeks off. I felt just as you do that I was a failure.
I feel much better now than before the surgery in many ways but work is still tiring...
Don't know much about HRT but it doesn't sound like yours is doing well for you, maybe you could try something different or up the dose?
You are certainly not a failure - it takes a year to fully recover from a hyst - you are just part of the way along. Try to think how much better you are than the day after surgery and you can see you are recovering. You have had complications others didn't have so you can't compare yourself.
Pamper yourself while you can!
best wishes
Liz

Hi Blinkie,
You are not alone. I am 6 weeks and still have not returned to work. I had a TAH including ovaries and am feeling totally exhausted. I can go about 2 days with some energy and then I drop like a bucket for about 4 days. I guess everyone heals at different paces. I have hot flashes every night that wake me up and keep me up despite taking sleep aids. I have lost a total of 14 pounds and still have not fully recovered my appetite. Hang in there....you will eventually heal.

You're right where you need to be! We all heal so very differently. I'm a little past 9 weeks and can't drive, work, do mostly all housework, etc. It's a little depressing, but I know if I push it I'll get in trouble. I have a bleeding disorder that's throwing everything off course. It sounds like you have some complications, too (understatement) and you should therefore give yourself plenty of extra time!
Hope you feel lots better very soon!
Julia

Dear sisters
You sound so wise and sensible - just what I need. You've steadied me up in preparation for my post-op check tomorrow. I pray for no more alarms or excursions, but my gynaecologist is an experienced, caring doctor who I know has my best interests at heart - and knows me too well to believe anything except what he sees for himself.
OK - maybe no work till November or even Christmas. That's a tough admission for someone who loves her job, is anxious about it, and has been off since the beginning of March. Even harder, no holiday somewhere warm in October - a dream I'd clung to through these long hard months.
2007 will be great!

What do you mean, no holiday somewhere warm? You could still do that surely. Your employers know why you are off and a relaxing holiday would surely help you recover. You really have been through a lot, Blinkle. Don't forget that. Take care xx

Don't feel bad. Our bodies heal differently. You are certainly not a failure but your body is telling you that you are not ready to go back to work. I wish you the best and continued healing.

Thanks so much for your support in my pre-checkup wobble.
My gynaecologist has referred me to the menopause clinic (surprised my GP hadn't done this), is running more blood tests, is sending me back to the dietician, and has also referred me to a gastro-enterologist (sigh). However he is satisfied with my wound. The pain is apparently not surprising given the size of my operative problems. When I referred to my hopes of a return to work some time in the near future he gave me one of those looks.
OK mixed news (I'd like my body back, please) but I feel steadier. At least they haven't given up on me.
Where would I be without my hystersisters!