In tears--is it just me?

Hi, ladies,

I must really be a basket case lately because I have found myself quite sensitive to the fact that when I share my story with others who are considering surgery in order for them to make a truly informed decision, I just feel hurt when I'm bombarded with advice from VERY well meaning folks. It just "feels" like our stories don't count because we simply haven't found our cure "yet". I feel almost attacked, and YET I know this is completely irrational. I'M NOT USUALLY LIKE THIS!

I REALLY, REALLY wish I had heard about other women's problems post hyst without others jumping in and implying that their problem will be fixed if only they work hard enough to find a solution. This really creates a false impression. I love the upbeat nature of this board, but just "sometimes" upbeat can be a real downer if you know what I mean.

On the other hand, I can't tell you how much I've appreciated all the advice given when I've asked for it. Because of some great women at Hystersisters, I've been spurred on, yet again, to search for answers after taking a break from this emotionally daunting task.

I hope I can join you here on The Road Less Travelled. My long term complications include, but are not limited to , high blood pressure and feelings of great anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes and NO libido. Of course, what little, itty bitty libido I have is squashed by the blood pressure medicine. BIG I've even been to the emergency room because I thought I was having a heart attack.

I escaped from the dungeon (sorry, it's not a castle to me ) 3 1/2 years ago.


Please, please don't take this personally. I've seen so much care and concern here, and I really do appreciate all of you.

Of course you are welcome here Joni! We are glad you have found us and we hope that we can help. Although won't take away your pain, I have found them to very helpful as I trek thru the jungle and The Road.

Joni Joni

I'm sorry if I am one of the people that you feel has treated you like you just haven't "found your answer" yet. What I mean, is, if you are still having health problems, there may be answers out there waiting for you.....I wish I could wave a magic wand and go back in time for you so you could do it all different. I know it is daunting, and exhausting. I've been there. I have been through struggles of my own, and members of my family have spend extended time in hospitals being treated for everything from extreme prematurity to heart surgery. I know firsthand the frustration you can experience when something that was supposed to "FIX" things, not only doesn't fix them, but makes others worse. Medicine is not an exact science. If it weren't for my deep faith, there are times I would not have been able to go on.

I, too, struggle with high blood pressure and depression, but they are not necessarily caused by the hyst. In fact, depression has haunted me most of my life. And, recently, the high bp may be caused by the one and only med that has helped my depression. So you see, I have been in tough spots, and I don't mean to offer mere platitudes when I say keep hoping, keep searching. Yes, it is emotionally exhausting. You just have to pace yourself, and work out a way to do enough to keep hope alive in yourself without stressing yourself into worse health. It is a delicate balance that only you can find for yourself.

Please feel welcome here. Please don't take it the wrong way when women offer support or advice, they truly mean well for you. They may have tried something that worked, or your story may touch them in some way and prompt them to respond to you.

Best Wishes,

Mary aka Tino

All of us here on the road have suffered that kind of thing. But they do mean well. It still stings though because you have to live in your own skin everyday. It's just hard for people to understand, and frankly, some of them have no desire to understand. Your pain is not their pain. Here...it is. We all struggle here, every day. Together though...we help each other, listen, allow rants and regrets to be listed...and search for positive answers and work thru the problems together.

It's hard...no doubt about it. Read thru the posts here in this forum and you'll see each of us has a unique, but similar story -- we all had post hyst complications. Some can be fixed. Some can't. Some are still looking....

Mostly, we're cheering each other on.

Welcome.

Hi Joni,
I think Angie summed it up perfectly! I am one of the many too that suffer with daily pain and whole array of other symptoms also I have been given there is nothing else we can do line but I'm not giving up just yet The Sisters here have helped me get through the last 15 months....no definite answers just tons of great info, compassion and support. It helps knowing your not alone.

I think that the bottom line is, never give up, because I don't want to give others the satisfaction of seeing me give up!!!

And always be there for one another. That is why I love this site. I could spend 24/7 here. I think it is the only place in the world that I can come to and whinge and moan, and still be loved!!!!(I hope!!!!)

You Sisters are wonderful!!

Welcome Joni

Welcome to "The Road"..... I am truly sorry that you had to join us here, because that means you are dealing with ongoing post op complications and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. But I did want to welcome you and let you know that you are not alone. There are so many of us that are still struggling on a daily basis to find answers. I have racked up many miles on "The Road" since my hyster in Sept. 99 I live with ongoing bladder problems that cause me lots of pain and embarrassment. But being here somehow makes it better. No, the ladies here don't have any answers for me, but they do have HUGE hearts and broad shoulders. We all understand ....... our problems may not be the same but we are all still struggling in someway.

I hope that you can find the answers you are seeking from your doctor very soon. Until then ........ know that we are here for you.

Dear Lisa, Vicki, Sheri, Adrite, Mary and Kim,

I want to thank you all for the wonderful words and big cyberhugs. I really do feel like I'm being hugged this morning. Actually, I just feel a bit better emotionally today.

For the past several months I had put my problems on the back burner because, as you all know, we just can't go around letting this consume our lives. Well, it's now back on the front burner and I feel overwhelmed emotionally. I saw my doctor last week, and we are trying estrotest and Welbutrin. My doctor said the first few weeks on Welbutrin might be hard. And the estrotest is making me edgy. (The compounded stuff did nothing for me.) Different people react differently. Well, I'm a basketcase.

I thank God for all of you, and especially thank God for my husband, who is just being the sweetest, most encouraging husband you can imagine. He calls me very frequently telling me to "hang in there," and prays for me. He took me out last night.

There's a little light on the horizon today.

Joni

Joni,
Keep that light shining.

I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I just know things will get better for you. We are here cheering you on.

Joni,

I am so glad to hear that you are feeling a bit better today. Every little bit helps. Remember ...... Good Days or Bad Days - we are always here. We may not have the answers that you are seeking but we can certainly listen and lend our shoulders for you to lean on.

We will keep that light shining. We all stick together here on The Road. And somehow, someway, someday we will all find smoother roads ahead