Venting...

I'm scheduled for what I hope is an LAVH on July 6. I have a huge (at least it seems like that to me) fibroid in my uterus that's been giving me pain and bleeding for the last 2-3 years, although my periods since I began menses have been downright miserable. I've been raving for years about having the whole thing removed so I'll feel better (and this was pre-fibroid!). I am 54, have two teenage boys, have had my tubes tied for almost 16 years.

OK. Now, for some reason, I'm getting incredibly emotional about the whole thing. I'm doing the 'nesting thing', I'm getting my affairs straight, I'm cleaning my drawers, and making sure I'm all caught up at work (where, by the way, folks are much more than supportive). I feel as if I could cry if anyone looks at me crooked, much less when I hear bagpipes (I know this sounds stupid, but I love the things) or a song that means something to me.

And I still haven't made the decision about my ovaries. I'm worried about libido post-op. My pre-op is the 26th, and I have a lot of questions for my dr.

I watched the Discovery Health channel LAVH show last week (thanks to someone on one of these boards alerting us to it), and was doing just great during the laproscopic portion. It was incredibly interesting and informative. Now I don't have to imagine what's going to happen! Then it got down to the removal, I closed my eyes for 'just a sec' so's I wouldn't see part of it and fell asleep.

I'm planning to go to the Portland Highland Games on the 21st and then on to Enumclaw the following weekend. I have a very tight schedule from now until the end of the month that my body had better follow! Poor old thing. All that stress.

Thanks for listening. I'm much more upbeat in real life!! Which is probably why I'm venting...

You go girl! Of course you have to vent! And what better place to vent than here?

Know exactly what you mean about the nesting thing. I spent most of the night before my hyst sorting through stuff and reminiscing. It's not silly, just part of the whole process. You're losing a part of yourself in a way, even if it is a part that's given you a lot of misery.

Hang in there, and good luck with your pre-op!

-Kim in Iowa

I can't imagine that your ovaries are doing too much now anyway! My Dr. said that after 45 they usually take them out because there's not much if any life left in them to help you....and it'd be my luck to have to go back in, in a year or two and get the ovaries out.....I'm 55 and I was THRILLED to get mine out....get it all over with at once.....you'd be a rare one if yours are still doing much, from what I've read and asked Drs.
Hope all goes well with you.

Hugs,
sheilac
TAH/BSO 5/25/01

Hi Ladylass!

I think what you're feeling is perfectly normal...this is big stuff. I went through the same kinds of feelings before my surgery. We kind of face our own mortality, and want things in order....and it's scary!!

I think that if your ovaries are healthy and your doctor is in agreement, you might want to consider keeping them. If you have no history of problems and they're fine, leave 'em! They'll trickle out good stuff for you for a long time yet. We don't need to remove healthy organs just in case... You and your doctor can make that decision. Keep adding things to your question list, and make sure you get good answers. (have you seen our list of pre-op questions? Some good ideas there)

Enjoy the Highland Games...ours here in NY aren't until August...we go every year without fail! (and the pipes make me cry even when I'm NOT hormonal )

Hang in there....keep busy with things you love, and you'll be fine!!!

s

Karen

Hi ladylass - Pre-op is emotional...no doubt about that. I did the nesting thing..and the crying.

I'll be 46 next month...had tah/bso March 2000 and libido is lower than what it used to be. That's basically the only complaint I've had since surgery. Please talk with your dr. about your concerns.

We're here for you.

Ladylass,

It's ok-the pipes make all us Scottish girls cry. Even my 9 year old gets weepy at the Highland games and isn't quite sure why! Just enjoy watching the big guys toss the caber and have fun! You're allowed to be emotional!

Cecilia

Hi LadyLass

Resting, recovery, and healing should be your #1 priority over everything else until your doctor releases you to resume your usual activities. So you might want to re-think about going to the Portland Highland Games and all that traveling so soon after your surgery. It's approximately 1.5 to 2 hours drive from Corvallis to Portland and that could be hard on your pelvic floor to travel and sit on uncomfortable chairs at the Games. It would be better to check with your doctor to see if you can travel so far and do all those activities so soon after surgery. There's always next year for the Games.

If you haven't gone through menopause yet, you might want to consider keeping your ovaries. At your age, your ovaries are still producing hormones naturally. The final decision should be yours.