Survivor-Child Sexual Abuse/Preparing for TAH

I am 48 years old and for the last year I had a UTI. No kidding! Except for the 6 times on antibiotics I had a urinary tract infection for a solid year. No fever, no burning when I had to pee, no symptoms except that I just didn't feel good. I went in for my annual physical (usually my time to look back/take stock that year), at which time my Family Practice DOC, who told me my uterus was "a couple of months" size. She's been my doc over 20 years and I asked/she recommended I see a Uro Gyn DOC.

I prefer a female doctor. I am a survivor of child sexual abuse, by my uncle, still living, who is a doctor (an anesthesiologist). I am not the only survivor, there are 6 of us. For that reason I chose, and do choose, female doctors. Now that I'm done with my TAH I would highly recommend sharing this information with your physician if it applies to you. It most certainly helped me pre-op, intraoperatively, & post-op. I almost didn't tell her. However, I became triggered with the urodynamic testing, which my UroGyn noticed. I don't know what I looked like, however, once I could process, we discussed it.

I asked if she could "knock me out" before anyone started to touch me. This she did, which was very helpful for me. If you are a survivor too, do this one thing for yourself.

I had various biopsies and urodynamics and was told I HAD to have a hysterectomy. All the biopsy results came back negative. The removal of cervix, ovaries, tubes was MY choice. At my current age the morbidity/mortality rates were nil, however, the potential for problems as I got older were too significant for me to ignore. I'm glad I made the choice I did, particularly since they found cancer of some kind/type. Various dates for my surgery were chosen and changed by the doctors and I finally had a TAH/BSO/Burch procedure with vaginal, hernia & cystocoele repair on 13 Feb 2008.

I really didn't know much and searched for books. One of the most helpful, "So You're Having a Hysterectomy" had the HysterSisters listed on p. 203. My UroGyn DOC had never heard of them, however, I jumped on the site and registered me and my surgery date right away. I would suggest anyone needing a hyst do the same. It is wonderful to get the e-mails which track my progress down the treatment path. Especially the first few days post-op when I had the time to read the little tips and "to-dos" personalized for ME based on MY surgical date.

I have already told my doctors about the site and have told others about it as well.

When I got my unexpected sarcoma (cancer) diagnosis and couldn't sleep I was able to get on the website and find SOMEONE there to support and encourage me. When I didn't even know what I didn't know I was able to learn from others who had been down this path before me. I feel like I am in control of my life and am learning more even when I don't know what to ask. It's very frustrating for me to NOT know, especially as I sit with my Gyn Onc DOC, what questions to ask. Another immensely valuable reason to join the HysterSisters as they provide a place for us to come together and help each other.

I am so grateful to have HysterSisters. There IS really something/someone here for everyone. And for THAT most especially I am truly grateful.