The fear is overwhelming!

As I sit here and read this forum tears stream down my face. Reality is finally setting in as I await my trip to the castle only 7 more days to go for my TAH! I am so afraid and worried about the whole process. I keep telling myself I will be so much better when it is all done and over. I cant convince myself to be strong and suck it up! Any suggestions?

It really is overwhelming. I kept myself so busy before my TAH so I would have less time to worry. But there were times that I would stop and feel the fear. I told myself that the advantages of having a TAH now is infinitely better than the constant worry, bleeding and the risk for malignant transformation (although very slim). I'm now in my 3rd month of recovery and all is well. Finding this forum helped me a lot with what to expect before, during and after the surgery. Believing that it will all work out for the better really helps a lot. Have faith magic922!

We are making that trip on the same day. It is alot to take but I have found that a good talk with myself and God , has pretty much settled me down . I am calm and ready for it I feel positive about and know that all will be well and just great when it is done and I will be a healthier woman after. I just keep thinking how wonderful it is going to be not to worry about the staining of everything! of course reading the wonderful info here has helped alot and finding the sisters who are traveling to the castle on the same day is a comfort to know you are not alone in this journey.
I will be thinking about you upon my arrival at the castle hope things go well for you and try not to worry so much things are bound to get so much better. best of luck

Hello worried one. You are not alone.
I am 3 weeks post op today. Mine was a total abdominal hyst. due to Adeno., Endo, months and months of heavy bleeding, and large ovarian cysts. Yeah, I felt rough before hand. I also suffer from Fibro Myalgia- double yuck.
After all of the reading about the hyst, pre and post op preparations, etc... I concluded that the surgery would be very similar to my c-section 7 years ago. Ha!!!!!!!!!!
The suregery, recovery and now healing has not been even 1000th of my c-section!! Not even close.
The pain has been much less. The hospital stay was much more pleasant. And since I felt so crummy before hand, by the 2nd day- I KNEW I FELT BETTER!!!
I guess that is why this site and all of it's lovely members have to stress taking it easy and even when you feel better- not to over do it. If you ask me, I'd be dancing in the streets! because I feel so good. Thank goodness we are all reminded by each other that we are still healing on the inside- because on the outside you'll be "ready to roll"!!!
Good luck- and just know- the waiting is the very worst part.

My sugery is also in 7 days. I too, am very scared, yet happy at the same time. i will be sooo glad to get rid of the pain and awful periods. My situation was so bad that I was taking 1100 mg of iron per day, and it didnt help. my Dr. said he would have to give me blood transfusions, if I didnt get this surgery. So think of all that you have been through, and think of what is to come. You will feel better. I know it is hard, as I am going through alot of mental headaches right now, but I know this is best for my health, because it has beaten my body down!
We'll go through it together. You're in my prayers!

The fear is normal.

I was also very concerned. It's over so fast though! My TAH surgery was set for 2:00. They wanted me at the hospital at noon. By 1230 I was back in the pre op area. They had me in the gown and with the white support type stockings on. It was probably 1:00 when they allowed my Mom and Daughter to come back and keep me company.

As it turned out, my Dr had an emergency C section and my surgery was not until just after 3. So many people were coming in and out that the extra time was barely noticed. Nurses came in and introduced themselves and had papers to sign and questions to ask. The Anesthesiologist came in, asked questions, gave me papers to sign, then his assistant came in, asked more questions, and on and on.

Then, they gave me a little something in my IV and I woke up later and it was all done. I was a bit dizzy after so I had to keep my eyes closed or the room would move a bit too much. Thankfully I wasn't nauseous, as long as I kept them closed. Because of that, I wasn't watching the clock so I'm not sure when I was taken to my hospital room.

I had the morphine button so I was never in any real pain. I was very uncomfortable and did ask if they could add something to it or give me a larger dose. I got a one time mega dose and was able to control it to almost no pain or discomfort from there with the button.

My nurses were great about giving me meds any time I needed them. Do not be afraid to ask for more meds!! If it hurts, tell them.

My recovery has been uneventful. I do have days where I am frustrated at my lack of abilities. I went to Home Depot Saturday and it wiped me out. I have other days where I feel almost normal. I've been to Wal-Mart several times before with no problems.

The incision is bothersome. It has healed beautifully. I had no drainage, it never came open and has always looked great. It's healing though and I have a combo of a strange numbness and a hypersensitivity an inch or so above and below it. I have not had any horrible pain since I've been home. Some discomfort yes, but nothing too bad.

My advice, is to take it easy. Let as many people do as many things for you as possible. Also do not be afraid to take your pain meds. If they are not working, call your doctor and see if you can get something different. I took mine as prescribed for the first week. Then I was able to stretch them out from every 4 hours to every 6 until I wasn't taking them regularly at all. I still have days when I take them but it might be once a week if I've been up and about too much. I do take ibuprophen sometimes.

Pain, discomfort and inflammation are not good for healing.


Barb

Magic922 I can totally understand where you are at, I was there too, I had more second thoughts about the surgery than I care to count.
The one thing I kept coming back to was what I was going through and the reason behind the surgery.

I had massive bleeding from endo I had huge fibroids, I was anemic so never felt up to anything, I also had a bulging disc (which I now can attribute to my huge uterus) so limited on many levels with my back.

After looking at all these I realized there was no choice the TAH was the answer.

Maybe do a list for yourself on all the things you are now putting up with and then all the positive outcomes after the surgery.

Please trust me when I tell you the waiting is the absolutely WORST part.

I look forward to hearing from you on the Post-Op boards!

Thanks for all the positive advice. I know it will all be good once it is over!

Hi magic922!

I had my TAH 5 days ago. I am sooooo happy I did it. Before my surgery I read up on the risks. But I made sure I only read medical articles not peoples personal posts. Now that I am past surgery I am reading the personal posts to help me know what is "normal".

I have some pain but all in all I feel better. I can see the benefits from the TAH already.

i AM 5 WEEKS POST-OP AND i FEEL great.I have a new attitude to beat. In conclusion,I have found the process to be liberating.I mentally and physically feel stronger than ever.Hang in there everyone.There is a better and brighter light at the end of the tunnel.As Patti Labelle sings "I have a new attitude from my head to my toes."