The day my life changed, for the better.

On Monday November 17th, exactly one month ago today, I had a TAH with BSO. It is one of the best decisions that I have ever made & one that I will never regret.

In the end everything actually happened quite quickly. I've had an extensive history of gynae problems going back to my early teens. I've had endometriosis for much of that time with large ovarian cysts. This time I went to see my GP for what I suspected may have been an ovarian cyst. He arranged for tests, including ultrasounds. It was during the ultrasound that I got my first inkling that things were about to change.

My GP was quite laid back about it all until the last two minutes of our consultation when he suddenly started asking me a lot more questions. It was then that he recommended that I go to my gynae's surgery to book in rather than phoning for an appointment which could take up to four months. The receptionist had a similar attitude & got me in within two weeks.

When I saw my gynae I was hoping that he would consider the hysterectomy that I'd been talking about for over fifteen years. What I never considered was that he would sit there & tell me that I definitely needed it. Not only that but that it would be done within three weeks.

It was about this time that I joined hystersisters. I knew that this was one journey that I did not want to do alone. I'd first seen hystersisters five years ago when I first spoke to my gynae about a hysterectomy. I know now that at that time I was no where near ready for this journey.

It was through this site that I came to realise just how many women are facing this surgery. We all need support, especially from those who have either had this surgery or who are going through things at the same time. It is an incredibly challenging surgery on many different levels & I've heard it called emotional surgery which proved very true for me.

My surgery took twice as long as expected, mainly due to the size of my ovaries, their position within my abdomen & the fact that they were attached to my bladder, my bowel & my pelvic wall. However it was very successful. I had a wonderful surgeon who I know & trust completely. This had a huge impact on my recovery as I knew full well that whatever he said I had to listen to & I was totally relaxed about it all. He's known me for nearly ten years & knows my body almost better than I do.

I was in hospital for six days. My gynae was very strict about what I could & couldn't do both during my hospital stay & when I came home. However the one thing that he also encouraged me to do was to listen to my body, when I got tired - to rest, if it hurts - don't do it or find a more comfortable way to do it. He continually stressed that this is major surgery & you have to allow yourself to recover both physically & emotionally.

What I can tell you all is that I am incredibly grateful to have had this surgery. It is life changing for me & only for the better. Only one month out & I have little to no pain at all. I'm no longer on any painkillers whereas before the surgery I was on the strongest over the counter painkillers which were not working. I'm back running for short distances & working out. However, this is very definitely not normal for this stage in recovery, I was very fit before my surgery which is why I'm able to do this now. It has also helped enormously in my recovery in every aspect.

I went into this surgery knowing that it was the right surgery, at the right time & with the right surgeon.

At thirty eight years of age I now have the rest of my life to look forward to. It is a beautiful thought.