How much time do you need to prepare?

This is only my 3rd post or something so bear with me!

I have struggled with severe endometriosis for years now and after three laps, birth control pills and now lupron, I'm finally ready to have a hysterectomy. Right now, I've got a tentative date, which will be finalized after I finish my 3rd shot of lupron.

However, yesterday, I went to my GP for some unrelated pain in my side and she believes I have a hernia. I am having a CT scan tomorrow to rule out other possibilities and to confirm that diagnosis. If it IS a hernia, I'd like to call my reproductive endocrinologist (the surgeon for the TAH) and try to move up the surgery so that I can get the hernia taken care of at the same time. Let's just assume that in two weeks I can get in to talk to him about moving up the date, how soon should I schedule it? We were only waiting to see if the lupron helped keep the pain at bay, and how I would react emotionally (I have PMDD) to it and I'm doing great. So technically, we're not waiting to for that to be done. I see no reason why he'd be hesitant to schedule it sooner. But I'm worried that he'll say, "How about next week?" While this would make me happy in the sense that I'd have less waiting (it's all I can think about these days), it scares me to think about how much I'd like to get done before then.

So if you had advanced notice that you were having your hyst done, how much time ideally would you have had? Thanks!

Kathy

Kathy,

If you decide to have the hyster, just know it is not a cure for endometriosis. There is a chance it could come back. It's good to see you are seeing an RE. Some are also endometriosis specialists. Do you know if yours is? You really want to deal with someone that specializes in endo.

As for time to prepare, I would say you wouldnt need much. Just make sure you read and make a well informed decision. There's no going back. I had a month and for me, it was probably TOO much time. It gave my mind too much time to wander and be afraid.

Good luck in making your decision.

I think two weeks is a good amount of time. I have had longer since I have been rescheduled so many times.
I tried to get all my dental work, vet appointments, hair app. taken care of.
I wanted to start on some healthy diet, actually started a month before scheduled date and of coarse clean.
I also had some extra time due to rescheduling so I got my yard shaped up.
I baked a few power bran muffins and some high fiber cookies for afterward and bought some new undies [ really big new undies ] some nightgowns and flannel pants to lounge in. I think I am set. It may take you more or less time to feel ready.
I also had to remember the upcoming birthdays, Valentines Day and get cards and gifts ahead of time. Yeah, I am an over planner but I don't want to have to go shopping when I don't feel great and try to make desicions.
Good luck to you and I hope you can get this taken care of sooner, but, try to go into it as prepared as possible and then you can just rest and pamper the

Lookingforasis -

Yep, my RE is an endo specialist. He thinks I'm a good candidate for the hyst because although the endo is severe, it's remained centered mostly around my uterus and ovaries. I'm doing great on the Lupron which *can* be an indication of how the hyst will work. I feel so comfortable with him and I feel like we've put this off for a long time (to let us have kids, etc) and that this is definitely the best option. I know that it can come back, but since he is an endo expert, I trust his judgement.

Originally, I had three weeks to prepare as my gyn onc had already scheduled a spring break family vacation so I had to wait until after that. When a cancelation made it possible for me to move up my surgery, I did it with three days' notice.

I used most of the time to get things in order at work, since no one did my job while I was gone. I had already started to prepare things at work but I did very little at home.

Since DH and I are empty nesters, I figured we could live with dust balls for a while, so I did not do any deep cleaning. I did not shop for new sleepwear - just used what I had - or redecorate the bedroom. We hired someone to clean up the yard because it was a mess after the winter. I ordered my granny panties on line after I got home from the hospital. Since I expected to be off for two weeks, I did not make a special hair appointment. I did find the time for a pedicure - figured the docs might has well have good looking toes to look at!

Best wishes to you.

Although I had several months to prepare myself mentally, I did almost nothing to prepare ahead of time in terms of food, my recovery area, etc. I had intended to, but I had to finish grading finals and Christmas shopping, and my surgery was the day after Christmas. I did not clean the house, or freeze meals, or do any of the things that I would have like to be able to do. I finished my work and shopping two days before my surgery, and the day before my surgery I spent time with my family. And you know what? Everything's okay.

What I'm getting at is this: if you can get in next week, it might not be the end of the world that you don't have time to prepare. While it isn't ideal, it is do-able.

I had a month - it was just right to get things ready. I was at peace about it from the get-go. I was most worried about work, and I had time to prepare everything for my absence.

And what Chris said above - it is workable to have less time, especially if you have others you can depend on to help.

Also, sometimes you can have too much time to prepare and overthink your decision.

Stop! Please! If it is a hernia, and deemed a problem one, your current practitioner will rearrange things for you ok?
How that will go none of us knows but it is unlikely to be a hernia in a female, and then to be an emergency one......
They'll sort it out for you if it is and then you can sort it out, ok?

(((Kathy))) I'm sorry you're dealing with all of this now.

Sounds like you're doing the right thing -- checking out the possible hernia first, then letting the reschedule what may need to be rescheduled.

As for how much time you need to prepare, actually -- I don't think you really need much time at all. I've heard of ladies doing quite well only having a few days to prepare, and in fact sometimes that's actually better because they don't have as much time to think about things.

The main thing I see is that you be clear that the hysterectomy is in fact the best and final resort you have for regaining your health. It sounds like you and your medical team have been exploring the possibilities, and I'm relieved to know that you understand that your endo may in fact come back (or may not all be excised so it may not ever go away) after your surgery. We also have an endometriosis support forum here at Hyster Sisters, and I encourage you to check it out for any questions you might have regarding your endo issues.

Hope this helps.

Kathy, My TVH was an emergency. I had no time to prepare and everything was just fine. No prepared and frozen-ahead-meals, no preop deep cleaning, no extra laundry loads. I didn't even pack anything to take with me. I used all of the hospital's gowns and hospitality toiletries, and didn't need anything extra - except a tub of carmex for my lips and my contact lens supplies!

I called my GYN one morning because I started bleeding massively. He worked me in his afternoon schedule, said "You have to go to the hospital right now," called a team from the hospital to give me a wheelchair ride across the parking garage, and I checked into the hospital right then. I called my DH to tell him I was being taken to the ICU to receive transfusions and to please bring me my contacts case, glasses, and toothbrush! That was Monday, and on Friday, I had my hyster. When I got home one week later, DH and DD kept up the house duties while I rested.

I agree with the previous posts that preop preparation is not really necessary, but seems to give many women peace of mind while they are waiting. You will do fine without it and so will your family. Take care of yourself right now. That is what's most important.