Trying to Decide, Hysterectomy to be Scheduled soon

Hi there,
I am new to this website and finding it most helpful! I am soon to be 43 in Nov and have been having femail issues for a long time. 14 yrs ago I had my Left Tube removed and I have never been able to have children. Well the last few years I have been having more then 1 Period,Groin pain and really bad cramps.
My Dr ordered some blood work and the levels were pretty high for Cancer then I was tested again and they came down. I also had a Vaginal Ultra Sound which showed that my Right Tube is the size of a Ball so it can't be removed by Laporscope.
I just had a Biopsy of my Uterus on 10/7/10 and still waiting on those results. My aunt had Ovarian Cancer and with all that is going on my Dr said I needed to have a TAH.
I am really scared and have read alot of things on the internet which scares me even more. I have a few questions, DO they really have to give you an Epideral before surgery or can it be done without that? Also does it ruin your sex life? I have so many questions that I don't know were to begin.
I'm thinking of scheduling the TAH around the end of Dec or 1st part of Jan because I don't want to be layed up during the holidays.
Thanks for youe help

They don't have to give you an epidural. It didn't ruin my sex life at all in fact it is better for a lot of people because there is no more period taking up a week or more every month. Read through a lot of the posts here people have written with their fears and experiences. It really helped me before I went to surgery and even post-op to have the support and knowing that there are many others going through the same thing.

Thanks Artsy,
I am really scared about having this operation and I have not had a major operation in 14yrs and I am much older and worry about all the complications that I have read about etc.
I am petrified of needles and the thought of getting an Epidural makes me sick and afraid I hav to have that. What is the reason they would give an Epidural if your going to be knocked out anyway?? I am doing alot of research and reading the boards here. Do people generally have probs from having this operation? Thanks for the help!

If it helps, I had a TAH 3 weeks ago. I feel great. The Dr took out my uterus, tubes, & ovaries. He did general anesthetic, no epidural.

Only ones I know of having an epi were either having a hyst & c-section at the same time, or have problems with anesthetic. There may be other reasons that I'm not aware of, but I don't think it's common practice.

Thanks for the info, I was told that I can't have a Vaginal Hyst or Laporscopic because of the size of my Right Tube. I will mention the DaVinci method to my Dr and see if that is an option. At 1st my Dr had mentioned an Ablation and then we disgussed it further and with me having more then 1 period a month and alot of groin pain and also the size of my Tube being so big, The TAH was the best option especially since I would never be ablt to have children and Ovarian and Breast Cancer are in the family.
You read so many things on the internet that are scary. I am glad I found this site so I can read through everything.
How bad is the pain after the operation ? Thanks for your info...

My pain wasn't bad. They gave me a Demerol pump so if I felt the slightest twinge, they told me to hit the button. They told me to not be a hero & enjoy it while I could. Second day, they gave me Lortab pills, telling me to request them every 4 hours because they couldn't offer them. I was afraid of pain, so I requsted them every 4 hours. I never hurt.

I moved myself from the gurney to the bed after surgery, moved myself up in the bed, & turned myself often. As soon as the catheter came out, I walked to the bathroom with assistance a couple of times, then started walking down the hall. Day after surgery, I made 2 short trips down the hall, then 3 full length walks. The main thing is that I listened to my body. If I was tired, I slept. If I had energy, I walked.