TLH - Hysterversary

Hey, all. I got the reminder (not that I needed it) that it had been one year today since my total lapro hysterectomy.

So, How I made my decision to have a hysterectomy?

My periods (and I was 47-49 during this time) were getting closer together, more irregular, and I was starting to have pain not only on the first day, but mid-cycle and at other times. Pain that multiple Vicodin plus 800mg of ibuprofen wasn't alleviating. Bloating was occasional, bowel habits were changed when I had pain, and I'd been mildly anemic for years.

I got a consult, went to a gyn, and he did a CA-125.
39.5. He said get it re-done in 3 months. 79.

I had everything removed three weeks later. They found adhesions, possible endometriosis, fibroids, cysts - everything but the big CA.

I went back to a desk job in a week (should have waited a couple more days).

How my recovery has gone:

Beautifully!
I have a retrocel, but it's manageable. I have hot flashes, the same (I am not taking anything for them). I've been tired, but not often. I'm about the weight I was a year ago (+2 lbs), but I'm working on it.

And I've been able to give blood three times in the last year - before that, I couldn't even manage to get my iron levels up for one a year without a lot of work.

Yippee! Every time I sweat, my husband looks over and says, "Poor pretty lady." And I smile and say, "It absolutely beats the alternative."


How HysterSisters.com has helped me.

Someone recommended this site to me a week before my surgery. I must have read two thirds of the boards, ordered the book and the post-surgical cleansing stuff, and posted a fair amount both before and after the surgery. If the "take it out with a rusty fork" analogy is still going around, I was one of those who started it

Because of Hystersisters, I knew what questions to ask, what to expect, and what to worry about (and not).

I may not come back to the boards again (unless the retrocel gets out of control), but I really appreciate everything you all did.

Sincerely,
AnnaRae