7 weeks After

Due to a large cyst on my left ovary and a big tumor on my uterus, I was a bloated, bleeding, tired, incontinent ***** for 2 years until I saw a specialist and underwent a laparoscopy, a hysteroscopy and a D&C. Cat scans, ultra sounds........

The doctor decided to remove everything because he would have had to continue monitoring new growths for cancer, plus I was 49 anyway. Why suffer from these symptoms any longer when menopause was just around the corner?

I was horrified at the thought of losing my femininity; growing a beard, and losing interest in sex. Heck, I was terrified I'd never have a real orgasm again. The doctor asked, "What's more important? Sex or your life?"

I couldn't argue with that, I had the surgery 2 days later; very scared and in shock at how quickly things were happening.

This story has a very happy ending!

I spent 2 nights in hospital in a ward with 3 other women. All were very ill and in pretty bad shape. I woke up in my room hooked up to an intervenus(I don't know what it was!). a long tube in my belly button leading to a bag on the bed beside me; and I had a catheter.

My lips were bone dry and cracked and I was very sleepy and drifted in and out for about 8 hours. The nurses were absolute dolls. This is at the hospital in North Bay. They always appeared when I was throwing up or needed anything.

My doctor came breezing in the morning after and tried to send me home. I insisted that I was still too weak to walk around. He relented for just one more day. The nurses were disgusted that I was being sent home so soon and told me the doctors just want the beds for new patients as quickly as possible. Its all about making money. If he was in my shoes I'm sure he'd have acted differently.

I was able to slowly walk to the shared bathroom once the catheter was out. I wasn't in much pain at all, just a little uncomfortable. The 4 puncture marks where the surgery was were very swollen and raw looking. Yuk.

I was offered pain killers but they only made me throw up! Luckily you're not allowed to eat solid food until you pass gas or have a bowel movement.

I must warn you ladies, I was ordered to pick up a laxative on the way home. I soon found out why: I had the biggest, nastiest, slowest bowel movement of my entire life. 4 days after the surgery. The ordeal took about 2 hours, with me crying on my bed in between trying to pass this brick out of me. It was nuts!!! No one ever warned me about THAT! What made it worse was that I couldn't "push". I was too afraid of wrecking my stiches.

A thin, slow trickle of brown goo seeped out of my vagina for about 3 weeks. It never came back.

There was no pain at all, just an overall tiredness/weakness for 2 weeks. Had no energy to prepare food or wash a dish.Sitting in the car was very uncomfortable. Walking outside, out of the question. Bowel movements were painful and irregular; the stiches rubbed on all my clothes. I was so bored and restless.

I was however, very naughty and had sex after 2 weeks. I just couldn't help myself, alright? I felt really attractive again because my tummy looked flat again, and my cellulite had disappeared. No estrogen=no more cellulite! I felt only a slight "rawness" and the rest was lovely. The second time a day or so later went very smoothly and almost felt 100% normal.

At 3 weeks I started enjoying slow, long walks again, driving and running errands.

The stiches didn't disappear until 6 weeks, now I have puffy red scars. Oh well, they sure beat a huge incision!

I started walking my dog again after 5 weeks because he pulls like crazy.. Now I'm at 7 weeks and am doing everything I used to, except walking too fast or running down the stairs.

I'm not moody anymore; I don't have to pee every minute, I've lost weight. All the bloating is gone. I feel like I'm young and healthy again. No more periods!!! I'm so looking forward to planning trips and going swimming without surprises!

My only changes are I'm getting hot flashes, but its winter here so they're kind of handy. No more heavy blankets or p.j.s; I need a lot less sleep now. At first after surgery I was having a lot of trouble sleeping and staying asleep. I've learned to go to bed much later and this guarantees me a deep, uninterrupted sleep. I don't need naps anymore. My bladder doesn't bug me all night because its not squished anymore.

I'm a frisky fritter and I never "dried out" or lost my ability to orgasm. In fact, its easier now. I didn't get any more facial hair than I alreadyu had. My voice didn't deepen. It's all good.

I wish I'd had the surgery sooner. It was so worth it!!!