LAVH was supposed to just be VH

Hi Everyone! I hope you are all doing well!

My surgery was on December 1st and the doctor had decided to do a complete Vaginal Hysterectomy, but my surgery last over 7 hours and she was unable to find my left ovary and tube (this ovary always hurts every month from cysts) and so she had to switch to LAVH in order to locate the ovary and tube. I had chosen a spinal because they explained how the pain control would be better. Well, I guess it was a good considering how long the surgery went. She expected 3 to 3 1/2 hours and she had already done one other like me that last that long. Then they switched me to general anethesia after 3 hours. My poor hubby sat in the waiting room all that time. When my doctor could not find my left ovary and tube she had my hubby paged to the surgical area (which scared him) and she spoke with him and asked him how he wanted her to proceed - should she open me up and find it or leave it there. He told her it had to come out as that was the ovary that causes all the pain from cysts every month. And, I had just had appendix cancer in July, which I was told is the same type of cancer that can grow in ovaries. So, we wanted them out.

My recovery was not a plesant one for the first 5 or so days. My hands were numb and my finger tips were so numb and cold that it felt horrible. I couldn't open things and to be honest I was worried that the spinal went wrong somehow. I am now 3 weeks out and I still have some numbness in my left thum and pointer finger. But, the number everywhere else, including my upper lip and my feet has gone away. It was the strangest experience I had ever had. But, my doctor wasn't worried about it and knew it would go away eventually. I wasn't so sure. But, I'm doing much better. I'm surprised that I'm still so tired. But, I had 2 surgeries (one in July and one to remove a portion of my colon in August) and now this one. I think my body is reacting to all the stress it's gone through.

I'm so glad to finally have this done. I know this sounds strange since I'm still recovering but I can already tell that I'm going to feel better without the uterus and the ovaries are gone too. I also have Fibromyalgia and would get PMS 3 weeks out of the month which would also bring on a Fibro flare-up and so this is going to be a blessing!

My right ovary was gray (that's how the doctor described it) but my pathology was normal as far as I know - forgot to ask her. I'm surprised because they found cancer in my appendix from July and then had to take out a portion of my colon and it has been on my mind. But, I'm sure if there had been anything there the doctor would have told me. I see her again on January 5th. She has me out of work until January 12th. I can now see why - it's not an easy surgery. I wouldn't say it's horrible, but we are so tired afterwards and it is a major surgery!

They were supposed to do a bladder sling and repair as well, but my anatomy was not where it was supposed to be and my pelvic area was so deep that the urologist chose not to do it. He felt that he might rip open the sutures. He does this regularly with my gyn, but in my case he was worried about my health and that my surgery lasted so long. I'm disappointed about that, but he made the choice based on my health and I'm sure it was the right decision.

So, I'm recovering nicely, I think. My family has taken good care of me and my sister-in-law has made so many extra Christmas cookies so that my family could have some. That was so sweet and she will make the dinner this year completely.

Well, I hope I didn't leave anything out - sorry it took me so long to update everyone, but I've been sleeping a lot and created this account at work and couldn't find my login information (I always do that!) but was able to get it reset.

Have a Merry Christmas or a Happy Hannukah!