Myomectomy: Desperately Need Support

I just found out that I will have to have a bikini cut myomectomy instead of laparoscopic. I am freaking out really badly. It will be in a couple of weeks, and my anxiety is so bad that I feel nauseous and like I'm going to die. I'm terrified of surgery and I keep thinking of more things that are scaring me. I fear how much pain and discomfort I'll have and I haven't had more than 5 minutes yet to talk with my doctor. I feel like they're always trying to shove me out the door without giving me a chance to ask questions. I can barely even sleep I'm so scared.

Please, if anyone can give me advice, I'd be so grateful. I've been trying to read as much as I can, but I'd like some more personal experience. What do I need to do? What do I need for afterwards? How bad is the recovery really? How do I stop panicking so much? I'm desperate.

Dear Irmavep:
I feel your pain, in fact I think I experienced the same feelings. I have had 2 previous surgeries in the area and I was completely reluctant to a 3rd scar. I just thought I can't take one more. My body looks like a highway, lines everywhere!!!!

My advice to you, ask the hyster sisters, they will definitely tell all you need to know. I asked my Dr a lot of questions and she referred me to this web site. Even my Dr thought that I would benefit from this site better than having her giving me technical answers that at the end mean nothing.

I do feel anxious sometimes, but the sisters from this site taught me that I am not alone in this. We all feel the same way, it is just our mind playing us tricks. We think we are alone but then we discover that every single sister in ts forum feels the same. This is a great support environment.

Read, watch videos, there is plenty on you tube. You can see what's going to happen. Sometimes is not good because we freak out, but at least you have a better perspective and you know what to expect. I wish you the best. Finally, I want to let you know that prayer is the most powerful tool for anxiety. I will pray for all the sisters that are going through this with me, every time I have an episode, that way I will not focus on my anxiety but in what others might experience. Believe me, it helps with the self pitty. God bless you sister.

Hi Irmavae
I think the excessive panic may also be hormonal. It is normal to be worried before op, but I have had anxiety myself so realise how irrational it can seem. I would mention this to your Dr too and let him know it is taking you over, you may get a prescription or hormones to help you through.

It's normal to be scared, major surgery is frightening! I remember the week before my myomectomy last November I was just short of making out my will just in case I didn't come round after the anaesthetic! I spoke to a friend of mine who'd had the same operation who really put my mind at rest - she told me this was new for me but the doctors do it every day and have years and years of training behind them. She also told me to ask them any questions I had, no matter how silly they seemed. This helped me put things into perspective. My operation was difficult - I lost a lot of blood and needed transfusions - but the doctors handled it really well and the recovery went fine.

I know it's useless to tell you not to worry but try to follow my friend's advice too, I'm sure it will help you!

All the best,

Christina

Thank you for your responses, I feel a little less alone in this all. Sometimes I guess I need to just tell other people who will understand. Today I thought I'd be okay to go do some shopping and ended up crying in a store. I know it may seem extreme or like I'm being a baby, but I'm extremely afraid of doctors etc. I've really been at my breaking point with this. I was even pretty terrified before getting my first shot of Lupron (I'm afraid of needles) and getting my ultrasound (I hate not knowing what's going to happen)

I'm getting panic attacks every few minutes at this point, and I don't really know what to do. I wish that I didn't have to wait until a week before the surgery to even talk to the doctor about what's going to happen. That means at least two weeks of being terrified and having no chance of the doctor getting rid of any fears.

I really do appreciate all your advice, and I'm trying to calm down and say to myself that people recover from this type of thing all the time, but it isn't really helping yet. I'm trying to take it one day at a time, I just wish I could get some peace of mind.

Hi Irmavep,
I am having my hysterectomy June 6th and I too have been having fears of the unknown. I was so happy to have found this site. It has helped me calm my nerves. The moment my nerves get rocking I take some time to lurk around hystersisters and it calms me back down again. What helps me also is knowing that there are so many out there under worse circumstances and they pull through just fine. We are all connected in similar ways but yet in so many different ways. We are so lucky to be living in a time where technology is so advanced.
Anyways sorry to ramble but I do understand your fear and anxiety of the unknown. Your mind can really take you on a roller coaster ride of the what ifs and so on. There are so many wonderful ladies here to help and supply all the support. My heart goes out to you.

One thing to consider is asking your GYN or GP (if you have one) prescribe an anti anxiety med for this two wks. It's hard to focus on questions and info when you are in panic mode. I took Ativan low dose the evenings the week before surgeries and it took the edge off, it was a lifesaver. It does help to stay busy, write out your questions, listen to relaxing music, etc, but sometimes that's all possible once you get meds first. I feel for you, fear is debilitating. We are here for you.

Just thought I'd update a little.

I'm having my surgery on June 25th, it's all scheduled. I really don't know how I'm feeling. I'm still scared, but also sort of resigned. Mostly I am really trying not to think about it too much, aside from buying some extra loose fitting pants and making a short list of some things I might need. I don't really know what else I can do. I know this whole thing is going to be a terrible experience (especially since having surgery is probably my number one fear) but maybe if I can get through this I can do some other things that I never thought I could.

I'll try to update this thread afterwards to let everyone know how it goes. Thanks for the support.

Hi,

I just wanted to wish you luck.

I had a myomectomy in 2001, but my incision was vertical. Technology has improved a lot since then.

Bikini cut is an easier incision to heal from. I'm not going to lie, you will experience some pain, but I was on percocet for 2 weeks then went back to Advil. I don't remember it being unmanageable. I slept a lot and was just very careful, making sure I took care of myself, especially early on. I recovered pretty quickly.

I was terrified too going into surgery. It's not an easy thing so that's natural. I'm not all that excited about the hysterectomy I have scheduled in 6 weeks.

But while the initial recovery is the worst part, you will be able to figure out how to handle it and you're going to feel better and better every day and you truly will be past it before you know it.

Keep in touch here - the support here is tremendous. I didn't have anything like that available to me and I think it's a great value.

Best of luck to you in your surgery and for a quick recovery!

Diane

I will keep you in prayers! I hope for the best! Keep faith!