Tah - rso

Hi ladies!

I'm 47, married, no kids. I started my period 4 days before my 10th birthday and have had painful heavy periods off & on the entire time.

I just had my TAH - RSO done on May 24th. Bikini line incision. The reason for this was due to fibroids & heavy bleeding. I had a myomectomy (vertical incision) about 12 years ago and about 5 years ago, they came back. I also got a polyp. I also have adhesions from my previous myomectomy and my doctor wouldn't know the extent of them until she operates.

What really pushed me to do this surgery was I had a bleeding episode in January that scared me so much. I thought I was going to bleed to death. It was like someone turned on the faucet. Also, passing huge clots. Some months I would bleed for 30 days straight. That episode put me on edge with every period.

I was put on Jolivette to control the bleeding and was scheduled for a biopsy. Thankfully, everything came back clear with that.

I was so scared & nervous for about 2 weeks prior to surgery. I guess because I started to feel somewhat normal on the BCP and wasn't having the previous symptoms. So, needless to say, I was second guessing my decision. There were a lot of tears and roller coaster rides of emotions. I was so afraid that I wasn't going to be "me" after. I wanted to keep at least one of my ovaries for my natural hormones. So, I was worried about that, too.

I read internet horror stories as well as positive ones. My advice to anyone, is stay away from the horror stories. Every individual experience is just that....individual.

Each time I saw my doctor, I felt so much better. She is really sweet and has such an amazing personality. So reassuring.

Fast forward to the day of surgery.... I was so scared again that each time I walked to the door to go to the hospital, I turned around to get more tissues to stop and cry. I was a mess. Once I get to the hospital, I asked the nurses who were getting me ready if anyone canceled at the last minute or changed their mind. My doctor came in and I asked her too. Everyone reassured me that my decision was a good one. Even the 3 anesthesiologists were there to reassure and comfort me. So away we went to the OR.

About 2 1/2 hours later I wake up to a really nice recovery nurse taking care of me. My surgery went well, no complications, no excess bleeding. I wasn't in a whole lot of pain. I also had asked for anti-nausea medication to be given to me before, during, and after surgery, so I had no issues with it. Not long after they take me up to my room.

I had an excellent crew of nurses taking care of me the entire time I was there. The first night was good. Pain under control. I even sat up for about 10-15 minutes on the edge of the bed a couple of times. I couldn't get up to walk at that point because of the catheter.

I had that pain control pump so I did good at keeping up with the pain med. I didn't eat anything that day, but just slowly drank water all evening. Around midnight, I had some apple juice. Started taking stool softener while in there. They won't let you go home until they know your bowels are working. You have to fart at least, so they know.

The 2nd day, the catheter came out. My doctor came in to see me. My left ovary was saved. My right one was plastered to my uterus with adhesions and she said there would be too much bleeding to try to save it. Adhesions weren't as bad as we thought they might be, thankfully. So my bowels & bladder were OK.

I got up later and walked around the floor. I walked a total of 17 times around, broken up in to 4 or 5 lap sessions. One of the nurses said 17 times around is a mile.

I had no trouble peeing, but the farting was being elusive, lol. It felt good to walk around though.

I started eating solid food the very next day after my surgery. Didn't have much of an appetite but ate just the same. Wanted to wake up the bowels.

Then at 2:30 AM I farted! Then again at 6:30. Then later that morning I had a BM. I had no pain or problems with them since I was taking the stool softener.

I was released to go home on Saturday. Been feeling good since I've been home. You can rest so much better in your own house. My husband has been waiting on me hand & foot. Each day my pain gets less.

Once the surgery was over and I still felt like me, I was so glad I did it. Like a load has been lifted off of me.

I had been a lurker on this site for a few months and reading about everyones' experience was so helpful. I found out about this website from a poster on another forum I visit. I'm so glad there is a place like this where we can come and talk about what we are going through. Nobody understands it unless they have been through it themselves.

Thanks for being here!