LSH- What a Relief, thus far :)

Hi All-

I am an active and healthy 37 year old. I love to be outdoors, and constantly on the go.

About 10 months ago, I started to bleed during a regular period cycle in October. The bleeding never stopped. Birth control pills did not help. In January, when I would have normally had a period, I started to pass huge blood clots. Tissue the size of tennis balls. It was terrifying. At the end of what would have been a normal cycle, it stopped, but I continued to bleed. This happend again in February, and again in March. I went to the doctor finally in March, frustrated with the continual bleeding, and realizing that passing these clots was not normal.

* Monday, they tested my hemoglobin level and it came back at 6.8. An ultrasound showed nothing other than a thicker than normal uterine lining. I was scheduled for a D&C on Wed.
* Wednesday, my level had dropped to a 6.0. I was given progesterone and told that until my level was up, a D&C would have to wait.
* Thursday there was no bleeding.
* Friday, no bleeding and an appointment to see another specialist. My hemoglobin level was 5.4. I was immediately taken to the ER for a transfusion. 4 units of blood later, I was stabilized at 8.7.
* Saturday I had that D&C, an uterine biopsy, was scoped, proded and given a Mirena IUD. All again after an ultrasound reveiled a thicker than normal lining, but nothing further.
* Sunday, I started spotting again, but was released.

I changed my diet completely eating huge amounts of fiber to compensate for the iron suppliments. Taking better care, but awaiting the pathology reports.

Luckily there was no cancer found on the uterus, cervix, ovaries etc. No fibroids, no polyps, no endometriosis. Nothing. Just a 'sassy' uterus (my word) that seemed to be in hyperdrive for creating lining (despite the mirena IUD or the progesterone).

I had the LSH on May 31st. I requested to keep my cervix and ovaries if possible. They were able to do so, indicating that both were healthy. They did remove the fallopian tubes. I was into surgery at 9:00am, and was out and walking around (armed with my foley bag, and IV) by about 4 pm that day. I was given toradol (sp?) which burns like crazy, but I was pacing my hospital room every hour for at least 10 minutes at a go. Being unable to sleep due to those compressor leg things (that drove me nuts), I was up walking around on the hospital floor a few times that evening. IV's and Foley were removed the following morning at about 7am, and I was discharged at 10 am.

I am only one week out, but I feel so very relieved. No bleeding has been a godsend. I have three little scars that will eventually heal, and for the time being little appetite. I was more than humbled on my first outing to the library two days ago. I was driven, helped out of the car, inside of the library for all of 30 minutes, and home for a 4 hour nap.

Hystersisters has been a godsend to me. Any questions that I may have, I go here first. Gas pains, concerns over the first BM, tips and tricks from women who have been in my position. I will continue to read the archives about the recovery process. Everything from incision care, to diet, to exercise to sexual activity.

I have even directed my surgeon to this site as a way to help her see that there are more than just medical concerns that can run through the mind of a pre-op patient. She has been a wonderful doctor, but this is just another avenue for her take when having these discussions with her patients.

Thank you for all of the support and kindness.