never posted,surgery veteran

hey. I've never posted at any message board before but now that my TAH BSO is around the corner (aug 2) I'm freaking! I've had several abdominal surgeries but this is the first time I've actually been not so confident of the outcome. I know the procedure is pretty straightforward but there is just something about this that gives me a bad feeling. anybody else go through this or am I losing it? thanks!

Hi Gobo,
This is a serious surgery. So many I talked to, not the ladies here, but personal contacts, who had no clue, thinks that a hysterectomy is no more than having your tonsils out. No it is more extensive than that. Even though I had several abominal surgeries my self. It was not easy for me to accept. The question, will you regret it later. It crossed my mind. I have endo, there is no cure for endo. But I accepted it is a chance I have to take. I feel alot better than I have in a very long time. I still have some healing to do. I know before surgery, it would take time to recover and heal completely.

Do you have confindence in your Doctor. I had many doctors, they wanted to do the surgery on me. I wasn't comfortable with them. I think I had the surgery by any other than the one I have now, I would had regrets. Is your doctor willing to answer all of your questions, and listen to all of your concerns. I had a lot of questions, and a lot of concerns.

Surgery is not an easy thing. We wonder how it is going to go. We know what we will be faced with after surgery. Basically laying around and being careful. Is it the right decision. I think we all have some sort of common thoughts. I know of very few, who look forward to surgery, and wonder if its the right decision. There is alot involved with surgery, not just the physical part, but emotional part too.

Hang in there.
Good luck,

Angl

I am scheduled for Aug. 5 and am going into complete melt down. I can't sleep and I feel so stressed out. I am really afraid of the whole thing. I started reading this website a few days ago and I posted on Sunday for the first time. I can't believe how many women offered support and shared their feelings with me. I now we will get through this and we will feel better. Good luck to you - I will pray for you on Aug. 2. Please let us know post op.

I have endo too,going on 13 years. my doctors now are great and I have great faith in them. It is hard to explain this stuff to people who've never gone through it and sometimes it can be frustrating trying to find help. I'm glad you like your doctors and are feeling better. Thanks for the good words. Hope your recovery is speedy and comfortable.

thanks for the prayers. I shall do the same for you. Isn't weird how crazy this whole thing is? all of a sudden it is panic time out of the blue. as you can see,there are more of us than I think you could have imagined. I first looked here a few weeks ago and was floored by all the stories but most of all the support. we all will prevail and hopefully you can find comfort in the fact you are not alone.good luck and keep us posted!

Dear Gobo:

Initially when I found out I was actually consenting to go through with major abdominal surgery and all that it entails - I felt numb, like it really wasn't going to happen. As time goes by my head has been in that O.R. more than it's been at home! It is now an obsession and I almost have to go through with it so I can at last get my head out of my pelvis and back on to real life!!! I'm still only 20% convinced that this is absolutely necessary but I am 90% convinced that it is reasonable because of my age, (55), and the remote, but nevertheless "C" word was mentioned as an unlikely possibility.

I have had previous surgeries too, but I, too, felt unconfident about this one, like you. I have since concluded it is my attitude and my hormone imbalance that is causing my dreaded thoughts! Gosh I even had a dream two weeks ago that woke me in a sweaty, sobbing state......I dreamed so vividly that I could see my youngest daughter (25) from an aereal view in my living room Crying to break her heart with her head in her hands, going from couch to couch saying "Mommy can't be gone" and sobbing!! I tried so hard to comfort her in my dream but I could not - she couldn't see me or hear me! My other daughter entered the dream and put her arms around her and they cried together! I woke up literally sobbing that I cannot do this to my daughters! That day, I called the surgeon to cancel, but my logic over -ruled my emotions and I came back down to EArth and said, Lulu, it is just a dream!!! This is only my fears playing out! I have a great surgeon, I'm going to a great teaching hospital in Philadelphia, I am in overall good health, I am prepared for just about anything (even anti-nausea acupressure wrist bands that the Royal Navy uses to prevent sea-sickness & post op nausea)!! So I did not cancel thinking, what if I cancel and it is cancer? Then my nightmare may really come true! It is all in your attitude, Gobo, if you change your thinking and think you are going to do well - you will!!! If you ask your surgeon, he will tell you that the mortality rate from hysterectomy is less than 1%!!! In fact, he personally, has never lost anyone yet!!!! Just go prepared mentally and physically and have a positive attitude. You need to talk to "Horsewoman", Linda - she has a very positive attitude about everything!!! Our imaginations can play h**l with us around these times. Over rule with your logic. There are approximately 630,000 hysterectomies performed in the U.S alone every year!!!! When was the last time you heard of a tragic ending? How old are you dear? I am 55. With luv, Lulu

thanks lulu and all the other princesses. I'm 31 but have logged enough medical miles to put me in AARP. today is better than yesterday but tomorrow is another story! good luck and let me know how it goes. you are in my thoughts.