Totally confused and surgery next week

Hi friends. I'm so thankful for this wonderful board and have been reading reading reading. Heck until this week I didn't even know how to spell hysterectomy!

On Aug 22nd I had the first period I've had this year and felt kinda funny after that. On Sept 15 in the afternoon I thought I was going to DIE I hurt so bad. Thought it was gas, consitipation, ruptured appendix or something. I should have called 911 but didn't. Went to my regular doc the next day, white blood count was up so I got antibiotics. It didn't help so Wed that week I called my gyn for a pelvic exam thinking it was something more along those lines. She did the pelvic exam and things were ok and then did a pelvic ultrasound. i looked like I had a lot of little ovaries and one HUGE one. The one normal sized one is the ovary and the rest were cysts. 5-6 small ones and one whopper. She said I would need to have that taken out and would lose my ovary and she try to do this via a laparoscopy. We did a cat scan last tuesday and between thursday and tuesday the big cyst grew another cm. It's now 7.61 cm and growing. Everything I do hurts. They also found fibroids in my uterus, some calcified, and several small cysts, adhesions, my right ovary isn't in the right place and all sorts of weird stuff. SOOOO last thursday they faxed me the radiologist's report and I was able to talk to the doc monday and she told me it's all going to have to come out. They are doing a bikini cut. The surgery is on Wed Oct 9th. I think it's fast but not fast enough. Since I've ruptured 3 small cysts since the 16th of Sept they are worried about this big black cyst rupturing.

The hard part on this is that I was not preparred for this. I'm going thru a bit of grief. I'm 44, no children, live alone with 2 small dogs. Thank goodness for friends who are taking me and going to be with me. Both my parents are dead and I'm adopted so I don't know my medical history.

I'm also overweight, a little over 300 pounds at 5'10 and have a large fat apron on my belly. This worries me and they are not going to do anything about it. I KNOW it will cause problems with the healing. HELP!!!!! I'm trying not to freak out and they are giving me darvocet and xanax right now for pain and anxiety. What am I in for? What other questions do I need to ask. send me email at joyjoyga@bellsouth.net if you want to or reply here!

thanks!

Joy

Hi Joy,

Welcome here. I've heard and read how very painful cysts can be. I'm sorry you're suffering so much. Now that you have a date you can post on the Pre Op forum and get more response to your surgery questions.

Meanwhile, there are alot of things to do like you said. Begin by reading the pull down menus on the home page. Have your pencil and paper ready to make your lists! Also, the search button at the top of the page is very useful.

Start a new list for questions for your doctor too. The first major thing I can think of is your bladder. If you have leakage or other problems it can be repaired at this time. Of course you must see a urologist and the two doctors would work together. Many big and beautiful women on this site have had a successful surgery. I believe caring for the incision is the focus. You may have to have the help of a good friend but you will do well.

You are not alone here. Many of our sisters are grieving because they have missed the opportunity to have children and this surgery makes it all final. Please go with these feelings and try to let it all out. Give yourself time to adjust.

I will try to find some other threads that can help you. Take care and I'm so glad that you have found us!
s
Maralyn in California

Hi again Joy,

Using the search button up top, type in the word overweight and press enter. Up will come past conversations. Scroll down to Pitty Pat's thread. After reading that, scroll down to Cindel's thread called, New/Weight issues. There is even a site suggested there to read. I hope this helps.

Take care,
Maralyn

Hi Joy,

I know it sounds like a long time to wait until the 9th, but it is not so far away, and assuming it is not an absolute medical emergency, you need almost all that time to be properly prepped and medically cleared for surgery.

Since you may be somewhat more on your own than others, spend some of this time preparing your home. Extra pillow, bottles of your favorite juice, herb teas, and the fixings for some easy snacks will help you get through. Make sure you have back up doc walkers for those little pups!

Many of our heavier sisters have done very well, but you must listen very carefully to your doc's instructions. Like all of us, the doc will want you to move, but you will need to follow his/her instructions so you don't aggrevate the incision.

Dorrie

Thanks everyone for being here and the words of encouragement. I think I ruptured a real small cyst on friday and this weekend has been really rough. I'm just spending time dealing with almost crippling hot flashes and pain, thank goodness for AC and darvocet!!! I'm afraid though if I'm getting used to them now what I may have to deal with when I get done.

I did get smart today and bought some pretty new underwear and a couple of short cotton knit gowns and some new houseshoes. Might as well be pretty. Giggles! I'm taking it easy again tonight. Have started the "bag" and have a good book, underwear, nightgowns, housecoat, shoes, that kinda stuff

And just to stress things out I'm doing some major home renovations right now, tearing out a driveway and repouring that plus a walkway and patio for a hot tub and moving the outside ac unit. Timing, oh well, it will be pretty and it will be wonderful coming home and getting to walk on a concrete path and only up 2 stairs instead of up a steep flight of stairs into my house. OUCH!!!

Uhm, sorry if I'm babbling, thanks for being here!

Joy

Hi Joy

Just wanted to wish you good luck with your surgery on Wednesday. I can relate to ruptured cysts and darvoset ... experienced both of them prior to my hyst last year. Would not want to relive those days.

Sounds like you're getting everything ready for your castle visit. Keep thinking positive ... thoughts create reality.

Beth

Can you have a vaginal hysterectomy? That is what I had and it saves a lot of healing time plus we dont have to worry about the abdominal healing problems. I had an epidural with some fairy dust during my surgery and I am really great.. With my extra weight I think vaginal surgery saved me alot of pain. Ask your doctor if this is an option? if you want to talk privately you can email me at mago@gorge.net.

Good luck!

Thanks for the question and it was actually one that I had remembered to ask. They want to open me up with a bikini cut because of the size of the main cyst, the presence of several fibroids, some calcified, and something that has my left tube and ovary attached to the outside of my uterus and the right ovary is almost at my spine. There's lots of fibroids, calcification, and endomedtrial evidence. In other words, my insides are a MESS and I'm thankful that we found this so quick.

Joy

Hey, Lady! Welcome! Stop the renovating or at least take some extra time to use this site and you'll feel better real fast! There's wonderful advice about what to pack for the hospital, what to do to prepare your room at home, etc. One thing I bought and brought to the hospital that I thought was "frivolous" but helped lots? An eye mask! The first night, the IV machine was glowing and I was sooo glad to have this "luxury"- paid $5 at "Bed ,Bath and Beyond". also, you'll be much happier if you have a special small but firm tummy pillow- you hold it against your tummy when you turn in bed, go to sit up, use the bathroom, walk,etc.- what a difference! My hospital actually provided a make-shift one and it's like my security blanket ! Find one and keep it with you at all times- sneezing can be a shock!
You are moving very fast toward your date and that can be scarey- I had 16 days and THAT was scarey! Almost too much time, if that makes sense! But this website was a God send and I was and am so grateful for it!
Best of luck for an uneventful recovery. Be good to yourself- I've learned WE are the ones who are hard to convince to "take it easy"!!