the waiting game

What is considered a "very large" fibroid? I went for an ultrasound last week and the big one measured 19 x 16.5 cm, and I also have a smaller one on the other side that is about 7 x 9 cm. I have VERY heavy bleeding, and am also sick to death of the belly I've got from this larger fibroid pushing everything around. My doctor said that I'm probably 6-7 years away from menopause and at the rate this is growing, I might want to consider hysterectomy. I'm 44, no kids. Scared of the surgery and recovery. I have never had any surgery, minor or major.
Anyone out htere been in a similar position?

Hi Neighbor.. Yes, I have been there only different circumstances.! I have really bad Endo and have never had MAJOR surgery and was HORRIFIED.. all I can put in, is that I had a wonderful doctor and a perfect surgery and an uneventful recovery.. and um it's really not that bad!...

Oh.. PS, 35 and no kids either.. Feel free to e-mail me or chat!.. We're all here for you!

How long did you have to wait for your surgery? Now that I have a very good idea that this is my best option, I just want to get it done, ASAP.

Oh, forgot to ask - your surgery was 2/5? How long was it before you were up and around?

How long.. that's sort of relative.. my Dr. told me to GET UP (as soon as I could after the surgery to take a short walk to get things moving) so I did and I had no problems with it. I guess the first two weeks are uncomfortable.. IN NO TIME did I need to be "helped" to do anything like walking or washing or anything like that... but everyone's different.!... It's honestly the best thing I've EVER DONE!... I was at work part time in 2.5 weeks.. and now at 5.5 weeks I'm back full time.. you'll see alot of people take 6-8 weeks off.. I just couldn't I say if you have it take it... but I didn't... so for me it was uneventful and I do attribute it to my mind and my spirit! I had to wait just over a month... and it was indeed the MOST awful month of my life! I was sooooo scared!

I'm here for you! s

I am in my 5th of post-op. I had a TAH because of fibroids. (45 and no kids)
The larger fibroid was 10 by 10cm and the other was 5cm. I was initially hestitant about surgery because I was not feeling any pain and no bleeding. Then I had a MRI that showed the larger fibroid pressing against one of the major arteries and slowing the flow of blood. After that I was ready but still very nervous.
My surgery went well (lots quite a bit of flood but didn't need a transfusion) and the first week and a half was the worst for me (the constipation was awful!!!) After getting over that things improved each day. Looking back, making that final decision and "the waiting" was the most difficult part for me.
I am feeling so much better now! Wish you luck with your decision. Take care! Mara2

I am so glad to be in touch with you guys! Now that I am over the initial fear of having to go for my first major surgery, I can't wait to get it done. My acupuncturist gave me a really good book on preparing for surgery and I am reading it like a madwoman. I have a good positive attitude overall, so now I just need to reinforce the positive about this specific situation and I know I will come through this with flying colors.
I hope to be back at work at least part-time after 3 weeks or so...there aren't any stairs or lifting (desk job) so I don't see any problem as far as that goes. My big thing is being strong enough to get on the motorcycle when the good riding weather arrives (if it ever does after this monster winter).

Dear Smush,

Yes, that is one major large fibroid you have! (I had numerous ones, the largest being 10 cm., which I could easily feel and push around, and I was miserable!)

You will feel SOOOO much better!

best wishes!

I had TAH on 3/3 and they ended up taking my left ovary as well because of severe endo. My Dr. didn't give me the actual sizes but did give me a picture and my 2 fibroids were almost as big as my uterus, in fact he had to remove the fibroids before he could even remove my uterus they were so wedged in there. I feel great - obviously some soreness at the incision, but things are healing nicely.
The best part is that I didn't put 2 & 2 together as to why I had to get up 3-5 times per night to pee - well duh! Those fibroids were probably pressing on my bladder. I have been sleeping through the night!

How is the post-op fatigue? I found out when they did my bloodwork that I'm severely anemic, so that is why I am so tired all the time now, and here I was thinking it was just stress. I am looking very forward to not having this fibroid any longer and am looking even more forward to feeling like myself again.
Everyone I've talked to so far has said it was the best decision they've made - the waiting is the hard part. I'm hoping that she will schedule me soon - I have my second visit this afternoon and I am going to tell the Dr. that the sooner the better and hope that she can oblige.