27yrs old, Hysterectomy will be in June, any advice?

Goodmorning!

Maybe my story can help you some: Im 28, mommy to three little ones ages 8, 4, 17 mos. Ive been dealing with horrible periods since menarch at age 14, worsened a few yrs ago, worsened more over the past yr! Including what started as intermittent left sided pain that has progressed to constant left sided pain, intermittent right sided pain, and constant centralized pelvic pain. Not to mention the daily nausea for the past 8 mos....anyway, endo was confirmed via laparoscopy, and during that same lap my uterus looked "fibrous" said the post op report. I started birth control pills, bled for 10 wks, stopped 3 wks ago, started again 3 days ago -__- I fired my gyn because he kept pushing luprom, ablation, blah blah blah...and I saw an endo specialist who is convinced that I too have adeno (that's why my uterus looks fibrous) in addition to my endo.

So as you were prepared for your appointment, I was too! I feared a possible diagnosis of adeno, and the possibility of a hysterectomy, actually that's what I wanted. As soon as my dr. confirmed my thoughts, and agreed to my plan of action I was in shock! I thought "really?...im really gonna lose my uterus? Really no more kiddos?"...I got to be depressed. And I still have periods of sadness. But then I zone in on that horrible little man inside my pelvis somewhere who wont stop banging, no matter if im sleep or tired, sad....then I think about the blood fest that looks like a horror movie and huge clots every month, sometimes several times a month....IM SOLD!

My surgeon suggested and I agree to keep my ovaries. They appear healthy-although the left one is always hard to visualize on ultrasound. Im taking my cervix too. Ive learned that fibroids can grow from the cervix and endo can also attach there....

Im confident in my decision. Of course I have all the what if I do this, and what if I dont do that....but bottom line I think this is the right choice for me. My surgery is laproscopic so im having a TLH. Im also having the visible endo excised during the same surgery. My recovery time is 8 wks (6 wks for the hyster and 2 for my excision), that's when ill return to work (my job requires heavy lifting and during the 8wk recovery time I cant lift over 10 lb).

Im worried about the post op period with picking up my 17 mo old, my husband being responsible for the shopping, laundry, and houshold maintenance YIKES! But he's very aware of what to expect, as these were the same restrictions for when I had my diagnostic lap just 4 mos ago. Ive scheduled my surgery for mon 4/9, the first day of the kids spring break so they can go with family. I've also decided to prep a meal every wk to freeze. And ive started picking up things for the kids that I normally buy in the sprin like new pijamas, socks, new shoes, my regular seasonal shopping for the weather breaking. I live in NJ all last wk the temperature was up to 80 degrees and sunny, today its 60s, dark and rainy!

I hope my story helps you any. Good luck to you, I hope to see more posts from you

Amber

For those that have asked if I am keeping my ovaries, yes I am keeping both ovaries. In regards to ablation no longer an option, if you could only see the pic to understand why both the dr and I don't think the ablation will work. I have changed drs 3 times to finally get somewhere on what can be done about the flooding, then just the past couple months the debilitating cramps hit along with the huge clots plus lower back aches and leg pain which is why dr thinks it is adenomyosis. She said that would explain a lot. My dr comes highly recommended and she actually listens along with the other drs in that office. My only hysterectomy options are the da vinci and abdominal. Need to do more research on da vinci.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by bittersweets Goodmorning! Maybe my story can help you some: Im 28, mommy to three little ones ages 8, 4, 17 mos. Ive been dealing with horrible periods since menarch at age 14, worsened a few yrs ago, worsened more over the past yr! Including what started as intermittent left sided pain that has progressed to constant left sided pain, intermittent right sided pain, and constant centralized pelvic pain. Not to mention the daily nausea for the past 8 mos....anyway, endo was confirmed via laparoscopy, and during that same lap my uterus looked "fibrous" said the post op report. I started birth control pills, bled for 10 wks, stopped 3 wks ago, started again 3 days ago -__- I fired my gyn because he kept pushing luprom, ablation, blah blah blah...and I saw an endo specialist who is convinced that I too have adeno (that's why my uterus looks fibrous) in addition to my endo. So as you were prepared for your appointment, I was too! I feared a possible diagnosis of adeno, and the possibility of a hysterectomy, actually that's what I wanted. As soon as my dr. confirmed my thoughts, and agreed to my plan of action I was in shock! I thought "really?...im really gonna lose my uterus? Really no more kiddos?"...I got to be depressed. And I still have periods of sadness. But then I zone in on that horrible little man inside my pelvis somewhere who wont stop banging, no matter if im sleep or tired, sad....then I think about the blood fest that looks like a horror movie and huge clots every month, sometimes several times a month....IM SOLD! My surgeon suggested and I agree to keep my ovaries. They appear healthy-although the left one is always hard to visualize on ultrasound. Im taking my cervix too. Ive learned that fibroids can grow from the cervix and endo can also attach there.... Im confident in my decision. Of course I have all the what if I do this, and what if I dont do that....but bottom line I think this is the right choice for me. My surgery is laproscopic so im having a TLH. Im also having the visible endo excised during the same surgery. My recovery time is 8 wks (6 wks for the hyster and 2 for my excision), that's when ill return to work (my job requires heavy lifting and during the 8wk recovery time I cant lift over 10 lb). Im worried about the post op period with picking up my 17 mo old, my husband being responsible for the shopping, laundry, and houshold maintenance YIKES! But he's very aware of what to expect, as these were the same restrictions for when I had my diagnostic lap just 4 mos ago. Ive scheduled my surgery for mon 4/9, the first day of the kids spring break so they can go with family. I've also decided to prep a meal every wk to freeze. And ive started picking up things for the kids that I normally buy in the sprin like new pijamas, socks, new shoes, my regular seasonal shopping for the weather breaking. I live in NJ all last wk the temperature was up to 80 degrees and sunny, today its 60s, dark and rainy! I hope my story helps you any. Good luck to you, I hope to see more posts from you Amber

Thank you so much for telling me about your issues. I already know I don't want anymore kids. I was stopping at 3 but 3 turned into 4 since 3rd pregnancy was twins so had tubal ligation done during that c-sec. I have the 1st week post op figured out. Kids and I plan on staying with my parents the 1st week (my mom used to work in the women's center for several years at the hospital I will have hyst done at) and then my husband is taking the second week of post op off from work. I am planning the hyst to where the kids will be out of school for the summer. However I have to get my iron level up and keep it maintained or else I will have to wait. Found out my iron is low because of my periods, no surprise there. What does suck is that I am dreading the periods I will have before June gets here, lol. I will keep post updated as much as I can or start new threads if there is anything new with me.

I am 19 days post op. I had abdominal hyster keeping both ovaries. I am 48, very close to 49 years old. I also had adenomyosis (sp?).

My husband, who is very kind and taking very good care of me, can already tell how much better I am doing without my uterus. And that is while I am recuperating from major surgery! Last night he said, "your body must be shocked, having gone this long without a period!" I hadn't even thought about that! 19 days, no period! I haven't done that since our 26 year old daughter was born!

I know there is quite an age gap between us, but I wanted to share how much better I feel. No words to explain it. My doc said we made the right decision, that the ablation would not have worked. To me, having all of that stuff cauterized into the lining of my uterus, just seems wrong and asking for more trouble later.

I think you have a great plan, getting everything organized. I pray all goes well for you!

Your plan is awesome!

Your only problem now is choosing which type: Da Vinci or abdominal. It seems like the abdominal is harder on your body post operatively. But if your uterus is packed with fibroids and adeno then the abd method may be the safer way to go. But a lot of times ive noticed when the drs are unsure, they start out as least invasive as possible, and turn it into the tah if necessary. Did your dr. give you the option to choose btw the two methods?

Now as youve said, you have to survive until June. And you can...you've made it this far, I have faith in you! As far keeping up your iron have you looked into iron rich foods to help with the supplements? Just a thought! Whenever you're having a bad day just resort here to the boards where we'll cheer you on!

i am also 27 right now, preparing for an abdominal hysterectomy, taking my uterus and cervix and keeping both ovaries. surgery is april 10th. i know im young, just like you, but doctor agrees that it is the best option to eliminate most of my medical problems which cause pain and me being miserable. i am looking forward to being able to actually enjoy time with my family. keep your head up. we can support each other. hope things get better for you!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by bittersweets Your plan is awesome! Your only problem now is choosing which type: Da Vinci or abdominal. It seems like the abdominal is harder on your body post operatively. But if your uterus is packed with fibroids and adeno then the abd method may be the safer way to go. But a lot of times ive noticed when the drs are unsure, they start out as least invasive as possible, and turn it into the tah if necessary. Did your dr. give you the option to choose btw the two methods? Now as youve said, you have to survive until June. And you can...you've made it this far, I have faith in you! As far keeping up your iron have you looked into iron rich foods to help with the supplements? Just a thought! Whenever you're having a bad day just resort here to the boards where we'll cheer you on!

I do have the option between the 2 methods. No I haven't looked into a lot of the iron rich foods but will do so now and thanks for mentioning that. I am determined to get the iron up because I don't want to wait any longer than June and I know she won't do the surgery if it is still low because she said it is too risky if it is low and that then I will need a blood transfusion. Thank you

Thank you all for the advice and support. I really appreciate it.

I was told ablation is not an option for adenomyosis because that grows in the walls of the uterus and not inside the uterus. Ablation burns the lining off, but cannot reach the adenomyosis inside of the walls. I had the ablation done before we knew my adenomyosis was there and I now have more problems than I did before I had it done. The scar tissue built up from the ablation is making it so the blood cannot get out and that makes the cramping so much worse. Just wanted to share what I was told. From what I understand a hysterectomy is the only option for someone with Adenomyosis.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by rainkeepfalling I was told ablation is not an option for adenomyosis because that grows in the walls of the uterus and not inside the uterus. Ablation burns the lining off, but cannot reach the adenomyosis inside of the walls. I had the ablation done before we knew my adenomyosis was there and I now have more problems than I did before I had it done. The scar tissue built up from the ablation is making it so the blood cannot get out and that makes the cramping so much worse. Just wanted to share what I was told. From what I understand a hysterectomy is the only option for someone with Adenomyosis.

So true, I never even thought of that! Its funny how you "just know" something....but even better when what you "just know" actually makes sense! Lol