introduction

Hello everyone, just wanted to introduce myself. I have recently been diagnosed with endo stage 3.5. I was having painful periods and my upper legs would ache so badly that I couldn't stand for more than 5 minutes at a time. I was lucky though and found a MD that was willing to check me out with a laproscopy. He told me that my whole pelvis looks like someone threw sand in it, it is everywhere. He told me that it would be better to have the hysterectomy. Since I've already had my tubes tied. He did offer some kind of hormone shot that he said cost $600 per month, but said it would only temporarily relieve my problems. So I chose the hyst. Will have it done on the April 5th. I am nervous and scared as is my DH.
It has been wonderful reading all of the posts here. It helps to set my mind at ease to hear others going through the same thing.
I think my biggest fear is for afterwards, will I still feel like me or will I feel different (emotionally) and will I have any libido afterwards. I guess only time will tell...

Daphne

Hi,
We have all felt the same way before surgery. It is comletely normal to be afraid of the unknown. I was terrified, dreamed about it all the time and was always on my mind. I am 3wks post op now, I have more recovering to do, but I am so happy. I just thought today I would have had my period 3x by now since my last one early Feb. would have been on my sofa 3 seperate weeks, missed 6days of work, been through 6-22ct pads & 3-40ct tampons. I had to use both. I will never have to deal with that pain again. If you keep all that stuff in your head, you will make it through it. The toughest week is the first week, then every day after gets better & better. Rest, walk,drink fluids, try not to take too many pain meds ( can constipate you), take Aleve, have Gas x, Benefiber, and come to this site, you'll be ok. Good Luck to you!!!

Welcome daffknee~
I am also 3 weeks post-op. I understand you being nervous and scared, I was too. I had several tell me that the time before the surgery is the hardest part. That is so very true. That day before I was nearly beside myself, but I prayed for God to give me peace, and He did. I hope the same for you.

I'm doing pretty well, there are ups and downs, and I'm looking forward to having more ups. About a year ago I had a period that wouldn't stop, I passed clots, had severe cramps, it was awful. I went to my son's high school graduation wearing two overnight pads and had crammed two tampons in. This went on until November when my gyno gave me some meds to stop the bleeding temporarily. I had a polyp the size of a golf ball causing all of this. By this time I was very anemic and I felt as though I'd lost a year of my life, because I'd spent the entire time like a limp dishrag, just flaking out on the couch when I used to garden, etc. because of no energy. I had a split-level home and had to rest in the middle of walking up the stairs. I am so looking forward to feeling better now that my surgery is over. My doctor was afraid I had cancer, since my symptoms came on so sudden, so I've had the scare of thinking I had it and the gratefulness of knowing that I don't. Things could have been so much worse, and I'm thankful every day.

Well, I'm rattling now, but I wanted to let you in on a few tips to remember, now these are things I learned on this site, keep it handy, you will need it for the next few weeks...
1. Keep a pillow handy--it will be your new best friend. I made myself one with a handle in the corner so I could carry it around. You'll need it to cough, sneeze, laugh, etc...
2. Right before your surgery, give yourself a pedicure--it will be a while before you feel like doing that.
3. Have stool softeners and gas x waiting for you at home, you will need them.
4. And this has become my mantra these days "If you think you're feeling good, you really don't." This is to keep me from thinking I'm Wonderwoman when I feel good. I learned that the hard way--did too much on a good day, the next 3 had me resting because of the pain.

Oh, and so far I've felt like myself since the surgery. It's too soon to "test things" with my DH, but I've been anxious to try! So, I think that will be fine too....

I do hope you will find peace of mind. Just try to focus on 6 months after surgery, how different your life will be and how much better you will feel--and how much money you will save by not buying pads and tampons!!

Good luck and God Bless...
Lori