I'm having a Hysterectomy

[Vera 7]

scheduled for July 8. Just 3 days short of my 46th birthday.

Over a year ago I went to my GYN complaining that my menstrual cycles were very heavy and painful. She suggested a Mirenna IUD. The Mirena IUD has a small amount of progesterone that will virtually make your period go away completely and in 5 years you'll have to replace it, by that time I should be in menopause….Great! sign me up. So last Oct I'm on the table, feet in stirrups when the good old doc tells me that I have a fibroid in the way, that there's no way she can insert it.

Months go by, periods get heavier and at about January I'm getting bursts of blood about a week after my period that lasts about a day or two then by May I'm bleeding almost every day. My doc orders an ultrasound which doesn't reveal much but some very small fibroids, she believes I have Adenomyosis, a non-cancerous condition of the uterus that can mimic many signs and symptoms of fibroids. This condition results from the lining cells of the uterus growing directly into the muscle wall of the uterus. When the lining cells of the uterus bleed at the same time as the period, these misplaced cells causes pain. As the blood accumulates, the surrounding muscle swells and forms fibrous tissue in response to the irritation. The only way of diagnosing it is by examining the uterus after it is removed. She tells me of a treatment of cauterizing the inner lining of the uterus but that this technique doesn't always work. So I opted for the Hysterectomy. I'm not going to live like this any more. At all cost I will NOT let them take my ovaries!

My doc knows all about my band/rebanding and is very pro-band. Also since I don't have a colon and had intense rectum reconstruction she has decided to perform the surgery abdominal at the risk of surrounding scar tissue and the fact that I've had 2 C-sections, she'll just go in the same scar. I handle surgery fairly well, but I still have to stay in the hospital 2 nights.

Good news.We just bought a newer boat, a 22' stingray 2001 and if I want to achieve my NSV goal of Water skiing, I'll have to do it by July 5th due to the 6 week recovery time.

Next week we're off to Yosemite, there's 10 of going as a group. The last time I was in Yosemite was in May 03. I looked at the pictures of myself and said I've got to do something about my weight. That was the turning point in my life that started my lapband journey.

Thanks for your all of the support. I haven't been as active here lately but I want to thank all of you for such a wonderful board!!

[PRETTYPINKKITTY 0]

I Wish You The Best Of Luck! You Have Been Through So Much! I Am Still Getting My Testing, Psych Val, Etc For My Band. Hopefully I Will Get A Surgery Date Soon! Again, Good Luck And Have Fun On Your Trip! I Have Always Wanted To Go There, But We Live In Sw Florida And I Hate To Fly!!

[Alexandra 55]

Oh, Vera, that all sounds so rough. Here's wishing you a quick and COMPLETE recovery, and and end to surgeries!!

Good luck with the waterskiing. That'll be a great NSV, and we want to see pictures.

[DeLarla 22]

No Kitten, I don't want to hear this. Will it ever stop? You've been through too much so I'm coming there and having the surgery for you. What's your address?

[Mita 2]

I am so sorry you have to go thru yet another surgery. Wishing this will be the last one for you and you will be on the road toa speedy recovery.

Enjoy yourself on the new boat.. Sounds like fun

[Iluvharleys 15]

Awwww Vera, sorry to hear you have to go through another surgery. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Have fun on your trip, and take lots of pictures~ we want to see them too! Ah, skiing, I haven't done that for many years, but sure did love it back when. You will love it too! Have fun and good luck!

[vinesqueen 2]

Hey Vera, when I read your post the first thing that popped into my head was ' what are you doing living in my body?!"

I'm not elegible for the IUD, since my uterus has two chambers. (both viable)

I'm going with the electocution thing next month, but my doctor has scheduled "another procedure" at the same time.

I tried to make my doc understand that if you are bleedeing everyday for months on end, how the hell do you know where one cycle starts if the other one hasn't ended?

My sister and sister-in-law are pushing the H on me, but I'm a basket case.

[dylansmom 27]

Oh dear sweet Vera. I'm so sorry to hear that you'll be having to go through another surgery. I will definately be saying a prayer for you, and you will continue to be in my thoughts as well.

It still blows me away that you're going to be 46. You look all of 30!!! You're a very beautiful person inside and out!!!

Have fun on your vacation, and have a great time Water skiing! Woohoo!!!

[Vera 7]

Thanks for all the well wishes and the prayers, you’re all so awesome, just call me the surgery queen.

My friend said that I just like having surgery for the good drugs and a hospital vacation away from the kids. I doubt this will be my last surgery. I want a face lift, TT and a new chin some day. Thanks Kelley! I do feel 30 sometimes.

Crystal, the cauterizing I mentioned is called a UAE, uterine artery embolization. Studies have shown that symptoms improve for a year or two after having a UAE done, but most women then have recurrence of symptoms. I sat with my doctor for over 20 minutes covering my options and the side effects of hysterectomy. New studies in these situations have shown an increase of sexual drive and desire post hysterectomy (as long as you keep your ovaries) mostly because the pain and discomfort are gone. My doc suggested a H a year ago and I said no way, but I can't live like this anymore.

Hang in there.

[vinesqueen 2]

I'll be having the ablation http://www.gynalternatives.com/ablation.htm procedure. If the ablation doesn't work, then it would be likely the cauterization, then the big H.

[leatha_g 4]

Good luck Vera! I'm really sorry you're having to endure yet another surgery, but the hysterectomy was probably the best thing I've ever done, besides the band, of course. I truly hope all goes smoothly and you can get back to the adventure of living without problems again. Hugs!

[Vera 7]

Thanks for the Hug Leatha!

Crystal, my jaw dropped. Dr. Indman is my original doctor. When I was 20 years old (1980) I had dysphasia (pre-cancer cells in the uterus) and was referred to him. He did laser a treatment using a telescoping camera, I got to watch the hole thing. He was my doctor all the way up to 1997 when he preformed my first ultrasound and announced I was 7 weeks pregnant. He also said he didn’t deliver babies anymore and referred me to my current doctor who is next door. I’m guessing you’re not coming down here to have this procedure done? Dr. Indman is on the cutting edge of medical science, best of luck and keep me informed.

[vinesqueen 2]

How funny is that! I'm always amazed at how small the world is, internet or not.

No, I'm having the procedure here in Seattle. I sure don't want to have it in Pocatello!

[Penni60 45]

Awww Vera and Crystal: I can relate so well to the awful pain and bleeding issues. I had the same thing when I was 8 mths post delivery of my last child. I was at work and passed out from the pain. I was bleeding so bad they thought I had cut myself when I fell. THey rushed me to the ER and wanted to perform exploratory surgery on me. I told them get me stablized and ship me to my GYN. I knew what was wrong. I essentially was 3 months pregnant with a fibroid tumor that was hemorrhaging. I had to have a complete Hysterectomy. I was THRILLED with the results and still am. I was 27 yrs old. I am 44 now. OOPS no I am 25 ok that math doesn't work. LOL!! I was 27 when I had a hysterectomy and there is never a day that goes by that I regret my decision. Take the ovaries Vera, stats have shown in the past that within 3 to 4 years a second surgery is needed to remove them. I knew this and decided to take them. I am not on hormones and feel great. There is a transitional period after your hysterectomy with ovary removal but since you aren't taking them then you should be fine.

I was up and helping pack to move within 5 days of my surgery. I had abdominal surgery and my scar is at my hair line.

Any questions??

[Jammin & Losin 1]

Vera I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you a quick recovery and good health to come.