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Kep421
Member
08-11-2001
| Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 5:41 am
As I think back, all this started last year when I could no longer donate blood because I was anemic (something I've not been since very early childhood). Because I was in the throws of menopause, I atrribuited the anemia to my massive periods I had once every 3-4 months, aka "The Quarterlies", so I began taking iron supplements. When the iron supplements did nothing to correct the anemia, I brought the problem to my doctor. Since I was also in the process of changing jobs, my doctor thought it would be a good idea to give me a complete workup as my insurance coverage would lapse for about 3 months. I underwent several tests, including my first ever vaginal ultrasound. The vaginal ultrasound indicated I had large and numerous fibroids and a bleeding polyp. I was referred to a gyn/ob for a hysteroscopy procedure. The Dr was unable to perform this procedure as the fibroids were blocking and were so tightly packed together that the end of the device could not navigate into my uterus. The procedure was tried a second time, this time under anesthesia, and the polyp was removed and all seemed fine. I no longer have "The Quarterlies" and only occassionally suffer from what I term "spottage". Because of substantial history of cancer among the women in my family, (mom had cervical cancer in her 30's, survived, but died of cancer at 72, and two aunts and one cousin all had cervical cancer as well) the ob/gyn felt I should have a checkup again as soon as my insurance kicked back in, which was a few weeks ago. This time "something" didn't look quite right, and I underwent a third hysterscopy yesterday for a biopsy. But the fibroids have become so impacted, the biopsy wasn't possible. The doctor suspects I have a tumor inside my uterus, although he doesn't think its cancerous. But because of my family history he feels a hysterecomy is the safest option for me. I'm not really sure of everything else he said, because I got caught up in my whirling thoughts at that point. Because I had been lightly sedated for the procedure all I can remember thinking is, "How am I going to explain this at work? My boss just quit last week, I'm new with no vacation time, if I leave there will be no one to cover the computers...." No decisions were made yesterday. I asked if this procedure could wait until after the first of next year when I would have vacation time, but the doctor felt I shouldn't put it off more than 4 months. I will talk to my employer on Monday to see what can be worked out. I'm planning to discuss this procedure with my primary care doctor, and I understand the logic behind the recommendation, I even agree with it... but I just can't seem to get my heart into doing this. I did call my younger sister ( who had a hysterectomy when she was 26 for pretty much the same problems I'm facing now) and she is being my support and comfort right now. She is also making arrangements to come and stay with me for a week or two after the surgery. Would love to know how others handled this and what types of procedures they've had... Just needed to get this all out...
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 6:20 am
I had a total hysterectomy (ovaries, uterus and cervix) done about 4 years ago. I had a mass on my ovary, and adhesions everywhere. It was done laproscopically so the down time was very short. i suggest you go to www.hystersisters.com. it is a wonderful resource of information and support. i lived my whole life under the threat of cervical cancer, so there was no doubt in my mind I wanted a hysterectomy. It's been the best thing I have ever done. Yes, it's a little bit of a hassle getting your hormones regulated. I did opt to go on estrogen replacement therapy afterwards because surgical menopause is WAY different than natural menopause.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 8:11 am
Kep, the marvelous thing about work is that it somehow just goes on. They WILL manage to cope without you. At the moment it is far more important that you stay alive and take care of what you need to take care of with the internal equipment. Bless your sister. That sounds like a good arrangement. Good luck.
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Cndeariso
Member
06-28-2004
| Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 8:29 am
i had a bikini cut partial-hysterectomy when i was 33 yrs. old due to adenomiosis. i wanted the vaginal one but was too small inside to do that because i had never birthed a full-term baby. they took everything out but my ovaries. adenomiosis (i know i can't be spelling it correctly) is just like endometriosis but is on the inside of the uterus instead of outside in the abdomen. i was bleeding or spotting all the time. when the monthly would come i would pass very large clots. having my hysterectomy was the best thing i have ever done for myself other than divorcing my first husband. LOL i was out of work for 12 days. and, only because i had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic. otherwise, i would have been back to work in a week. now, at the time i was a lower level accountant at the time with a mainly desk job. if it had been more physical my doctor would not have let me come back that soon. i have not as of yet been put on hormone replacement though my left ovary has atrophied. and, i will be 48 in October. i wish you the best of luck.
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 9:15 am
Completely understand the swirling thoughts, Kep. As Juju says, they'll survive at work so don't be too anxious. I had a hysterectomy when I was 39 and it was the very best thing. It was such a relief not to endure the pain that I had been dealing with for years. Recovery time was quick and I was back teaching after two weeks. No regrets. (They didn't put me through all the testing that goes on now so I can imagine that that in itself is an aggravation.) Best wishes with your decision. Take good care...
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 9:43 am
Really busy and on the fly, but wanted to stop by for a quick sec and reassure you that my partial hysterectomy was the VERY BEST THING I have ever had done medically. I suffered for at least 5 years with the most painful fibroid and we tried other things including a UAE - Uterine Artery Embolization, which has a minimal failure rate, but it didn't work for me. So eventually I had to have a partial hysterectomy, and it wasn't the most pleasant thing in the world, (cut from belly button down to the forest of no return and held together with staples) BUT one month to the day, I was dancing at Deansie's birthday party. Okay, I was flat on my back for another six weeks at least, til I went back to work parttime. But to live painfree since then - what a gift. And no more periods - BONUS! I wish you the best of luck Kep! BUT please do not postpone this. The best way to cheat cancer is to catch it early. You are probably perfectly fine - but better safe than sorry. xoxoxoxoxox
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Sajó
Member
06-18-2007
| Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 11:36 am
My hysterectomy was last Sept, everything was removed.It was the best thing I did. No more pain or periods !!! I had fibroids 2 cysts and endometriosis. I was in the hospital 7 days and back to normal by 12 weeks. I only get about 10 hotflashes a day, that`s it, nothing else. My surgeon told me, that my menopause will not get any worse then it is now. I don`t take any hormone replacements. I was so happy last year because I thought I put some weight on 105 lbs, but after my surgery, and at home I was back to my normal weight 100 lbs. Guess it was all that stuff they took out. Good luck Kep!
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Mack
Member
07-23-2002
| Monday, July 23, 2007 - 10:16 am
My wife had a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy just one week short of a year ago. At the time the whole process was so full of anxiety that we'd certainly not want to go through that period of our life ever again. Now nearly a year later, in retrospect, our fears seem kind of silly but they were very real the month of July 2006. Luckily she was a good candidate for the minimally invasive LSH procedure and had a very skilled and wonderful doctor. Day surgery, home that night, on her feet in 3 days, and back to pretty normal life within a couple of weeks. Life is good now, very good. Best wishes.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 1:32 pm
Kep, better to keep to the best schedule for YOU and your health, your company will not founder over your absence. Best of luck with it and let us know how things go.
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Supergranny
Member
02-03-2005
| Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 1:46 pm
I had a total hysterectomy 24 years ago and I agree it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I am sure the surgical techniques are way more advanced and you will do great. The most annoying part of the whole thing will be getting your hormones adjusted....and no more PMS!!
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Kep421
Member
08-11-2001
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 2:28 pm
Thank you ALL for your encouragement.... My surgery is scheduled for Oct 1st. Since I am in the final stages of menopause, they will be removing everything, even the ovaries, so I won't have to worry about cancer in that area. They are going to try to do it all vaginally... barring any complications, so I'm looking an somewhat easy recovery. My sister (who had the same procedure at 26) will be coming to stay with me for 2 weeks while I recover. I've had counseling with respect to the pain I will encounter and am feeling SO MUCH better about this. The Oct date is best for me because I have time to build up compensation time at work, and hopefully won't be cut any pay during my stay at home time (not to mention the time to prepare for this mentally). The date is good for my sister, because it gives her time to get her life/finances in order for the long stay away from home. The date is good for my company (my boss was very appreciative) as it will give us time to get another person up to speed on how our company operates. The doctor said as long as I don't start to bleed the date is fine with him....but at the first sign of red, all bets are off and it will be done immediately. I love TVCH... you guys are always here when I need someone... Thank you fellow posters....
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Colordeagua
Member
10-25-2003
| Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 4:44 pm
I had TAH/BSO (total abdominal hyst/both ovaries out) 17+ years ago for the "usual" reasons at age 43. Six inch vertical incision. Back then, four days in the hospital and total of six weeks off work. Like my doc said, I did breeze through it. I had absolutely NO problems and NO pain. If those parts could grow back and I had to do it again, no biggie. Don't worry, Kep.
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Kc103
Member
07-13-2004
| Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 9:22 pm
Colordeagua, wow, I bow to you for getting through all that without pain. I had open surgery for the removal of my right ovary and a dermoid cyst, which was basically beginning to twist around the whole ovary. The doctor showed me how large the cyst was with her hands (about the size of a baseball.) She told me the cyst was simply too large to remove any other way except for open surgery. I had it done this past Monday and went home from the hospital on Wednesday. I'm beginning to wonder when I'll feel "normal" again. Right now I'm still experiencing pain and am basically taking a nap about every 3 hours or so. I've also been feeling very "flushed" most of the time and have been running low grade temps since the surgery. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced something like that post-surgery. First thing I think of with a fever is some type of infection. The incision looks fine and I can't imagine what else keeps causing it...unless it's just from having the surgery. I read on some website that sometimes people's bodies need to "readjust" their body temperatures after going through a surgery. Today is the first day that I've sat by the computer for a little bit...so I guess things are improving. I guess I just have to be patient and rest. I appreciated your encouraging post on here though.
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Supergranny
Member
02-03-2005
| Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 9:50 pm
Any kind of surgery is a shock to your system. You did tell your dr about the low grade fever and flushed feeling...right? They do need all that info no matter how minor it seems. I think that flushed feeling is from the hormone adjustment. Think hot flashes! They will be able to help with that. Just take it easy and let someone wait on you....you will be better and so glad it is all over with.
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Colordeagua
Member
10-25-2003
| Tuesday, October 02, 2007 - 6:01 pm
I specifically remember waking up in the recovery room from anesthesia after. Remembered why I was there. Thought about my "stomach". It felt different -- like something had happened to it, but it wasn't painful and never was. Sore stomach muscles over the weeks as I healed. That was it. I remember hearing that while your digestive systems gets going again after surgery can cause bowel problems and possibly cause some pain. I didn't have any of those problems. Also I think I heard that when surgery is done, the stomach cavity is blown up with gas? So after surgery there may be bloating and pain / uncomfortableness from that. I had none of those problems either. My systems got going pretty quickly.
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Kep421
Member
08-11-2001
| Thursday, November 08, 2007 - 11:39 am
Well, its all over and things went extremely well. I had two weeks off with my wonderful sister and we made the most of it... The surgery went off without a hitch...well if you don't count the 3 hour wait I had in the pre-op area as the surgery before me went into overtime. I was such a nervous wreck by the time they came for me, they dispensed with the formalities and put me under immediately. I don't remember too much, but my sister said as the anestheologist was walking towards me, I turned white as a sheet and started bawling... The dr confirmed my sister could answer the necessary questions and immediately knocked me out, my sister said I barely had time to lie back down before I was gone....May God truly bless that doctor and her compassion for my stress... Anyway, when I woke up I remember asking where I was...then going back under. I spent a day and a half and when home with pain meds that I didn't take because they made me sick. I took ibuprophen and excedrine and got through the next 3 days in a bit of a fog...after that, things were golden. I just had my 5 week checkup, and I am healing nicely. The tumor was benign, just as the doctor suspected. But apparently I dodged quite a bullet. While the tumor was not cancerous, my cervix had precancerous cells that would have turned into cervical cancer within 6mos to a year. My Dr said I was very very lucky as the pre-cancerous cells did not show up in my last pap...and they could have turned cancerous before my next one. Seems someone up there is truly looking out for me.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Thursday, November 08, 2007 - 11:42 am
Yes they were Kep. (((Hugs)))
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Thursday, November 08, 2007 - 11:47 am
((Kep)) Wonderful news about dodging that bullet, and so glad you aced your surgery. 
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Supergranny
Member
02-03-2005
| Thursday, November 08, 2007 - 12:18 pm
Happy Dance!!! Think No More Periods!!
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Calamity
Member
10-18-2001
| Thursday, November 08, 2007 - 12:58 pm
Kep421 Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery. Glad you could get this out of the way before the holidays.
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Kstme
Member
08-14-2000
| Thursday, November 08, 2007 - 1:06 pm
Way to go, Kep! 
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Meme9
Member
07-30-2001
| Thursday, November 08, 2007 - 1:46 pm
Kep, I'm glad everything worked out for you! Sisters are a great asset, I'm glad you have a good one.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Thursday, November 08, 2007 - 1:49 pm
Kep, glad things worked out for you ...
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Thursday, November 08, 2007 - 3:08 pm
We all told you so, Kep. Yay!!! <does a triple back flip> and isn't life just bizarre sometimes? finding those precancerous cells ...
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Twiggyish
Member
08-14-2000
| Thursday, November 08, 2007 - 3:43 pm
Kep, I'm so glad you are fine. 
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Friday, November 09, 2007 - 4:43 pm
Wow, Kep, someone really WAS looking out for you, that's wonderful!
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