I noticed that I kind of petered off about my hysterectomy recovery, and I just have to say....wonderful. For the most part I feel wonderful and I don't miss having a cycle at all.
To be fair, technically my body still has a "cycle" and it will continue to do so until my ovaries go through menopause. So, there are times where my ovaries still cramp, just like they did when I had a cycle, but it definitely isn't as bad. I do still have to take a small dose of ibuprofen when it occurs though. No biggie.
There is still a little mild water retention, nothing bad.
So, seven months out, I haven't regretted making the decision at all. In fact, occasionally I stop and think, "How long has it been?" It's been good. I know it isn't a good experience for everyone, but for me it has been.
Showing posts with label hysterectomy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hysterectomy. Show all posts
Friday, May 22, 2015
Friday, October 17, 2014
Hysterectomy Emotions
It's been an interesting week. Physically it's been fine. Better than I expected really. It has been hard to not do too much and try and rest as much as I should, but other than that I can't complain.
One of the things I wondered about before I had my surgery, was how I would feel emotionally afterward.
Well.... for me it has been very similar to how I felt whenever I had a baby. Crazy. Hormones everywhere, crying, emotional, etc... that has been interesting to deal with. It has gotten better as the week has progressed though.
I guess a lot of women feel a sense of emptiness, especially if they had this surgery before they were able to have any kids. I haven't really felt that, but then, I have kids, and I am content with our family. :) I did think and pray long and hard about whether we were really "done" or if there was one more that was supposed to come to our family, but I decided, well, we decided, that it was okay. Four is a good number.
There were also concerns about if I did get pregnant again, how that would affect my health, and whether or not it would be a good risk to take. It's an understandable concern...I mean, I don't think I've had one pregnancy where I didn't end up on bed rest at the end. With each baby it got worse too, so I definitely took this all into account.
There were many times I wondered if I should wait just because Emmett and Jeffrey are so young, and it would be difficult to care for them while I was healing. Then, every time my body would decide to have a cycle, it was just horrible. I know I've written about that before, but seriously, it was awful. Six weeks didn't seem to be that long of a time frame...actually that is about how long apart my cycles were becoming...
So, interesting things about my surgery...
I thought there would be a lot of endometriosis. There was hardly any. I think my doctor was surprised about that too, since the last time I had surgery for endometriosis I had no clue I even had it and I was at a stage III (which is really bad).
I think, if I remember right, (I will probably find out at my follow up appointment in 5 weeks) he felt afterward that the pain could have been from the adhesions I had from my last c-section, and that he could see why I was having issues, because of the condition of my uterus. It makes me wonder if they cut it open to look at the inside. (Too descriptive? Sorry...)
I thought my ovaries would be borderline on needing to be removed. They looked normal. NORMAL. They didn't even look polycystic. That definitely surprised me. I was extremely grateful, but definitely surprised. So, we'll have to see about the whole PCOS thing.
So, I don't really question whether or not I did the right thing. Right after I had surgery, even though I was in pain, I felt physically better. It reminded me of how I felt after I had my gallbladder removed. I just felt better, like something that was making me sick was gone. That's the best way I can describe it.
Hopefully I will continue to heal well, and things will continue to get better. I still have no idea how I am going to take care of my little boys when Shane goes back to work, but we'll just have to take it a day at a time I suppose. Maybe a solution will present itself. :)
One of the things I wondered about before I had my surgery, was how I would feel emotionally afterward.
Well.... for me it has been very similar to how I felt whenever I had a baby. Crazy. Hormones everywhere, crying, emotional, etc... that has been interesting to deal with. It has gotten better as the week has progressed though.
I guess a lot of women feel a sense of emptiness, especially if they had this surgery before they were able to have any kids. I haven't really felt that, but then, I have kids, and I am content with our family. :) I did think and pray long and hard about whether we were really "done" or if there was one more that was supposed to come to our family, but I decided, well, we decided, that it was okay. Four is a good number.
There were also concerns about if I did get pregnant again, how that would affect my health, and whether or not it would be a good risk to take. It's an understandable concern...I mean, I don't think I've had one pregnancy where I didn't end up on bed rest at the end. With each baby it got worse too, so I definitely took this all into account.
There were many times I wondered if I should wait just because Emmett and Jeffrey are so young, and it would be difficult to care for them while I was healing. Then, every time my body would decide to have a cycle, it was just horrible. I know I've written about that before, but seriously, it was awful. Six weeks didn't seem to be that long of a time frame...actually that is about how long apart my cycles were becoming...
So, interesting things about my surgery...
I thought there would be a lot of endometriosis. There was hardly any. I think my doctor was surprised about that too, since the last time I had surgery for endometriosis I had no clue I even had it and I was at a stage III (which is really bad).
I think, if I remember right, (I will probably find out at my follow up appointment in 5 weeks) he felt afterward that the pain could have been from the adhesions I had from my last c-section, and that he could see why I was having issues, because of the condition of my uterus. It makes me wonder if they cut it open to look at the inside. (Too descriptive? Sorry...)
I thought my ovaries would be borderline on needing to be removed. They looked normal. NORMAL. They didn't even look polycystic. That definitely surprised me. I was extremely grateful, but definitely surprised. So, we'll have to see about the whole PCOS thing.
So, I don't really question whether or not I did the right thing. Right after I had surgery, even though I was in pain, I felt physically better. It reminded me of how I felt after I had my gallbladder removed. I just felt better, like something that was making me sick was gone. That's the best way I can describe it.
Hopefully I will continue to heal well, and things will continue to get better. I still have no idea how I am going to take care of my little boys when Shane goes back to work, but we'll just have to take it a day at a time I suppose. Maybe a solution will present itself. :)
Monday, October 13, 2014
Healing
The surgery went well. I spent one night in the hospital and then came home that afternoon. It hasn't been too bad of a recovery really.
I am a little antsy to be back to normal though. I can tell that it is going to take a huge amount of patience on my part to be good and not do anything I'm not supposed to until the doctor clears me.
My follow up appointment is in six weeks.
It's weird because some of the pain is similar to a c-section (which makes sense since they had to release the uterus from the c section scar) but most of the pain comes from where I imagine my ovaries are. Visualizing all the blood vessels they had to cauterize/ligate, that also makes sense. I just never thought of it before. Then of course there is the pain from the small incisions where they inserted the scopes.
So far today I haven't had to take any heavy painkillers, just ibuprofen. I hope that keeps up. That would be nice. :)
I guess I forgot to mention that they were able to save my ovaries. In fact, my doctor said they looked like they were in really good condition. So, that is great news. I have to wonder if they look that way because of the herbs that I started taking a few months ago. Either way, I am glad they weren't removed. I really didn't want to be on hormone therapy for 30 years.
Emotionally I am feeling lonely. I guess that's the best way to put it. I also feel tired, which is understandable. Hopefully I will continue to get better and heal the way I am supposed to,
I am a little antsy to be back to normal though. I can tell that it is going to take a huge amount of patience on my part to be good and not do anything I'm not supposed to until the doctor clears me.
My follow up appointment is in six weeks.
It's weird because some of the pain is similar to a c-section (which makes sense since they had to release the uterus from the c section scar) but most of the pain comes from where I imagine my ovaries are. Visualizing all the blood vessels they had to cauterize/ligate, that also makes sense. I just never thought of it before. Then of course there is the pain from the small incisions where they inserted the scopes.
So far today I haven't had to take any heavy painkillers, just ibuprofen. I hope that keeps up. That would be nice. :)
I guess I forgot to mention that they were able to save my ovaries. In fact, my doctor said they looked like they were in really good condition. So, that is great news. I have to wonder if they look that way because of the herbs that I started taking a few months ago. Either way, I am glad they weren't removed. I really didn't want to be on hormone therapy for 30 years.
Emotionally I am feeling lonely. I guess that's the best way to put it. I also feel tired, which is understandable. Hopefully I will continue to get better and heal the way I am supposed to,
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Pre Op
I think I have been somewhat preoccupied with getting ready for the surgery that I'm going to have.
A big part is because it's such a big surgery for me. I mean, I will have a major organ removed from my body. I guess it's a big deal to me, even though I know I will feel a lot better, and things will be better, it's just big.
It didn't help when I told Harrison yesterday that I was having surgery and then told him what for. He looked at me and was all, "So I won't get anymore brothers and sisters?" Yeah, my heart panged a little.
Still, I know this is the right thing to do and the right time. It seems weird that it is the right time, because it makes me feel old. I am ready to be free of the pain and everything else that comes with having a cycle though. So, that is a relief. It will be so nice to not have to worry about it anymore.
I know some people have asked me why I don't just get an ablation. An ablation is where they cauterize and burn the inside of the uterus so you no longer have periods. For a lot of people they are a great option when they are done having kids.
I remember discussing ablations with doctors that I worked with, and there were many times they were doing an ablation when they knew it most likely wouldn't work, or wouldn't work for long, because of the conditions that the patient had. Sometimes they had to do it in order for their patient's insurance to cover a hysterectomy, and sometimes it was the patient who wanted to try something less invasive even though the doctor knew that the odds were high that it wouldn't work. For people like me, it's just one more surgery that would be ineffective until I had a hysterectomy. So, I decided to skip that step.
Today I get my blood drawn and have lab work done, and a clear liquid diet...and tomorrow...it's onward to a new way of life.
A big part is because it's such a big surgery for me. I mean, I will have a major organ removed from my body. I guess it's a big deal to me, even though I know I will feel a lot better, and things will be better, it's just big.
It didn't help when I told Harrison yesterday that I was having surgery and then told him what for. He looked at me and was all, "So I won't get anymore brothers and sisters?" Yeah, my heart panged a little.
Still, I know this is the right thing to do and the right time. It seems weird that it is the right time, because it makes me feel old. I am ready to be free of the pain and everything else that comes with having a cycle though. So, that is a relief. It will be so nice to not have to worry about it anymore.
I know some people have asked me why I don't just get an ablation. An ablation is where they cauterize and burn the inside of the uterus so you no longer have periods. For a lot of people they are a great option when they are done having kids.
I remember discussing ablations with doctors that I worked with, and there were many times they were doing an ablation when they knew it most likely wouldn't work, or wouldn't work for long, because of the conditions that the patient had. Sometimes they had to do it in order for their patient's insurance to cover a hysterectomy, and sometimes it was the patient who wanted to try something less invasive even though the doctor knew that the odds were high that it wouldn't work. For people like me, it's just one more surgery that would be ineffective until I had a hysterectomy. So, I decided to skip that step.
Today I get my blood drawn and have lab work done, and a clear liquid diet...and tomorrow...it's onward to a new way of life.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Surgeries, Health, and Music
My world has been a bit eclectic lately, so I felt like the title fit well.
It's kind of interesting to post something about surgery, especially the surgery I am getting prepared to have. Prior to getting pregnant with Jeffrey I had a diagnostic lap surgery where they were going to remove a growth from my uterus. Before that I had struggled for seven years to get pregnant at all. I got pregnant once in that time, but I miscarried. It was a rough time. When I had that surgery it was discovered that I had endometriosis. BAD endometriosis. It was stage 3 which is one of the higher levels of endometriosis. Knowing what I know now, I realize what a miracle it was that I became pregnant with Harrison and Hazel at all. I consider it a huge blessing that I didn't feel or experience the level of pain that most women feel with this condition.
So, during that surgery, they cleaned out the endometriosis the best they could. My cycles after I had Jeffrey were heavy but not bad, and more regular than they had been for a long time. This would probably explain why I was able to become pregnant with Emmett and had him when Jeffrey was 17 months old.
Well, now things are terrible again. The hormones, the mood swings, the PMS, the bleeding, the cramps, etc... etc... it is awful. Every time my period comes, is not a great thing. It's hard on me, it's hard on my family, and I am always relieved when it goes away again.
We decided that it was time. So I am preparing to have a hysterectomy. I am having it done all laparascopic which I think is pretty cool. The doctor I go to specializes in doing this type of procedure and was trained by one of the best surgeons in the country. He is also very fast. I asked him how long he thought it would take and he told me the hysterectomy portion would probably take an hour.
I know that probably sounds like a long time to people who have never assisted on surgery, but I've assisted on lots of hysterectomies and that's super fast! Even a surgeon who is really good at doing vaginal hysterectomies usually takes 2-2 1/2 hours.
Laparascopic surgeries usually take longer anyway, because they are being done with a scope. So, an hour is pretty amazing.
Of course, I will be having my endometriosis cleaned out as well, so that will probably add another hour to the surgical time.
I feel at peace with it. That among many other things lets me know it is a good choice to make.
I think I wrote previously about how my CMT (charcot-marie-toothe) syndrome is getting worse. I am sure that eventually I will have to get an official diagnosis from a neurologist just to say that yes, it has been scientifically diagnosed, but it is quite obvious that I have an active form of it. I have been trying to keep the muscles I have working, especially in my hands, but my right hand has really been acting up lately. My fingers kind of spasm and wont' move correctly.
That makes me kind of sad, but, oh well. It is something I will have to get used to dealing with.
At least I can always enjoy music with my ears or even memories at the very least.
And with that, here is one of my favorite songs, Absolutely breathtaking, sung by Alfie Boe. I hope you will take the time to listen.
It's kind of interesting to post something about surgery, especially the surgery I am getting prepared to have. Prior to getting pregnant with Jeffrey I had a diagnostic lap surgery where they were going to remove a growth from my uterus. Before that I had struggled for seven years to get pregnant at all. I got pregnant once in that time, but I miscarried. It was a rough time. When I had that surgery it was discovered that I had endometriosis. BAD endometriosis. It was stage 3 which is one of the higher levels of endometriosis. Knowing what I know now, I realize what a miracle it was that I became pregnant with Harrison and Hazel at all. I consider it a huge blessing that I didn't feel or experience the level of pain that most women feel with this condition.
So, during that surgery, they cleaned out the endometriosis the best they could. My cycles after I had Jeffrey were heavy but not bad, and more regular than they had been for a long time. This would probably explain why I was able to become pregnant with Emmett and had him when Jeffrey was 17 months old.
Well, now things are terrible again. The hormones, the mood swings, the PMS, the bleeding, the cramps, etc... etc... it is awful. Every time my period comes, is not a great thing. It's hard on me, it's hard on my family, and I am always relieved when it goes away again.
We decided that it was time. So I am preparing to have a hysterectomy. I am having it done all laparascopic which I think is pretty cool. The doctor I go to specializes in doing this type of procedure and was trained by one of the best surgeons in the country. He is also very fast. I asked him how long he thought it would take and he told me the hysterectomy portion would probably take an hour.
I know that probably sounds like a long time to people who have never assisted on surgery, but I've assisted on lots of hysterectomies and that's super fast! Even a surgeon who is really good at doing vaginal hysterectomies usually takes 2-2 1/2 hours.
Laparascopic surgeries usually take longer anyway, because they are being done with a scope. So, an hour is pretty amazing.
Of course, I will be having my endometriosis cleaned out as well, so that will probably add another hour to the surgical time.
I feel at peace with it. That among many other things lets me know it is a good choice to make.
I think I wrote previously about how my CMT (charcot-marie-toothe) syndrome is getting worse. I am sure that eventually I will have to get an official diagnosis from a neurologist just to say that yes, it has been scientifically diagnosed, but it is quite obvious that I have an active form of it. I have been trying to keep the muscles I have working, especially in my hands, but my right hand has really been acting up lately. My fingers kind of spasm and wont' move correctly.
That makes me kind of sad, but, oh well. It is something I will have to get used to dealing with.
At least I can always enjoy music with my ears or even memories at the very least.
And with that, here is one of my favorite songs, Absolutely breathtaking, sung by Alfie Boe. I hope you will take the time to listen.
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