I love it when I can rhyme!
Ouch and Ouch
Anyway, I received a hysterectomy on Jan. 29, 2008. I had been diagnosed with pelvic congestion (also see http://www.via-med.com/pelvicpain.aspx). I was hurting quite a bit for weeks and bleeding nonstop for weeks. Before that, my periods were up to 5 weeks long. Heinous, ay?
The symptoms of my pelvic congestion include:
- Dull pelvic ache with occasional episodes of sharp pains. I had occasional sharp pains for years and did not know why.
- Local aching or burning sensation in the area of the varicosities.
- Painful menstruation and low backache.
- Increased mucoid vaginal discharge
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
- Retroverted uterus
- Thick uterine lining as seen by a pelvic ultrasound in early January.
- A uterus so heavy with blood, it felt like it was falling out. And it had descended quite a bit with something known as a moderate prolapsed uterus.
All these symptoms go together as a result of normal childbirth in some women (like me). The main problem is large veins around the uterus, and a rather scary and painful condition.
Surgery
So my wonderful OB/GYN, Clayton Wilde, M.D., did a great job that Tuesday morning doing a vaginal extraction of my uterus and fallopian tubes while leaving the ovaries (with a bonus Transobturator Sling).
Post Surgery
I have been hurting, but I have no complications. I went back to work 1 week early; I should have taken 2 weeks off. My doc did say I would recover sooner than those who have an abdominal hysterectomy, but I assumed I would recover earlier than I am experiencing now. Oh, well.
As a result, I have been back to work for 1 week. I have been paying for it the past couple of days in that my pain is pretty hefty tonight. I wish that some people would understand that my pre-surgery views were invalid and I made a mistake about all the pain and limits I will have for 6 weeks.
But I am healing slowly and slowly getting better. Yay!
Awesome Friends and Family
Ray has been a hero by carrying everything for me and doing EVERYTHING at home. The kids have also been a big help.
Several of my grad school friends and faculty have been awesome in caring about me and helping in any way they can. For example with Jill’s help, I have caught up in stats (I missed 2 stats lectures), and I hope to do well on the midterm Tuesday morning.
My in-laws have been so lovely by visiting me in the hospital and calling occasionally to see how I am doing. And my sweet neighbor, Bonita Buckingham, has been calling and asking me what she can do.
For those who have cared enough to help me prevent pain and promote healing: thank you so much. Once again, I have really found out who my true friends are.
More Information about a Hysterectomy
The following YouTube video gives information about the hysterectomy surgery and implications. If you are considering this major surgery, you may want to watch it.
