Hysterectomies - it's gotta be done but over here for hand holding

[Oddsocksrus]

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance
I guess I start..
My cervix is on the outside, it can't all hang where it should and no manner of pelvic floor exercises or devises will get it back there.
I'm 41, one fab dd and wanted more but there you are, can't now can I?

This thread, hopefully, will be for those waiting, recovering or supporting

Had a little drive yesterday. The front of my calves legs feel a bit strange today. How odd! Will have another go later.

I'm wondering if we've frightened away oddsocks. We have moaned a lot. Perhaps she would prefer to bury her head in the sand. We've probably made it sound worse than it is. Overall I think I have been ok. Certainly wouldn't recommend it, but it hasn't been too bad. Perhaps all the gory details are too much. What is your reaction fled . Have we frightened you or reassured you?

Welcome overcome

You do sound as if you have had a tough time. They were concerned about my low blood pressure but it obviously wasn't as bad as yours. You sound as if you have a lot of swelling. The swelly belly is supposed to be very common. Hopefully it will go down soon and your pyjamas will fit again.

The first two weeks were definitely the worst, so again hopefully, you will soon be feeling better. It will help when you dont feel sick. How long are you taking the antibiotics for?

Just do what you feel able to. No more, no less. As we've seen on this thread everybodies experience is different. You just have to go at your own pace. Move around frequently to get your blood circulating to avoid dvt's but you don't need to move far, or for long.

I promise, it will get better.

Not frightened off! Just trying not to wallow in my own anxiety. Busy working this weekend and into nights next week so don't really get too much time to think. I work with a gyn nurse who has put the frighteners up me though

I had mine done vaginally with a spinal anesthetic (they give you a happy shot so you are awake but chilled)

A bit of pain after - I cried to get some diamorphine the first day. But physically recovered well, 3 days in hospital (it was private though work medical insurance, but surgeon also did NHS work locally, so no difference there) 8 weeks off work, got very tired and don't underestimate the emotional turmoil. At 47 I was not going to have more kids, but its still a bit deal.

My husband is sweet but ... :) So in order to forestall resentment and rows and possible divorce , my sister stayed a week or so after he went back to work and helped with washing and shopping and practical stuff. Was also awesome company. But she did make me laugh too much.

Afeter effects include stress incontinence and a dryer vagina during sex - both of these have been issues, but not as much as the awful flooding (not stop heavy periods and flooding for 6 months, heavy periods for years. Due to loads of fibriods and polyps.

Hello and welcome Ma and Overcome

Well it just goes to prove how no 2 women get through this in the same way - my stress and urge incontinence completely disappeared after the op. Ok they weren't horrific - panty liner on in the morning and a spare onein the handbag just in case - but I have been completely 'watertight' for the first time in 20 years! Result!

I was expecting to be emotional, especially as DS1 left for uni 2 weeks before my op but nothing. Nada. Not a snifffle or a tear. I'm braced for it if it happens though.

dh drove me to ds2's uni open day at our local uni yesterday and all was fine except that none of my clothes fit except the huge trackie botttoms and granny pants I bought just before the op for fear of swelly belly. So I wore my loosest skirt and opaque tights but my scar was so sore afterwards I'm going back to work in 3 1/2 weeks so I hope it heals well by then.

To be fair, my tummy looked like Austrian blinds after DS2 who was 10lb so I'm planning a tummy tuck at the start of next year's summer holidays. Having an overhang isn't helping the scar to heal as it gets sweaty under there.

Jeezs I sound like such a goddess

Welcome bumble Yes, my pelvic floor isn't what it was. I keep forgetting to do the exercises. I've had a couple of slight leakages when I've had a full bladder and just got off the sofa in a certain way . Sorry tmi. Hope that improves soon. Suppose I'd better do more exercises.

I was scared stiff fled. It's horrible isn't it. Not very nice of the gyn nurse to scare you though.

overcome I for the first time in my life was completely off chocolate for the first couple of weeks. Unfortunately, the kids had eaten all my chocolate gifts, by the time I fancied it. Sod's law. I didn't mind savoury stuff though. Strange.

Careful on the stairs overcome.
Really advised against stairs after op.
The swelly belly is not chocolate or fat btw. It is to do with what's going on inside to repair damage plus the gasses used in anaesthetic.
Google swelly belly for info.
Remember if feels like you're doing too much you are. No
Lifting!!
Don't expect to feel any better until the antibiotics are out of the system.
Took me 2-3 weeks to feel any way better or like myself.

I did lots of stairs

Fled I can only say that it hasn't been nearly as bad as I thought/feared. It's given me the courage to think I will have a tummy tuck after all these years of wishing and being too scared.

I can't imagine how wonderful it will feel to be able to see my own pubic hair just by looking down and not just seeing iit in the bedroom mirror. I'm betting that will make me emotional - having 'myself' back.

Overcome I hope you feel better soon. You sound like you've really had a rough time.

I've bought some larger size leggings and a couple of baggy tunic tops. They are not aggravating my vertical scar at all. They are probably better than tights.

My imagination made it worse than it actually was, too fled

The tummy tuck sounds great, although I don't think I could voluntarily put myself through another op.

Pity they couldn't do it at the same time as the hysterectomy.

MaBumble if you are experiencing a drier vagina and stress incontinence please go and ask for the Vagifem. It will sort out those problems for you. Don't let it continue or you could experiencd a vaginal prolapse.

How will it help the stress incontinence?

If the stress continence has just happened, it will probably be due to the lack of elasticity of the vaginal walls. Everything will need strengthened up, the vaginal hrt will do this.

I used to eat eggs everyday but they tasted funny after my op

I missed two 50th parties too. Two really good older than me obviously cos I'm only a spring chicken in comparison friends as well, the first ones of my friends. I did FaceTime everyone, at one of the parties but I didn't think it was a good time for me and my catheter bag to attend. So I feel you pain overcome .

I did say to my mum and dad last week, that this whole cancer/hysterectomy thing has aged me. I have never felt my age before. I actually feel old now. I don't think I will ever be as carefree, if that is the word, ever again. The lost fertility doesn't bother me. The lack of future periods is one of the big positives of the whole experience and mine were never particularly bad .

The whole thing sucks really, but I do feel incredibly lucky that my cancer was caught so early. Thank god for smears. I am not particularly religious but I happily accepted people's offers of prayers and even different religions good luck charms.

I think it has finally sunk in that I am going to be around to see my children grow up. The hysterectomy saved my life. Wine is talking now

Went out with DH last night for a meal, am driving, albeit not far, and life is getting back to normal. Last hurdles, ironing and hoovering still to be tackled.

Wow I've got deep.

Oh thank you for the hellos, and for the Vagifem suggestion I'll def go look into that.

The Lady tena moments has not been helped by a recent reoccurrence of allergic reactions to cats, dust, perfume etc which has led to lots of sneezing and coughing. I gave up smoking over a year ago before the op, and last had that sort of allergic reaction in my teens so it's a bit of a surprise.

It's currently under control, with the help of steroids, inhalers and anti histamines - but still a bit puzzled as to why it's come back.

The other thing that took me by surprise (and the unlucky sods who share my daily life) is PMT (or S, can never remember what it's called now). I still get it, even with one ovary. Most unfair :)

Sorry overcome I sounded a bit shouty - I was having a rotten day- suddenly very tired and got that Sellotape stretched over tummy feeling. Dd has actual diagnosed flu and dh kept me awake grinding his teeth and thrashing.

MaB welcome welcome.

Shewhowines - plenty of room for deep thought on here. You've come through a lot . Respect.

Week 5 in the Big Post Hysterectomy House. Bored bored bored .
May have to start ebaying anything that's not strapped down. Missing my overtime money which I rely on for actual spending money that is not sucked up by direct debits.
Fed up of tv and Have finished a great book .
House is a half term tip
I have occupational health meeting tomorrow 'to assess my case of absence' . Apparently a sick line to say I've had major abdominal surgery is not enough for my employers. I must shuffle into work and explain myself

My stress incontinance has gone too .
At 2 weeks I'm also v v bored but when I do anything for example have a mooch round a shop, I feel shattered and don't enjoy it.

Crem I'm also being referred to occupational health, due to my unacceptable sick record-I work for the NHS!

Ooh we can compare inane questions from OH. Dh says he' ll give mea Halloween makeover to make sure I look like death warmed up. He won't have to try to hard.