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Original poster

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

992 replies

Oddsocksrus · 09/12/2013 22:57

Over here for the hand holding.
One in five women in the uk will have to have a hysterectomy at some point in their lives.
Come and join us if you are waiting, pre op, bleery eyed on the ward or recovering afterwards.

OP posts:
AnnieIncognito · 17/03/2014 17:31

Hi everyone. Can I join in? I am scheduled for a laprascopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy on May 7th and am freaking out a little bit.

My story, briefly: I have always had "lady issues" as my grandmother used to say. I have PCOS and all the lovely issues that come with that, but since my son was born two years ago, I have really been struggling. My periods have been very heavy and very painful and I was finally referred to a specialist in January (in in Canada so slightly different system). He sent me for further testing and I went back to see him last week for results. In his words, I have an "abnormal cluster of cells" in my uterus which to him indicate early stage 1 uterine cancer. Because of that, he has suggested we opt for hysterectomy and I agree. I will be retaining my ovaries - I am 36 and have no intention of starting the menopause any time soon.

marymoocow · 17/03/2014 20:19

Hello everyone and thank you for the welcomes. Still waiting for my date to come through. Daisy, feeling for you. Husbands, as much as they mean well don't always get itHmm When I told mine he asked "will you have to stay in overnight?"Shock Think he has finally come to terms with what it all means, and is looking forward to the end result as much as I am. However, I am aware and very grateful that I haven't got the added stress with it that some of you have x

marymoocow · 17/03/2014 20:21

Hello too to AnnielncognitoSmile We could be holding hands together as I was told my date will be May/June time

AnnieIncognito · 17/03/2014 21:39

Hi Mary! What type of hysterectomy are you having? I am having LAVH and I have heard it is a relatively simple procedure with a quick recovery time. I have my fingers crossed that's true.

Kevinsbowel · 17/03/2014 21:50

Ooh hello ladies, it's been a long time since I was on the recovery sofa with you.

I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy and ovaries out, keeping the cervix, plus blood transfusion, in mid November last year. Just popping in to say, I feel amazing. No more anaemia, no more periods. It is so lovely not to have periods. The menopause has been a doddle, hot flushes at night for a month or so, then zilch.

Been back at work since early January and missing my lovely snuggly sofa so much Grin.

Good luck to all, you will be fine. The first four weeks of recovery you wonder when it will end, then suddenly you feel fine.

marymoocow · 17/03/2014 22:41

Hi, I'm having an abdominal. Possibility of taking ovaries, will find out when I wake upSmile Have been told will need 8 weeks off work. Lovely to hear that it will all be worth it.

flouncymcflouncerson · 18/03/2014 11:02

Popping over to keep track of thread. I go between here and the prolapse thread as I require a hysterectomy for uterine prolapse. I had suburban in November last year for bladder prolapse which has now reoccurred and I have uterine prolapse too. I am only just 30 so very young for all this. I have hypermobility syndrome and have been advised due to this I'll be off work for minimum 12 week a post op.

AnnieIncognito · 18/03/2014 12:03

Oh my gosh. I have just read the entire thread more carefully and I am a little worried. I have been told I should be back at work within 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. So I'm done on the 7th and am planning on going back on May 26th. Is this completely unrealistic?

Kevinsbowel · 18/03/2014 12:16

2-3 weeks??? what are they doing, cutting your toenails?

6 weeks is standard, don't set yourself up to fail. You can always go back early if you are super-lucky.

AnnieIncognito · 18/03/2014 12:28

I'm having a laparascopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy so not full abdominal surgery. I am praying 2-3 weeks is manageable. I don't have any other time off and I can't afford to be off unpaid. Worried now.

LackaDAISYcal · 18/03/2014 12:28

2-3 weeks would seem a little bit unrealistic, given the experiences of women further back in the thread.

I told my boss today, and according to her, a colleague had a laparoscopic hysterectomy done and was back at work (as a care worker!) after only a week! I will be hunting her down and finding out the truth!

The hospital have already told me 6-8 weeks minimum, but I have an immune system/connective tissue disorder so not sure exactly how it's going to affect me.

Kevinsbowel · 18/03/2014 13:28

Hmm. Well vaginal is one hole in the wall less Grin, mine came out through the tummy button. But you will still have the main wound at the top of the cervix (assuming you're keeping it) plus the two holes for the instruments on each side of you- those are titchy though. And I imagine done vaginally it's like giving birth again, surely there is swelling afterwards?

I think you should definitely plan for 3 weeks and have a Plan B in mind in case it takes longer. Peple can have problems with infection, bowel inflammation and just generally being knackered after the anaesthetic. If you are anaemic, see if you can blag a blood transfusion during surgery, you will recover faster.

Why would your time off be unpaid- don't you get paid sick leave for the first six weeks? that does sound a little odd.

AnnieIncognito · 18/03/2014 15:30

I'll talk to work and try to come up with a plan B just in case things don't go as planned.

My cervix is being removed as well as my uterus. I will have a cuff where my cervix once was. And no, I don't get sick pay. I'm in Canada. I can apply for unemployment but I have to be off for at least two weeks before I apply and the application can take two to three weeks to process. So I would likely be back at work before the unemployment kicked in.

AnnieIncognito · 18/03/2014 15:31

Oh and I really don't want a blood transfusion unless absolutely necessary. I am a regular blood donor and do not want to have to stop.

Kevinsbowel · 18/03/2014 15:39

Ah well, if you're a regular donor I guess you can't be anaemic anyway so it wouldn't help.

Sounds a harsh system, what do people normally do if they have surgery? 6 weeks is standard for reasonably major surgery here; and if you had an oldfashioned op with a big abdominal scar you might need more than 6 weeks.

Still, maybe Canadian surgeons are used to getting ppl back to work in double-quick time, if that's how the finances work.

Kevinsbowel · 18/03/2014 15:43

The system where I am is full pay for the first six months; after that, half pay. You get a bit less if you have been here for under five years. That's not unusual in the UK.

AnnieIncognito · 18/03/2014 15:45

It does sound very harsh, doesn't it? I'm not sure how other people manage it when they have major surgery with a long healing time. I'll talk to my employers and get a contingency plan in place. They have been really accommodating this far. They are
arranging a "needs assessment" for the end of April so they can determine what tasks I will need help with when I return. I work in an office, so quite sedentary but it does involving shifting boxes of closed files up two flights of stairs to the attic. Obviously I won't be doing that for awhile.

AnnieIncognito · 18/03/2014 15:46

I wonder if I can move back to the uk in the next 7 weeks? Wink

LackaDAISYcal · 18/03/2014 16:24

I'm on a zero hours contract, so will only get statutory sick pay. thankfully I had the foresight many years ago to take out an isnurance policy insuring me againt "women's cancers" so I'm covered. That'll make life a bit more maneagable as though DH works, we need all my wage really.

Maybe four weeks if back to sedentary desk job?

gingeme · 18/03/2014 18:27

Hi Annie welcome to the thread x
Im self employed so I dont get any sick pay but I do have a good health insurance so that should help plus DH has some annual leave owed him so he will be able to take atleast 4 weeks off to help Smile

LackaDAISYcal · 19/03/2014 12:12

Mulling things over constantly and have a few questions if anyone can answer...
If they leave my ovaries, will I still get PMT?
Why do they routinely remove healthy cervixes?
If they leave my ovaries, what about the potential of future ovarian cancer? one of the symptoms is abnormal bleeding, but if there is no womb for blood to come from...does this mean that potential problems may be missed?
Sexuality; I've read that the cervix is involved in orgasm, and certainly the uterus is? Will my orgasms be rubbish? or just different. This is really worrying me Sad

I'm sure there are more...

Fretting and wishing that my scan date and op date come soon...having a painful period as well so feeling doubly crap. It might be my last one ever Sad

Kevinsbowel · 19/03/2014 15:01

Lack I don't know why they have recommended specific things to you; it does sound as if you ought to have a chat with your doctor.

I kept the cervix, because it is structurally very useful to prevent prolapse later on.

I lost the ovaries because I had two friends die from ovarian cancer. But I did have to ask for that. My surgeon said as I was 52 and so close to natural menopause, it made sense. For a younger women, not so much I think.

Haven't noticed any differences in orgasm personally.

Kevinsbowel · 19/03/2014 15:02

ps removing the cervix isnt routine where i am; keeping it is routine. Where are you based?

LackaDAISYcal · 19/03/2014 17:32

west yorkshire.

I need to see them I think; my appointment seems such a blur now and I have so many questions. I assume I will have another appointment pre-op? I have no idea.

I think perhaps they are removing my cervix as the polyp that was cancerous was close to/at the top where it opens out into the uterus. Perhaps a precaution. I'm 45 so I assume that's why they're leaving the ovaries.

Called off work today as I feel so crap about it all; having the mother of all periods as well. Very painful and heavy, but I guess this is the first proper one after having my mirena out.

Anyway I have an appointment next week to see a different gynae re rectocele/cystocele issues; I'll ask her to explain what's in my notes a bit better. Last week they told me that they wouldn't do the repairs at the same time as they would want to make sure I was clear of cancer first (no doubt so that they aren't wasting money!)

My poor kids; I am soo grumpy Sad

marymoocow · 19/03/2014 20:41

Oh DaisySad I know what you mean about appointments being a blur. I didn't get the news you had, but after reading how informed everyone on here is about things I now realise I haven't a clue. All I know really is I'm having an abdominal hysterectomy and maybe removal of ovaries if they don't look good. No idea about cervix, never even thought to askBlush . Was just so relieved when they agreed to operating. At least you have an appointment to talk to someone soon. Make sure you write all your questions down before you go, and as you think of them before-hand. Period looming here too. Will be so grateful when I don't have to worry about it again. On a lighter note it's my birthday today so DH has bought me some nighties and dressing gown to go into hospital withHmm . Who said romance was deadGrin