Is there a hysterectomy support thread?

[ALemonyPea]

I had a laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy, retained ovaries but everything else removed.

Day 6 for me, and I have some questions and would like some support as freacking out about the thought of vault prolapse.

I am managing pain wise now. Some slight pulling on one side, but manageable. Belly button keeps bleeding, but not enough to run out, so just cleaning it twice a day.

I feel quite heavy down there, is that normal?

I thought I had read everything there was about hysterectomies before I had the op, but the surgeon mentioned vaginal vault prolapse just before the surgery and explained it briefly. I then googled, and the first page brought up an awful image and I can't get it out my mind. I'm terrified that it'll happen to me.

Can anyone offer any help and support.

Squatty potty is based on cavemen theory - that we crouched to poo for thousands of years and now toilets inhibit opening our bowels properly. I really struggled using a step it was too high, needs to be a couple of books tall. (But I felt it was too grim using a book as a toilet aid!!)

Sorry sex scared you. I'd definitely give it another week, for emotional reasons if nothing else. How long post op are you?

I agree with Faux; give it another week or so then try again - slight bleeding is normal the first time post-op, though, so I wouldn't worry unless it carries on or you start to feel pain.

Im 6 weeks post op Faux. We were quite keen to get things going in that respect.

The bleeding, or spotting really, only lasted a few hours, no pain.

I've officially complained to PALs. Just sent the email.

I hope all of you ladies have enjoyed a sunny Sunday. I've done some shopping, washing, gardening and had my lunch out! It's been a pretty good weekend

Fingers crossed for you, BG. Lovely weather here too.

I really hope it helps BG. Well done for sorting it. I'm glad you've had a lovely weekend.

Poor dh doesn't know what has hit him, I seem to have some weird nesting thing going on. I think it must be displacement activity due to anxiety. I'm sure we don't need a spotless garage just because I'm having an operation. Nor should preparing for surgery involve bags of gravel

robots you made me smile. I am sitting in a bombsite following a house extension which affected four other rooms, the kitchen is still being fitted, the worktops are weeks away and I have suddenly decided it is essential that the whole house needs redecorated and recarpeted. I am frantically painting away and am totally deluded about what I will actually achieve before surgery. Given it is a week on Thursday. For me, apparently it appears it is absolutely imperative that I also re-cover a sofa. FFS. This is some manic nesting amidst some actual essentials!
Had my pre-op today, think it was fine, just bloods, MRA swab, ecg and walk through. Two and a bit hours. I am on the morning list. No bowel prep, hoorah. Its out of favour now, apparently.
The nurse has promised that my fibroids will be weighed and reported.I am getting a bit irrational and juvenile competitive about how big they are relatively. I will not bring them home in a jar

BG - go girl, glad you are kicking ass!

I smiled at an image of an immaculate garage too. It's amazing what we feel like we need to do.

I too am planning a kitchen/ hall/downstairs toilet refurb during August - another reason why I wanted my op done and dusted. My kitchen is being delivered on July 4th and I'm just in discussion with my builder about price/timings.

To make matters worse I have discovered today that me and another teacher have to swap classrooms during the six week holidays. This has sent me into even more of a panic. I have a fantastic teaching assistant but it's unfair to expect her to move my classroom if I'm out of action. Teachers are very precious about classrooms. I'm trying not to panic and hoping that all may come good.

Gighas - your operation is getting closer now. Better get your garage sorted!

Goodness knows what you may come back to BG . I once helped move a classroom as a parent helper. Moved a bit of furniture and a mouse ran across the classroom.

Talk about making the most of life you two! Nothing like combining major surgery with major house renovation. Just think though, next Christmas you'll be sitting in your lovely homes not having to bemoan that it's Christmas eve and your bastard period has just started.

As for me, I'll be sitting in my immaculate garage

A friend came round today. She wasn't herself. After 15 minutes she told me she was recovering from a week long sickness bug. FFS, I have my pre-op in two days, I do not want to have to cancel it.

You're all making me laugh with this pre hysterectomy nesting. I never had that, luckily!

I had a big tidy up in my bedroom just before I went in, in case I found myself having to stay in bed when I got home - but in the event, I didn't really spend any longer in bed while recovering than I would normally, I felt better being downstairs on the sofa.

You are very fortunate Lemony - it's knackering! Still, I've sorted out the bath plug and the missing curtain hooks. I'm now considering whether I need a fitbit to aid recovery. I can't actually afford one, but never mind, I can research! It's ridiculous, I'm ignoring everything in life that actually needs to be done because I'm feeling so crap but somehow managing to find energy to do jobs that haven't been done in five years.

Anyway, how are you and all of the recovering people feeling?

Pre-op tomorrow.

Saw my surgeon today (4weeks on) histology all fine which is a relief as I have had breast cancer. Apparently I had a bulky uterus and a congested cervix

And I saw photos of my insides, fascinating!

wineoclock that is fantastic news. Plus, now I am also wondering what a cervix as busy as the M25 feels like!

Thanks Gig apparently it just means it had lots of blood vessels in it!

That must be such a relief Wine :)

In today's weird getting ready, I decided that the overflow from the bath needed sorting out. I didn't know that it could get blocked. Thought it was just old and needed a bit of a clean.

It took laprascopic surgery with a pair of tweezers and a paint brush to extract the blockage. Apart from hair, the main thing blocking it? Turned out to be part of a foam toy that dc used to play with 15 years ago

Pre-op today took an hour, lots of questions, blood tests, ecg. Looks like they need to involve my cardiologist and get an anaesthetic review.

That is good news Wine.

I also got my hospital letter this week confirming nothing was discovered when they analysed my womb and cervix. Not that I was expecting anything, but there was always that little bit of doubt.

Robots, hope the cardiologist/anaesthetic review doesn't delay your op.

I've got my first appointment with Dr Anthony Griffiths in Cardiff. Is he anyone else's consultant. Hoping he's nice. His information is more about pregnancy than hysterectomy but he's an endo expert. Good to be moving forward!

Thanks Lemony, me too! Have my phone with me constantly now in case they call. Good stuff about your letter.

Good luck arms. I hope it is soon.

I approached Pals on Monday as my estimated op day was no where near the timeframe indicated by the registrar at the end of February. I then got a call yesterday offering me a appointmen in 5 weeks so having a bit of a wobble!

arms best wishes for a constructive appt. I am in south London, my surgeon has a special interest in fibroids/endo so I hope that means he will have a special interest in me
lemony nice to get a good letter
peanut but less time to fret, or clear out your garage surely? But I understand it all becomes very real when you get a real date. Good luck whatever you decide.

I've heard nothing from PALs. I did leave them a voicemail before I sent the email and someone rang me back and left a message but I thought why explain it all again over the phone when someone can just read the email.

I shall ring them next week if I haven't heard anything.

Bum BG. I hope you get hold of them next week.

Peanut, it becomes more real doesn't it. Good that it's not too long to wait though. Try and plan some nice stuff in, rather that just weird displacement shite.

Joining in quite late but I have mine via my section scar 4 years ago. Not one regret. Best thing I ever did. I honestly don't know why it isn't offered to everyone after they've had their kids. It's completely changed my life.