Hysterectomy.

[Beanfield]

Hurrah and Hallelujah. My uterus has been given an eviction notice!

30 years of being a complete bitch. Let me down twice (miscarriage and ectopic). Did what it should do twice (2 grown up DDs). Never officially diagnosed with anything but suggestions have been PCOS and endometriosis. 30 solid years of hideous periods. 30 years of being fobbed off by assorted GPs who told me it was normal to faint, vomit, incapacitate and take over my life for one out of every three or four weeks.
It’s got to the point where my cycles are just 18-20 days long, I bleed huge amounts for 5 days (emptying cup every 2 hours), overflowing, clots. Light bleeding on and off for a further 4 days. Bleeding on and off randomly mid-cycle. Puking and dizzy. Period diarrhoea, excruciating, labour style pain. Another 3 days of pain while i ovulate plus bleeding then too.
Tried everything. Mirena - I bled for 8 months then it fell out. Painfully. Pill - unhinged. Drugs - I’m allergic to the good ones and the others don’t work so well. Herbs, flowers, tea, homeopathy, diet - all bollox.

Finally saw a Dr who actually listened and agreed to whip the bugger out. Not sure how yet as apparently it's ‘bulky’ (like the rest of me) so need a scan to see how big it is. Also waiting on smear results and endometrial biopsy (which hurt like a bastard and is still hurting 4 days later).

Heading down around 7pm. Phoned them to ask if i can cone tomorrow morning but they were pretty insistent i come today. Made the mistake of googling vaginal cuff tear... will be taking provisions with me in case i need to stay in for them to fix anything not having much luck here.

Hope it's nothing to worry about and you're home soon Cliche

Oh imacliche you’re doing the right thing going in. You did say a while back that you thought you’d popped a stitch didn’t you? Hope you get it sorted whatever it is.

Foo good luck tomorrow - take all the drugs they offer you!

I’m three weeks in now, and all seems fine. Inside feels a bit ‘nippy’ still, it stings a bit if I move too fast or twist but apart from that I’m good. Tummy still a bit swollen and I can’t wear my jeans yet as the pressure is a bit much. Another few of weeks of glamorous joggers I guess😂

Ooh foo a little tip. If they offer a painkiller supository..take it. Its bloody amazing.

Just waiting to see the dr. Hoping ill be home in my pjs soon.

Oh goodness Iamacliche, you poor thing. Hope they sort you out really soon.

imacliche I hope all is well and you are back home & in your pjs before too long. I wish I hadn’t just googled vaginal cuff tear

Macaroonmayhem glad all seems fine with you. Off to order joggers and I won’t plan on doing any yoga anytime post op

Just overheard a nurse saying my urine has tested positive for everything waiting for the dr now

Stripes On the subject of clothes - massive pants with a soft lace waistband (from Sainsbos of all places😂) have been a must due to me having a full abdominal incision. I tried wearing my normal ones yesterday but the waistband on them dug in and hurt. Elasticated waist trousers have also been essential and the most comfy trousers have actually been my 3/4 length running tights, I think because they are very thin but quite supportive but it’s too cold here to wear them outside!. I was saying to DH yesterday, what I’d really like is maternity jeans, the ones with the big elastic bit that went right up over your bump as my tummy below my belly button is still a bit sore. But my primark joggers will do!

imacliche hopefully they’ll get you some meds soon and get you sorted.

Iamacliche that sicks to say the least but now they can get you sorted and with the right meds hopeyfully you’ll feel better very soon.

Hey all. Good look foo.
Small update. Waited 5 hours to be seen properly as the ward was full of 90 year old dementia patients. Overflow as the hosptial is full. They wanted me to stay in for paim relief and iv antibiotics. I said i wanted to go home. Reached a compromise. Gave me stronger antibiotics to take home. Have to come back soon for ct/abdo ultrasound. The vaginal stitches look fine so they are thinking could be internal issues. As mentioned urine literally came back positive for everything so bloods were took and ill get the results soon. Woke up feeling like ive been hit by a truck. Thanks for all your well wishes. Hoping scans are clear but its sounding like theres an issue somewhere.

imacliche it must have been awful waiting around so to be seen, I hope you managed some sleep. Glad the stitches were ok but why so much bleeding then? When are you having scans?

Macaroon my problem is long legs, if I bought primark joggers they would be 3/4 length on me. I will have to find something this week. I live in jeans but won’t be able to leave hospital in them.

Foo good luck!

stripes I’m 5 7” and the Primark joggers creep up my legs. Definitely for indoor/emergency wear only!

imacliche well the stitches are still good so that’s one less thing to worry about I suppose? Doesn’t help with the pain though, hope the meds start doing their job soon.

Just got out. Bleeding just keep an eye on apparantly. Pain is from a bruised bladder and kidney and bladder infection. Home with anti biotics and a stern warning to keep up pain relief and rest.

Imacliche that sounds rough, I hope the meds sort you out soon.

Thinking of you Foo, I hope it’s gone well!

A question for those of you out the other side, 3 weeks after my op I’m supposed to be giving a talk at a conference. It will be about 4 hours travel into and across London with another hour standing up and talking. I can’t do it can I? To hope I can is unrealistic?

megan I am 3 weeks today and it would be the standing up for an hour that would cause me the biggest problem. That length of time in a car would be desperately uncomfortable too, and impossible on public transport. So I’d say no, and I’m usually a ‘just get on with it’ kind of person.

Having said that, I had a full abdominal incision, perhaps someone who had a different version of the op will be along with an alternative view.

I thought as much. I’m going to have to cancel.

Thanks Macaroon

Imacliche glad is isn’t a tear- that sounds grim. Hope with lots of rest & antibiotics you will soon be feeling better

Thank you so much for the good wishes everyone!

I'm all done! The adhesions were so bad that laparoscopically just wasn't an option, so had full abdominal incision "the old fashioned hysterectomy ", as the consultant keeps calling it. Everything had to go - ovaries, cervix, the whole shebang.

Been very drowsy and very sick with the morphine, despite all their top of the range anti-sickness meds. Very comfortable now though, surprisingly so. Am lucky enough to be in a private hospital via the NHS, and the care has been exceptional.

Foo2 glad you are ‘comfortable’ and it’s all over, shame it couldn’t be done via lap but the main thing is it’s gone and your suffering will be over. Lucky you in the private hospital

Morning Foo, glad you are done and fine. Enjoy your private room! As an aside, I find it bizarre that our ‘cash-strapped NHS’ does this -
I got it too - but I guess it must financially make sense for everyone involved?!

I hope your recovery goes well Foo

I’m a bit jealous of the private room!

Feeling really good considering, thanks all. So far, it's similar to the c section pain/experience...without a new born to look after!
The private room is a massive help too. I totally agree Macaroon, it seems so wasteful, and feel quite guilty.
Now at the wind stage; have been on the extra strong mints so it passes quite quickly but very squirmy when it does

iamacliche how are you feeling now after the antibiotics? Hope you are feelng much better.

Foo2 how is your recovery going?

stripes did you get a confirmed date yet?

Yep Macaroon ‘tis today. I am showered, dressed and leaving for hospital in 30 mins. I’m knackered and can’t wait for the anaesthetic