Hysterectomy in a couple of weeks

[HorseMadChild]

I've waited over a year with increasingly awful symptoms. The op was due last month but it was cancelled.

My symptoms are now so bad I cannot wear trousers. I'm in joggers or leggings which are two sizes two big. I already take a lot of pain killers due to other conditions but this is awful. It's sitting at 7/10. I haven't had a scan since 2023. They have no idea why I'm getting the symptoms I'm getting we're just getting rid of it.

I'm nauseous most of the time and bleeding constantly.

I'm so worried it's something serious.

Are you having it due to fibroids? Have they rebooked it yet? I'm so sorry you've had all the delays.

What meds are you on, as in all of them? What pain meds do you have? Tranexamic acid or northisterone, have you tried them as they can massively reduce heavy bleeding when taken consistently and well. Ask your GP to prescribe them.
If the nauesa is very bad ask the GP to prescribe a lot of antiemetics, something like cyclixine, metoclopramide etc. They can work quite well.

You can get a scan but it's not necessarily helpful for the surgery, if they are removing the whole uterus then it sort of doesn't matter if one has grown etc. If it was a myomectomy there they are removing the fibroids they may want to have a look.

You can ask your GP to get a transvaginal ultrasound though as you can get those relatively quickly. If it shows a significant decline it might, only might help to speed up getting you surgery.

That's awful for you OP. Do please keep going back to your GP.

Hopefully the op will be in the middle of November. I have a date but no guarantees it won't be cancelled again although they've written do not cancel next to the booking. But if there are more cancer patients they will understandably take priority.

I've taken tranexamic acid before but it doesn't stop the bleeding. It's constant. Not as bad as it was before I started the medication to stop my ovaries (where I had to take a towel with me to sit on) but I shouldn't be bleeding at all. I take morphine based painkillers for my other conditions and it's still awful.

They don't know why any of it is happening. Hopefully I might get some answers after the op. It just seems a long time to wait when the pain is this bad. I'm trying to do things with the kids during half term but it's almost impossible.

I'd ask about getting a higher dose of tranexamic acid and make sure you take it properly. 2 normally every 12 hours, keep uo the consistency as it take a full 1-2 days to work so when you miss it, you are disrupting the process. I'd give it a try again or try northisterone as that can also help.

What other conditions do you have? Do you take something like tramadol which turns into morphine or something quicker which is more morphine based?

I take zomorph and have oromorph as well as pregabalin. I was taking the tranexamic acid twice a day for 4 days and didn't make a dent in the blood loss frustratingly. I just want to be able to wear normal clothes! There's nothing a GP can do as I asked. It just needs taking out.

Are you going to have your fallopian tubes removed as well? If this hasn’t been offered, take advantage of this delay and discuss this. It won’t affect your ovaries, so you won’t get into early menopause, and it will cut your risk of ovarian cancer by 95%

It sounds awful for you OP, I'm so sorry you're having to wait. I hope very much you've got support at home while you are waiting, as well as support after the op? Please tell me you're signed off work at least?

I'm having everything taken from the cervix upwards. Previously, they were going to take just the ovaries and tubes and ablate the womb but they're concerned that I"m still bleeding when the ovaries should be shut off.

I've not bled today and I even managed to bend over! I was so surprised it didn't hurt too much.

My mum died of aggressive ovarian which spread everywhere. It was not a peaceful death and I will not inflict that on my DC. She was the best mum in the world. So having everything taken will be such a weight off. I am scared they will find something awful when they open me up.

I'm taking time off afterwards but still working part time beforehand desperately trying to get stuff done before the op. It's all admin so fairly manageable but I did spend one meeting crouched over as the pain was terrible which was embarrassing.

I hope they don't cancel again. I have to come off all meds before the op so my conditions are already flaring.

Please look after yourself and dont overdo it between now and then. I remember the only relief I got sometimes was lying flat out. I'm facing possible surgery again and so thankful I wfh at least, as I couldn't have coped on my feet all day in my last job. I hope everyone at work is understanding - that must-have felt awful in your meeting.

I guess you've just got to practice a lot of distraction techniques between now and the op. Nothing else you can do, but please dont be a martyr, be kind to yourself and take things as slowly as you need. Including activities with the kids this week! It won't hurt them to have one half term relaxing at home if that's what you need.

And I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. It must be very triggering to be in this position, but hopefully soon you'll have everything removed and be able to live life to the full after. Give your dc an extra squeeze this week and just enjoy their company. No stress or rushing about!

Thank you for your kind words. My eldest DS is studying for his mock GCSEs so he's in his room most of the time. He helps me so much without any complaints. He's 15 and awesome. Youngest DS is 11 and loves being at home or does 9hr shifts at the stables. They're both so self sufficient.

I'm a terrible one for overdoing it. Push on regardless has always been my motto and that has got me through a lot but my body is failing, the other conditions are causing a lot of damage. So now I can't push through and I have to stop. I'm trying to rest when I can but I know I'm not good at it.

I've got everything crossed that they don't ring before my op to cancel it again. I won't believe it will happen until I'm being knocked out on the table.

Well they're both fine then! Maybe a nice lunch out or something so studying ds gets a break. Horsemad ds will be just fine at the stables!

Can you just sit and do puzzles or something creative (for you!) so you feel like you're doing something, but resting your body?

But yes, I'm a pusher on too - if I'm honest it's why I ended up needing the op in the first place. Refused to believe I couldn't lift something heavy I used to be able to. Practically in the same situation again now and finally being careful and doing everything I can to avoid more surgery 🙈

We do need to listen to our bodies

I had surgery 5 weeks ago and at the time I was told three months later I'll have another. The hysterectomy is in the middle of the two. I took two days off work, one on the actual surgery day and the next.
The multiple hospital appointments and admin are a full time job. No one speaks to anyone else.
I've actually managed to wear trousers for the last two days with only a dull ache! I'm counting the little wins.