Really?!

Okay, so I have been having some issues lately that I *did* notice before the hysterectomy, but since then, they have become worse. They are embarrassing, so I have said nothing to anybody until now.....

I called my primary after an appointment with my pain doc on Tuesday. I was so very frustrated because instead of treating/fixing the nerve, they want to drug me... something that I am not open to. He told me to come in, but while we were emailing, I mentioned this worsening issue to see what he thought and he wanted me to come in asap. Well, I did today and as I now have a referral to a new doc......

So, soon, I will be seeing a urogynecologist for a cystocele. To say that I am frustrated is an understatement. And then, there is the frustration of why was I not warned of this possibility PRIOR to the hysterectomy? I will go see this doctor and listen to what he has to say and we will go from there. I am still praying that surgery is not something that I need......

Really?!?!?

I have been experiencing many things lately that leave me a little perplexed. . .

• My hair is falling out (Thank God I have curly hair so you can't really tell!)
  
• My nails are VERY brittle and breaking all the time
• One side of my belly is bigger than the other
• I keep getting these odd sores that will take forever to heal (One on my thigh right now that has been there for 3 weeks!)
• Oh, and the pimples! I feel like a teenager again!

I am not sure if it is just my body's shock from the surgery, menopausal symptoms, or just me!

12 week Progress Report (Some TMI)

I can hardly believe that in just over a week, it will be 3 months since the surgery. I must say that all of my pre-op fears of feeling less of a woman, less of a wife, less of a mother were incorrect. I am absolutely no less of a mother, wife, woman than I was 3 months ago. . . And, all of the physical issues I was battling prior have all diminished! The only remaining issue is that stubborn nerve, which is secondary to the primary issue and, I pray, will be resolved soon. . .

I do wish that I had been told quite a few things prior. So for anybody facing a hysterectomy, here are some things I wish I had been told about that I personally experienced:

• Fatigue! There will be a lot of it and it will last for quite a while ~ I still must take a 'rest' midday.

• Urinating can be very difficult and painful. You may experience some very painful bladder spasms, so do not let you bladder fill up.

• Having a BM in the beginning is incredibly painful as all of those structures have been manipulated and man handled!

• Your belly will swell. Make sure to have plenty of elastic waisted clothes and/or dresses. And just when you think you have passed that point, it will come back full swing!
  

• No matter how careful you are, you will gain weight.

• You will experience many dramatic mood swings even if you have 1 or 2 ovaries remaining.

• If your cervix is removed, you will notice a change in odor and discharge when the cuff stitches dissolve. And it can be unpleasant! (At 12 weeks, I am still waiting for 1 to completely dissolve. . . Frustrating!)
  

• Regardless of the cervix, you might experience sharp, almost stabbing pains in your vagina. They will take your breath away. . . Even at 12 weeks out, I still have this!
  

• Because of the change in PH with a hysterectomy, you might experience many yeast infections which you can not treat with external creams only pills!

• Nausea ~ I experienced this for the first 7 weeks post-op. . UGH!

• It takes up to 1 year for your body to completely heal from a hysterectomy! I have spoken to many women who have had the 'swelly belly' and fatigue for a year or more. . . I sure hope that mine does not last nearly that long!!!
  

In the end, I am grateful that I had it. Like I stated earlier, all of my issues prior have been completely resolved. The pain from the endometriosis and adenomyosis are gone along with all of the awfulness associated with them. No more periods that require a blood transfusion afterward. No more of so many things that I need to be thankful for and that I need to focus on. . . Now onto that stubborn nerve!

The Good,The Bad, and The Ugly

Well, here I am on Day #8 post op and I have learned a lot. . .

• I prepared as well as I could for this hospital stay/surgery, but all of my preparations just made God laugh as it is His will and not mine. . .
  
• You will not bounce back from this surgery like others.
  
• Things that you can normally do without pain, will now hurt.
• Energy is not something that comes to me easily right now.
  
• My children and husband are incredible.
  
• My bed is rather boring.
• I have more bruises then I can count.
• Food tastes funny.
• My support system is incredible :-)