SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

In just hours, you will be on the other side of this and starting your road to recovery. Here's to an easy recovery!

Good luck today!

I'm home.

No cancer..no precancerous cells!!

I decided to keep my right ovary.

Surgery went well, and I'm told I did excellent.

Prior to surgery I was sent to get a pain block(blocker?), which meant I would wake with little pain and it should last 24-48 hours.

So far, the absolute worst thing has been when I use the bathroom. But that has gotten much better.

Oh, and my neck hurts because of the way I fell asleep, in the car, on the way home. Lol

I'm sure the pain will come. But maybe it won't be terrible. I'm cautiously optimistic.

Thanks for the prayers,and luck! They're very much appreciated!

Glad you're okay and cancer free.

Glad to hear everything went well!!

Yippee. Glad all went well.
Stay on top.of the pain. Those nerve blocks are the best.
Because of what they have to do with surgery make sure you are voiding every few hours and if you aren't can't go back to the hospital. Sometimes there's too much swelling and you need a catheter for a short time.

YAY for such a great update. Hope your healing continues to go smoothly!

I'm very happy to hear you're doing well.

May I ask. What was the explanation for removing your uterus? You had an ovarian cyst, one they felt wasn't cancer. So why remove the uterus? It just seems a bit extreme to me.

So glad it went well, Hellfire!

I've been watching this thread with interest because I have been plagued by fibroids my entire adult life. Unfortunately, my uterus is stuck to my intestines as a consequence of myomectomy and diverticulitis. The docs recommend keeping it unless a risk factor emerges that's more concerning than the risk of damage to my other organs while detaching the adhesions. I'm now having postmenopausal bleeding, so that day may have arrived.

BSR sorry to that. I would urge you to see a colorectal surgeon you may benefit from a laprosopicsigmoind resection and hyst. They often pair up with GYN to do that combo.
Diverticulitis can be a real beast and recur. Surgery can be a cure.

Yeah - I am glad the surgery went well!!!! Take it easy (even when you think you are up to something....pace yourself)!

BSR

Unfortunately, my uterus is stuck to my intestines as a consequence of myomectomy and diverticulitis. The docs recommend keeping it unless a risk factor emerges that's more concerning than the risk of damage to my other organs while detaching the adhesions.

It is good that they are well aware of the adhesions and difficulty ahead of time. I went in for the exact same procedure as HellFire and ended up with a surgery that lasted hours and hours because they unexpectedly ran into a mess of scar-tissue and adhesions. They ended up calling in a second surgeon, etc. So it is great that are weighing all the scenarios for you.

DragnH

May I ask. What was the explanation for removing your uterus? You had an ovarian cyst, one they felt wasn't cancer. So why remove the uterus? It just seems a bit extreme to me.

My situation was the same as HellFire with the mega ovarian cyst, etc. The decision was made to remove the uterus because I was no longer having children and they were in there anyway. It could have remained if I wanted. I am tens years out from my procedure and have zero regrets for going the route we did.

Ok this is probably going to be an unpopular opinion but I have issue with removing all of a womans reproductive organs because of one issue.

I highly doubt any man would have his testicles removed because of a prostate issue.

To me it's being told that since you aren't going to be productive and have kids anymore then what's the point of having the organs anymore, let's just rip them out.

I had a lengthy conversation about removing my uterus and was told there was no medical reason for it and that it would throw me into early menopause. I have a large ovarian cyst that causes me chronic pain, but never once was a hysterectomy suggested.

Dragn..that's a good question. I was very confused as well.

The cyst was massive,and was completely preventing my doctors from being able to scan my left ovary. The ovary is the size of a walnut,and the cyst was the size of a large grapefruit.

I'd been having symptoms since around July. All of my symptoms could have been due to ovarian cancer. The scan they did,of the cyst didn't seem to indicate cancer, but, in order to be 100% sure, it had to come out and be analyzed. They also needed to remove the ovary, and analyze it for cancer,or precancerous cells. They did this during the surgery. I was told,because of my age, my symptoms, and the size of the cyst, it would be in my best interest to have a hysterectomy.

I'm so pleased with the way my recovery has gone, so far. I've had zero gas pain, and zero bleeding. I've only needed to take 2 pain pills. The absolute worst pain, by far, was the first day, and it was strictly due to the catheter. That was horrible. It lasted about 8 hours. Since then, everything has been fairly mild.

I'm really glad it's over with. I'm continuing my breathing exercises, but it's been over 72 hours since the surgery, so the chances of developing pneumonia are slim. I do have asthma though, so I'm going to keep using my spirometer, and sleeping somewhat elevated.

I was told,because of my age, my symptoms, and the size of the cyst, it would be in my best interest to have a hysterectomy.

I am in no way saying the decisions you made were wrong or not right for you. And I'm really happy you are recovering well from surgery. Ya catheters suck!

I just want to understand why there seems to be a push for menopausal woman have a hysterectomy when the only reason given is its in your best interest. I see more of it outside of Canada than here although i have no statistics. It's never been recommended to me even after periods that lasted 26+ days with a week or 3 break and then right back to it and that's after I had my tubes tied so the baby making factory was already closed. Why the difference in medical advice.

HellFire, I'm glad you're doing so well and that you've got some serious peace of mind. Whew!

I just want to understand why there seems to be a push for menopausal woman have a hysterectomy when the only reason given is its in your best interest. I see more of it outside of Canada than here although i have no statistics. It's never been recommended to me even after periods that lasted 26+ days with a week or 3 break and then right back to it and that's after I had my tubes tied so the baby making factory was already closed. Why the difference in medical advice.

If you're done having kids, what do you gain by keeping it? (Not talking about ovaries, just the uterus.)

I had endometrial ablation due to heavy periods about 15 years ago, and it was the best thing I ever did. I haven't had a period since. Everyone I've ever talked to who's had it done has said the same thing. You might consider asking your doc about it, Dragn.

[This message edited by SacredSoul33 at 8:53 PM, Tuesday, February 6th]

If you're done having kids, what do you gain by keeping it? (Not talking about ovaries, just the uterus.)

Well what can I possibly lose by not having a part of what makes me, me removed?

Why is it ok to remove a woman's parts "once they are done having children" but a younger woman who does not want children can't even get a tubal ligation, never mind a hysterectomy,without a fight?

The idea that it's a preemptive action, just in case, also bothers me.

Breast cancer runs on both sides of my family, I had a lump removed in my early twenties that wasn't cancer but does that mean I should have a double mastectomy just in case? My doctors have never suggested anything like that.

I haven't had a period since September and I heard that once you've been period free for a year you're officially in menopause. Not sure how true that it.

I just dont see my doctor saying ok your uterus no longer serves a purpose let's take it out.

Are women having their female parts removed when it's not medically necessary? Insurance companies are not going to pay for unnecessary surgery.

I personally have not heard of this happening.

Are women having their female parts removed when it's not medically necessary?

Sure looks that way.

EvenKeel said:

The decision was made to remove the uterus because I was no longer having children and they were in there anyway.

What was the medically necessary reason to remove the uterus?

Hell fire said doctor told her it was in her best interest.

Why?

That's what I'm trying to understand. Again I have never been told by any of the doctors I have seen to have a hysterectomy or remove my uterus and I'm closer to 50 than I am 40 and had my tubes tied back in my 30's.

Having a hysterectomy in the US seems more common than up here. None of the woman I know IRL have had one Unless it was medically necessary due to endometriosis or cancer.

Are women having their female parts removed when it's not medically necessary?

Well what can I possibly lose by not having a part of what makes me, me removed?

I know that no one is intending to be insensitive, but Hellfire's decision to have a medical procedure is between her and her doctor, and I'm sure it was warranted and thought to be done in her own interest. I also don't think Hellfire - or any woman - is any less herself, just because she had an ovary removed. That isn't what makes her her.

Definitely not trying to be insensitive, just trying to understand why a doctor would say it's in one's best interest with no apparent medical reason. Even Hellfire said she was confused by it.