Dread

It's absolutely normal Elaine, I wanted to run far away the day before mine but, I knew I had to have it done or I'd fall off my perch 😊, the morning of my opinion my fears had all gone, I think that my acceptance had chased them away, you will feel great afterwards no more nasty symptoms.

Phoebe

I think fear, this is all part of the process, it used to be considered such a huge surgery, and some of that fear mothers and grandmothers talking in front of us when we were children.

I must admit I was very happy when I woke up, after my various surgeries, even with pain hitting me, but they are much better these days, with pain control, so you don't have to worry to much there.

I assume this is a surgery you really need, I did, mine was a endometiral cancer diagnosed 10 days earlier during a D & C, I had been having years of extreme red weeks, got to the point I was taking a week off work once a month, and wearing incontenence granny padding to cope with the flow, in the end I had a heamorage at home during the night, what a disaster, all bedding had to be taken to the dump, told I was lucky I woke up when I did.  3 units of blood to replace what I lost, and the D & C the following day.

Best wishes, you will feel alot better when this this is all over, never been better myself since.

Hi Elaine,

I hear you!  I went through a radical hysterectomy with everything gone 6 weeks ago and had all the same thoughts you mentioned.

My TAH  involved an epidural and having never been lucky enough to have children was terrifying enough but I was looked after my an amazing team of professionals that by the time I was sitting on the bed receiving my epidural I knew it would be OK.

My operation lasted 3.5 hours due to the size of the mass (equivilent to a 28 week pregnancy) and I have a 10 inch scar but very neat and along bikini line, so really pleased with that.

After the op you'll have a drip, catheter and meds.  All of these were taken out 24 hours after my op and they had me up and walking around in no time.  I won't lie it was a bit sore at first and I was scared to move but by day 2 it was much, much easier.

Follow their advice and drinks lots of peppermint tea.  Not a great taste but really helps with any painful wind and take all the meds they offer you.  It really helps the first few days!

I was able to go home on the 4th day (ask whoever's collecting you to bring a cushion to put between the seatbelt and your belly).

I found the first two weeks the worst at home and had a meltdown in week two.  I think it was the shock of the op, as only 3 weeks between diagnosis and op, frustration at not being able to do very much at all and worrying about my wound healing but through all that I felt so much better than before my operation.  Rest is absolutely the key - lots of sleep, movies, reading and a lovely family to bring everything to you.

Honestly it's terrifying going into the unknown but it will be OK, you will feel so much better once the ops over as the relief is palpable and you will hopefully feel so much better physically as well.

There are some great websites out there to help your.  If you haven't already try the HysterSisters and Life After Hysterectomy sites as they have great lists of what to take with you to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Take care and good luck. 

Ali

Elaine

I felt exactly the same back in April when I was going in for my full abdominal hysterectomy I even went and had my will drawn up with my solicitor,  sounds crazy but that was where my head was at the time...well I'm over five months on from my op, back at work and although I'm still very tired my recovery has gone very well...I had a great surgeon, my op was difficult as I had 10 fibroids and a cyst on my ovary but I was looked after so well in hospital...there is no point in me telling you not to worry as you will...what I will say is take as much time to rest and heal as you can, do not overdo things and no heavy lifting for at least six months, start to exercise when you feel ready, I'm doing yoga, swimming and some walking which is enough for me. If you have family around you let them spoil you, my fiancé and mum were great, they did everything for me for the first few weeks...