Okay...I think I'm scared...surgery at some point UPDATE POST 18

[Catty1]

I really didn't think this was bothering me, but after getting easily overwhelmed at work and having a crying spell each of the last two days, I had to admit it was bugging me more than I thought.

Bear with me, I'll recap in point form:

1. Went for my med exam last fall. A fibroid seemed a little big, so off I go for an ultrasound. Fine.

2. The ultrasound tech spent a lot of time on my left side near the kidney, and asked if I had had any pain there. NONE.

3. My Dr's office says the theory is that a fibroid is pressing on my ureter. I get referred to a urologist, for which I wait just a couple of months, and go in for my 10-minute cystoscopy. This becomes a 40-minute uncomfortable deal (a few pinchy ows that weren't fun - the rest was ok) as Dr C said my "left kidney is not draining well at all". So he put a stent in. I could see the pic on the screen above me...and could see the kink straighten out.

4. Dr C. is referring me to a gynecologist, and has ordered a CT scan "urgent", as whatever it is (fibroid) is starting to bump into my bladder as well. Maybe it always did, but the ultrasound didn't catch it.

So, from the research I have done, and given my age (50) a hysterectomy seems likely. At the very least, there will surgery to get this Fibroid That Ate New York out of there.

I thankfully have had no major health problems most of my life. I had the kid things - adenoids (they were supposed to get my tonsils, but never mind ), then tonsils and also a broken leg while skating. Pneumonia when I was 1 and then 9. Everything was over before I was 10.

Had nose surgery to help nosebleeds about 12 years ago and that has been it.

So anyway...here I am at my PT family, and my mom is going to spend more time with me - my friend Irene has been great, and my guy very supportive. I guess I better stop 'being strong' and acknowledge that this is a big change for me, and that it is taking a while to sink in. It erupts in easy tearfulness.

Any experience you can share, I would appreciate.

Thanks...I know I have family here too, and I have to not hold this in.

[Scooter's Mom]

Are we allowed to link to other websites on here? I hope it's alright...
http://www.hystersisters.com/ is an awesome site for you to read. They have pre-op all the way through many years post op.

I had to have a hysterectomy at 29, due to endometriosis. The "cysts" were huge - 20cm on my left side, and 13cm on the right side. This site was a godsend... along with dr's who are totally awesome!

If you want to talk more, pm me... or email me I don't mind.

[Lilith Cherry]

Oh poor you! You know we are all here for you both in writing and with prayers so stop being a stoic and lean on all of us! Try not to worry and it will all get fixed soon I hope! ((((Catty))))

[jazzcat]

I just had a hysterectomy back in Sept. for endometriosis. The dr. found a surprise fibroid during surgery but it wasn't too large or causing problems yet. I had my ovaries removed as well and I can tell you, my surgery was the easy part - getting my hormones worked out isn't (I'm 39 years old). On top of it all I've been having severe pain like a groin pull and went back to the dr. yesterday only to find out it is probably the endo returning. Great! Anyway, what kind of hyst you have will make a huge difference. I was very lucky and was able to have a LSH - total laproscopic. It was very easy on me and I was released to go back to regular life in two weeks. It took me a couple of months to get back to 100% but like I said the surgery and it's recovery was the easy part.

I highly recommend the hystersister site. It was great help to me before, during and even now while I try to get my hormones straightened out.

Good luck and if I can help please feel free to PM me.

[Pam]

I have recently found out that I have three fibroids, one being close to my right ovary. This all started with some alarming bleeding on January 6th. Keep in mind I am post menopausal so this was a very alarming thing. The ultrasound found the fibroids and the doctor suspected they might be responsible for the bleeding but performed an endometrial biopsy just to be sure. When you are living with the thought of possible cancer of the uterus, having a hysterectomy was not a concern for me one bit. I just wanted it out of there if that was the case. Thank God, the biopsy was negative and the fibroid near my ovary was deemed to be the cause for the bleeding. He feels I have had the fibroids for years. Why this particular one chose to bleed after all of this time is amazing to me, although my doctor said its location (subcutaneous) is the reason. He said we don't need to do a thing about this and told me to relax. Surgery is always daunting and a bit scary. I hope the others here, who have gone through it, will be an encouragement to you.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I have no personal experience that I can draw on to help you but want you to know that we are all here for you and will be keeping an eye on you

[Karen]

My friend Barbara (cat person but not a Pet Talk person) had a hysterectomy because of a different (not endo) problem, and she said to me ... "this hotel ain't accepting guests, never has, never will, so why not tear it down?"

A different perspective on the matter!

You'll be in our prayers, of course!

[Grace]

I had my hyst when I was 30 - endometriosis and fibroids. That was 37 years ago. Have I missed it? Not even once!!

Facing any surgery is scary, but use your resources - those of us here, and your friends and family.

Be positive - you will be fine.

[cyber-sibes]

I know just how you're feeling. I had a total hyst. for fibroids 1 1/2 years ago. Same thing - one was pressing on my bladder. (I had a cystoscopy too - and was in tears in pain- the nurse said "It doesn't usually hurt patients at all" Duh. It was the worst part of this whole thing.) I was really scared at first - I've never had surgery, wondered how it would be, what would happen nex, etc. That hystersister web site is a great place - I spent a lot of time on it getting answers to questions. I am SO HAPPY I went through with it. I feel at least twenty years younger! (Isn't that good news?) And no problems afterwards. I spent a lot of my recovery time on PT, LOL!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear this. I'm sure that everything will go well. Both my mother and grandmother had hysterectomies because they had fibroids and heavy bleeding. My mom was only 40 and she was so glad to finally be period free.

I'm 44 and last year I started having very painful cramping and much heavier periods. I had a pelvic ultrasound and they found 2 small fibroids. I also had another procedure where they inject saline solution into your utereus and this gave me very bad cramps. The doctor said that everything looked normal.

In Jan. I had a hydrothermal ablation which is when they burn the lining of the uterus. This is supposed to stop heavy bleeding and cramping. I still won't know if it worked until a few more months go by. If I start having problems again then I too will be having a hysterectomy.

I hope that everything will go well for you. We're all here for you and you'll continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Catty1]

Thank you to EVERYONE who has posted and anyone yet to post.

It is just so great to have support here, and hear others' stories.

Cyber-sibes, I too had called the Dr's office because the letter said a local anesthetic is used, and you can drive home afterwards. YAH RIGHT!

Of course, my procedure was more involved because of the stent....but the pinchy owie stuff would have happened anyway!

Thank goodness my mom and I had arranged that she would drive me there and home!

Ibuprofen and Tylenol were my friends for a couple of days (small doses)!

[Catty1]

OK. (Sorry, a bit long...)

I thought this would all be decided next week, after my CT scan on Monday.

Saw the gynecologist today. I was kinda wound up about it. I have been healthy all my life, and no symptoms with my Fibroid That Ate New York (not a bad misnomer, as I found out).

Nurse Trudy - a real gem, calm and supportive - said that Dr. M wanted to do a Pap, and also an endometrial biopsy.

I started sobbing, I didn't want to hurt, this was getting so serious so all-at-once - Trudy understood. She said of course it was overwhelming when everything has been fine, and all of a sudden things happen quickly.

Dr M was calm and fine as well - I had never even seen a real GYNECOLOGIST in my whole life! His external exam confirmed the fibroid for him - he said it was the SIZE of a FOOTBALL!!!!

Never mind eating New York; Toronto is dessert!

Anyway.

Hysterectomy. Called a "sub-total". My mind flashed to my retail days...

Ovaries - we'll discuss that later. I want them in. He says because I am 50, that they may shut down in a year, or maybe 5. HECK, my recent FSH test showed NO signs of menopause; I am still waiting. I'd rather have the ovaries decide that than drop into instant menopause!

I asked about laporoscopic hyst. He said that he doesn't do them, but is very willing to refer me to one or two people that do them. That is, if a lap procedure is suitable for something this size.

"What's your method?" I asked.

"I give you a big ugly scar that runs up to your navel," he replied. I had to smile at his straightforward response - it was even so slighly humourous. He would do the vertical incision since the fibroid is on TOP of my uterus. The "smiley" won't work so well.

May 22nd is the day.

Anyone else here had laporoscopic surgery for a football and uterus?

Thanks for listening....this still has an unreal quality to it...I didn't think the decision would be this soon.

(early May, I am inviting everyone over for a NO MORE PERIODS party! Wanna come?)