Positive Hysterectomy Stories

Hey L.,
You can have your friend write to me and I can talk to her... but I was diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer.SO I had to have everything out...hysterectomy, appendex, omentium, and cervic, 49 limph nunds and more...I TRUSTED my God and my doctor. I now take estradol and that is working well. I have VERY good communication with my dostors about how I am feeling and if my estrol is working well for my moods and other symtoms. The surgery was scarey but if I stayed in the place that this was GOOD for me I could handle it. PLease tell your friend that I am praying for her. I know surgeries are scarey, but trust that she and her doctor are doing the right thing and that she will wake up feel better in time.

1 mom found this helpful

Another big recommendation for hystersisters website! IMO, it is a MUST for women facing hysterectomy.

I had my surgery 4 month ago. Total (ovaries and all) due to severe endometriosis throughout my whole abdominal area - fun, fun, fun! Surgery and coming out of the anesthesia was fine - talked to the anesthes. about anti nausea meds prior to the surgery. Was in the hospital for 5 days & lost 11 pounds due to everything they removed. I did come home looking 4-6 months pregnant (a side effect I was not warned about before hand), so in my exhausted state I had to shop for XL sweats to wear during recovery. Took pain meds for about 6 weeks after surgery (every 4-6 hours for the first 2 weeks), and slept a lot - body was just wiped out, and I was pretty fit going into the surgery (doing TKD and running). I stayed off work for 8 weeks & returned back part time for a couple of weeks, and that was perfect! Some women recover more quickly - depends on why the surgery is needed. I've had VERY MINIMAL menopause symptoms, and any of them are MUCH better than the pain I was in prior to the surgery. Long and short of it is, it was the hardest thing I've ever gone through, but it was SOOO worth it. It is such an emotional journey - I never wanted to have to have it done (in fact I wanted another child), so the emotional ups and downs she may be going through right now are normal.

As a friend, be with her. Visit her in the hospital - it can be a lonely place & you are too tired to read-it is great to have a friend just sit with you. Bring her dinners after she comes home - she will be too tired to cook and shop for at least a couple of weeks. Bring her lunch and hang out with her while she's at home recovering, or take her out to lunch - she will enjoy the company and the "field trip" away from home while she is still unable to drive.

I had mine in 1993 and do not regret it. It was painful however after the surgery but after you heal up it is so nice not to live in pain or take medicine all the time for the pain. It is much better after about a week or so.
Good luck.
C.

There is a wonderful website called hystersisters. I had one last year and I found this website to be informative and full of encouraging stories. You can google it to get the website. I highly recommend this.

Dealing with a hysterectomy is hard, but it is definitely do-able--especially with such a supportive friend on your side! I had cervical cancer, and the hysterectomy completely did away with it--including a bit of hidden cancer that my previous procedure hadn't dealt with. My main advice--take time to RELAX (feet up!) and connect with your community for emotional and physical support (dinners, errands, cleaning, etc.). Also, check out www.hystersisters.com for ideas, answers to questions, and an online community.

Best of luck to your friend!
-C.

I am 47 and very glad I had one. My recovery was good I got too ambitious and had to stay down longer. I had to have a hysterectomy and afterwords I felt great. My scare is no longer visible and my health got better. Granted I was sore but follow the docs instructions and there will be no problems. Keep a pillow close, it's to put over your abdomen for protection.

Oh my -- it was the BEST decision...have your friend ask her doc if an epidural is an option instead of hte general...I did it and felt great after the procedure... contact me at ____@____.com if you wish more details...
S.