Well, everyone ... gather round in a circle. Time for sharing. I've got the feather. I'll go first.
I haven't written at all lately. There's just too much on my mind. After two years of hurting ... two years of putting our lives on hold because it gets harder and harder to function ... we're about to open another chapter in this book.
On December 6th, I'll be going in for a total abdominal hysterectomy ... or TAH for short. Not the easiest solution ... but it's the best ... well, no ... it's the only solution at this point.
Not that you want details ... but if you do, read on. I've got cysts all over both ovaries including one on the right that's around 11 cm. They're sure those cysts plus the endometriosis are causing the pain. So, I like to think of this as a "Going Out Of Business Sale" ... because everything must go.
I guess I was in shock when the doctor and I discussed this, because I don't think I asked a single question. When it really hit me on Friday, I called the nurse back for details.
I'll be out of work six weeks. There's no laporoscopy ... no short cuts ... they're planning on a horizontal abdominal incision. Three to four days in the hospital. No driving for two weeks. No lifting, pushing or pulling.
I don't have all the answers. I have very few, in fact. I'm ... okay with all this. Really. If anything, I'm numb. This is better than the alternative ... better than spending the next 15 years on painkillers. Better than using all my vacation days a few hours at a time. Better than spending weekends lying on the couch trying not to move.
If you or a loved one are facing this, please take a moment to visit www.HysterSisters.com ... and if you're male, please consider visiting www.MisterHysterSisters.com for their FAQ for husbands and friends.
It's a wonderful support site with a library's worth of information ... from pre-op planning lists to articles on post-op care ... it's all there in one friendly, convenient place.
So, now that this is off my chest, hopefully we can get back to some more light-hearted fare. Like for instance ... did you know all the local politicians are calling me personally? It's true. They must be awfully busy ... because they don't talk back when I ask questions or stop talking when I try to interrupt them. But even so, I feel so honored. Especially when they call during dinner ...
I want to have a party
I want to have a party
I want to have a party
You cannot kill the party
You cannot kill the party
You cannot kill the party
Long Live The Party
Andrew WK - Long Live The Party
Note: Today's lyrical quote is a nod to last night's "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" episode entitled Party All The Time. If you missed it, Adult Swim is offering it online right here. Moment to watch for: "He's dead. The dumbass ate a scorpion."
haha. I hope everything goes well! My mother had a hysterectomy about a year or so ago, but it was becase her uterus was inflated to the size of a soccer ball... and there was nothing inside. I also think that the ovaries were stuck to the uterus as well, but i don't know that for sure. She's doing fine now, so I hope you have a speedy recovery! I'll bring you some handheld games while you're in the hospital... those stays are pretty boring.
ReplyDeleteWow... 6 weeks doing nothing, huh? It's gonna be Christmas, and you're gonna be happy that you get to stay on the couch all day. The smile you get when your kids hand (or throw :P) the presents at you, the look of horror when you find out that your middle daughter almost burned down the house while cooking breakfast (YOU CAN'T PUT CRISCO IN THE DEEP FRYER!! Wait... why were you frying in the first place?) you'll come back to work when the kids go back to college, am I correct?
But anyways, cheers to a fast and painless recovery, and cheers to the fact that you won't have another period. So when are you burning the Midol?
Thanks for letting us know what's going on. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts, especially on December 6th. I've never been through this, but I have a feeling you're going to feel 100% better afterwards. Take care
ReplyDeleteOMG! Right after I posted that, they played the theme song to "Maude" on the radio. I think that means something. What, I don't know. But thought I should mention it.
ReplyDeleteMy sister had the same problems and the same surgery. She wished that she had pursued the cause of pain much sooner. She is now healthy and happy as you will soon be. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteTW,
ReplyDeleteI hope all goes well and I'm sure it will. It'll be worth it in the long run. Be sure to bring a laptop and internet conection to the hospital. Recovery room blogging is the best!
Dave
Can you imagine, Dave ...
ReplyDeleteI can't decide whether it would be like some foxhole letter home, i.e. "OMIGOD ... I never knew it would be this bad ... tell my husband I love him ... the pain ... the pain ..."
Or if it would be a trippy Haight Ashbury tribute, i.e. "I love you guys ... no really ... I love you guys ... the colors are so beeeaaautiful ... hey ... look at my hand ..."
Thirty-
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're getting some answers, but I'm sorry to hear you've had to (and continue having to) go through so much. Our thoughts are with you.
All the best,
John
I'm so sorry - obviously nobody wants major intrusive abdominal surgery. However, I'm glad they were able to make the diagnosis (as opposed to, say, "it's all in your head" or "some women just have to live with it) and can fix you up. Hang in there.
ReplyDelete