Claire’s emergency hysterectomy Story

I found your website while researching my options a month ago and it certainly helped with my decision to have a hysterectomy. I had a failed ablation last November when my womb was perforated. Wish I’d had a plan B at the time and they’d done a hysterectomy there and then.

I had a total hysterectomy on 4th July and I was amazed at how little pain I had when I came round and for the first couple of days. I took everything possible after my ablation and was “bunged up” for weeks (and thought I was going to die when I did eventually go!!). I was determined not to go through that again so went to hospital armed with peppermint cordial (very sweet and yukky), peppermint tea (brilliant and refreshing) and multivitmins with iron (as I’d had low levels a few week prior to the op)…and lastly, the attitude that I was going to be free of “the curse”!!

One of the best pieces of advice I was given from a nurse was to put my feet on a box or step-stool, anything that would raise my knees when I went to the loo – helped enormously.

The weirdest thing for me was my first ever experience of a catheter – I was fascinated and amazed by the amount of pee…11 litres in 24hrs…I think it was a ward record!! I was actually a bit sad that they took it out.

Staff at North Tyneside General hospital were amazing, couldn’t do enough for us and made us laugh, the best therapy of all. A physiotherapist came round every day to go through exercises to do immediately after the op and in the subsequent days/weeks – and we were packed off with a booklet of the exercises. We were even asked what activities we wanted to get back to doing (such as dog-walking) and given realistic time-scales.

Naturally, being a woman who can’t sit lounge around for too long, I did too much too soon and find myself in discomfort and a little emotional. Having just spoken to my consultant’s assistant, I’m assured that what I’m feeling is perfectly normal and yes, I am doing too much!!

I actually find sitting and walking (ie going for a walk) the hardest things to do. Since my job involves sitting for most of the day, I’m not looking forward to the pain I know I’ll encounter when I get home and relax. But I’ll work on those supporting muscles, hopefully it will help.

Having seen some of the comments about lack of medical support, I can only say that while in hospital, I was given the best care I could have hoped for and a subsequent visit from the district nurse to remove my staples was equally brilliant. However, I know doctors and nurses are under immense stresses and, like most of us in these difficult times, are having to take on more responsibility and workloads. So please don’t be disheartened by the NHS, your GP or whoever – they may not have the resources to follow up on every patient that comes through their door. If you are not recovering as well as you think you should be, or just want to speak to someone for reassurance, give them a call – I’m sure they will be more than willing and happy to help. OR…look through this fabulous website, it’s packed with useful information and practical advice.

Wishing you all a speedy and happy recovery. x

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in my own words book cover Now available on our online store and all other online book store’s. In My Own Words: Women’s Experience of Hysterectomy is full of many other real-life stories from women the world over.