Not So Scary, Wendy’s Story

Hi, I’ve suffered with very heavy and painfully periods for years and years. Also suffered 4 miscarraiges and 2 failed attempts at IUI. We are very lucky and very blessed to have eventually got pregnant and have a beautiful boy. 4 years after trying for another baby, with no results, and continuous heavy bleeding with severe cramps and other problems, demanded a full hysterectomy. (I had tried all kinds of pills to stop bleeding, nothing worked).

After tests found out i had cysts and fibroids, i had also previously had dodgy cervical smears in previous smears so surgeon suggested a total hysterectomy (cervix was prolapsed), with a bladder repair (bladder prolapsed too).

I could not wait to have my op as had suffered so much pain for so long, I was glad to get rid of everything. Ppl kept saying to me you will go into the menaupose straight away, I am not scared or worried about this, surely it can’t be as bad as all the rubbish I have had to contend with for years.

I went into the hospital on the morning of the op, got a bit tearful, as realisation and relief dawned on me. Realisation that we would never get pregnant again for sure and relief that it was all coming to an end.

Had my bloods, bp etc done. Then had to wait for 3 hours as op wasn’t booked until 2pm. I got gowned up and I was physically shaking by this time. Nurses put me to sleep (which is fab), and woke up, it seemed, minutes later. I was in quite a lot of pain, nurse gave me morphine, which is also quite naughty but nice, she also put on an electric blanket as I was shaking.

I got taken back to my room and was very aware when my morphine wore off after every 4 hours, so buzzed for more. Have to say I didn’t sleep too good that night as I had pads on my leg that kept expanding to keep my circulation going, also nurses in and out to do my obs. I lay talking to one for ages. All the staff were amazing!!!

I had a bed bath the next morning and even went for a walk, felt quite light headed, but didn’t pass out. I was attached to a catheter and had a drain from my tummy. I had no bleeding at all in my under wear, not even now, 10 days later.

The WORST thing fir me was taking out the vaginal pad!!! OMG! That was awful. And the trapped wind, jjjjeeeeezzzzzz. I stayed in hospital for 3.5 days.

I feel fab!! And just take pain killers (paracetamol) when I need them. I feel some of the stories I got told before I went in were very dramatic. However, I was glad to get all my bits out and I do “get on” with things, so maybe my attitude helped.

Taking it easy at home, only have a bit of period like pains if paracetamol is wearing off.

I hope my story helps. Don’t be scared. You will be fine. Ps I had my op vaginally.

***************************************************************

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.