Dealing with a hysterectomy

Listen to your body. Really listen. This hub is about my experience listening to my body and how I am dealing with the information it communicated to me.

It all started off with lower back pain. A dull ache, like before getting your period. At first that is what I thought it was. Nothing more. But it didn't stop. It got worse and I would feel it the moment I stood up. Teaching was becoming more and more difficult as I tried to find a comfortable position while walking around the class.

I went to my family doctor who prescribed muscle relaxants. No relief. While washing dishes one day and trying to deal with the back pain, I stopped to take a break and listened to my body. It was then that I realized it wasn't really coming from my back, rather it was radiating to my back. There was pain and pressure, pulling in my pelvic area. The next day I made an appointment with my gynocologist.

Gynocologist found a growth in my ovary and enlarged uterus due to large fibroids. Thank god I went to the gynocologist. The tests that needed to be done included the following.

• Transvaginal Ultrasound
• CA125 Bloodtest

The CA125 blood test is used as a tumour marker for ovarian cancer. The normal range is 0-30. I had 48. Of course I scared myself silly by looking this up on the internet. But I wanted to know everything I could.

After much research and discussion with my doctor I learned that:

CA125 test is an unreliable screening tool. The numbers may be elevated due to benign growths as well. CA125 is useful after chemotherapy for a malignant tumour as elevated levels indicate that something is going on. This means that there is no reason for unnecessary panic at this point.

First thing is to go to a gynocologist oncologist. This is very important as they are professionals that deal specifically with these kinds of issues.

After several consultations it was decided that I needed a partial hsyterectomy, which means abdominal surgery to remove one ovary and uterus. I am not a good candidate for laproscopy as I have adhesions from prior surgeries. We scheduled the surgery for Sept. 22.

Figuring things out. Many things are running through my mind at the moment, most of them practical but they include preparing myself for the next semester, getting my course work ready, moving my office downstairs.

All this is important because this type of surgery will require recovery of 6 weeks at home. The growth will be sent to the lab after surgery and if the results demand more invasive surgery everything has to be in place.

Of course we must think positive now. And here is where a little positive thinking comes in. My doctor explained that they surgery would be done in the same place as the ceasarian. Here was my opportunity! I asked my doctor if he could fix up, tighten up , tuck up that part of me while he was at it. He agreed.

I was looking for a hub like this when this whole thing started. I wanted to read a personal story that included facts, symptoms and so on. I found several sites , but wanted to add my own. Ladies, the poll on the right is for you. We have to take control of our own health. How careful are you about getting your annual check ups? Please take the poll on the right.

I woke up this morning with this poem running around in my head. Thought to get it down before it evaporated. It reflects how I feel today, September 10th. I will do my best to update this hub or write a new one post op. So stand by!

I am in luck

Hey Guess what ?

I'm in luck!

I'm going to get a tummy tuck!

It 's actually a little more than that,

More than feeling a little fat.

It's a matter of perspective you see,

I 'm also going in for a

hysterectomy.

But after he checked me,

Inside and out,

I approached my doctor ,

with a little pout,

If we are already doing this whole operation,

Let us do this with some.... rationalization...

Do what ever it is , you need to do,

To let me wake up healthy and ....

looking like new!

So what's a tuck, a few extra stitches?

Straightening out those unwanted inches.

Well, my doctor is one cool man,

Cuz he said, yes Karen, I can!

I will part with my uterus,

and ovary too,

Which is not an easy thing to do,

Cuz those parts of me,

created my children

Two beautiful daughters,

Who are almost grown women.

But as I get ready

for the big day,

I choose to think of it

This simple way...

I am going to come out of this

Healthy and slimmer

Which makes me feel like...

a real winner!