Holistic, Happy, Healing Hysterectomy

[HGate]

Dear Ladies,

I thought it might be helpful to post a positive news story on this forum, to perhaps relieve any anxieties that you have, if you are awaiting surgery. I hope this story is not insensitive if you had a rough time in recovery. We are all different and there are so many factors involved. I am 39 and a fit person generally (my work is pretty physical). I know many women have had tough times with this surgery, and I'm so sorry if that's the case for you. Here is my story.

I waited for 10 months for surgery on the NHS waiting list and eventually used savings to go private. I felt like I was dying some months with the bleeding and during COVID, the hospital said I was unlikely to get seen this year. I stood to lose much more than money could buy, including my relationship, home, quality of life, work and so on, so I paid for an operation that I felt I didn't want, but had run out of choices. I now know that was worth every penny and I hope that once I get better, I can recoup the money through more work (I was only able to work 2 days a week pre-op, due to my worsening condition).

I had a subtotal abdominal hysterectomy just under two weeks ago. My uterus was the size of an 18 week pregnancy and weighed 1.1kg when removed, so they did a vertical incision. They also found undiagnosed endometriosis, which they burnt out during the procedure.

The moment I woke up, I felt completely elated that it had gone and overall, despite the tiredness and soreness, I have felt lighter and more healthy ever since. This beats heavy periods any day, because I know that I am getting better now and building all the time. I am making sure I take lots of rests each day and walking well. I read and heard masses of horror stories before I went in, so I was terrified and was in floods of tears, right up until I went 'under'. I researched it well and put lots in place to help. Here is a list of 10 things that helped me. I hope they might help you have a yummy, nourishing recovery, as mine has been.

1. I took a lot of advice from '101 tips for a happy hysterectomy' – there's loads of great tips in that book - most notably, I took arnica and I have NO bruising! I also drank peppermint tea immediately in hospital and when I got home – my 'swelly belly' and bowels calmed within a week. My partner also read the book, so he was prepared for how much I would be out of action afterwards.

2. I joined this forum! You have all been so kind and amazing, thank you for writing!

3. I took some homeopathic tinctures for anxiety and feelings of invasion. I shared my vulnerabilities with the medics, especially the surgeon, and it helped me to view the team as helping and healing my body, rather than 'being done to'.

4. I kept as fit as I could pre-op and began walking the day after the op – very short tentative walks initially. I wear an abdominal support band to help my posture.

5. We did a lot of prep at home – set up a raised bed downstairs, sorted out a comode (!) next to my bed and I borrowed a 'grabber' to pick things up off the floor and a shoe horn. I set up a 'convalescence corner' next to my bed, with nourishing teas, creams, books, colouring and a pin board full of inspiring images and quotes.

6. I wrote a list of things I needed and called on friends and family to borrow things – a recovery cushion, big knickers, nighties, bio-oil, calendula cream, rescue remedy and so on. Friends and family, particularly women, responded so positively to this and were so kind and thoughtful in their gifts and offers of support. Most people are only too happy to help. It has been a big lesson for me to feel comfortable with receiving so much, as I am normally most comfortable when giving.

7. I had masses of therapy pre-op and cried most days about what was to come and what I thought I would lose. I had frequent anxiety dreams and struggled to be sociable. I feel I grieved pre-op (I don't have children) and then released a lot with the surgery. It depends on what you believe in, but I believe that I 'cleansed' a whole load of negative history when they took out the uterus and the endo.

8. I treated myself to a new tankini and some nice new underwear pre-op. I wanted to feel really feminine and yummy afterwards. I have been trying to wear loose, bright clothing post-op and embracing big knickers. I'm very lucky to be convalescing in the spring.

9. I have really engaged with the scar – I look at it twice a day, wash it with tea tree and lavender water and put calendula cream on it. I decided to nurture that area as much as possible and it has helped me a lot.

10. In the last few weeks pre-op, I decided to see my hysterectomy as a 'gateway' into a new beginning. I did a lot of meditation and breath work and I was able to use some of these techniques in the hospital, just before and after the surgery. As soon as I woke up, I began wiggling my fingers and toes and visualised a brighter future.

We are all different and it's early days for me, but I am optimistic. My recovery has been attuned to my interests and life-beliefs, but I hope that you too will have a wonderful recovery.

Take care

Hannah x

[LouiseD1]

Hi Hannah, great to hear from you and with such positive vibes and outlook on life ! Well done on getting through it and so happy for you that the recovery is going well. It is so true that the worry and the fears leading up to the op are so much worse than the reality, however straightforward or not the recovery turns out to be. Very good idea to spread the positive news that a hysterectomy really can be the start of a whole new outlook on life! Keep looking after yourself and being kind to yourself, it will still take time to get through the whole of the healing process but sounds like you have made a wonderful start ! Xx

[HGate in reply to LouiseD1]

HI Louise, That's really kind. Your own positive attitude helped me a lot, thank you for all your support! xx

[AllthatGlitters]

Hi Hannah this is a wonderful post 💗I see you write this a month ago, how are you now?Reading this i have tears in my eyes, I have endometriosis and adenomyosis and I am currently on a menopause injection called decepeptyl as this mimics a hysterectomy. Had a terrible time for a few years now with labour pains, heavy bleeding, not being able to work and also having some time in and out of work, it’s been a nightmare and that is putting it politely.

Like you I also don’t have kids. I am also 39.

I am scared of the mental impacts this may have if I go ahead and have a hysterectomy (which is very likely as I have no other options left, 3 surgeries later which never worked so this is the last resort).

I wonder if like you I will be strong after the operation, will I feel like I have my life back.

Anyway it would be great to chat to you x

[HGate in reply to AllthatGlitters]

As many ladies told me pre-op, it's major surgery and it's been a bumpy ride, but for me personally, it's also been an enormous opportunity for growth. I faced my greatest fears and I have had masses of support to do so. I couldn't have conceived a child in the state I was in, so that helped me have no regrets. I also have a step daughter, which I think helps too. I am still very much in physical recovery, my brain function is shot and I'm still in some pain, but I already have so much relief from not bleeding and I think I have more energy in some ways too. My partner says I am less anxious and I no longer feel like I'm on survival. I had lots of luck, but I also did loads of self care. I hope that helps you xxxxx

[Halo88]

Thanks so much for sharing your story - I'm just wondering on the pelvic floor side of things if all is well and is there anything I should know about incontinence etc before I have a subtotal hysterectomy? Many thanks Avani

[HGate in reply to Halo88]

I haven't had any pelvic floor issues so far. My core feels strong, but pelvic floor exercises are vital in the first six wks. Do not do any abdominal crunches, as they push everything down and cause a lot of pain. I was lucky to receive a leaflet with some physio exercises and I started breath work on the day of the surgery, to help release the anaesthetic. Then for the first six wks I did v careful pelvic floor exercises on a high bed, which felt safe and strengthening. I was able to introduce more physical at eight and twelve weeks. I found an excellent Australian physio website, which showed do's and don'ts and positions to sleep (on one side, with a cushion to support the region that has had work). I feel so much stronger physically now than pre-op, mainly because I don't have anaemia and I love not having periods. It's a tough ride, but for me, it was the right path without a shadow of a doubt. Good luck to you Xx

[LouiseD1 in reply to Halo88]

I’m 2 and half years post a sub-total hysterectomy, and no issues with pelvic floor. But I was told by the hospital physio I would need to do pelvic floor exercises every day for life ( in fact every woman should really) and I do keep up with the exercises. Not every day perhaps but definitely several times a week. I’m the same as Hannah and feel fitter and stronger than I ever did pre- hysterectomy although you do have to be very patient through the recovery phase. Good luck with the surgery xx

[Kemali]

It was really helpful reading this as its now 2 weeks after my total hysterectomy when everything was taken away. I had my stitches out yesterday and feel very fragile today, l was feeling more energetic and walked around the block daily up until today. My cut was along my bikini line and I think because my tummy hangs a bit like an apron that’s why I’m in a bit of discomfort, the nurse who removed the 30 staples put gauze over it and told mr to change it daily