Guest guest Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 Wow. That day I will take time out and send my very best thoughts your way! Good thing they are addressing your bladder situation! Sounds like after all is said and done you should be fine and able to reclaim and celebrate your life! Cheers! gg Jeri Hudson wrote: > To the Group: > I hesitate to send this post because I am not sure of the support I will receive. I am scheduled for a hysterectomy on Monday May 12th. I am the one whose bladder is shut down because of my fibroid. My Dr. says it is app. 10 by 12 cm. and I have been having to wear a catheter for the last nine days. That is getting very old. I had a cat scan this week which showed the fibroid as covering my whole uterus as I understand it. Also I have a cyst on one of my ovaries. I am 46 and feel I didn't have much choice but to remove uterus. Other therapies to shrink it would take too long. My Dr. has been very understanding about my sorrow in having it removed. We have discussed leaving the cervix and one or both ovaries if possible. He says the fibroid is intramural and fast growing. I will let you know how things come out by the end of next week, hopefully. Also he wants to do a vertical incision for better access and less blood loss. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 Wow. That day I will take time out and send my very best thoughts your way! Good thing they are addressing your bladder situation! Sounds like after all is said and done you should be fine and able to reclaim and celebrate your life! Cheers! gg Jeri Hudson wrote: > To the Group: > I hesitate to send this post because I am not sure of the support I will receive. I am scheduled for a hysterectomy on Monday May 12th. I am the one whose bladder is shut down because of my fibroid. My Dr. says it is app. 10 by 12 cm. and I have been having to wear a catheter for the last nine days. That is getting very old. I had a cat scan this week which showed the fibroid as covering my whole uterus as I understand it. Also I have a cyst on one of my ovaries. I am 46 and feel I didn't have much choice but to remove uterus. Other therapies to shrink it would take too long. My Dr. has been very understanding about my sorrow in having it removed. We have discussed leaving the cervix and one or both ovaries if possible. He says the fibroid is intramural and fast growing. I will let you know how things come out by the end of next week, hopefully. Also he wants to do a vertical incision for better access and less blood loss. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 I'm in full support of your hysterectomy. Do whatever will give you the most pain relief. I'm of the group that understands that a uterus is not a vital organ, and when your other organs are comprimised, go for it. I may be taking that avenue at some point. My bladder is also affected, and I'm not going to pump toxic human made drugs into my system to attempt to treat it, only to find out in 5-10 years that they caused a weird cancer....you'll be fine. Good luck with the surgery! Come back and tell us all about it! Bell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 I'm in full support of your hysterectomy. Do whatever will give you the most pain relief. I'm of the group that understands that a uterus is not a vital organ, and when your other organs are comprimised, go for it. I may be taking that avenue at some point. My bladder is also affected, and I'm not going to pump toxic human made drugs into my system to attempt to treat it, only to find out in 5-10 years that they caused a weird cancer....you'll be fine. Good luck with the surgery! Come back and tell us all about it! Bell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 I'm in full support of your hysterectomy. Do whatever will give you the most pain relief. I'm of the group that understands that a uterus is not a vital organ, and when your other organs are comprimised, go for it. I may be taking that avenue at some point. My bladder is also affected, and I'm not going to pump toxic human made drugs into my system to attempt to treat it, only to find out in 5-10 years that they caused a weird cancer....you'll be fine. Good luck with the surgery! Come back and tell us all about it! Bell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 Jeri, It's no fun having a fibroid interfere with bladder function, but wearing a catheter for 9 days? Holy Cow! My thoughts will be with you on Monday. Good luck with your surgery, and please let us know how you're doing. Take care, Gerri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 Jeri, It's no fun having a fibroid interfere with bladder function, but wearing a catheter for 9 days? Holy Cow! My thoughts will be with you on Monday. Good luck with your surgery, and please let us know how you're doing. Take care, Gerri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 Jeri, It's no fun having a fibroid interfere with bladder function, but wearing a catheter for 9 days? Holy Cow! My thoughts will be with you on Monday. Good luck with your surgery, and please let us know how you're doing. Take care, Gerri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 Jerid.....I wish you luck on your upcoming surgery. This is the decision that you had to make. I am constantly looking for answers to my own situation and know that probably, it too, will come down to a hysterectomy. You could seek comfort in knowing that your decision was explored and fully comprehended. My best wishes for your speedy recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 Jerid.....I wish you luck on your upcoming surgery. This is the decision that you had to make. I am constantly looking for answers to my own situation and know that probably, it too, will come down to a hysterectomy. You could seek comfort in knowing that your decision was explored and fully comprehended. My best wishes for your speedy recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 Jerid.....I wish you luck on your upcoming surgery. This is the decision that you had to make. I am constantly looking for answers to my own situation and know that probably, it too, will come down to a hysterectomy. You could seek comfort in knowing that your decision was explored and fully comprehended. My best wishes for your speedy recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 Hi Jeri,Wishing you the very best and here's to a fast recovery. You are in my prayers. I had a catheter in my bladder for about 36 hours during my UAE procedure, and it was pretty uncomfortable, so I can't even imagine how it feels with that inside of you for 10 days.You take care. Trina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 Hi Jeri,Wishing you the very best and here's to a fast recovery. You are in my prayers. I had a catheter in my bladder for about 36 hours during my UAE procedure, and it was pretty uncomfortable, so I can't even imagine how it feels with that inside of you for 10 days.You take care. Trina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 Hi Jeri,Wishing you the very best and here's to a fast recovery. You are in my prayers. I had a catheter in my bladder for about 36 hours during my UAE procedure, and it was pretty uncomfortable, so I can't even imagine how it feels with that inside of you for 10 days.You take care. Trina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 Best wishes Jeri!! > I hesitate to send this post because I am not sure of the support I will receive. Are you kidding? This group isn't anti-hysterectomy because it discusses other treatments too. Fear not! There are so many people getting their various operations done that it's hard to wish every poster well. Good luck and it'll soon all be over and then you've feel much better. I've got an ovarian (anechoic multi septated) cyst (right side) with fibroids too and an enlarged right ovary. My fibroid mass might be intramural, but I'm not sure. I'm getting a myomectomy this summer (I don't have your worst problem symptom) and I'm in England. When I'm through this and recovered enough I'll post up my experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 Jeri It makes me sad to hear that you are sad about giving up your uterus. Because, if that's the case, you should get a second and/or third opinion. I know it must be difficult because you are in a crisis situation..but it makes me wonder when you say the Dr. needs to do a vertical because of blood loss. I once asked a Dr. to give me a " bikini line " incision and woke up with a nice long vertical incision. I think doctors do what they are most comfortable doing...and throw in things like " blood loss " to scare you into submission.Wouldn't it be worth it to check with some of these Doctors on the list that do so many myos?If your mind is made up, of course you have my support...but your letter sounded like you're not totally happy with your decision.Best Wishes~ Jeri Hudson wrote:To the Group: I am scheduled for a hysterectomy on Monday May 12th. I am the one whose bladder is shut down because of my fibroid. My Dr. says it is app. 10 by 12 cm. and I have been having to wear a catheter for the last nine days. I had a cat scan this week which showed the fibroid as covering my whole uterus as I understand it. Also I have a cyst on one of my ovaries. I am 46 and feel I didn't have much choice but to remove uterus. Other therapies to shrink it would take too long. My Dr. has been very understanding about my sorrow in having it removed. We have discussed leaving the cervix and one or both ovaries if possible. He says the fibroid is intramural and fast growing. Also he wants to do a vertical incision for better access and less blood loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 Jeri, I'm sorry to hear about your fibroid and bladder problems. I do hope your surgery goes well and your recovery is quick and complete. I'm sorry that you and some other women do not feel supported here when you chose hysterectomy. As a founding member of NUFF, I would really appreciate if you could share with us what type of support would help you most. Carla and those of us who work with NUFF as patient advocates really need to understand what we can do better to help women who have researched their options and decided that hysterectomy is their best choice. I'm thinking now about how I feel when women in different mind states about hysterectomy come to us. I know for me personally that if a woman comes to us having fully made up her mind to have a hysterectomy but it becomes obvious that she isn't really knowledgeable about her other options, and hasn't been fully informed about the possible negative side- and after-effects of the procedure, I feel an obligation to inform her. After all, that's why I joined NUFF -- because I feel women have both a right and a duty to themselves to educate themselves about their health and their treatment options. Sometimes a woman has made up her mind because she wants to trust her doctor and not have to think about it herself, or hysterctomy sounds like a " cure " and she wants to believe that it will be the last GYN thing she every has to worry about. She doesn't want " to be confused by the facts " -- in other words, doesn't want to hear anything negative about her decision. I do have difficulty working with a woman like this. After all, unless I want to lie, basically all I can say to her is " good luck " because I know that hysterectomy, like any surgical procedure, can have negative outcomes. I know that removing the uterus leaves a woman more at risk for high blood pressure and heart disease, as well as incontinence later in life. Then there are women truly don't know much about their bodies and, although they've agreed to hysterectomy when their doctor suggested it, they hear the information we have to offer and use it to rethink their options. If they still feel that hysterectomy is best for them, I still feel good because I know they are prepared for what may come up later. The worst thing I know of is to hear a woman say, " why didn't I look into this when my doctor suggested it? Why was I so quick to just go along with her? Now I have to live with these problems for the rest of my life. " Those, Jeri, are the saddest words I've ever heard a woman utter, and I've heard them many times at Sans Uteri, a hysterectomy site for women having difficulties following hysterectomy. They are what motivates me to continue working with NUFF. Sometimes a woman has done her homework and decides for various reasons that are important to her that hysterectomy is her best option. I fully support that woman and want to do my best for her. If those women who are chosing hysterectomy will communicate with us, we can improve the lines of communication. Please forgive me for this long post. I can only speak for myself, but I hope this helps you understand why one woman at least wants to make sure you've been fully informed before your procedure. I sincerely send you my best wishes for a good surgery and recovery. Best of health to you, Leonie -- " The line that divides Good versus Evil runs NOT between nations or parties or armies... but right down the middle of every human soul. " -Solzhenitsyn __________________________________________________________________ Try AOL and get 1045 hours FREE for 45 days! http://free.aol.com/tryaolfree/index.adp?375380 Get AOL Instant Messenger 5.1 free of charge. Download Now! http://aim.aol.com/aimnew/Aim/register.adp?promo=380455 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 Jeri, I'm sorry to hear of your trouble... but reading about it, I still fail to see why it could not be effectively dealt with via a myomectomy. Fibroids and cysts can be removed with a myomectomy. Do you know why this option has not been offered to you? It's not true that you have no choice -- unless there are other complications than the ones you mentioned. Effie. _________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2003 Report Share Posted May 9, 2003 I think that is good advice. gg Deeds wrote: > Jeri > It makes me sad to hear that you are sad about giving up your uterus. Because, if that's the case, you should get a second and/or third opinion. I know it must be difficult because you are in a crisis situation..but it makes me wonder when you say the Dr. needs to do a vertical because of blood loss. I once asked a Dr. to give me a " bikini line " incision and woke up with a nice long vertical incision. I think doctors do what they are most comfortable doing...and throw in things like " blood loss " to scare you into submission.Wouldn't it be worth it to check with some of these Doctors on the list that do so many myos?If your mind is made up, of course you have my support...but your letter sounded like you're not totally happy with your decision.Best Wishes~ > > Jeri Hudson wrote:To the Group: > I am scheduled for a hysterectomy on Monday May 12th. I am the one whose bladder is shut down because of my fibroid. My Dr. says it is app. 10 by 12 cm. and I have been having to wear a catheter for the last nine days. > I had a cat scan this week which showed the fibroid as covering my whole uterus as I understand it. Also I have a cyst on one of my ovaries. I am 46 and feel I didn't have much choice but to remove uterus. Other therapies to shrink it would take too long. My Dr. has been very understanding about my sorrow in having it removed. We have discussed leaving the cervix and one or both ovaries if possible. He says the fibroid is intramural and fast growing. Also he wants to do a vertical incision for better access and less blood loss. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2003 Report Share Posted May 12, 2003 Thanks for your reply, Leonie. I now understand a bit better. I was wondering if studies had been done on people who had actually had myomectomies - whether later on they were also at risk for heart disease, bladder problems etc - especially those who had quite a few large fibroids and had to have the uterus patched up again afterwards - does it still do as effective a job? Re: Surgery Fran, this is a valid question. It may help to understand why there's a connection between hysterectomy and later bladder problems if you know that the bladder and uterus are connected to one another. So during the course of a hysterectomy, the surgeon has to cut them apart. That explains why so often you hear that someone had to have a tear or nick in the bladder sewn up during a hysterectomy -- the surgeon accidentally sniped part of the bladder while cutting them apart. There are also ligaments that hold this bladder/uterus in place, and typically they also are cut intentionally during a hysterectomy. They need to be relocated (since they're no longer holding up the uterus as well as the bladder, I believe they also need to be shortened) and sewed back in place. But as with many other repaired items, the new resuspended bladder is not as good as the original set-up. As time goes by, the ligaments can loosen and the bladder shifts in position. See Carla's message at number 30735 for a discussion of post-hysterectomy prolapse (dropping of organs) and urinary incontinence. See also this piece in OBG Management Online at http://www.obgmanagement.com/examin_evidence.asp?which_issue=7/1/2002 for an answer to the question: Does hysterectomy contribute to the occurrence of urinary incontinence? Here's part of the response, which discusses a study done to answer the question: " RESULTS: The authors' findings suggest that hysterectomy is associated with a 30% increased risk of urge and bothersome urge incontinence. These symptoms were present in women younger and older than 60 years. CONCLUSIONS: Who may be affected by these findings? Women who had or will have a hysterectomy. EXPERT COMMENTARY: This study explores the possibility that iatrogenic overactive bladder is an unavoidable complication of a common procedure. Why hysterectomy is a risk factor for urge incontinence is not clear, although overactivity has been linked to innervation problems of the detrusor muscle. Here, I will outline the surgical techniques of hysterectomy and the pelvic anatomy that may contribute to the problem. " Read the article for more. --------- So yes, even a scarred and misshapen uterus can continue to serve a function, by keeping the bladder and ligaments in their normal positions. Fran, you also asked: And how many people after myemectomies experience these problems anyway? -------- Did you mean how many women experience this problem following hysterectomy? I'm writing this on my lunch hour and don't have much time to research but I have a recollection that the American College of Gynecologists came out not too long ago and said that some degree of incontinence will be found in most post-hysterectomy women as they get beyond age 60. Perhaps someone else remembers the details? I hope this helps. Leonie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2003 Report Share Posted May 12, 2003 Thanks for your reply, Leonie. I now understand a bit better. I was wondering if studies had been done on people who had actually had myomectomies - whether later on they were also at risk for heart disease, bladder problems etc - especially those who had quite a few large fibroids and had to have the uterus patched up again afterwards - does it still do as effective a job? Re: Surgery Fran, this is a valid question. It may help to understand why there's a connection between hysterectomy and later bladder problems if you know that the bladder and uterus are connected to one another. So during the course of a hysterectomy, the surgeon has to cut them apart. That explains why so often you hear that someone had to have a tear or nick in the bladder sewn up during a hysterectomy -- the surgeon accidentally sniped part of the bladder while cutting them apart. There are also ligaments that hold this bladder/uterus in place, and typically they also are cut intentionally during a hysterectomy. They need to be relocated (since they're no longer holding up the uterus as well as the bladder, I believe they also need to be shortened) and sewed back in place. But as with many other repaired items, the new resuspended bladder is not as good as the original set-up. As time goes by, the ligaments can loosen and the bladder shifts in position. See Carla's message at number 30735 for a discussion of post-hysterectomy prolapse (dropping of organs) and urinary incontinence. See also this piece in OBG Management Online at http://www.obgmanagement.com/examin_evidence.asp?which_issue=7/1/2002 for an answer to the question: Does hysterectomy contribute to the occurrence of urinary incontinence? Here's part of the response, which discusses a study done to answer the question: " RESULTS: The authors' findings suggest that hysterectomy is associated with a 30% increased risk of urge and bothersome urge incontinence. These symptoms were present in women younger and older than 60 years. CONCLUSIONS: Who may be affected by these findings? Women who had or will have a hysterectomy. EXPERT COMMENTARY: This study explores the possibility that iatrogenic overactive bladder is an unavoidable complication of a common procedure. Why hysterectomy is a risk factor for urge incontinence is not clear, although overactivity has been linked to innervation problems of the detrusor muscle. Here, I will outline the surgical techniques of hysterectomy and the pelvic anatomy that may contribute to the problem. " Read the article for more. --------- So yes, even a scarred and misshapen uterus can continue to serve a function, by keeping the bladder and ligaments in their normal positions. Fran, you also asked: And how many people after myemectomies experience these problems anyway? -------- Did you mean how many women experience this problem following hysterectomy? I'm writing this on my lunch hour and don't have much time to research but I have a recollection that the American College of Gynecologists came out not too long ago and said that some degree of incontinence will be found in most post-hysterectomy women as they get beyond age 60. Perhaps someone else remembers the details? I hope this helps. Leonie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2003 Report Share Posted May 12, 2003 Thanks for your reply, Leonie. I now understand a bit better. I was wondering if studies had been done on people who had actually had myomectomies - whether later on they were also at risk for heart disease, bladder problems etc - especially those who had quite a few large fibroids and had to have the uterus patched up again afterwards - does it still do as effective a job? Re: Surgery Fran, this is a valid question. It may help to understand why there's a connection between hysterectomy and later bladder problems if you know that the bladder and uterus are connected to one another. So during the course of a hysterectomy, the surgeon has to cut them apart. That explains why so often you hear that someone had to have a tear or nick in the bladder sewn up during a hysterectomy -- the surgeon accidentally sniped part of the bladder while cutting them apart. There are also ligaments that hold this bladder/uterus in place, and typically they also are cut intentionally during a hysterectomy. They need to be relocated (since they're no longer holding up the uterus as well as the bladder, I believe they also need to be shortened) and sewed back in place. But as with many other repaired items, the new resuspended bladder is not as good as the original set-up. As time goes by, the ligaments can loosen and the bladder shifts in position. See Carla's message at number 30735 for a discussion of post-hysterectomy prolapse (dropping of organs) and urinary incontinence. See also this piece in OBG Management Online at http://www.obgmanagement.com/examin_evidence.asp?which_issue=7/1/2002 for an answer to the question: Does hysterectomy contribute to the occurrence of urinary incontinence? Here's part of the response, which discusses a study done to answer the question: " RESULTS: The authors' findings suggest that hysterectomy is associated with a 30% increased risk of urge and bothersome urge incontinence. These symptoms were present in women younger and older than 60 years. CONCLUSIONS: Who may be affected by these findings? Women who had or will have a hysterectomy. EXPERT COMMENTARY: This study explores the possibility that iatrogenic overactive bladder is an unavoidable complication of a common procedure. Why hysterectomy is a risk factor for urge incontinence is not clear, although overactivity has been linked to innervation problems of the detrusor muscle. Here, I will outline the surgical techniques of hysterectomy and the pelvic anatomy that may contribute to the problem. " Read the article for more. --------- So yes, even a scarred and misshapen uterus can continue to serve a function, by keeping the bladder and ligaments in their normal positions. Fran, you also asked: And how many people after myemectomies experience these problems anyway? -------- Did you mean how many women experience this problem following hysterectomy? I'm writing this on my lunch hour and don't have much time to research but I have a recollection that the American College of Gynecologists came out not too long ago and said that some degree of incontinence will be found in most post-hysterectomy women as they get beyond age 60. Perhaps someone else remembers the details? I hope this helps. Leonie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Hi there, I have had a sucessful vulvar vestibulectomy. I also used the dialators post surgery to rehabilitate. I would be happy to discuss my surgery and any questions you may have if you want to email me of the list. Bunny _________________________________________________________________ Search from any web page with powerful protection. Get the FREE Windows Live Toolbar Today! http://get.live.com/toolbar/overview Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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