Jennifer’s Hysterectomy Story

Type of Hysterectomy: Total Vaginal Hysterectomy
Age at Hysterectomy: 43
Location: Americus, GA

I had my hysterectomy because I bled for over 9 months.  There was about 4 weeks out of those 9 months that I did not bleed.  Some days I could do nothing but lay down with my feet elevated.  I was so sick.  Sometimes the bleeding was so bad that I would bleed through a super plus tampon, 2 pads, my panties and clothes in less than 30 minutes.  I couldn’t go anywhere. I had no insurance, so I had to wait until I got my income tax to go to the doctor.  I was diagnosed with adenomyosis.  I had a large hemorrhagic cyst on one ovary and a fluid filled paratubal cyst on my fallopian tube.  My cervix and other ovary had numerous cysts, also.  I did not get a 2nd opinion because I was sick of bleeding and I knew that this was best for me.

My surgery went great.  Recovery was a different story.  I started out with a spinal block, but then I “freaked” out about being awake during the surgery, so they put me to sleep.  In the recovery room when they went to take the tube out of my throat, I went into cardiac arrest.  After CPR and reviving me, they tried again.  I went into cardiac arrest again.  This time I was put on a ventilator.  I had to be immediately transferred to another hospital.  When I woke up 2 days later, I was 3 hours from home, in Atlanta, at Emory.  Emory is the best thing going when it comes to treating patients!!  My surgery was on a Tuesday, and I got to go home on Saturday.  They said that all of that happened to me because I had sleep apnea (undiagnosed at the time) with a mixture of the sedation, and I am overweight.

My hardest part was recovering from the cardiac arrest.  I was covered in bruises, I was exhausted, I was foggy headed.  It was just crazy!!  I never had any bleeding or pain from my surgery.  I did everything that my doctor told me.  I was released at 6 weeks.  I have lost 10 pounds, I love my cpap machine for my sleep apnea.  I feel like a new person.  My hardest thing was dealing with the death of my wonderful doctor.  He passed away when I was 4 weeks post op.  He had an unexpected massive heart attack.

I walk just about every day.  I eat less and better.  I’m not tired all the time, anymore.  I feel young again.

If you need one, get it.  I do not regret my decision at all.  If you have sleep apnea or think that you do, PLEASE tell your doctor before you even set up the surgery!!