This isn’t one of my usual posts about skincare, makeup and fashion, but I wanted to document this by writing it down on my blog. If you don’t know what a hysterectomy is, it is the removal of the uterus and there are different ways this can be done and I will talk about this briefly below. My gynacologist told me that this procedure is quite common and she has done many, but it is considered a major surgery and you only ever do it once in your lifetime if you need to. Therefore I consider this as a major part of my life and a big decision to make.
If you are not interested in this part of my life, please feel free to skip this post 🙂
I will be splitting this into 3 parts – Part 1 to be my symptoms, diagnosis, and pre-op. Part 2 to be about the surgery and post-op. Part 3 to be recovery and life after surgery. By the time I post this, I would be waiting at the hospital for my surgery.
About me
I am a mother of 2 boys born in 2014 and 2017, both of them are healthy boys. I have had postpartum hemorrhage from my first birth (natural birth), and my second birth was smooth with no issues. Somewhere between 2017 and 2022, fibroids started developing in my uterus. After I stopped breast-feeding both my boys, my period came back with minimal pain (I used to have really bad cramps pre-pregnacy). It was around early 2022 I started experiencing cramps at random times during my period and especially at the last couple of days and then I pass out large blood clots. The size and amount of the blood clot increased each month and the amount of blood loss during my period increased. I usually menstural for 5 days, but traces of blood continued for up to 9 days. I was experiencing a lot of leakages during my daily life even when I am using maxi pads and changing 3-4 times an hour. It was a nuisance and it made me feel very anxious.
I used to think it is normal and it is just heavy for the first few days, until one month I could not even stand through an hour of my son playing soccer in the morning without leaking through my jeans and making a mess in my husband’s car (shock horror to everyone in the car). My husband urged me to talk to my GP about it. I mentioned to her about heavy bleeding and she said changing 3-4 pads within an hour is quite heavy. She sent me off to get my bloods done and results came back showing my haemoglobin levels are low (100 g/L (ideally 115 – 155 )) and iron levels are also really low (<6ug/L (ideally 20-190)). That was back in September 2022, so I was prescribed some iron supplements and to get an ultrasound scan to see if there are any fibroids. I was also given Tranexamic acid tablets to take for the meantime for the heavy flow days (2x 500mg tablets, 3 times a day) to reduce blood flow. First day of taking the tablets I was extremely nauseous and dizzy. I persisted and the side effects subsided and my flow was significantly reduced.
Low ferritin
Low haemoglobin
We did a pelvic ultrasound in December and this was an internal scan as well to see things better. It wasn’t a fun experience but it was necessary. We found multiple fibroids including one that is quite large -“intramural body fibroid measuring 68 mm”. The results were sent to my GP who referred me to see a gynacologist – Dr. Christina Tieu. My husband accompanied me for my first appointment in January and I was recommended to get a hysteroscopy, a dilation and curettage and insertion of the Mirena. Before the surgery, I had to get the Mirena from the chemist, get prior approval from my health insurance company and do blood tests a week before my surgery.
Ultrasound results
Hysteroscopy, D&C and insertion of Mirena
On the day of my surgery (Feb 2023), I went into the hospital on an empty stomach – no food and no water for 10 hours before surgery. I also had to bring my glasses – no contacts allowed. Once they are ready to take me in, I was weighed on the scales and then change into hospital gown with paper underwear and oversized grippy socks that I could take home. I was given one of those reuseable totes to put my belongings in. The nurses there were very friendly and professional, very comforting and making me feel like I am in good hands. After checking in with my gynacologist, and the anaesthetist, I had to leave my husband and walk into the theatre. I was in awe with the stark lighting and all the instruments in there. I was starting to get nervous. Everything from here on was a bit blurry, but I will try describe everything I remember.
Reception at Ormiston Hospital
I climbed onto the bed which I think is where they will do the procedure on. I was given general anesthesia via an IV line and they were chatting to me to try and get me to relax while they put in the IV drip in my forearm. The anaesthetist gave me a warning that there will be a bit of a sting when the anesthesia is injected, but that will fade within a few seconds and I will be out before I know it. Completely out.
IV line
When I woke up, I was already in the recovery area with a couple of other people who had procedures done that morning. The procedure was completed within an hour (I think), and I was regaining consciousness. Most of what happens here is very blurry already, but I sat there for a good 20-30 minutes where nurses check on my to see how I was doing. When I was able to stand up, I was asked to get dressed into my own clothes and then walk to these recliner chairs for a sandwich and cup of tea.
Around half an hour of rest, I asked my husband to pick me up and I was released with some paperwork and led by one of the nurses downstairs. I was able to walk with no issues, just a little weak. I went home right away and went to bed for some rest. I felt a little nauseous for around 2-3 hours and I felt back to normal after that. I took another day off work to just relax and it was the weekend.
Resting in the recovery area
Sandwiches and tea
Resting in the recovery area
Post Procedure
I was told to expect irregular spotting for the first few months after the insertion of the mirena. I was told that I may expect reduced bleeding after at least 4-6 months and possibly stop having my period altogether after a year. I continued to have my next period after the insertion including constant spotting and smelly discharge in between. I would say spotting and discharge stopped after 2 months so I was wearing liners every sinlge day. The discharge was fishy smelling and it was pretty disgusting so I changed my liners very reguarly. I was pretty hopeful for the Mirena to work and I would be expecting no periods for at least 3-5 years before I had to do anything. I also kept taking Tranexamic Acid tablets for the first 2 days of my period and iron tablets.
My follow-up appointment with the specialist was late April and we discussed how my first 2 months was like after the Mirena. My flow has improved, but not as ideal as expected. She used an ultrasound device in her office to quickly check on the location of the Mirena – no dice. Finally, she sent me off for another set of blood test and another pelvic ultrasound to see how the Mirena is situated. During the pelvic ultrasound, they were unable to find the Mirena after at least a good 20 minutes search. However, they were able to find a new 2cm fibroid which grew after my procedure in February (?).
Post hysteroscopy and D&C
Post hysteroscopy and D&C
We had another follow-up appointment in late May and we had a couple of options, but she did say the best option would be to have a hysterectomy, leaving the ovaries. There are many articles and resources out there about the pros and cons, plus I am not a medical professional, so please do your research and ask your healthcare specialist for more information. I had a mixture of emotions after hearing the news. It is the womb that grew my two lovely boys, but it is also something that is causing a lot of stress in my life as of late. We are happy with the size of our family and have no plans to add to the team, so my uterus has done it’s job in my life.
Decisions
Emotional issues aside, I looked into the after-effects of having my uterus removed. There were concerns about weight-gain, bladder issues, hormonal issues, early menopause issues and just general psychological issuse. I was prepared to take all these on. I have prayed to God for guidance and decided on going ahead with the surgery. I felt really at ease after deciding and I am certain God’s peace is with me on this. I feel comfortable and looking forward to the procedure. The only thing I am anxious about is the recovery time and how my family will manage. We have decided to do this surgery during the school term because I would need at least 4-6 weeks of recovery time. For the first 2 weeks, I should not return to work and rest at home. For the other 4 weeks I should not be carrying anything heavier than 2kg or do minimal driving if possible. Running around doing groceries run would be kept to a minimum as well.
I am usually a busy mum, working part time and doing grocery run 2-3 times a week to get supplies from a number of places as well as picking kids up from school, making their breakast and lunch boxes, taking them to after-school activities AND cook dinner and help with cleaning up. Although we do have my mother in law at home, she does not drive and does not cook unless absolutely necessary. Therefore we would be asking my dad to help out with picking kids up after school for couple of days a week and my husband would have to take up the responsibilty as well. my mother in law would be cooking most of the time as well. I should be able to work from home after 2 weeks so I don’t get too bored.
Surgery and post-op to be continues in Part 2…
