I have a surgery date for my hysterectomy

[mbrogier]

Monday, July 9th is my abdominal hysterectomy including removing my remaining ovary. Two doctors from my urogynecology group at Northwestern will do the surgery. They'll also be getting rid of scar tissue (I have a ton from that bile duct leak in my abdomen) and endometriosis adhesions. I'll be spending a few days in the hospital afterwards.

I'm ready to get this pain over with and look forward to no more ovarian cysts and periods from hell.

I have a pain management doctor that is going to do this cool new procedure to stop hot flashes without hormones. If my insurance won't pay for the procedure, he said he'd do it pro bono because it would help me so much. I'm also seeing a fibromyalgia specialist next week, and I'll be having a bone scan soon to get a baseline so my family doctor can monitor my bone health.

I can't take any type of hormones because I have a clot disorder. I already had a stroke, and I am at a higher risk for DVTs. My risk of clot with the disorder is about 5% higher than average, but if I take hormones my risk goes up to 35-40%. :eek:

[applecrisp]

Wishing you a speedy recovery -- seems like you'll be in great hands. And, to no more pain!!!

All the best!

[vbak]

So sorry that you're going through all this. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[cumulus]

Thoughts and prayers headed your way- best of luck with everything!

[wallycat]

I will be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts!!!!

Abdominal surgery seems to take longer to heal than most because of the obvious muscle issues....I hope yours will be speedier than most.

Also hoping no surprises once they are in.....smooth and easy.....

Hugs Micah!!!

[lindrusso]

Best of health to you, Micah. :)

[mom2garret]

Wishing you a speedy recovery and GREAT health in the future.
Jodi

[Jazzmatazz49]

Good wishes for an easy recovery. I had some extensive abdominal surgery, so here's my advice (you knew you were going to get advice, right?!) Take it very, very easy even after you start feeling a lot better. Even standing can be hard on your abdominal muscles. That incision and everything inside takes a lot longer to heal than you would think, and this is a good excuse to be a couch potato for a while. The usual rule infractions that my friends and I can remember include vacuuming or mopping or picking up groceries that are heavier than they should be. Just be careful so you don't undo all that good work your dr. is going to do!:)

[clairea]

I'm so glad you finally got this scheduled. I know you have been anxious to get it done.

I would love to hear more about the procedure you are having done to stop hot flashes. I am having a total hyst this fall (as soon as I can get the kids back in school), and can't take hormones either. I was just resigned to dealing with the hot flashes - I've been through chemically-induced menopause twice before, so if I have to deal with it I know I can, but I would love to know if there was a way to avoid it!

[mrswaz]

How wonderful for you Micah! I know you've really been looking forward to moving on. Prayers will go out for a successful procedure and a speedy recovery.

Please keep us updated!

[ClaraB]

Good luck with your procedure, Micah. I'm a gyn nurse (hysts are our bread and butter), so if you have any questions, just ask (pm me if you want). I'd also love to know about the procedure to stop hot flashes...

[GingerPow]

Micah, my best wishes for your health issues to be resolved successfully, and speedy healing!

[Lauren]

So glad you'll be able to put this behind you, Micah. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

[sneezles]

Micah,
Sounds like you've got all your bases covered and are ready! I will keep you in my prayers that you have a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.

[Kay Henderson]

Speedy healing, Micah! Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

Kay

[jmarie]

I will definately pray for surgeon's skill and for you to have a recovery that is speedy and that the pain will be of the minimal sort!

Can I ask about this?
I have a pain management doctor that is going to do this cool new procedure to stop hot flashes without hormones. If my insurance won't pay for the procedure, he said he'd do it pro bono because it would help me so much.

I have hot flashes...What am I talking about...I live IN a hot flash. What is this new procedure?

[cniles]

Best wishes Micah - a speedy and healthy recovery!

[mbrogier]

Jazzmatazz, My mom is coming for the surgery since Rob is still working temp and can't get off while I'm in the hospital. I know he'll feel better knowing my mom is with me in the hospital in case I don't feel good. (I know I won't feel *good* in the hospital, but I've been so many times I'm ok alone most of the time unless the surgery is very invasive and I can't move well or am nauseated.)

She's staying a week so I don't have to do anything at home other than watch Netflix videos and veg on the sofa. After that, I think I'll get my MIL to come for another week.

I already know how much the scar tissue hurts, so I'm not doing *anything* that might create more.

Thanks for your good thoughts and prayers, everyone.

Here is the link to the page on the Stellate Ganglion Nerve Block. I think my doctor, Dr. Joshi, and his partner are the only ones doing this procedure so far. I'm sure I make a good subject for their trials, so I'm totally game. I've read the information and know the procedure doesn't have any bad side effects---if it doesn't work, it just doesn't work. It doesn't mess anything else up. http://www.painmngt.com/hflash2.htm

The middle link includes an interactive explanation of the procedure. It doesn't require general anesthesia, just conscious sedation. Pain doctors are anesthesiologists that get extra training, so I would be in great hands anyway.