After three long years of having to deal with unbearable heavy menstrual cycles and pain while cramping (that I had to hunch over with my arms over my stomach to find some type of comfort from the pain), I finally came to the decision to get a hysterectomy. It was not an easy decision but after 3 long years of suffering, I took into consideration the pros and cons and the pros definitely won. Besides, the family planning was taken out of the equation as soon as I was put on MTX. But my decision also came after talking it over a few times with my gynecologist within the past year. At this point, it would be the only option to permanently take me out of the misery I was living in. Prior to heavy periods, I dealt with abnormal cycles, meaning, that my period would come a few days early, which at times, would ruin my weekend plans for a few years. My Gynecologist at that time (back in 2017) ordered a transvaginal ultrasound, which showed that I had a uterine fibroid, and she described it as being so small that it would not cause any issues. Let the monitoring begin.
Fast forward to when I was diagnosed with RP....As soon as I started taking Prednisone and Methotrexate, I felt that my menstrual cycle got worse. The bleeding got heavy and then heavier. My hemoglobin was slowly declining. It got to the point that I became anemic. My hemoglobin went from 11 down to 10 and then down to 9. I was put on liquid iron by my primary care provider, which I had to consume daily but once my hemoglobin was back up to 11, it would drop once my menstrual cycle began. My new gynecologist assured me that we would get to the bottom of this. Another transvaginal ultrasound was conducted, and it showed that the uterine fibroid grew. I ended up having that uterine fibroid removed back in May of 2024. After surgery, I felt fine, no pain and by the next day I was already moving and going on with my day. The first couple of months, I did notice a difference. My periods were lighter. But then, it started to get heavy and heavier each month. I got an ultrasound done and sure enough, the uterine fibroid grew back, and it was worse than before. It got to the point that I was not able to go out because I was in so much pain, and I had to wear diapers. When I visited my GYN and told him what was going on, he suggested to try taking birth control continuously and skip my periods to see if that would help. My body would only go 2 months without the need to have my period but then I would start spotting which indicated that my body needed a break. I went back to see my GYN and told him I can't no longer deal with this. It's been a long 3 years dealing with this pain, the bleeding, that I can't continue doing this. My hemoglobin eventually went down to 9 and even taking liquid iron was no longer helping. So, it was either continuing experimenting with different birth control or getting a hysterectomy and I went with the hysterectomy.
The day prior to the surgery, I had to wash my body with an antibacterial soap, to get rid of bacteria and prevent an infection from occurring. I was fine but feeling nervous. I had to be at the hospital at 5:45 am the next day to be in the operating room by 7:45 am. The next day, I was up. I can't believe this is happening. My husband and daughter were with me at the hospital. But I was told by the nurse that they do not allow minors in the pre-op room, so I told my husband it was okay, he can go home, and the hospital will call him when I am ready for pick-up. Those two hours were agonizing. I was scared, my mind was racing, and I couldn't wait to get this done and over with. The nurses were super nice. I met the doctor who was going to help with the surgery, met the anesthesiologist and then my doctor came in to review the medical information one last time and to tell me everything will be ok. I was walked to the operating room by the anesthesiologist and once I laid down, I got knocked out. I had no idea the anesthesiologist had already administered the anesthesia to make me fall asleep. I then woke up in the recovery room, no pain, just a bit drowsy, mouth super dry and hungry. The nurse was able to give me some crackers which was a bad idea since my mouth was super dry, so I asked for some water which'd helped. I asked to use the restroom, and I was walking as if nothing had happened, but I do remember some pain while I urinated. The nurse assured me it was normal due to surgery. My husband picked me up and off I went back home. I was still under the hospital medication, so I felt nothing. The next day, I started to feel a bit pain. I was okay but I still took pain medication under the doctors' order. I walked, went up and down the stairs as my doctor said I should. I showered since I was not able to shower the same day I went home from surgery. Day 3 I was okay. Nothing out of the ordinary. I slept on the sofa, sitting up, for the first 3 days since it was easier to get up if I had to use the restroom versus laying down in bed. My back had started to hurt as well. Although, on Day 2, I did try to lay down on the bed, but I also was experiencing really bad shoulder pain and I felt it spread over to my chest but as soon as I would sit up, the pain would go back to my shoulders. Doc said it was normal because he put some type of gas in my body during surgery. Day 4, I was already sleeping on the bed, and I was extremely constipated. After 8 hours of unbearable torture, I was able to use the bathroom. Day 5 is when I felt some abdominal pain, and my husband and son had to help me get up from the sofa or from sitting down because the pain did not allow me to get up on my own. That night, I took pain medication. I decided to sleep on the sofa again in fear that the pain may get worse. Day 6 and on I started recuperating. The shoulder pain eventually got better within a 2-week time frame. I was already moving around, going up and down the stairs, showering and going outside without any issues. When I felt better, I did get on the treadmill and did a 30-minute walk. The next morning, I experienced some bleeding which the nurse assured me was normal due to the walk. I would feel some pain in there, but it was not bad.
Now, it's been about 3 1/2 months since surgery, and I do not regret it one bit. I feel great, my hemoglobin is back to normal, and I am no longer tired. I wake up at 6:00 am with energy. I feel now that I am able to enjoy life without having to worry about my periods or having to stay home to recuperate. I am finally happy without having to worry.
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