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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

New Beginnings


Happy New Year! And I mean it. I have had a happy new year so far. I hope you have, too.

This year I have a new body. People have come out and just asked me, "what's it like having no uterus?" or "how's it going having a hole where your uterus used to be?" so I figure I'll just answer frankly. So far, so good. To be honest, those questions do take me aback. When I think about what happened to me I get squeamish. I have a copy of the operation report I got from my GP and I can't read it all. It sort of pains me a bit. My breath goes shallow and my throat tightens and then it hurts my ginie.

You can't tell by looking at me that I had an operation recently (3 weeks ago today). Yesterday I went to my first Bikram yoga class. The day before that I went for a short run. My insides didn't fall out. I didn't pass out. And actually, since I had the operation I've had more energy than usual. I skip potential nap times and just wait until bed.

My uterus was the size of a 14-week pregnancy and the fibroids were 6 cm as I recall from previous reports. It must have been quite a handful of stuff but I didn't get a look at what they took out, even though I asked in advance. It seems like that space got filled up with my intestines and other stuff, because my pants fit the same even though technically I should have come out 2 pounds lighter. (I don't have a scale and then there was Christmas, so maybe if I hadn't had a hysterectomy my clothes wouldn't fit by now what with all of those cookies and turkey.)

I keep feeling like my period should be starting soon and then I remember I won't be having one again. And unlike a total hysterectomy where they take out your ovaries as well, I am not going into menopause and I'll still ovulate, but I won't have a period.

I have enough energy to do stuff but I hold back because I remember that I can't see where my surgery happened and I've been warned to take it easy and to let it all heal. Healing requires circulation so I know I'm supposed to be active, but not too active. Rest, but don't stay still for too long. I think I'm doing pretty well with that and having the recovery time coincide with the holidays was helpful so I'm not tempted to overdo it with work and other activities.

I'm not taking iron supplements anymore. No hormones. Nothing special. I do have some aches that may be because of my organs getting into their new positions so I take an Advil now and then, but really, I'm free. I'll be able to walk around Ottawa, which has a notable lack of public restrooms, because things won't be as urgent as they were. I'll be able to ride bike with my daughter in Paris. Wear white pants to yoga! So there's a lot of possibility in my future.

One of the main reasons they recommended I have the surgery is because I'm so young. To go another decade with anemia and the stuff that went with my condition would not have been good. So even though I resisted the news and the descriptions of the treatment, I can honestly say I'm grateful I did the operation. What a great way to start off a new year.

6 comments:

Julie Stiles said...

Hi Jamine,
Thanks for your honesty and transparency in writing about your surgery and the aftermath. Between my own experience with the medical profession and being a health coach, I tend to lean towards alternative and natural means of healing, particularly food/diet and natural supplements to heal, and away from Western medical approaches, especially the more invasive ones. Reading your experience reminds me, however, that there is never one right approach for everyone. It sounds like you made the right decision for you, and I'm glad you are feeling good about it and about the new possibilities it opens up for you!

Unknown said...

Thanks Julie - I also lean toward the alternative and natural approaches and tried a variety of things before doing what I did. After spending lots of money on the alternatives what really made a difference was talking to women who've had the surgery (even someone in Marketing at Omega this summer), but especially my grandmother who had it over 60 years ago! I really hope we'll find a consistent, natural remedy for future generations. Fortunately for me, surgical procedures have advanced and I have no visible cuts or scars or anything, and the recovery time has been short. I feel really good!

Unknown said...

Hi Jamine,

I am so happy that this new year is bringing you improved health and healing. You sound like you're doing very! I admire how openly you've written about your hysterectomy and I aspire to one day have the same awareness and wisdom about my body that you do about yours.

Unknown said...

Sorry, that last comment was from me, Nadine. :-)

CC :D said...

Jamine: Thank you for your bravery and realistic point of view. You are and continue to be one of the pinnacle people in my life. I wish you the very very happiest of new years.

Unknown said...

Thanks Nadine and Crys ;)
I appreciate you taking the time to comment. I really think it was a good thing and I'm feeling so energetic. Look out Ottawa!