Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my hysterectomy. I can hardly believe that a year has gone by. As I reflect on this past year, I am amazed at how quickly life has continued going by. And I am excited to report how full and wonderful this last year has been too!
Physically, I am doing so much better!!! You can read my first post about deciding to have the hysterectomy HERE. The pain, bloating have been very minimal and not having periods has been life changing. I have been able to lose 17 pounds this past year. Even though I wish it were more, I will continue my quest for health. I was worried weight loss would be difficult after the hysterectomy but I was able to lose weight for the first time in many years.
One unexpected result of having the hysterectomy is that my overall anxiety has decreased. Looking back, I realize how much I would worry about Mark being gone when I was having my horrible, heavy periods. Several times I thought I would have to go to the ER for heavy bleeding. As soon as one period was over, I would begin worrying about the next one. It was an awful cycle that happened month after month. Then there was the overall worrying about what was wrong with my body. Having the hysterectomy eliminated some really big worries from my life and decreased my overall anxiety.
I have really felt that I was able to LIVE this past year. I rode waterslides with my kids at Great Wolf Lodge, I took an anniversary trip to Maui with Mark, I hiked by waterfalls, went to concerts, kept up with my kids, volunteered in the kids' schools, went on a long car trip to California and all of those things without the worry of horrible cycles. What a gift I feel I have been given.
One struggle has been emotionally realizing the finality of the decision. Not that we would have had more children (my home and heart are full). But, realizing that my uterus is gone makes everything really final. My relationship with my uterus has been a rocky one. It gave me two precious babes, but knew the reality of miscarriage times three. It caused such pain physically and emotionally but gave me such great joy. These are things that I have thought of a handful of times. But, I realize that I am a better mom and wife and woman because I chose to have a hysterectomy.
I am grateful to an amazing doctor who listened to me and valued me and my symptoms. I am so glad she did not dismiss my symptoms or take a "lets wait and see approach." Dr. Saner thank you for delivering our Matthew, and then thank you for helping me find "me" again. I am forever grateful for your gifts of not only being a great doctor, but for being a great doctor that listens, looks me in the eye and truly cares. A year later...I am not less....I am more, so much more.
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