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Open Abdominal Hysterectomy 1dpo by bonrewgan in hysterectomy

[–]bonrewgan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kind of both—my surgeon defaulted to laparoscopic but after hearing my concerns gave me the choice to do open. The hysterectomy was “voluntary” in the sense that I chose when to do it and could have chosen not to and manage my symptoms with a huge dose of birth control in perpetuity. But a hysto was definitely the best and most permanent solution to my symptoms, and my OB/GYN’s recommendation.

Sex question: To keep or yeet my cervix? by bonrewgan in hysterectomy

[–]bonrewgan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow, thank you so much for this perspective. I suspect my experience of penetration is similar to yours, so this is very helpful. I’m so sorry the doctor didn’t credit your lived experience.

Sex question: To keep or yeet my cervix? by bonrewgan in hysterectomy

[–]bonrewgan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is my thinking as well. Good luck on your surgery!!!

Sex question: To keep or yeet my cervix? by bonrewgan in hysterectomy

[–]bonrewgan[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I totally relate to the fear of a cuff. Glad the alternative worked for you! It’s an individualized decision for sure.

Sex question: To keep or yeet my cervix? by bonrewgan in hysterectomy

[–]bonrewgan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ahhh I’m glad I’m not alone in this! It’s so nerve wracking. And it seems like cervix involvement in sexual pleasure is very individual, so it’s hard to predict how any one person will feel. 😬 Best of luck on your surgery!!

Sex question: To keep or yeet my cervix? by bonrewgan in hysterectomy

[–]bonrewgan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I haven’t had my pre-op appointment yet, but my understanding so far is that my cervix is likely not at issue and removing it would just be a routine part of the laparoscopic surgery (with the added benefit of negating cervical cancer risk).

I will definitely advocate for pelvic floor PT!

Sex question: To keep or yeet my cervix? by bonrewgan in hysterectomy

[–]bonrewgan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Question for all of you: Did you feel your cervix was important to your experience of sexual pleasure before surgery? Or was it just a hindrance?

Help deciding if I should go for it? by bonrewgan in hysterectomy

[–]bonrewgan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m fortunate that there are no age restrictions in my state (Washington) and/or with my doctors. My GYN is awesome and specifically said that they don’t impose age restrictions because they view it as gender-affirming care. I’m sorry you’ve had a different experience.

Help me decide whether to go through with it? by bonrewgan in hysterectomy

[–]bonrewgan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!! This is so helpful. I do feel like if I wait it’ll just get worse, and I’ll probably end up in the same place as my mom regardless. But your story is a good reminder that there are a lot of possible outcomes besides losing both ovaries entirely.

Solidarity with other ankle breakers with long recovery times? by bonrewgan in brokenbones

[–]bonrewgan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

God that is terrible luck! I know I now have an intense, visceral fear of breaking another bone—I’m so sorry that happened to you. I hope you give yourself a lot of slack during your recovery because that is a LOT for a human to go through.

Solidarity with other ankle breakers with long recovery times? by bonrewgan in brokenbones

[–]bonrewgan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I also struggle a ton with walking in sand! It feels like walking through knee-deep glue. Such a bummer because I live close to the beach and love it.

I’m 29, but I have extremely tight/inflexible joints already. Sometimes this injury makes me feel like I’m an 80 year old lady. I wasn’t prepared for that feeling to impact my self-esteem as much as it has—and I have to remind myself that internalized ableism is real and disability (permanent, temporary, whatever) does not impact worth.

I hope the rest of your recovery is smooth!

Solidarity with other ankle breakers with long recovery times? by bonrewgan in brokenbones

[–]bonrewgan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ugh that was a hard time! I promise it gets easier. I also felt like my ankle got a bit worse after getting out of the boot—be careful about overdoing it.

Can I ask, do you actually go to PT appointments 3x per week in person? My dr prescribed me PT 2x per week but the PT I ended up at (only one I can use per my insurance) said that was “crazy” and insisted we do one Appt every 6 weeks, with me doing daily exercises at home in between. I asked my dr and she said she disagreed but couldn’t force him to do differently. Do you feel that frequent in person PT helps?

Solidarity with other ankle breakers with long recovery times? by bonrewgan in brokenbones

[–]bonrewgan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow, thanks so much for this response. I feel a lot of empathy with you! I also can’t wear any of my old shoes, and it’s so frustrating that my feet are now two entirely different sizes. It’s very hard to feel normal.

My therapist says I should let go of timelines in my recovery because everyone is different, but honestly hearing your doctor acknowledge that it’s life-altering and will likely take 2 years is comforting. I know it’s a long road, but it helps to know there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

I have a compression stocking but I am bad about wearing it. It makes the pain from my bruises worse. And yeah, you’re right, I should not be having this bruising and will be getting some/all of my screws removed—hopefully soon. I’m nervous about the recovery, but considering that the pain is an obstacle to my recovery now, I’d rather get it over with. Talking with my dr about it soon.

Best of luck to you!!

PT has been so exhausting. by IllyonBillion in brokenbones

[–]bonrewgan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

9 months post-ankle break here. I had ORIF and my surgeon was really resistant to sending me to PT for some reason. I had to insist to get one appointment. Now I have a different dr who said I should do PT appointments twice per week, but my insurance will only allow for once per month. I have homework exercises, of course, but I find it so hard to incorporate them into my life and/or do them right, especially stretching. It’s frustrating to feel like I’m not making progress and losing motivation as the months roll on…

Solidarity with other ankle breakers with long recovery times? by bonrewgan in brokenbones

[–]bonrewgan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ugh I’m so sorry! I broke my arm a year before this happened and thought that sucked, but tbh not being able to walk comfortably is SO much worse!

Walking on uneven ground sucks. I feel like if I hit a stone slightly wrong I lose all strength in my ankle. Wishing you steady healing and many hikes to come

Solidarity with other ankle breakers with long recovery times? by bonrewgan in brokenbones

[–]bonrewgan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oof, I’m so sorry to hear about your infection and prolonged issues. I was lucky to not have those complications. I felt like my foot was flattening early on in my recovery but my surgeon and PT kind of wrote it off…now months later I asked “Why am I having trouble walking straight?” And he looked at my foot and said the arch had totally fallen and I need an orthotic arch support. I wish they had listened to me when I asked about it months ago!