Sarah’s Lateral Abdominal Hysterectomy

Abdominal Hysterectomy
Age at Surgery 37
Location: Chicago, Illinois

On December 26, 2015 my doctors partner called me to say that my colposcopy came back with adenocarcinoma. Huge shock! I had been experiencing an extended period since July of 2015 and not having a pap due to the doctors staff suggesting that I wait until my extended period end, in September 2015, the period stopped for a few days, and I got in for my pap, which came back negative.

The period started again, and finally Dec. 11 they did my colposcopy and endometrial biopsies.

Sitting at work on Dec. 16, I get a call telling me that my biopsies are back and everything is clean and clear and my doctor will get a hold of me for next steps when she returns. Because, of course, my doctor is out of the country for the holiday and is not returning until the New Year.

I go on with my holiday season and I am so happy that there isn’t any issues. Boom…Dec. 26 phone call.

Doc tells me now I need a cold knife conization and we will have more information after this procedure. The cold knife was done on Dec. 30 and on January 6, 2016 my doctor calls to tell me that it is clear cell adenocarcinoma. The margins are clear, but I need to follow up with an oncologist.

So I was busy trying to keep my anxious mind occupied. My mother made an appointment with Dr. Amina Ahmed at Rush University Medical Center. Somehow she got me in on January 14, 2016. Dr. Ahmed read my pathology reports, did a thorough exam. Talked with my husband, my mother, and me for awhile and decided that the best and safest way to move forward was a TAH.

March 1, 2016 8:00am, Chicago, Illinois at Rush University Medical Center. Dr. Amina Ahmed and her residents come by to let me know how everything is going to proceed. My incision is going to be lateral, 😣 so I ask them if possible not to cut through my belly button. I am sure the decision to do this was based on my weight (270 lbs), height 5’0 ft on the nose, my super small frame and how much work needed to be done.

I was under General Anesthesia. I went home 5 days later. I actually live in Indiana, so the 3 hour ride home was a little brutal…but I really, really wanted to be home.

So far the recovery has been challenging, but not terrible. If you are about to go through this, try to prepare for major discomfort. Not as bad as you can.imagine, but pretty bad.

I had my staples out on March 17, and had to replace the sterile strips the doctor put on because I bled through them after sitting on the toilet without my binder on.

So I am 20 days post open and here are my true suggestions.

Days 1 – 10
ALWAYS were your binder, if the hospital doesn’t provide one, get one.
ALWAYS ask for help with everything.
SLEEP as much as you can.
TAKE the stool softener. I never thought I would need it, I was wrong.

Days 10 – 20
Continue the above
Add light walking around your home.
Get some fresh air.
Have visitors over for short term visits.
Do not lift anything over five pounds.
Work hard to get comfortable and don’t push yourself.

I’m glad I did this. I’m happy to report that no additional cancer was found and I am considered to be cancer free.

Ladies, this is/was hard and I’m not fully recovered yet. However, it gets easier every day. Women are capable of handling the most difficult and trying obstacles in life.

Find a great doctor, seriously, if you leave the office and don’t have that feeling of ‘this is the right thing for me’ see someone else.

This too, shall pass.