I'm new to this site - and grateful for finding it.  I'm at home recovering from a partial hysterectomy so I have lots of time on my hands.  Eventhough I fought it for two years, followed every alternative until there was none - I feel guilty.  Its as though I some how betrayed myself. Because I kept my overies and cervix I feel half - something.  A woman who doesn't bleed?  Maybe I could have dealt with the pain for a while longer?  In truth the after-surgery pain was a relief compared to what I've become used to.  Is this common?  Does it pass as I grow strong again?

Beth, that was something I went through as well. I suffered for two years with endometriosis.The pain was unbearable at times and my life was unpredictable because I never knew when the terrible pain would hit, and when it did, I was incapacitated for days. I went on this way despite well meaning friends urging me to have a hysterectomy and doctors telling me that is what I needed. But finally I came to the point that I agreed to have it and was ready. I had a complete hysterectomy and went through a period where I felt cheated out of part of my womanhood. But as I recovered I realized I am still as much a woman, maybe even more so because now I am free of the pain so I can live my life. Take care and hope this helps you to know that you are not alone.

Beth,    Altho I haven't had a hysterectomy, I would never think of a woman who has had a hysterectomy as being any less of a woman.  Unless a lady tells she has had a hysterectomy I have found it is impossible to tell who has and who has not had surgery.  I look forward to getting to know the wonderful woman you are.  Sending you well wishes for brighter days to come.                    ~Helen

I had a complete abdominal hysterectomy on Sept. 30/02 and I feel great!  Definitely do no miss that "time of the month"!!!!!!  I feel no less of a woman than before!  I had serious pain before, one ovary was infected with endometriosis, the other clean.  Now...............NO PAIN!!!  Life is wonderful!  :)

Beth, I had a total abdominable hysterectomy with both ovaries (due to numerous cysts and stage 1 ovarian cancer on the right ovary) taken on the 25th Sept 02. It took me many years to come to the stage that I accepted the need to have the hyst (due to heavy bleeding and continued severe anemia). Please don't feel guilty, you have nothing to feel guilty about. If you've suffered a long time (like many of us) with problems you will certainly feel lots better soon. These feeling will pass in time, you are just recovering from surgery with all the effects from the meds given to you having to pass from your system. It does take some adjusting to - being this new woman, I still get teary at times. I went for my 6 week check up just last week and there was a 40ish woman there fully pregnant, I couldn't help but get teary eyed thinking that could have been me. Life gets better from now on in, we don't have to worry about the monthly visit, yephee :biggrin:

It will pass and you'll be so glad that you had the surgery done.

Debbie.

You know, Debbie, your post made me think of something I learned today in a class I had to attend for my upcoming knee joint replacement surgery.  They said that many people can go into post-op depression, something like a post partum... hmmm, interesting...  I learn something new every day.