Hysterectomy in Sweden

[Brandy]

Have any of you had a hysterectomy in Sweden? I'm 38 and getting my uterus removed next week.

I'm actually very relieved about this. I've been having problems and tested positive for cell changes when I got a D&C in Dec., which really doesn't mean anything, but I still have not had a normal menstruation, and have another growth already. (Just seven months!)

If they didn't suggest it, I'd be nervous, we know how long it takes to get an operation in Sweden! And if a real problem developed, it goes too fast for waiting lists!

Well, I was there this morning, he suggested it, I said I'm for it and now I'm going in next week! Can you believe it! Here in Sweden! One Week!

Just wondering your experiences for longer stays in the hospital. My D & C experience was horrible, and my son getting tubes in his ears was the worst experience of my life! As soon as he woke up they sent us home, he couldn't even hold his head up yet after the anesthesia!

So I'm wondering, will I be in the hospital for 5 days being ignored and eating in the cafe at the entrance? Will they check on me and make sure I'm breathing after the operation, or will it be like my previous experiences - their job is done - so who cares about the patient.

I'm reminded of that swedish commercial where the guy in a body cast is being wheeled out of the hospital to the street, and then the nurse says good-bye and lets him roll down the steep hill because they've already done everything they were responsible for.

[Carolyn]

Although she's not a member here, I know that Naomi from Amerikanska has had a few hospital stays, especially one after the birth of her daughter, and I don't recall her saying anything terrible about it. I know that some time ago when Anders had to have surgery, he was treated very well and his ex-father-in-law has just gotten out of hospital from cancer treatment and they couldn't say enough nice things about the treatment.

I will definitely hold my thumbs and cross my fingers for you and hope that you will have as good an experience as anybody can have with major surgery.

[Brandy]

Thanks Carolyn. Since I don't have anything major wrong yet, I just picture the usual - oh but you aren't really sick so fend for yourself.

I didn't really want to post the question on amerikanska and start a battle, swedish medical system vs. others. I know medically I will be well cared for.

Thanks for your response!

[Sabeine]

Hi,

It's late and I can't sleep so I came on this board to poke around.

If I may ask, why are you having this procedure? Are you have a partial or total?

I have not been checked in to the hospital here overnight only had doctors appointments, but I have family here in Sweden that have (long and the short, my family is Swedish, though I was born and raised in the States) none of them had problems due to the hospital. If there were problems it was because they had a disease like cancer. I know that there are many that have not been happy with the care here, and then there are many that have been. It is hard to say what kind of care you can expect to receive. In Sweden as well as N. America many doctors are better than others, at least my experience in the States was like this. Some doctors as well as surgeons were better than others. My stepmom is Canadian and she said that her hospital experience in Canada was the same. I write this because I think you wrote once that you were from Canada.

[crankody]

i have not had a hysterectomy here but i did have a tubal here and i did have good ¨service¨ if that is what you want to call it. they were very nice to me, spoke english if i wanted and i did stay for 2 days after because i am a bleeder so i had to stay. i didnt have to go the the cafe to eat or anything..i stayed in my room. i think it depends on which landscape you are from and what you are having done. i have no complaints of the hospital from where we live.

i forget who it was that had the lumpy ¨boobs¨, anyway did you go and get it checked out?

[Brandy]

Well, I got a little more info today, such as that I'm being cut - they are going through the abdomen!

I'm having what is called a total - uterus and cervix removed. Yes, I've been having problems with my menstruation for five years and finally got the doctors to hear me. (I went four times before they reacted and it was my family physician that listened in the end, not the gynecologist, although it was the gyn that gave me the ultrasound.)

Here's the full story, so if you're not interested skip rom here. I was experiencing discomfort to at times severe pain in my abdomen. I went to my gen. pract. for the pain, and he asked about my menstruation. I told him, "That's another story, I 've had that three times a month for five years, but the gyn. won't listen. They tell me that that can happen after childbirth." He was shocked, and asked, "So if I'm understanding you correctly, you bleed more than you don't." Correct, I'm free about 4-5 days a month. I was pretty much in tears because of the pain at the time of the appointment. He got me in to gyn. in 2 days. They put me on med. for four months which didn't work so later had a D & C.

I had the D & C in Dec. and was positive for cell changes. I was supposed to be checked in April, but with the swedish system didn't get in again until July. I had been having problems since Feb. (just two months after the D & C) so I understood that things weren't really as they should be. (Strange menstruation again and discomfort.) The D & C should've solved my problems.


So a couple of days ago, I found out that my uterus was still thick and I had another growth. So in essence, at 38, I do not have a healthy uterus. I'm not sure why he suggested getting my cervix out, but I figure if my uterus isn't healthy at 38, cervical cancer usually attacks quick and fast, with little time to react, I may as well get it out, too. So I do agree with the doctor.

I've heard that sex can be affected, so I'm a little concerned, but I would be more concerned about keeping it (the cervix!).

My father's cousin died from cancer of the uterus, but she was older. Another cousin had a hysterectomy done at an early age like me, but no direct relatives, so it's a little strange. I was 16 when I started menstruating though. My mother was in her 50's for her hysterectomy, and her sisters as well.

Everyone is still in a little bit of a shock, as well as myself. Or at least I'm realizing it now. I guess Iwasn't ecpecting them to go through the abdomen. That makes it more difficult for recovery. I will be resting for 3-5 weeks! That means - no carrying grocery bags, vacuuming, etc! I'm shocked. That's worse than after delivery!

I'm lucky my husband is so great. He will do it all with a smile.

Thanks for listening you guys. (or reading! )

[Suzanne]

Good Luck with your surgery and let us know how you are doing!

[Brandy]

Thanks Suzanne.

I'm realizing how much recovery time is needed. Some people say up to 6 months!!! Please, no! I'm expecting to be able to start exercising again within 2 months. I do believe that will be long enough, but what if I'm not ready? I'll go bonkers!!

I will keep you all posted.

[Sabeine]

Good luck Brandy! I will be thinking about you. I think all will go well, you have a long recovery but I think the surgery itself will be fine. *Big hugs*

[Natooke]

Brandy ... I'll be thinking of you as well & hope your recovery will be swift. Just take it easy & let your body heal at it's own pace.
I’ve had two C-sections in Sweden … since it’s considered a major surgery my health was considered from beginning to end. I did use the pain relief they offered, for the first day/24hrs I starting with morphine. Certainly everyone’s level of pain is different … so I opted to stop after two days with alvadone (sp) One of the best (hardest) things I did the day after my surgery was get out of bed & make a few steps … then later in the day making my way down the hallway. This helped me with the stiffness that occurs, one never really understands how much we use our stomach muscles until you have an abdominal surgery.

I’m sure you’ll get advice on how to keep your incision clean & dry … I received a few samples of antiseptic soap to keep it clean … then with patting it dry (as much as you can with out injuring the area) allow the surface to air dry before putting on clothing. In fact I lived in light cotton dress until my stitches were removed.

I wish I could give you more advice from my experiances ... I spent 10 days with our first child & 7 with the second. Since I knew what to expect the second time around I left the hospital by my choice.

Take Care & rest.
Natooke

[Brandy]

Thanks Natooke. I''ve always been very thankful that I didn't need C-sections. I can't imagine having a small baby to care for at home and have that healing going on!

It really is the recovery part that has me nervous and it will be a long month waiting for the results of that test.

I know what you mean about using your stomach muscles. I was talking to a neighbor about how it'll be strange to not be able to bike the kids to school the first day. His reply was, but you don't use your stomach muscles for that - you can do that! I explained that if vacuuming is considered too much, I would definitely rule out bikíng!!!

We have so much to do around our house. (We are three years behind on our list already! Painting, wallpaper - we have no floor in our entry in the cellar, and no entry on the outside upstairs!) My husband thought, instead of biking I could help putting in our stone walkway. That's only hard on your back!

I'm lucky my husband will do everything when I get home so I will be able to heal properly. Thanks again Natooke. Your comments have eased my nerves.

[Sabeine]

Brandy,

Have you had this operation now? I do hope that it went as smoothly as possible. I'm thinking about you.

[Brandy]

Sabeine, thanks!

I got home yesterday and am sitting at the computer for the first time since coming home and am feeling pretty good.

It went pretty well. I was well taken care of, but glad to be home. I can control my own medication intake and not go over-board, which was difficult in the hospital because I could never get a straight answer.

They had me on some morphin-like medication that made me so sick, I'd rather experience the pain. When I finally got them to understand me, through my hallucinations, dillusions, fever and vomiting, things got better.

I'm resting alot now. I get up every hour or so for a couple of minutes to ten minutes, but then I'm wiped out or in too much discomfort to continue.

My family is great, supportive and helpful. (My six and eight year olds washed the toilets!) They are making me laugh, which hurts and is not a good idea, but they are funny.

I think recovery is going to be tougher than I thought as my energy level is rather low. And it is awfully difficult to rest! My body is sore from lying down and sitting, but my stomach muscles can't handle being on my feet! Talk about frustration, but no hormone swings yet. (I still have my ovaries.)

I'm expecting to be out of my limbo in just a couple more days as I am three times as strong today as I was two days ago.

Well, now you all got the FULL story. (Of course, there's more but it's even more boring than what I've already told you! )

[Natooke]

Brandy ... happy to hear you're on the mend ;D I had a giggle about your kids pitching in on the house work, good for them ... you both must be very proud of them

Take it easy OK

[Carolyn]

Glad to hear that everything went well for you. I too dislike being over-medicated, but others really seem to need that kind of thing. Just take it easy and let people do for you for a change.