I had my surgery on the 19th of May. It sucked! They took out my uterus, right ovary, 3 lymph nodes, 16-inches of intestine and a bunch of other tissue and dead cells.
Now not only do I have a horizontal 8-inch scar across my lower abdomen, I now have a 10-inch vertical scar all the way down my stomach and a 3-inch scar just above my tailbone. Not to mention the numerous scars from ports and PICC lines! My brother told me that I look like a heroin addict that got in a gang fight!
The only scar that I don't mind is from my egg implantation. I have a 3-inch scar on the inside of my upper left arm. The fertility specialist said that the procedure was successful and as of right now there are 25 eggs in my arm. Woo Hoo! Now all I have to do is find a surrogate!
But to tell you the truth, this whole Hysterectomy thing is not all it's cracked up to be! The hot flashes alone are making me want to move to Alaska! I live in Texas and they are torture! I have started carrying a portable fan with me wherever I go.
I start my next round of chemo next week, so I'll be around if anyone wants to talk!
God Bless & Gig 'Em!
Jessica
Hysterectomy
Thursday, July 24, 2008, 01:21 AM CST [General]
Jessica,
Laura EllenMy heart goes out to you in every way. Your post reminds me of myself a year ago... and myself in the present time, some days. I think the hardest aspect of being scarred is the reminder of how you got your 'battle wound.' Because the reminder has alot more emotional ties to it, than the physical appearance of the scars. But at the same time I know how difficult it is to look at yourself the same once your body is tattooed with stitches, staples, and skin grafts. Unfortunately I have very little encouragment to give in this area... because this is a struggle I face everyday when it comes to my physcial appearence. So any encouragment I give, wouldn't justify empathy... but rather sympathy. And I have learned sympathy is not what a person needs in the time of their struggles. So instead of giving you my two cents today, I am giving you my support and my understanding. Because I DO understand, in everyway possible. I know what it's like to coordinate your daily attire around your scars, to ensure that they won't show. Or I know what it's like to fabricate a story to tell people when asked about your scars, because it hurts too much to tell the true story. And lastly, I know all the shame you have built up against yourself because of this.
With all that being said, I'm going to share a quote with you, that speaks deeply to me... and I hope it touches you in the same way. God Bless Jessica
“There is something beautiful about all scars of whatever nature. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed and healed, and done with.” - Harry Crews
10:11 AM CST