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Conference quark::human_relations-v1

Title:What's all this fuss about 'sax and violins'?
Notice:Archived V1 - Current conference is QUARK::HUMAN_RELATIONS
Moderator:ELESYS::JASNIEWSKI
Created:Fri May 09 1986
Last Modified:Wed Jun 26 1996
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1327
Total number of notes:28298

987.0. "What to expect after a hysterectomy?" by QUARK::HR_MODERATOR () Fri Apr 13 1990 15:47

    The following topic has been contributed by a member of our community
    who wishes to remain anonymous.  If you wish to contact the author by
    mail, please send your message to QUARK::HR_MODERATOR, specifying the
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    your name attached  unless you request otherwise.

				Steve


    P.S.  I received the contribution some time ago, but the author has
    indicated that he would still like responses.  My apologies for the
    unusual delay. - Steve



My wife is coming home from the hospital today.  She had a complete hysterectomy
last Friday afternoon.  I don't know what to expect.  I'm looking for some words
of wisdom from this community.

Further information, she is 34, we have two daughters 12 and 13.5, we both work,
our marrige (15yrs) is in poor health, but we are friendly and care about each
other as people.

I want to help her recover (mentally as well as physically).  I want to support
her in her time of need.  

What can you share with me ?
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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987.1UnderstandingSLAVC::MAHONEYFri Apr 13 1990 16:0917
    <Help to recover mentally as well as physically
    
    That operation is not the end of the world and should not affect her
    mentally, and physically, at 34, there is no reason for an early
    recovery.  My syster had the same operation, she was 37 and her life
    did not change after that... well yes, for a few years after it, she
    was afraid that the growth would reproduce and become malignant, it
    did not reproduce and she is 59 now. From what I've seen, there is no
    reason to treat that surgery any different from any other.  (True, a
    woman cannot conceive, but she has 2 children and I bet she uses BIRTH
    CONTROL presently, so... where is the concern of not being able to give
    birth to more children?)
    Assure her that she has children, a family, and her health.  That is a
    heck of a lot when we think about it.
    Be supportive to her, help her to recuperate, I don't see much more
    that you could do.
    Lots of luck.
987.2ICESK8::KLEINBERGERA bee can sting a bearFri Apr 13 1990 17:556
    You may also want to look at the womannotes conference at
    RAINBO::WOMANNOTES-V2.. This topic from a womans' point of view has been
    discussed to great detail. You may gain a very indepth insight from 
    reading it.
    
    G
987.3Both Mentally and PhysicallyUSCTR2::DONOVANSat Apr 14 1990 04:535
    I don't know much about this but I'd like to send prayers for a speedy
    recovery.
    
    Kate
    
987.4... just keep on caring ...AHIKER::EARLYBob Early CSS/NSG Dtn 264-6252Mon Apr 16 1990 16:0524
>What can you share with me ?
    
    I think it all depends on how  your  wife  views herself.  In my own
    personal  life, and living with two people who  had  hysterectomies,
    and  knowing a sister-in-law who had a hysterectomy ...    there  is
    nothing  any had in common.  My SIL seemd to  think  the  world  had
    ended, and degraded herself as "..  being a hollow woman  ...",  and
    one  of  the  other  woman  I knew (intimately well) considered it a
    blessing after all the years of menstrual grief, pain, and anguish.
    
    For whatever else your relationship might  be,  it  sounds  like you
    still  care for one another.  Just  keep  caring,  and  doing  those
    things that people who really care do for one another.
    
    Be sensitive to changes  in  her  personality, and sensitive to what
    may be new needs, wants and desires.
    
    Major surgery of any sort  can  be  the stimulis to persons creative
    process in how they look at life.
    
    -Bob
    

    
987.5From one who knows!PCOJCT::COHENSHE'S A LITTLE BIT DANGEROUS!Wed Apr 18 1990 13:2415
    Make sure that she knows from you that she is still a woman...and still
    the same woman that you married and cared for and loved......
    
    SHe may feel like she is less of a woman now that she cannot reproduce,
    but she must be told, over, and over, and over, and over, that she is
    still a wonderful, desirable woman to be loved and cherished...
    
    You might also be surprised....your marraige may turn around and start
    to spark again...
    
    
    Wishing her and you a speedy and painless recovery.
    
    Jill
    
987.6LOTS OF LOVE!WEDOIT::ROMANELLIThu May 03 1990 19:454
    Let her know you still love her, she is not different, however she
    will have many ups and downs because of the operation. The same
    goes for the kids.....she will need love and support...not
    smothering... treat her as person day by day....
987.7My perspective!ICS::ANDERSON_MWed Jun 19 1991 16:3331
    Having had the surgery myself (at 37) perhaps I can give you a little
    insight.
    
    When I had mine I had been in a lot of pain, also had cancer elsewhere
    and was basically to the point where I WANTED one...just so I could
    feel better (physically).  I always told myself that if I ever had to
    lose a part of my body...that having a hysterectomy would be the
    easiest as no one could tell (unless I chose to tell them) and I
    had two healthy children and didn't want any more.
    
    Denial.
    
    Felt miserable.  It wasn't that I didn't feel like a 'woman' - it was
    more like something very vital of MINE was taken from me and I was
    angry.  It was something I could not control and being a very strong
    and independent person....I felt violated.  I felt alone.
    
    I had a wonderful physician who said that NOTHING will change unless I
    let it.  I had good friends, family and a lot of love and support.  (I
    was divorced, by the way!)  With time, and counseling, I have now put 
    that part of my life in it's proper place.
    
    No more pain, no more mood swings, no more expense....and I no longer
    have the feeling that I am not 'whole' anymore because without the 
    surgery - I wouldn't have all the other things that are much more
    important.
    
    I'm alive!
    
    Marilyn