Pain-free

I’m not in pain anymore. I haven’t had my usual unbearable pain for about a year after my hysterectomy. I am no longer dreading the next time I have to subject myself to my monthly agony. For me the hysterectomy worked brilliantly. I feel as normal as I did when I was in my 20s, back when the birth control pill was all I needed for pain management.

Immediately after my hysterectomy I was very cautious: I simply wanted to heal and see how I felt. Healing took time and I would recommend the full six weeks off work – not the four that I was lumbered with. Those first couple of weeks after my time away were very draining and, although I managed to work, I really was not 100% for work until six weeks after the surgery. Other things took even longer but going slowly and taking things easy has helped tremendously.

Over the past year I have spent my free time taking photographs and I’m doing an online photography qualification. I’ve started an online photography blog. Helios and I will be to a bigger home so that our family and friends can come to visit from time to time. Consequently I’ve been looking at interior decoration and have a number of ideas for our new home. I have helped to organise a charity pub quiz evening at work, which took a lot of effort! I have visited friends without needing to check and double-check my calendar for fear that I’d be too tired or in too much pain to have fun. I have started an online resource for my sister who is planning to get married next year. I have been able to concentrate on family when my father-in-law passed away in January without needing to hide in bed for my pain. When Helios said that his sinuses couldn’t cope with the smell of bleach, I researched cleaners and now have a recipe for bathroom and surface cleaner using vinegar and bicarb of soda – which doesn’t irritate my love’s nose. Helios and I went on holiday to Spain for a week in May and had a wonderful relaxing vacation. I’ve seen movies. I’ve visited friends. I’ve sent letters. I’ve not needed time off work. I’ve been available for people I care about. In short, I’ve had a life. I have checked in. I am switched on. I have energy. I feel like a whirlwind has been unleashed inside me. I have taken the bit between my teeth and done things without a care to my health issues.

Writing all this makes me feel a fraud – as if my current health condition will cause you jealousy. I’ve been embarrassed to write this as I know the agony that some of you are still experiencing. I wish the hysterectomy worked for you. I wish that you don’t have to have a hysterectomy. I wish that endometriosis was cured with a tablet or a sonogram scan – just a quick wave of a wand and it’s gone! Wouldn’t that be nice?

I am still involved with raising awareness for endometriosis and am a member of Endometriosis UK. Now that I have the energy, I’d better put it to good use for us!

Foxy