Women's health (TW)

[Patches59]

@Appleblossom @avant-garde @outlander 

Neither of my parents ever talked about women’s health.  Grew up feeling it was a taboo subject and still struggle in some areas.  From my mother’s perspective, heavy period was somehow my fault and couldn’t be that bad if I dared mention the amount of pain.

same as some of my female relatives I have a history of ovarian cysts and multiple surgeries to remove cyst.  Never felt comfortable having to see male gynos and having, what felt like, female only discussions.

Remember being hours drive away from home one day and feeling like I had been punched near base of my spine, so scary.  Following outcome of ultrasound was referred to female gyno as part of research project.  More surgery and first ovarian cancer scare.

yr or 2 later and same type of back/spine pain.  Long story short, in hospital surgical theatre for hysterectomy and gynos suspect cancer.  2 weeks later in hospital in different town surgery performed and multiple items sent for biopsies.  Outcome 3 mths later was no cancer but severe endometriosis, both tubes almost fully blocked.

[tyme]

Awww @Patches59 , sorry to hear. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I can only imagine how painful endo is. How are you nowadays?

[Patches59]

@tyme   Still struggling with physical and mental health issues.  Emotionally still feeling raw and overwhelmed

[tyme]

Hearing you @Patches59 . It takes time to heal - both physically and mentally. And I guess sometimes, it's hard to get others to really understand what's going on. 

Please know you are not alone. We are here for you.

[Appleblossom]

Sounds gruelling and difficult and potentially life threatening @Patches59 

complicated by ignorance a form of stigma 

I am fortunate to only have had relatively minor problems in that area.

keep doing what you and your body need 

[Patches59]

@Appleblossom 

I have variety of different physical health issues, OA being one that is causing lots of issues currently.  Severe OA in last 3 discs in my spine causing lots of pain some days and impacting on my walking.

earlier this year I started Schema Therapy which has resulted in lots of blocked memories now being remembered and bombarding my mind.  One of my highest scored Schema is Social Alienation and Isolation, war within myself with myself.  Mix of the memories plus knowledge of that schema leaving emotions very raw.  

[Patches59]

@tyme @Appleblossom   Best thing I did was having full hysterectomy.  Took longer to heal than if had only been one surgery and had to take more than 2 months of work but worth it.  Know only have to have breast screening each 5years

[tyme]

That's really good to know @Patches59 . It's a big thing a lot of women are confronted with - hysterectomy. 

[Appleblossom]

@Patches59 

that’s a good outcome for the hysterectomy 

you must have really needed it 

[Patches59]

@tyme @Appleblossom 

I was mid 40’s, early menopause with history of ovarian cysts.  Ultrasound found cyst approx size of tennis ball prior to seeing female gyno the second time.  Due to the length of time before I saw her she requested another ultrasound.  Second ultrasound showed cyst had approx doubled in size with smaller cyst forming inside the first one plus another cyst forming that was already quite large.

I told the female gyno I wanted hysterectomy and she agreed would provide best long term option for me.  Traditional 6 weeks to heal during which time person is very limited in doing things.  Due to me living on my own and first hospital was public, house cleaner and person to help with showering was arranged through the hospitals which cost me nothing