1. Introduction to Hysterical Hysterectomys

 

Welcome to the blog which is neither hysterical, or amusing - but is about hysterectomies. Mainly, my own, which was concluded on the 13th June 2023 for many many reasons, you may wish to read on about. Or not.

Have you ever wondered how it feels to have an organ removed that has been a biological part of you since birth - and how it feels so good? Have you ever wondered how you have to learn to re-poo when your intestines have been manipulated and detached from that over-sized organ? Have you ever giggled and shat yourself whilst popping a stitch? Yes - well then join me in this horror show account of my experience, and if no - hold on, there are more shat stories to come.

But the first thing I need to do is introduce myself, my conditions, my reasoning for a hysterectomy at 40, and why oh why this invasive and drastic major surgery is a release for me, and why it is called - a Hysterectomy.

I am a 40 year old female, a mum of two, a mentally struggling partner to my DD, and a CEO of a small charity. In my spare time I study neuroscience, psychodynamic and humanist therapy with an interest in child and trauma mental health. I volunteer at local and national charities to help my giving back good feeling and run and support an international information website which I created for people with Arachnoid Cysts.

I am equally - a hoot. Maybe it doesn't come out in this - but I think that was the most dominant gene I was given, being a hoot, or at least thinking I am one. I am also insightful enough to note I have wavering mental health as we all do, and my hoot can become a bit poopy time to time.

Anyway - 

Historically, particularly in the more recent centuries - women, of course, have been subjected to an array of male dominant medical curiosities and experiences, and have undergone traumatic and brutal abuse through the realms of science and research. But we knew this - and in some ways, it has gotten us where we are today - so I won't go too mad-fem on you at this stage.

But the term 'hysteria' actually originated long before the barbaric 18th and 19th century peculiar experimental stages. Ancient Greece with Hippocrates and Plato spoke of this element within a female human - the womb, or hystera,  - which they believed to wander around the female self, causing an array of mischief and symptoms which could be, under their gentle wise control, be removed or released from. You can read more on this here: Female hysteria: The history of a controversial 'condition' (medicalnewstoday.com)

I am not doubting the female form do contend with an array of mischief - but their main symptom of disorder or pain tends to be the inane juggling of life and directing of families, friends and the male form, but again - I won't go too Fem-OTT - just yet.

I am a feminist, I won't lie. I do believe and always have in the equality of all humans, and being a women, and experiencing the inequity of being a woman, but a voice I was born with, feel the right to discuss those inequities. Feminism | Definition, History, Types, Waves, Examples, & Facts | Britannica

But what I believe in more is the opportunity and the gratefulness of our progression to have allowed me to remove an organ which was no longer serving its function, and on good days made me awkward and tender and at my worst crumpled in pain, a shadow of my former self. If an Appendix starts to fail, we remove it. If we can catch cancer in an organ in time, we remove it. If we perceive something biologically to be more harmful than good, we have the ability and science to remove it. And I am grateful to have had it gone.

Now this is just my experience, so I have to give the pre-requisite that this is ONLY my experience. I will, where I can, direct you to more scientific and knowledgeable papers to back up my opinions, but where I can't it hopefully will be read as just that - my opinion. Where I use the word hysterical - this is actually not even set to be funny - but I am hoping, through the absurdity of sharing my experience, you can find some solace in your own journey.

You will hear about my ability to be the best patient (crying when my husband offered more time for me to be in bed to rest, and me hearing he no longer wanted me around :(, or about my ability to admire the male nursey care - where it feels like a tick box being completed in a long list of non-jobs they have to complete - so much hilarity.

I am aware of many people who do not want a hysterectomy, are forced though health when they would prefer not too or who struggle with their own mental health in choosing too have one. This blog will probably not be for you. So please - do feel the strength in the finger to press the button up above which can move you on from this diary-esque version of venting. 

The aim is provide an open blog to many women who may be thinking about having a hysterectomy, or considering their recovery or whatnot - but for you, I hope you enjoy.