Hysterectomy+ and I was the 1%

Update: I was discharged late on Friday (12/20), just five days after my initial surgery and same-day ER return. I still have a Foley catheter and will follow-up with my surgeon in a few days. My bladder just isn't quite ready. It is good to be home and my husband and I are thankful that our village did come through.

I'll try to provide a future update regarding my overall recovery.

Thanks for the support and sharing some of your stories, it was so appreciated.

Hi everyone,

I am 5dpo from a hysterectomy+ a salpingectomy, anterior/posterior prolapse repair, and urethral sling surgery.

I am also recovering after a medical emergency that has sent me on a wild ride this week so please stop reading if you only want happy stories.

Also, be aware that my story is very rare according to the medical team. BUT if you do feel like something isn't right after your procedure - do not hesitate to get checked out.

Monday First, my surgery was successful. It was done out-patient with little blood loss. I was sent home same day with my husband.

I thought I couldn't stay awake because I was just so exhausted. Within a few hours it was evident something was wrong because I couldn't even stand without keeling over. My husband called my neighbor over to manage our young kindergarteners and help get me to the car. This sweet man thought he was going to drive me to the hospital.

My neighbor held my legs up while EMS was called. My blood pressure was low and dropping. They called in a specialist who could give whole blood and got 1 unit going into me on the way to the hospital.

A CT Scan revealed internal bleeding and a large hematoma. Into the OR I went with my original surgeon. Success! They found a small bleeder behind my urethral sling and cauterized it before cleaning out some of the hematoma. This was laparoscopic so no large incisions to add to recovery.

Tuesday Despite the surgery's success and 2 more units of blood product my blood pressure wasn't climbing higher than the 90s and my blood counts were okay but not great. Late Tuesday night my blood pressure was slowly going back down and my blood count had slowly, steadily decreased again.

Another CT scan was ordered along with 2 more units of blood. I was sent to the ICU while they rallied an OR team just in case. But the scan didn't reveal internal bleeding to explain the loss so my surgeon had me transferred by helo to the main hospital where I could get a procedure he thought would have a higher rate of success than another surgery.

Wednesday The new hospital took me straight to the ICU while I waited the Interventional Radiology (IR) to prep for an angiogram and embolism. No active bleeding was found, but the team cauterized the spots my uterus out because they suspected that was the source of a slow bleed.

Wednesday/Thursday Two more units of blood product later (bringing me up to 7) I was sent back in the ICU to be monitored.

Finally on Thursday night I graduated from the ICU to a stepdown unit. My blood pressure is back in the 100s and my blood count is at an 8.5.

I have peed without a catheter. I have gone for a walk. I am eating solid foods.

Our village rallied for us. My boys got a fun sleepover with the neighbors. My MIL drove down immediately to help keep the boys on a routine. My mom flew in to help and eventually takeover from my MIL. And my husband has been keeping it all together somehow between visiting me and getting the boys to swim lessons.

We have no idea why this happened to me, but I am so grateful for everyone whose expertise and experience helped save me.

I can't even say I regret the surgery because you can't live life by fearing the 1% chance that things might go sideways. I hope that not having having heavy, painful periods, cervica pain during sex, and having imoroved bladder control will make it all worth it.

TLDR: Had outpatient surgery for total vaginal hysterectomy + urethral sling, and prolapse repair. Had an internal bleeding anomaly that required an ambulance, 7 units of blood product, an emergency laparoscopic surgery, an angiogram and embolism procedure and one helo flight in a span of 3-4 days. I am in recovery and expected to go home on day 5.