"Robotic Hysterectomy"

I have suffered from painful periods for a number of years and have pretty much always been told to get on with the problem. 

September 2020, I started to experience excruciating pains in my abdomen area, my body had rejected the coil recently fitted. This led to the return of my excruciating period pains and bleeding as what I can only describe as a river. Along with these symptoms, I experienced headaches, sickness, bloating and constipation. 

The long process of investigating began again, firstly being referred to my local hospital, the Queen Elizabeth (QE) in Gateshead.  This I did not want, however was informed I had to have a scan there first before choosing my hospital of choice, the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) 

My experience at the QE behaved as I expected, unprofessional and sloppy. The nurse radiographer informed me I had a fibroid and that it was nothing to worry about as it would shrink once menopause commenced, to note I was 42 at the time of my examination. I was shocked and left the hospital very deflated, upset and angry to be just told it was nothing and the fact my past history of cervical cancerous cells and the others issues I experienced were not considered. I was unwell and in pain. 

I called my GP to discuss my results and again, they there of the opinion that there was nothing to serious to worry about and asked if I wanted to peruse the investigations into the on-going issues I was/ had experienced for years.

Only because I insisted the GP agreed to a referral to a gynaecologist, in which I insisted I went to the RVI.

Only to receive a letter within two weeks for an appointment at the QE! This was quickly rectified, after I called the GP and I had my first meeting with Consultant, Dr Chaloub. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t hold out much hope. This mainly due to never being taken seriously before. After meeting Dr Chaloub, I left the hospital in a bit of a daze, in a good way. The consult had been the first time someone had actually listened to me and offered me options.  The next steps were an MRI, to locate the fybrioids, see if endometriosis played a factor and then it was agreed I would have a robotic hysterectomy.

I am now two weeks post operation, I had my cervix uterus and Fallopian tubes removed along with the endometriosis I had under my uterus.

I am so thankful for meeting Dr Chaloub, for listening to me and taking my symptoms seriously. 

Also a big shout out to ward 40 who looked after me pre and post surgery, they were all fantastic.  I was made to feel very comfortable, the staff were kind and compassionate and looked after me very well during my stay.