Hysterectomy at 30

By Janae Krell on August 21, 2011

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At 30 years old many people are just starting their families or have small children and are adding to theirs. Not me. My children came to me early and for that I am thankful, because now I am unable to have any more. My family has been complete for years so that isn't a problem... it just feels weird.

When my youngest was only a few months old I decided to look into becoming a surrogate to help other couples who wanted children and were unable to have them. My pregnancies were easy for me and I couldn't imagine not having my babies in my life. I knew I could help... and I did.

November 2009 I was implanted with two embryos. Days later I knew I was pregnant (but not verified). Two weeks later blood tests proved my instincts right and four weeks later an ultrasound showed further proof. Only we were in for much more than I had anticipated... those two embryos both implanted and one split into identical twins. Triplets.

You can read further into that pregnancy here.

Since the triplets were born I was having some intense problems. To keep it to a minimum ick factor I was bleeding intensely. It would happen for two months at a time with only a two week break before starting again. Without insurance and without the care or help of the IPs I dealt with it for a year. After moving and getting insurance with my husband's new job I was able to see and find a doctor who was willing to run tests and take my case seriously.

The problem was much more severe than I thought possible... I was bleeding to death. A normal person's hemoglobin (red blood cells) are within 11 - 15. Mine was at 6. The nurse advised me to get to the nearest hospital for a blood transfusion. I bawled my eyes out for the rest of the night. Thoughts of this issue killing me and leaving my children without a mother taunted me. All I wanted to do was help another couple have the family of their dreams and it ended up nearly taking my life.

I was presented with two possible options... #1 an ablation or #2 a partial hysterectomy. Either way something had to be done or I would lose my life. After doing my research I chose the hysterectomy since most cases I saw who had chose the ablation had to go back and have the hysterectomy anyway. No thanks, get it done and over with.

Days that followed the call from the doctor were scary... I had yet to go in for the transfusion and my body started shutting down. I could hardly move, my eyes had dark circles under them, my head pounded so hard I was certain the neighbors could hear it, my vision started to fade, and my stomach couldn't tolerate food.

That weekend my husband left our children with his mother and took me to ER where I received my first (and hopefully last) blood transfusion. I cried as they hung the bags of blood on the stand, connecting them to the tubes that went straight into my veins. Things improved after my body received the extra blood and for that I am very grateful.

A month later I was in the hospital once more... this time to have my uterus removed. I am 30 years old and will never again have to bleed to the brink of death. I will never again carry a child within me. But that aside, I chose to see the positive...

Now I will have my life back, can run and play with my children... and finally start shedding this baby weight from the triplets!!! I don't have to worry about a period ever again and because it was only a partial hysterectomy I won't have to take artificial hormones either. No more medications. No more periods. Nothing holding me back.

I am thankful that my life was saved and see each day in a whole new light.

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