Letter to Oprah

After watching Oprah's show on hysterectomies, I got inspired to write my own letter to her.

Dear Oprah,

In general, as I sat and watched your show on June 15, 1998 on the subject of Hysterectomies I cried. I thought to myself, "If only someone had aired this a year ago my life would be different."

You MADE a difference in a lot of women's lives that day. But it is time to take it a step further. What about the women who have already made this drastic step and now suffer daily? What options do they have? When will the hell end? These women I am talking about are your sisters, your friends, your co-workers. They suffer from Surgical Menopause.

It is said that this is supposed to be a "normal" process everyone goes through in life. Although this may be true, it is a proven fact that most of the women who go through menopause are actually suffering from "Surgical Menopause". Women go through this mainly after the removal of their ovaries but some women suffer just as much with the removal of their uterus only. When I say suffer I do not use this term lightly. Some women experiencing Surgical Menopause go through Hell. This process has destroyed marriages, family relationships, self worth and made a lot of women wonder "WHY DID I DO THIS TO MY BODY?" and "WHY IS MY BODY WORKING AGAINST ME?"

The Feelings
The feelings women go through when they suffer from Surgical Menopause are tremendous. Not only have they lost their internal organs, and for most women, the ability to have children, but they are experiencing all these emotional and physical symptoms beyond anything they ever imagined or been told! Loss of sexual drive, inability to have orgasms, hot flashes, hair loss, bladder problems, joint pain, thyroid dysfunction, painful intercourse, dry skin, anger/rage, crying spells, suicidal thoughts, depression, insomnia...the list goes on an on. A woman going through Surgical Menopause will experience all or some of these symptoms. Some women experience more severe symptoms which will have her going to all types of doctors, put on all kinds of medicines, just to be told "It is all in your head," or "Take this antidepressant and come back in a few months." It is time to educate the doctors about what is going on with our bodies. This is not in our heads! Our feelings are real and although it may look like we are losing it, we are reaching out for the help that we deserve.

My Story
I am 29, a young woman who feels 10 years older. I should not be going through this in my life right now but because of poor research and a doctor who just wanted to "take everything out" I am suffering from Surgical Menopause. I had my surgery in September of 1997 because of painful intercourse, pelvic pain, and adhesions from a C-Section. My doctor said I would feel as good as new. I was 28 years old and I had only been married a month. Now, nearly a year later, I am still experiencing painful intercourse, pelvic pain, and adhesions. The same symptoms I was having which forced me to have a hysterectomy have returned.

My life changed in September of 1997. My marriage suffered, my health suffered and my job suffered. I experienced all symptoms listed above and more. I had to have another surgery in February of 1998 to remove more scar tissue only to be told that it would reform and I would just have to live with it. The day after your show I found out I had a tumor on my vaginal cuff around the nerve endings. This was not supposed to happen to me. Now I am faced with another possible surgery if the in-office procedure does not help me. Sex is out of the question because of the severe pelvic and back pain I get. I am also STILL trying to find the right HRT "cocktail".

I know there are people in worse condition than I am. I am not trying to complain but to EDUCATE. That is the key. If, through my experience, I can help another young woman from going through this then I know I have made a difference.

In Conclusion
Although this letter is long, I hope it has reached your heart. The women of this world NEED a show on Surgical Menopause and what it does to your body. We need the education so we can make a responsible choice about our bodies. I urge you to do a show on this and I can guarantee that you will be blessed by millions of women faced with this problem.

Thank you for your time and help.
Kellie G

Updated 06/01/2007