Let me take you back a few years… I have always had “female” problems and numerous procedures. In 1998, I had fibroids (benign tumours) removed from my uterus. It was a major surgery that left a 6″ incision in my belly. I remember I had to stay home from work about 6 weeks. I was living in Dallas at the time and had recently taken a new job in New York.

From that date, I have had several other procedures over the years, including three biopsies to check for cancer in my uterus. Thankfully they all came back negative. Over the years the idea of having a hysterectomy occurred to me, especially the last time I had a biopsy in Dallas. It was right before I moved to Mexico (2021). I had a different procedure done then as the Dr was convinced I didn’t need a hysterectomy. She said I would be fine and NEVER have this problem again.

Fast forward to May 2024 when I had an annual female exam here in Mexico and again the need for a biopsy came about as the Gynecologist was concerned that there may be pre or cancerous cells. Again it came back negative (this was the 3rd biopsy in 6 years!). I was referred to a specialist, a Gynecologist/Oncologist Surgeon. This specialist in Puerto Vallarta immediately did an ultrasound and recommended a total hysterectomy. Although the biopsy had come back negative, with my history and current test results, he thought the best course of action was to simply remove everything so as not to have any future problems.

At the time, I had a BIG trip planned to Spain in July, 2024. So we agreed to postpone any decision until my return in August. To be honest, when I returned I was just not ready to make that decision. I was angry, because the two other biopsies that I had done in the USA could have, should have, resulted in a hysterectomy. Both times I had medical insurance. Now in Mexico, I do not.

So I got through the Fall of 2024 and in December I traveled back to Spain. During that trip, I had plenty of time to think about my health and that having a hysterectomy was probably the best thing to do. I made an appointment to see my Surgeon in early January. He did another ultrasound, nothing had changed and the recommendation was still a hysterectomy. What he did decide at that appointment was that he could indeed perform it via laparoscopy. He is the only surgeon in Puerto Vallarta that performs laparoscopic hysterectomies! This is a less invasive surgery with a faster recovery time. It was good news.

He also referred me to a Cardiologist. It was necessary to do all of the preoperative lab tests (blood work) prior to surgery and have the Cardiologist see me and approve me for surgery. I had the blood tests done prior to leaving for Los Angeles. I then visited with her one evening upon my return. She did an EKG and checked my lab tests and all was good. I was ready for surgery!

When I visited family in Los Angeles in January 2025 I talked to my sister and mother about it. They preferred if I was in Los Angeles to have the surgery. But my home is in Mexico. Although the surgery would need to be a cash transaction, it was much less expensive than having it done in the USA, where I would have to stay at least a month to recover and with no where to stay but a hotel, it would be much more expensive. There simply isn’t any room at my mother’s house.

I got back to Mexico in late January and went to see my Surgeon in early February. We decided then and there to schedule the surgery for February 13th. My dear cousin, Marcela, who lives in Queretaro (another state in Mexico) offered to stay with me the first week and to be present during the surgery. She is a very sweet person and exactly who I needed to be with me. She arrived the day before the surgery and stayed one week.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect, and many friends and family in the USA were thinking perhaps medical care in Mexico would be “third world quality.” Well, let me tell you, that isn’t so! The hospital where I had my surgery is a private hospital in Bucerias, 10 minutes from my house! You have probably heard of medical tourism? Well, a lot of foreigners come to Mexico for elective surgeries. The hospital was very nice, clean and rather small. They had 22 private rooms, that were labeled “suites.” My “suite” had a large television, wardrobe/closet, a desk, couch, recliner chair and large bathroom with shower. My room also had a large window with an ocean view. It is about 3 blocks from the beach. It was a very comfortable room.

The nurses and staff were all very friendly, attentive and professional. The meals were tasty. I arrived on Thursday at 2:30pm and was taken up to my room at around 3:15pm. My surgery was scheduled for 4:00pm. In Mexico your room is assigned before surgery. So you are taken up to your room to get ready and then taken to the operating room (OR). I changed into a gown and got into bed. The nurses helped me put on compression hose (thigh-high) that the Dr had asked me to purchase and bring with me. The IV was put into my hand and I was ready to go.

The Dr came up to my room around 4pm and told us that the Anesthesiologist was running a little late. He went through the specifics of the surgery with my cousin and I, advising us that the surgery would be 2.5-3 hours. At the half way point, someone would come up to the room to give Marcela an update. We then waited for the arrival of the Anesthesiologist who met with me to go over my medical history prior to surgery.

Now I need to mention something. Leading up to the surgery I wasn’t really nervous. I was very positive that I would have a good outcome. Mind over matter, as the say. So I remained positive and was confident in my Doctor and his medical team. He brings his medical team with him along with his operating materials. As such, he “rents” the operating room from the hospital along with my “suite.”

He had a team of 5 assisting him which included my original Gynecologist. She was the only woman in the operating room. Once the Anesthesiologist met with me, I was transferred to a gurney and taken down to the operating room. When I arrived it was freezing in there. I only had on a very thin gown. And, as they say, “things got real, very fast.” It is when the nerves began, Goodness, I was shaking, uncontrollably. Everyone was very nice and professional. I was then transferred to the operating table. Well, I had to move myself from the gurney to the table. The IV’s were hooked up with the anesthesia, as I would be completely “asleep” during the surgery.

The Anesthesiologist asked me if I was starting to feel dizzy and I was. I looked up at the clock and it was exactly 5:00pm. He asked me again if I was feeling more dizzy and I said yes. He put an oxygen mask on my face a couple of times, saying “this is just oxygen.” And that is the last thing I remember.

The Doctor had told Marcela and I that a Pathologist would be in the operating room. He would be there to examine my uterus once it was removed to check for cancer. If cancer was found at the time of surgery, the Doctor would have to remove the lymph nodes in the pelvic area. If not, I would be closed up. A Laparoscopic hysterectomy requires an incision in the belly button where the camera goes that guides the Doctor. Then 3 more small incisions were made below the belly button, one on one side, two on the other (these are about 5 cm in size – about 2 inches). Marcela was expecting the Pathologist to arrive in 1.5 – 2 hours to give her an update. Well, he had not been to visit her when that time came and went.

So, you can imagine she was a bit nervous. At the end, the surgery lasted 5 hours. Much more than expected. The Dr explained to Marcela then (while I was in recovery) and later to me, that he doesn’t know exactly what he’s going to find until he goes in. In fact my organs were all squished and stuck together. He’s not quite sure why this happened. It could have been due to scar tissue from my previous surgery (in 1998) or I could have had an undiagnosed case of Endometriosis. Regardless, he had quite a job to do to separate the organs without damaging them. And then to remove my uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix.

The Pathologist did come up to see Marcela at some point before I was closed up and taken to Recovery. He told her that he did not find cancer and actually brought a jar containing all my “lady parts” to show her. This included my uterus, ovaries and two large tumours that were growing outside of the uterus and she said maybe a dozen more small ones attached to the outside of the uterus. Thank goodness, I never saw that.

I was in recovery about one hour during which time my Doctor stayed with Marcela in my room. I was brought up to my room at 11pm and Marcela said I looked terrible and I was shaking from the cold. All I remember was someone rubbing my arm and saying my name in recovery trying to wake me up. Once I was back in my room in my bed, I was tucked in and fell asleep around midnight. Marcela stayed with me in my “suite”. The couch was comfortable enough (poor thing!) and a pillow and blanket added to her comfort. She is truly a lovely, lovely person!

The next morning I was up early. The Doctor had told me I would be discharged that same afternoon. The nurses took care of a couple of things (IV medication). Breakfast was brought up to my room. Then they had me up and in the shower by 9am! Imagine that. Once showered, they changed my bedding and I got back into bed. The Dr had asked that I walk as much as I could today. So Marcela and I went out for a walk a few times. Just outside my room in the corridor. It’s a small area with 11 rooms in a circular shape with an outside terrace where you could see the ocean. I felt pretty good. Yes, I had some pain in the incision area but it was tolerable. I had pain medication going into my IV.

Lunch was brought up around 1:00pm. It was good: grilled fish, rice and vegetables. The day went by pretty fast, to be honest. I think we watched two full movies and half of a third one. The Doctor stopped by my room to make sure I was doing ok and I was discharged around 4:00pm. We headed home, but not before stopping at a pharmacy to pick up the 7-8 medications he had prescribed (for pain, an antibiotic, a gel for the incisions, and many more).

Once at home, Marcela did an amazing job taking care of me. She helped clean my incisions daily, she cooked for us, and kept me great company. We watched a lot of movies and series on TV. We had visited the grocery store the day she arrived, so we had everything we needed for the week. The first couple of days were difficult. The pain medication did help certainly, but it was very uncomfortable to sit and even to lay down. The incision in my belly button was quite inflamed (as expected) and would take a while to heal.

After a couple of days at home, Marcela drove us to Costco and to see my Doctor on Monday afternoon. I felt ok and needed to walk after all. On Tuesday morning, we visited the local Farmer’s Market in Nuevo Vallarta. Which is an awesome outdoor market with many vendor booths selling food, fresh vegetables & fruit, clothes, jewelry and many other items. It was a good way to get in my daily walk and do a little shopping.

I was feeling good less than a week after surgery. The human body is an amazing machine and the grace and love of God (along with the many prayers being said for me by so many wonderful people) kept me in good spirits and on a terrific healing journey. I was simply in awe of my quick recovery. Listen, yes, I did have some pain and discomfort, but I really thought it was going to be worse.

Marcela left after a week, and I drove her to the airport. I haven’t left the house since that time. Here is a picture of us one week after her arrival and just prior to heading to the airport.

The pain medication has run out and I am feeling a little pain and cramps, but all tolerable. I am resting and continue to watch a lot of TV. My friends and neighbors have been awesome, many bringing me meals, groceries and one neighbor brought me flowers!

I have an appointment with my Doctor for a follow-up/check-up on Monday evening. Doctors keep evening hours here. Very different. I am not sure what to expect or if the pathology results will be back. I’m hoping so. I’ll update this post with any news.

This is my fourth major surgery in my lifetime (myomectomy in 1998, brain surgery in 2015, cervical (neck) surgery in 2017 and now this hysterectomy in 2025). This is by far the easiest recovery out of all four. I still have a ways to go. The initial period of recovery (and rest) is 21 days. From there, I am limited as to what I can do for a total of 4-6 weeks (no lifting, carrying, strenuous exercise). My Doctor did tell me that I would not be able to go into a pool for 6-8 weeks. And for that I am sad. I love my water aerobics classes, but those will have to wait. I am hopeful once I see him on Monday, he will approve my taking longer walks outside. The open wound in my belly button needs to be kept clean and free from any dirt that might “fly up” in the street. And I think the wound will be completely healed very soon.

That’s all I have for now. I am feeling good a little over a week since surgery. My belly is still a little swollen and I didn’t lose any weight as a result of the removal of these organs (darn it!). I have to watch what I eat for a while and am hopeful the Doctor will allow me to eat salsa and spicy foods once I see him on Monday. Fingers crossed!

UPDATE: I visited my Doctor for a follow-up 10 days after surgery. I was doing well. He did a quick exam and the wounds looked good. I still had some pain, which he informed me was from the intestines “settling in”. He prescribed a medication to help with the discomfort. Now, about the restrictions, they are still on. No salsa! No walks! No pool! Continued rest, no carrying or lifting. I see him again in 3 weeks. At that time, he hopes he can lift those restrictions (except the pool).

For those of you that were a part of the prayer chain, thank you! For those of you that brought by food and flowers, thank you! And for the many of you that kept in touch via social media and text, thank you! Friends and family are so important when going through something like this and I am forever grateful that I have you all in my life.