That's Hysterical! Now, Get Out! | My Adenomyosis, Hysterectomy & Recovery Journey

Join Webby-nominated podcaster Emily Prokop as she candidly shares her personal journey with Adenomyosis, a uterine disorder known for causing pain and discomfort. From the initial OK to get the hysterectomy to the path of post-op and recovery, this podcast invites you into the raw, honest, and sometimes humorous moments that shape her story. (LANGUAGE WARNING: EXPLICIT) (DISCLAIMER) Please note that "That’s Hysterical! Now, Get Out!" is a personal account and not intended as medical advice. While Emily shares her experiences with Adenomyosis, hysterectomy, and recovery, each individual's medical journey is unique. Always consult with healthcare professionals for personalized guidance and support.

Anything to Distract from the Pain and Surgery Anxiety 12/09/2023

Radically Accepting the Horror Stories and the Success Stories 12/09/2023

Radically Accepting the Horror Stories and the Success Stories “I am intentionally focusing on the positives to try to get me through to that day. It almost feels like going against everything. It feels like society has been learning in the past few years of “Don't stick your head in the sand. Don't go to that toxic positivity.” But I think I'm also taking it with a lot of radical acceptance. I'm trying to, at least.” — Emily, 17 Days Until Uterus Eviction Day >>> SUPPORT THE SHOW <<< ** Stay in the loop with our latest episodes, upcoming topics, and exciting announcements — ** In This Episode: Telling my mom about my procedure went as well as it could have, all things considered. CW: I briefly share my mom’s hysterectomy story that didn’t go so well for her. Personal preference: Fewer medical horror stories for those having surgery. Trying to avoid toxic positivity and focus more on radical acceptance — but with a positive spin, perhaps? More disbelief that this pain may ACTUALLY one day not bother me so much. Did I just create this cozy lifestyle around my Adenomyosis and it’s my comfort zone (oddly)? and are favorites in my mental health toolbox. My ultimate goal in preparing for surgery is Peace of Mind and knowing everyone I love will be OK. The I Am app (/) I like for me affirmations and mindset-shifting reminders throughout the day. Note from Future-Emily Psst. Yes, Emily, it WILL be unbelievable not to have that constant pain. And it will definitely take some time post-op to adjust! Additional Links and Resources: Links not working in your podcast player app? Visit ThatsHystericalPodcast.com — Mayo Clinic — Mayo Clinic - Book by Maria Yeager — Facebook — MamaO2D4 — PubMed — PubMed Disclaimer: This podcast is based on personal experience and should not be taken as medical advice. Resources are provided for you to look into further and talk with your medical support team about. ** Follow on Instagram for Show Updates and News ** ** ** >>> SUPPORT THE SHOW <<< ** Stay in the loop with our latest episodes, upcoming topics, and exciting announcements — ** /episode/index/show/5d25f510-2507-4a85-8fda-78a296e89062/id/28766933

BONUS EPISODE: Share Your Success Story! 12/07/2023

One Day, My Universe Will Not Revolve All Around My Uterus 12/02/2023

One Day, My Universe Will Not Revolve All Around My Uterus "I am worthy of, if not a pain-free existence, at least an existence with less pain, less burden." — Emily, 18 Days Until Uterus Eviction Day >>> SUPPORT THE SHOW <<< ** Stay in the loop with our latest episodes, upcoming topics, and exciting announcements — ** In This Episode: Starting off the episode with best-case scenarios, followed closely behind by worst-case scenarios — thank you again, Anxiety+ADHD, for playing such a *fun* role in my life So much unknown right now, but let’s live in this world where this IS my last period. What it’s like being tied to a heating pad and in pain after a morning of caretaking and errands. Get ready for my birth stories — apparently, I use childbirth to distract me from period pain. This period happens to be a little whack-a-doo. Does it know it’s the last? Wondering (once again) what it’ll be like to NOT be in this pain and build my life around the complications of chronic pain. Did … did I compare an epidural to Game Genie? And compare my pain to levels of a video game? Yep. Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude, and the joy that comes from being helpful. It’s taken a while to find my own voice … or even find the voice of pain that signified that I finally needed to get this surgery. Building an entire life around this uterus has been a burden. Oh … and get ready for an Ah-ha moment! Thinking about what I could do without this pain, discomfort, and burden of Adenomyosis. What’s that like?! Visualizing life WITHOUT the pain (not “despite”). Getting a little worried about the compulsory cleaning and the “one more thing, one more thing” mindset I’ve gotten. Is it my OCD tendencies rearing their ugly heads? If the birth stories wasn’t enough, you’re also going to get my biopsy run-down. Let’s have our last hurrah, uterus! And then more fears that I didn’t do enough and my condition has gotten worse. But we don’t know that. When do I tell my husband I’ll probably still get PMS? Note from Future-Emily Oh Past-Emily, I wish I could hug you and tell you how good you’ll feel just WEEKS away from today! And even though we didn’t have the answers we have now, remember that quote from Mark Twain — “I've had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.” Additional Links and Resources: Links not working in your podcast player app? Visit ThatsHystericalPodcast.com — Mayo Clinic — Mayo Clinic - Book by Maria Yeager — Facebook — MamaO2D4 — PubMed — PubMed Disclaimer: This podcast is based on personal experience and should not be taken as medical advice. Resources are provided for you to look into further and talk with your medical support team about. ** Follow on Instagram for Show Updates and News ** ** ** >>> SUPPORT THE SHOW <<< ** Stay in the loop with our latest episodes, upcoming topics, and exciting announcements — ** /episode/index/show/5d25f510-2507-4a85-8fda-78a296e89062/id/28752918

Celebrating Day 1 of My LAST Period and Anxiously Making I.C.O.D. Plans 12/02/2023

Celebrating Day 1 of My LAST Period and Anxiously Making I.C.O.D. Plans “I always think, ‘Oh, if I'm going to die … Not today, I have too much and my husband's not going to know how to handle all that stuff’" — Emily, 19 Days Until Uterus Eviction Day >>> SUPPORT THE SHOW <<< ** Stay in the loop with our latest episodes, upcoming topics, and exciting announcements — ** In This Episode: We’re celebrating Day 1 of hopefully my LAST period (and having some disbelief) Let’s play the game of: PMS? Stress? Anxiety? PMDD? All of the Above? Lots of talk about period blood (it’s a period-heavy podcast, what did you expect?) Lots of prep getting done for the hysterectomy — preparing my clients, preparing my family, and preparing the house My Book — “” The pre-op anxiety may be getting the best of me and I’ve been going a bit to the dark side when it comes to “What If?” preparations — did I really need an In Case of Death Document? Eh … Anyone else go into Hypervigilant Efficiant Mode in instances (or imagined threat) of death? Learning to ask, “What do you suggest I do?” and “What’s the next step?” when feeling stuck. PMS+ADHD=Lots of mental storms brewing and going on. Since I’m not getting my ovaries removed, I’m wondering how PMS will go once my period is out of the picture. — Facebook Considering taking a social media break for a little bit to focus on my upcoming surgery and the work I need to do “I did my best” and “I am enough” are some great things to remind yourself any time of day. Is nesting for surgery a thing? Because I’m doing that I think. Again, in disbelief that all this constant pain will actually change. But maybe? Note from Future-Emily Yes, in fact, I AM glad we didn’t need to use that ICOD document, LOL! Also, I’m really grateful for a friend from church who gave me a shocked face when I told her I was doing all this death preparation stuff and told me, in the most straightforward Scorpio way possible to knock that shit off and focus on what I know to be true. I think that, plus getting through those first few days of my period, helped keep me from staying in that mindset for too long. Additional Links and Resources: Links not working in your podcast player app? Visit ThatsHystericalPodcast.com — Mayo Clinic — Mayo Clinic - Book by Maria Yeager — MamaO2D4 — PubMed — PubMed Disclaimer: This podcast is based on personal experience and should not be taken as medical advice. Resources are provided for you to look into further and talk with your medical support team about. ** Follow on Instagram for Show Updates and News ** ** ** >>> SUPPORT THE SHOW <<< ** Stay in the loop with our latest episodes, upcoming topics, and exciting announcements — ** /episode/index/show/5d25f510-2507-4a85-8fda-78a296e89062/id/28752193

Navigating Adenomyosis FB Groups and Swedish Death Cleaning 11/25/2023

Navigating Adenomyosis FB Groups and Swedish Death Cleaning “I hope I'll be writing my own success story and then I'll be thanking everybody who wrote theirs because that's what I need and maybe this is me asking the algorithm of the universe like, Hey, I need those success stories to get me through.” — Emily, 19 Days Until Uterus Eviction Day >>> SUPPORT THE SHOW <<< ** Stay in the loop with our latest episodes, upcoming topics, and exciting announcements — ** In This Episode: A quick little lesson in how social media algorithms work. Trying to focus on the success stories, but getting distracted and worrying about not being prepared enough. Her last period is wreaking havoc on her mental health, including motivating some major What it’s like in social media groups for Adenomyosis, including the heartbreaking stories from those who are just finding out and those who are continuously suffering or fighting medical professionals. - Book by Maria Yeager Emily talks about some of the things people try to help them deal with Adenomyosis Here’s your reminder to take your vitamins ;-) Gas bubbles are the WOOOOOORST! Why does every medical professional have some kind of checklist of criteria I need to meet so I can get my problematic organ removed? Shouldn’t the pain and suffering be enough? Psst — Women aren’t the only ones who get Adenomyosis. Hope you enjoy this podcast from my “Heart-Uterus” — Facebook - Chiara Schreder Starting to prepare and get supplies for the procedure. Note from Future-Emily Thank you to everyone who shares their Adeno and hysterectomy success stories, especially with strangers on the internet! Those kept me going while I prepared for my own surgery and I’m so grateful to be able to create this podcast while I’m recovering because Past-Emily got so ahead! Additional Links and Resources: Links not working in your podcast player app? Visit ThatsHystericalPodcast.com — Mayo Clinic — Mayo Clinic — MamaO2D4 — PubMed — PubMed Disclaimer: This podcast is based on personal experience and should not be taken as medical advice. Resources are provided for you to look into further and talk with your medical support team about. ** Follow on Instagram for Show Updates and News ** ** ** >>> SUPPORT THE SHOW <<< ** Stay in the loop with our latest episodes, upcoming topics, and exciting announcements — ** /episode/index/show/5d25f510-2507-4a85-8fda-78a296e89062/id/28735168

Getting the Official Eviction Date and Feeling the Stress 11/25/2023

Getting the Official Eviction Date and Feeling the Stress “I'm glad I didn't look up what a biopsy was before having to get one. I'm glad it was like, I walk into the office for a consult and they're like, Do you want to do the biopsy today? And I'm like, Yeah, why not?” — Emily, 20 Days Until Uterus Eviction Day >>> SUPPORT THE SHOW <<< ** Stay in the loop with our latest episodes, upcoming topics, and exciting announcements — ** In This Episode: Emily got her official Hysterectomy date and starts to get things in order for her business to take the time off. Feeling stressed! Is it overwhelm? Is it PMS? Is it the biopsy? Maybe it’s all of the above! Planning for fun with friends the day before surgery despite saying no to everything else extra. Sad to think about having to miss choir and singing and possibly the big holiday concert planned for about a month after surgery. Adding more things to my mental toolbox of things that give me energy and brighten my day: singing, getting out into nature, uplifting and inspirational podcasts Disappointing people is hard … but a bit easier when they don’t even apologize for being a no-show. Note from Future-Emily Despite my best efforts to say, “No,” to a bunch of things. I wish I had said No to more. Not the chocolate making class, obviously! But I could have done without saying yes to the extra stuff I ended up adding to my plate. Additional Links and Resources: Links not working in your podcast player app? Visit ThatsHystericalPodcast.com — Mayo Clinic — Mayo Clinic - Book by Maria Yeager — Facebook — MamaO2D4 — PubMed — PubMed Disclaimer: This podcast is based on personal experience and should not be taken as medical advice. Resources are provided for you to look into further and talk with your medical support team about. ** Follow on Instagram for Show Updates and News ** ** ** >>> SUPPORT THE SHOW <<< ** Stay in the loop with our latest episodes, upcoming topics, and exciting announcements — ** /episode/index/show/5d25f510-2507-4a85-8fda-78a296e89062/id/28735143

BONUS EPISODE: Podcast Show Notes & More Ways to Listen 11/23/2023

Pre-Op Biopsy and Already Regretting Waiting So Long 11/20/2023

Pre-Op Biopsy and Already Regretting Waiting So Long “This is another maybe lesson to those listening to this and I don't know, maybe to my past self. Please stop procrastinating the medical stuff. Please don't. I know it's a boring phone call. I know you're going to have to call and ask questions and talk to people and it's going to be annoying and you're just going to want to get it over with and done with and be like, Hey, I need this. Can you make it as easy on me as possible? Oh, but please do it.” — Emily, 20 Days Until Uterus Eviction Day >>> SUPPORT THE SHOW <<< ** Stay in the loop with our latest episodes, upcoming topics, and exciting announcements — ** In This Episode: Talking about the whirlwind of emotions surrounding the upcoming hysterectomy The difference between Adenomyosis and Endometriosis What I’ve tried in the past — birth control, hormones, a rejected IUD What if I get this surgery done and it turns out I just don’t like being around people and it wasn’t just Adenomyosis? Emily’s past anesthesia and surgery experiences Putting off making that call for the hysterectomy A surprise pre-op biopsy! Waffling back and forth about telling my mom and wondering how much I should tell her. Looking forward to my ultrasound to see how the Adeno has progressed Book Recommendation: Trying to imagine a life without the pain. What could that be like?! Note from Future-Emily Once again, I reiterate: I wish I had done this sooner. As hard as it was to finally make the call, it was all worth it. If you’re procrastinating making that call, let this episode be the gentle nudge to make those appointments and make your health a priority. Additional Links and Resources: Links not working in your podcast player app? Visit ThatsHystericalPodcast.com — Mayo Clinic — Mayo Clinic - Book by Maria Yeager — Facebook — MamaO2D4 — PubMed — PubMed Disclaimer: This podcast is based on personal experience and should not be taken as medical advice. Resources are provided for you to look into further and talk with your medical support team about. ** Follow on Instagram for Show Updates and News ** ** ** >>> SUPPORT THE SHOW <<< ** Stay in the loop with our latest episodes, upcoming topics, and exciting announcements — ** /episode/index/show/5d25f510-2507-4a85-8fda-78a296e89062/id/28715828

An Encouraging Success Story from a Friend 11/20/2023

An Encouraging Success Story from a Friend “One of the things I've noticed about talking about periods and hysterectomies, especially with people who are older than I am, is they're much more open to talking about that because most likely they've gone through some gynecological type of thing or they've known somebody who's gone through a hysterectomy. I'm always really grateful to have people like that in my life and to come across people who are open like that and who have the stories and willingness to share, which I guess is why I'm starting this podcast.” — Emily, 22 Days Until Uterus Eviction Day >>> SUPPORT THE SHOW <<< ** Stay in the loop with our latest episodes, upcoming topics, and exciting announcements — ** In This Episode: Emily shares some reassurance and comforting words from a friend at church who also went through a hysterectomy. It’s funny she apologizes to her editor when her editor is her, lol. Acknowledging all the time that’s passed since she got her Adenomyosis diagnosis and now. It’s important to note that Adenomyosis cannot be officially diagnosed until a hysterectomy is performed. Grateful for the people who say, “Let me know if you need anyone to talk to” and MEAN IT (I’m guilty of not always meaning it when it comes to people I don’t know so well). If you’ve been nervous about your upcoming hysterectomy, this is your sign to read some success stories! They truly do help. Sorry for the scatterbrained first few episodes and I appreciate you sticking with me! The overwhelm of throwing a Hysterectomy into my already busy schedule. Note from Future-Emily Hey there! This is post-hysterectomy Emily coming in to say that my friend also recommended getting an abdonimal binder and I held off for a while, but now that I have it, I wish I had it from Day 1 of Recovery! ;-) Additional Links and Resources: Links not working in your podcast player app? Visit ThatsHystericalPodcast.com — Mayo Clinic — Mayo Clinic - Book by Maria Yeager — Facebook — MamaO2D4 — PubMed — PubMed Disclaimer: This podcast is based on personal experience and should not be taken as medical advice. Resources are provided for you to look into further and talk with your medical support team about. Follow on Instagram for Show Updates and News >>> SUPPORT THE SHOW <<< ** Stay in the loop with our latest episodes, upcoming topics, and exciting announcements — ** /episode/index/show/5d25f510-2507-4a85-8fda-78a296e89062/id/28714793

An Introduction to Me & My Bothersome Uterus 11/20/2023

That's Hysterical! Now, Get Out! | My Adenomyosis, Hysterectomy & Recovery Journey

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