The hysterectomy, to some women, offers relief. It did to me. I had six healthy children, far more than I'd ever planned on. Every month, I was near to hemorrhaging, and my blood count was way below normal, despite the iron pills I took. My hysterectomy solved my problems and let me regain my health and vitality.

For some women, however, the hysterectomy seems like an ending. No more babies. What will life be like --- afterwards? They see it as the beginning of old age.

An article by Debra Stang, who writes about Senior Issues for BellaOnline.com alerted me to a site called Hyster sisters. She has this to say:

After a long talk, my doctor and I finally decided that a total hysterectomy was, for me, the best solution. We scheduled February 28 as the big day. I felt relieved as I walked away from this conversation, but also sad. I could still remember feeling the power of a million women stir within me the first time I bled. My body had become part of a cycle as old as time, and even the matter-of-fact films I saw in school couldn't fully remove the mystical wonder of it all.

She goes on to talk about the support she found at Hyster Sisters.

There I met hundreds of wonderful members who had had or who were preparing to have hysterectomies.

I visited Hyster Sisters. Their front page states:

No matter what brought you here, we offer support with kindness in an internet environment of "woman to woman" support for your hysterectomy needs. If you are looking for hysterectomy online support and answers to your questions, this is the place!

If you're facing a hysterectomy, or have already had one and you're looking for support from kindred souls, this is definitely the place to go.