Guest guest Posted September 17, 1999 Report Share Posted September 17, 1999 When I searched back in Feb 1999, there were also these doctors in that area on the SCVIR list: Crocker, Mobile, H. Dory, Fairhope AL, Hassell, Rad. Assoc. of Mobile, which is near Pensacola. I hope they are offering UAE. Some I called from the list in my area were wanting to begin programs, but had not yet trained specifically. The most experienced IR had left the year before. But finally I found some excellent doctors who did a great job for me. Good luck in your search! At 09:19 PM 9/16/99 -0500, Dr. wrote: >The SCVIR www site (www.scvir.org) has a search engine that allows you to >locate a radiologist performing UFE in your area. It has only been >intermittently working lately...some server problem I guess. I just tried to >search Pensacola for you but could not get through. >I know the following docs are Interventional Radiologists in Pensacola, but >I do not know if they perform UFE > J. Baehr, III MD >Harry R. Cramer Jr MD > , MD > Duncan MD Ph.D. >Karl Weingarten MD libbielou@... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 1999 Report Share Posted September 18, 1999 Dear Carla: I'm confused, I got this e-mail addressed to ?????? Hum....So don't know if you will get this reply or not. I can tell you my perceptions of why I think the docs present the " choice " of hysterectomy to their patients in the way they do. Of course I have gotten so cynical in the last few months since I was diagnosed with my huge fibroid! I think the doctors do it for one reason, $$$$$$$$$$$$. I'm still burning fm the last doctor's visit I had where he threw me out of his office. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 1999 Report Share Posted September 18, 1999 Close your eyes for a moment and imagine the following.... A mid-life Male presents to his doctor with a mass in his scrotum. The Doctor has run tests, examines him, and then sits down on a stool next to his patient, who is sitting up on the examining table. Dialogue: " You have a mass, Mr. Male. Most likely, it will continue to grow. Your beyond your child producing years, so let's just take it all out so there will be no threat of cancer. You should be up and about in 6 weeks or so. We can put you on HRT, testosterone pellets or the like. It takes about a year to adjust to the surgical MENopause. You shouldn't have any problems with sex. If you do, it's probably all in your head and anyway, there's that little blue pill, Viagra. " " Wait a minute now, Mr. Male...Mr. Male stop yelling at me! This is the definitive solution to solve your problem. No it is not castration, the procedure is called a " HISterectomy! " What do you mean, alternatives? --you, you want to subject yourself to some " experimental " procedure?! " (unspoken doctor thoughts--that is not in my specialty and that I cannot perform, and receive compensation, and keep my hospital privileges in which I have a monthly quota of procedures to perform, my overhead and insurance payments are heavily subsidized by this lucrative HISterectomy procedure, as well as my lifestyle, my vacations, my children's college education, my mercedes, and ad nauseum...) Ok, open your eyes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 1999 Report Share Posted September 18, 1999 Several folks responded to the direct question you asked, so I won't add much there - except to suggest that you call the IR department in your local hospital(s) directly. I found two IR's doing UAE's by that method a few weeks before they were listed on the SCVIR site. My bigger concern is not the question you asked directly, but what was implied in the question, that you need to do something NOW! Whether or not you find a doctor to perform an embolization before your next period, don't let your gyn scare you into making an immediate decision by vague assertions that because you are anemic you need immediate surgery. I have been anemic, at times severely so, for at least 15 months. At one point, I was referred to a hematologist because I was so anemic that it had dragged down the rest of the blood count levels as well and there was no sign I was producing any new blood cells. I think my hemoglobin was around 5.2 at that time. (For some reason, it never occurred to three docs that my anemia was due to losing [at that point] about 1 1/2 cups of blood a month. Duh.) Since then, assisted by consuming massive amounts of iron, it runs around 9.5-10.8. (Normal is 12-15, I believe.) Anemia is something you want to be concerned about, but my understanding is that the big concern is long term damage to organs (particularly the heart) because they have to compensate for the low oxygen carrying ability of your blood. It's not something, generally, that you would need to rush into surgery for. (And even if you're critically anemic, there is the option of a transfusion to buy you some time.) If your doctor insists that in your case, it is an emergency situation, ask him/her specifically why. Ask for numbers, copies of bloodwork, and if s/he suggests heart damage request that an evaluation be done. Ask for an evaluation by an internal medicine specialist - anemia is not a specialty of gyns, although they do encounter it. Even though I can tell that my heart is struggling (I've got irregular beats the frequency of which increase when I am most anemic - and make me nearly pass out each time it beats irregularly, and I get pounding in my ears whenever the hemoglobin drops below about 10.5) tests show my heart as functioning normally. (So far, the recent EKG's have all been done when it's behaving itself - I know what's happening because of a previous experience with irregular heartbeats that were captured on a monitor.) The insistance on specifics should make the doc back off - and if it doesn't, at least you'll know what the specific risks are so you can make an informed decision about how quickly you have to move. -- >I'm being told I need immediate surgery within the next 2 weeks before >I have my next period because I'm anemic. I am in southern Alabama >near Pensacola, FL. Does anyone know of any doctors that could perform >UFE in this area? > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >250 FREE HOURS on America Online! America's most popular online >service! Try AOL *risk free* for 250 HOURS! >CLICK HERE http://clickhere./click/912 > > > >eGroups.com home: /group/uterinefibroids > - Simplifying group communications > > > > > Visit FindLaw at http://www.findlaw.com for free case law, web guide, and legal news, and get your free @JusticeMail.com address at http://www.justicemail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 1999 Report Share Posted September 18, 1999 >My bigger concern is not the question you asked directly, but what was implied in the question, that you need to do something NOW! Excellent post . All good info on the issue of blood loss and anemia. You know, one of the things that I find most curious is how gyns refer to hysterectomy as an elective choice that women make for uterine fibroid treatment. They don't, when speaking about it to one another, refer to it as " life-threatening " or an " emergency " procedure that " must " be performed. They discuss the choices that are made by women as something they " simply " do to treat their fibroids; and, it is the woman's " choice " to undergo hysterectomy. Elective surgery. Now, on OUR side of the fence, the communication coming from the gyns is taken much more seriously. The bleeding, urinary incontinence, back pain, bulky feelings, etc. can all be horrendous and take over our lives. This is serious stuff to us that seems, at times, life endangering. So, when gyns tell us we need a hysterectomy and couple that with telling us it needs to be done right away (generally scheduling it within 1-4 weeks), giving us additional details about the potential for cancer and the need to take the cervix and/or ovaries, etc. -- well, you get the picture. It comes across as something that we must make an immediate decision about to have done. Couple that with little to no options presented along with the " choice " of hysterectomy . . .well, it's pretty scary, head-spinning stuff to many of us. The sense of urgency that one must " do something " right away is very strong. I wonder. Is this the impression that gyns REALLY mean to place before us? They sure don't talk about it to one another like it is the impression they give out to patients at all. A gyn over on obgyn.net phrased uae like this in response to an inquiry about uae: >The reason your >doctors don't know much about this is likely because it's a new >procedure. Medical textbooks are full of horror stories of new >procedures that at first glance sounded great, but later turned out to >be unhelpful or even dangerous. I called him on it and called this placement of information by way of explanation a " scare tactic " to dissuade women from looking at uae as a viable option. He was shocked. Scare tactic? He was NOT the kind of doctor that participated in doling out " scare tactics " and was indignant over my suggestion that he was. It took a couple of emails back and forth before he finally realized how his information was coming across. He truly didn't " get it. " (There isn't ANY reason that a gynecologist should be unfamiliar with uterine artery embolization. It is a procedure that has been around for over 20 years and any gynecologist who has performed an abdominal myomectomy should be more than aware of it. It is precisely the procedure that is performed when there is uncontrollable hemorrhage during a myomectomy or a cesarean birth. -- He admitted that he knew this in a subsequent post--but it didn't stop him from posting the above anyway!) So, there seems to be a definite gap in " how information is given to women by their physicians " and " how it is perceived by the patient. " Education is the only way I know of to reduce that " gap " -- hence, the formation of this group. But, y'know -- it seems the " education " should occur on both sides of the fence. Don't you think? Again, thank you for your response . It was a good one. Carla Dionne mailto:cdionne@... http://www.uterinefibroids.com member, /list/uterinefibroids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2000 Report Share Posted May 16, 2000 Hi all, Im not sure how many of you out there will remember me or not..I was scheduled for a laproscopy on April 25th. Well guess what??? I had to have a total hysterectomy that day. I awoke to the news I have ovarian and cervical cancer. I start chemo in a bout 2 weeks...Ihave had a very very hard time for sure. My wound opened up this week and they say I have to pack it every day and let it heal from the inside out has anyone else out there had an open wound before....they cut me from pubic area up towards the breast area...just before my rib cage starts...the lymph nodes were cancerous as well...Its a nightmare here...Help!!! Dawn --- " Smile, It makes everyone wonder what you are up to " *********************************** chickclick.com http://www.chickclick.com girl sites that don't fake it. http://www.chickmail.com sign up for your free email. http://www.chickshops.com boutique shopping from chickclick.com *********************************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2000 Report Share Posted May 16, 2000 I also wanted to state to everyone woman out there, make sure you have your drs check you well..if you think soemthings wrong it proabably is...I am going for a lawsuit because I have bitched about this stuff for 8 to 10 years now and now I have a cancer that has spread...My survival rate isnt the greatest now thanks to these ob/gyn's please women..,.take care of yourselves and be totally pushy in your health care and bodies!!!!! Dawn --- " Smile, It makes everyone wonder what you are up to " > >Hi all, Im not sure how many of you out there will remember me or not..I was scheduled for a laproscopy on April 25th. Well guess what??? I had to have a total hysterectomy that day. I awoke to the news I have ovarian and cervical cancer. I start chemo in a bout 2 weeks...Ihave had a very very hard time for sure. My wound opened up this week and they say I have to pack it every day and let it heal from the inside out has anyone else out there had an open wound before....they cut me from pubic area up towards the breast area...just before my rib cage starts...the lymph nodes were cancerous as well...Its a nightmare here...Help!!! Dawn --- > > > " Smile, It makes everyone wonder what you are up to " > > > > > >*********************************** >chickclick.com >http://www.chickclick.com >girl sites that don't fake it. >http://www.chickmail.com >sign up for your free email. >http://www.chickshops.com >boutique shopping from chickclick.com >*********************************** > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >72% off on Name brand Watches! >Come and buy today and get free shipping! >http://click./1/4011/7/_/4009/_/958519400/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > *********************************** chickclick.com http://www.chickclick.com girl sites that don't fake it. http://www.chickmail.com sign up for your free email. http://www.chickshops.com boutique shopping from chickclick.com *********************************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2000 Report Share Posted May 16, 2000 Dawn, Hon, what a profound shock you must have experienced... Did you have any inkling via tests prior to the surgery or any intuitive feelings? I think we must all be in shock reading your post and want to reach out and give you our gentlest hug and hand to hold. Get every ounce of support from everyone around you, physicians, family, friends, therapists, clergy--whoever can most meet your needs, give you the positive energy you will need each day to heal. In addition to uterinefibroids, you may want to access other support groups dealing specifically with ovarian and cervical cancer who can relate to exactly what you are going through, offer support and any kind of suggestions for daily physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. God bless and keep you close, Dawn. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2000 Report Share Posted May 17, 2000 Dawn, I'll send prayers your way. Barbara C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2000 Report Share Posted May 17, 2000 Dear Dawn -- My thoughts, meditations, prayers -- whatever you want to call them -- are with you. Please, please, please keep us posted on your progress, as I think it's important to hear details of an experience such as yours. Know that you will ultimately emerge from this nightmare healthy, and surround yourself with supportive, loving people to assist you in your journey. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2000 Report Share Posted May 17, 2000 Dawn, I'm new to the group and have been waiting until I had time to write a nice intro before I posted, but I really wanted to respond to your post. I'm so sorry to hear about your outcome. I can only imagine what a what a devastating experience this must have been. I hope that you can surround yourself with loving, supporting people during your recovery. I've found that to be most helpful during difficult times like this. Also, thanks for taking the time to remind women to be assertive in their health care. That's an important message that we can not be reminded of often enough. Best wishes for your complete recovery. > > > >Hi all, Im not sure how many of you out there will remember me or not..I was scheduled for a laproscopy on April 25th. Well guess what??? I had to have a total hysterectomy that day. I awoke to the news I have ovarian and cervical cancer. I start chemo in a bout 2 weeks...Ihave had a very very hard time for sure. My wound opened up this week and they say I have to pack it every day and let it heal from the inside out has anyone else out there had an open wound before....they cut me from pubic area up towards the breast area...just before my rib cage starts...the lymph nodes were cancerous as well...Its a nightmare here...Help!!! Dawn --- > > > > > > " Smile, It makes everyone wonder what you are up to " > > > > > > > > > > > >*********************************** > >chickclick.com > >http://www.chickclick.com > >girl sites that don't fake it. > >http://www.chickmail.com > >sign up for your free email. > >http://www.chickshops.com > >boutique shopping from chickclick.com > >*********************************** > > > >--------------------------------------------------------------------- --- > >72% off on Name brand Watches! > >Come and buy today and get free shipping! > >http://click./1/4011/7/_/4009/_/958519400/ > >--------------------------------------------------------------------- --- > > > > > > > > > *********************************** > chickclick.com > http://www.chickclick.com > girl sites that don't fake it. > http://www.chickmail.com > sign up for your free email. > http://www.chickshops.com > boutique shopping from chickclick.com > *********************************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2000 Report Share Posted May 17, 2000 Thanks BarbaraC. for the prayers..They are much appreciated I can not reiterate this enough..Thank you so much for the faith...Dawn --- " Smile, It makes everyone wonder what you are up to " >Dawn, >I'll send prayers your way. >Barbara C. > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >Save 75% on Products! >Find incredible deals on overstocked items with Free shipping! >http://click./1/4013/7/_/4009/_/958566888/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > *********************************** chickclick.com http://www.chickclick.com girl sites that don't fake it. http://www.chickmail.com sign up for your free email. http://www.chickshops.com boutique shopping from chickclick.com *********************************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2000 Report Share Posted May 17, 2000 Dear Dawn, When I read your message yesterday, I did not know what to say....but then I thought in this world of medical technology and support, I am positive all will go well for you. Please take care and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2000 Report Share Posted May 17, 2000 THANK YOU JANET....DAWN --- " Smile, It makes everyone wonder what you are up to " >Dear Dawn, > >When I read your message yesterday, I did not know what to say....but then I >thought in this world of medical technology and support, I am positive all >will go well for you. > >Please take care and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. > >Janet > > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >Up to 60% OFF food! >Buy Now and Shipping is Free. >http://click./1/4016/7/_/4009/_/958615215/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > *********************************** chickclick.com http://www.chickclick.com girl sites that don't fake it. http://www.chickmail.com sign up for your free email. http://www.chickshops.com boutique shopping from chickclick.com *********************************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2000 Report Share Posted May 17, 2000 THANK YOU SUSAN M. I WILL KEEP YOU ALL POSTED. DAWN --- " Smile, It makes everyone wonder what you are up to " >Dear Dawn -- > >My thoughts, meditations, prayers -- whatever you want to call them -- are >with you. Please, please, please keep us posted on your progress, as I think >it's important to hear details of an experience such as yours. Know that you >will ultimately emerge from this nightmare healthy, and surround yourself >with supportive, loving people to assist you in your journey. > > M. > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >Remember four years of good friends, bad clothes, explosive chemistry >experiments. >http://click./1/4051/7/_/4009/_/958585233/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > *********************************** chickclick.com http://www.chickclick.com girl sites that don't fake it. http://www.chickmail.com sign up for your free email. http://www.chickshops.com boutique shopping from chickclick.com *********************************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2000 Report Share Posted May 17, 2000 THANK YOU SUSAN M. I WILL KEEP YOU ALL POSTED. DAWN --- " Smile, It makes everyone wonder what you are up to " >Dear Dawn -- > >My thoughts, meditations, prayers -- whatever you want to call them -- are >with you. Please, please, please keep us posted on your progress, as I think >it's important to hear details of an experience such as yours. Know that you >will ultimately emerge from this nightmare healthy, and surround yourself >with supportive, loving people to assist you in your journey. > > M. > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >Remember four years of good friends, bad clothes, explosive chemistry >experiments. >http://click./1/4051/7/_/4009/_/958585233/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > *********************************** chickclick.com http://www.chickclick.com girl sites that don't fake it. http://www.chickmail.com sign up for your free email. http://www.chickshops.com boutique shopping from chickclick.com *********************************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2000 Report Share Posted July 4, 2000 - Re: hysterectomy Dear Irina, Let me start by saying that recovery after a hysterectomy is different for every woman. Why are you having the hysterectomy? What has your doctor told you about recovery? I had a hysterectomy 20 months ago because of uterine fibroids, and possible adenomyosis (later I learned there was no adenomyosis, just fibroids). I don't mean to scare you, but I want to be honest. I would not have this surgery again. There are other ways to successfully treat fibroids. For me, hysterectomy just exchanged one set of problems for another. The only good thing hysterectomy did was to stop the bleeding. Now I am dealing with hormone problems (I have my ovaries), pain in my hip joints, groin, bladder, back, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, depression. Have you looked into myomectomy or uterine artery embolization? These are alternative treatments for fibroids. If you are going to follow through with hysterectomy, be 100% sure that this is what you want, because it can't be reversed if you are not happy with the outcome. Maybe some of the other women on this forum who have had myomectomy or UFE could help Irina? DSkalisky hysterectomy > Hello, > > i am going to undergo a hysterectomy in a few days and i am rather scared. > Can anyone give me details about the surgery and the period of recovery > after it ? > Thanks a lot > Irina > > > ______________________________________________ > FREE Personalized Email at Mail.com > Sign up at http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Win $5000! Click Here: > http://click./1/5942/9/_/4009/_/962611716/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Hello, Thanks, greeneyes for your kind message. I've heard of the other optional treatments for uterine fibroids. But, myomectomy is not adequate for me, as the fiborids are " embedded " in the uterus wall and the uterus itself is enlarged (like 20 weeks pregenant, as confirmed by the ecography). UAE is not usual in my country. Moreover, I experience already the kind of problems you say you have after the hysterectomy - fatigue, insomina, anxiety, huge belly, always " full " (maybe you don't have this symptom anymore), permanent fatigue etc. For the last two years, my periods have been awfully difficult - heavy bleeding with enormous clots, lasting for more than 8 days or for a whole month... I don't want to have this surgery, which seems mutilating, but I don't want, also, to have such bleedings anymore. It's awful. I want to be a normal woman, an active one, as I used to be, with lust of life and optimism. I hope maybe this surgery is a chance, for I don't want to be, for the rest of my life, an " infirm " with a protuding belly and all kinds of digestive disfunctions or pains in different parts of mai abdomen. Of course, i fear the recovery period, i don't know when i'll be able to resume my usual activities, because, like so many women perhaps i feel i am a " superwoman " ,if you know what I mean, a person indispensable to the family and all the others... I don't want to be a burden for my family. My gyn said that for at least one year after the hysterectomy he would provide me with an " implant " (Riesel, if i've got it right) meant to take care of this surgical menopause. I'll be around untill next week, then, maybe tuesday, i'll have the hysterectomy, provindig my bloods tests and urinalysis are OK. Waiting for your answer, i am eager to chat. Best regards, Irina ______________________________________________ FREE Personalized Email at Mail.com Sign up at http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2000 Report Share Posted July 9, 2000 My girlfriend just had a hysterectomy last year, she was up that night walking the corridor. She's a fighter, and said from the get go, that she was going to be back to work in three weeks verses six, and she was. My aunt had a hysterectomy 4 years ago. She recuperated in six weeks. Both are doing great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2000 Report Share Posted July 12, 2000 Robin Frick wrote (July 9, Digest 99 - July 10): " My girlfriend just had a hysterectomy last year, she was up that night walking the corridor. She's a fighter, and said from the get go, that she was going to be back to work in three weeks verses six, and she was. My aunt had a hysterectomy 4 years ago. She recuperated in six weeks. Both are doing great. " Did your girl friend have a vaginal or an abdominal hysterectomy? Total or sub-total? Large incision or laparoscopic incision? Her physical condition before the operation and her mental determination would certainly make a difference, but so would the nature of her operation. Allied question for anyone - hormonal drugs are often use to shrink fibroids prior to myomecotmy, to make the operation easier and safer. Are the ever used prior to hysterectomy to allow for a smaller incision or easier removal of the uterus? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2000 Report Share Posted July 12, 2000 My girlfriend had a total hysterectomy, with minimal scarring. She first had a myomectomy many years back to save her uterus, as she wanted desperately to have children. She says now that there has been no major changes in her way of living. She bounced back like a pro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2000 Report Share Posted July 12, 2000 I forgot to add, her physical condition before the operation was severe cramping and bleeding. She had several large sized fibroid tumors. Her mental attitude was excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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