[Uterinefibroids] - Dear, Dear A

[Guest guest]

A-

First, I hope you received the email that I sent privately.

Second, and much more importantly, I wanted to share with you (and all the LOL!)

one of the many, many wise guidances and advice I received from Dr. about

my decision process on treatment options. I must first digress with a small bit

of background:

I saw Dr. after first seeing my OB/GYN and the specialist he referred me

to. Shortly before seeing this specialist, I developed for the first time

" flooding " symptoms that many women here have described. (As a further aside,

thank GOD for NUFF and this group, because I can't imagine how I would have

reacted to the flooding had I not heard about it ahead of time!). Among other

things, the specialist advised that my fibroid " could blow at any time " and

recommended surgery within the next two weeks, before my next period (in order

to get my iron levels up as much as possible and avoid another period in which

the fibroid could " blow. " Since I had really, really, really been hoping to

treat the fibroid (it turns out its actually two different ones in different

locations) non-surgically (hyst resection), I was very disappointed, but also

very, very scared and shocked about the notion of the fibroid " blowing " and the

urgent need for surgery.

I also Thank God (and the LOL!) for leading me to Dr. . He explained that

yes, sometimes fibroids cause bleeding that becomes uncontrollable resulting in

emergency surgery, but this is quite rare, in his experience. He said that one

time in his entire career has he had to do an emergency myo due to

uncontrollable bleeding (aka a fibroid " blowing " ). More importantly, based on

my history and his exam (the latter of which had not been performed by the first

specialist), he believed I was a a very low risk to blow anytime in the near

future. But here's the important part for you, A..........

Dr. wisely (and ever-so patiently!) explained that what is MOST IMPORTANT

is that I take whatever time I need to reflect on what options make the most

sense FOR ME. In the scheme of things, he pointed out, one (or two or three)

more bad periods, though a huge pain in the neck, depressing, etc., is much less

important than that I feel comfortable about the decision I make. Conversely,

he said that I should really try to avoid allowing myself to feel pressured in

any way, by any sort of time line, or the low, low risk of a " blow " to make a

quick decision that I have not first become quite comfortable with. I cannot

emphasize enough what a huge weight I felt off of my shoulders when he said

that. He is soooooooo right. Stepping back and looking at the big picture of

my life, it IS most important that I took the time that was necessary to think

about it all thoroughly and feel secure and comfortable that my choice was the

best for me. Though he didn't say it, I also suspect that this type of approach

to the decision helps in the success of your recovery -- more positive outlook,

etc.

I'm fortunate that my situation is not an " emergency, " even though to me it

feels like my bleeding, etc. rules my life. Medically, I am fortunate to have

been able to take the time I needed to feel comfortable, confident,

enthusiastic, optimistic, etc. about my decision and how " right " it is for me.

Another wise tidbit from Dr. . When I asked which option he recommended

as the best for me, he surprised me. He explained that he doesn't tell his

patients what he thinks they should do. Rather, he provides them with

information and his professional opinions about the risks, advantages and which

options, if any, are not indicated or best medically. This is because, in his

opinion, each person is different and therefore the best choices also vary by

individual. For one person, leaving an small, relatively asymptomatic fibroid

and " waiting and seeing " is ok, but for another, it would not be.

Dear, Dear A- you have done the right thing, by listening to your inner voice

and recognizing the timing is not right for you, right now. Take the time you

need to feel right about how you want to approach. I have you in my thoughts

and wish for you to arrive at the sense of peace that I have somehow managed to

find in my decision, as I face my surgery and recovery.

I hope this helps and please know that we all support you.