Re: Introduction and Request for Help/Info (long)

[Guest guest]

Hi Anni

I had to sign a release, too, and also freaked out. But at my pre-

op, I had a discussion with my doctor about it, and we talked about

trust, and I decided he was right. (He'd only had to do one

hysterectomy in the course of his career INSTEAD of a planned

myomectomy so I figured that was pretty good odds and he likened it

to watching the safety video on an airplane.) I took a leap of faith

and signed and it all worked out for me. I'm not sure what others

will say... My myomectomy went as planned. I was home 2 days after

the surgery and am recovering well.

All the best to you.

> Hi everyone,

>

> I made a post/reply this morning in the thread " Re: Fertility and

> myomectomy in central PA " but wanted to come back and actually

> introduce myself and give a little info. I've been lurking for

> awhile, so have had a chance to read current threads, as well as

> browse the archives. This seems like a wonderful place with so much

> info and support! It's been a huge help to me to be able to read

your

> stories and advice. My story might seem mild compared to some of

> yours, but here goes...

>

> My fibroid-related trouble started about five years ago with

heavier

> periods and some cramping, breakthrough bleeding, etc. -- not

> previously a problem for me. Played what I like to call " BCP

> roulette " with my gyn for about six months... that is, kept trying

> different BCP's to see which would solve the bleeding problem.

> Nothing really worked. Meanwhile, periods and breakthrough bleeding

> were getting worse.

>

> Dr. was theorizing that I had a small fibroid or polyp in, so did a

> hysterosalpingogram in office in which she " saw something " and

> recommended diagnostic hysteroscopy to remove the suspected

> polyp/fibroid. I did my research, weighed the options and decided

it

> was the best solution at the time. Short version was that the

doctor

> didn't see anything in the uterine cavity during the procedure, but

> noticed and photographed a rounded distension into the fundus. And

> then she perforated my uterus and ended the procedure -- still

unsure

> as to what my problem actually was. (BTW, had no insurance at this

> point so was $3K out of pocket for an inconclusive procedure and

> perforated uterus.) That was four years ago.

>

> After that I decided to take a " wait and see " approach, but every

> year the periods have gotten worse -- 14-16 day duration, extremely

> heavy bleeding, excruiating cramping, and a " clot day " during which

I

> spend several hours passing large clots (yuk and sorry, TMI). My

> doctor was theorizing adenomeiosis (sp?) and seemed pretty

> comfortable that she had deduced my problem. However, I was

miserable

> and whatever was wrong with me was definitely affecting my quality

of

> life. Trying to work during my period was a nightmare. Trying to

plan

> around the estimated clot day (never knew exactly when it would be)

> meant cancelling plans and camping out in the bathroom. Vacations?

> Let me check " my calendar " first. New clothes? Not unless we're

> talking black pants.

>

> Nine months ago I had an ultrasound that showed that I did indeed

> have a submucosal mass distending into the fundus, approximately 5

cm

> in diameter. I was also pretty anemic (hematocrit 32). During a

> follow-up consult, my doctor presented a variety of options,

> including wait and see, Lupron, myomectomy, UAE, progestrone-based

> IUD, hysterectomy. No recommendations from her, and whatever I want

> to do was fine.

>

> After a lot of consideration, and what I hope is enough research,

> I've decided on an open myomectomy. I'm 38 and married, but with no

> children. While my husband and I are unlikely to have children, I

> don't want to totally close the door on the possibility until

nature

> does. Also, at my age, and with with only one fibroid (but

apparently

> it's working hard -- my surgeon said I have " admirable bleeding ;-

>),

> I can't see the point in a hysterectomy. In fact, I'm pretty

> vehemently opposed to the idea for myself. I like the idea of

keeping

> my uterus; despite this little war we're having.

>

> *So, I'm scheduled for the procedure next Thursday (yikes!!!). Once

I

> made the decision for the surgery, I just want to get it over with.

>

> So, the main thing that has me freaked out now is

the " hysterectomy

> release " -- and here's the question: how many of you who have had

> myomectomies have had to sign this thing? My doctor has said

nothing

> about such a document. And for me it's a showstopper -- I can't go

> into a surgery assuming that I'm having a fibroid removed and worry

> about waking up to find that they've taken the whole uterus! That's

> like going in for ACL surgery and having your leg amputated! [OK,

> peeling myself off the ceiling.] I feel like I'm so close to

getting

> my life back -- but not at the risk of a hysterectomy. I mean, if I

> wanted to agree to that surgery, then that's the procedure I'd be

> having instead.

>

> So that's my story. If you've made it this far, thanks for

listening,

> er, reading. Any advice/info re: myomectomy and this " hysterectomy

> release " would be much appreciated.

>

>

> Anni