To Pat re: My Concerns re: FUS

[Guest guest]

Pat Boersma marypatb@...> wrote:

they are quite worried about the possibility of accidentally burning up

tissue surrounding the tumor(s).

I was worried about this possibility before my FUS procedure and questioned the

radiologist at length. They only aim for the center of the fibroid. There have

not been any instances so far that they've burned surrounding tissue.

just exactly why are they “practicing” on fibroids? Could it be

because they consider the uterus to be “dispensable” – and that if they

have an accident, it doesn’t really matter -- they’ve only damaged an

unnecessary (useless?) organ? That they could always just fix any big

mistakes by “simply” performing hysterectomy?

It is true that many, many women go on to live normal and productive lives

without a uterus, and yes, I suppose if they plan to use this treatment on brain

tumors one day that it would be wise to start with a uterus. But why would they

have to perform a hysterectomy? If the procedure doesn't work then a myo would

still be an option...

Could it be because being benign tumors – fibroids are considered “harmless”

– and because it’s not a disaster if you don’t get the whole tumor

completely gone?

My understanding is that by destroying the center of the fibroid (in my case

they treated a 6 cm. section of a 10 cm. fibroid) that the whole fibroid will

die. What is the difference between this and reaching menopause, when perhaps

the fibroid will shrink but not entirely dissapear?

Could it be because it’s easier to get a treatment approved for “harmless”

tumors located in “useless” organs?

I'm personally glad they started with fibroids. I feel lucky and I feel that

this treatment offers a much easier option than conventional surgery. Once

approved, FUS will be less expensive than surgery.

the fact that I suspect the REASON we may be guinea pigs is that there’s an

attitude that we have “harmless” tumors which are growing in

“dispensable”/even “useless” organs (our uteri)!

- I mind perpetuating that attitude – I mind it A LOT.

I hope that’s not the case, but I have my suspicions . . .

There comes a point when one has to have faith, to surrender and TRUST in the

treatment they chose. There is a certain amount of risk that comes with having

fibroids, even if one choses not to treat them at all. Chosing surgery, or UAE

or FUS....there are no guaranteed outcomes. That's life, nothing ventured,

nothing gained. I feel extremely lucky to have been able to participate in the

FUS study, very lucky to be able to go back to work the next day and have

virtually no pain. I am not suspicious at all, only grateful to who ever thought

of this wonderfully non-invasive treatment. If I end up eating my words, then so

be it. It was worth a try IMHO to avoid surgery. No one participating in the FUS

trial has had to have a hysterectomy because of damages incurred during the

procedure~

P.S. In Boston they had me sign an inch worth of paper work explaining

everything and anything that could happen to me during the FUS treatment.

Including tissue burning, and the fact that it may not work.