My Decision

[Guest guest]

I didn't want to go through a hysterectomy and it wasn't even an option

I thought of. I had convinced myself there was another way even before

I read about UAE.

I used to have bad periods (heavy bleeding and severe pain) every other

month. If I had a bad period in July, I knew that August would be much

bearable.

But in July 2002, on my birthday, it seem like all hell broke loose. I

had to be rushed to the hospital with a ruptured ovarian cyst. The pain

was horrendous and I was bleeding so heavily. And to add insult, they

had to examine me vaginally (oh, drama!)

I was over 100 miles from home and they gave me some percocet for pain.

I called my boss and left a voicemail message that I wouldn't be in that

Monday.

When the August and September periods were just as bad, I stomped my

feet and said, " Enough! "

Got online and did searches on uterine fibroids and came up with

information on " uterine artery embolization " .

Read, read and read. I called an interventional radiologist at

Christiana Hospital (Newark, DE). I spoke with an assistant who gave me

an explanation. She told me that he (Dr. Mark ) would accept Blue

Cross/Blue Shield, BUT I had to make sure they would cover it.

I called them and they (BCBS) told me that as long as I had documented

proof of heavy bleeding and pain, they would cover it. Documentation

was no problem.

Next step was to get an MRI. (Depending on the results, it would

determine if I qualified).

MRI results showed that I qualified and I met with Dr. . Very

friendly and extremely informative. I was on my period when I met with

him that October, in such pain and heavy bleeding that I was ready to

jump on the table and " get it over with " .

My supervisor was on vacation, but the other supervisor was so

supportive of me doing this. And she knew the hell I was going through

with heavy bleeding, anemia and pain.

I had plumsize fibroids and one of them was almost grapefruit size.

Additionally, more fibroids were developing in a cluster. The

gynecologist wanted me to have the hysterectomy but didn't argue when I

requested UAE. (But I detected reluctance).

If you check www.sirweb.org, it will give you details on what's done.

I started my leave from work on Monday, November 25. The day before

(Sunday), I put the final touches on laundry, etc. and rested on Monday.

I went to Christiana Hospital Tuesday morning, November 26. No food or

drink after midnight Monday, so I was ready to get the show on the road.

For some reason, I was not nervous at all. Teenage son was with me (he

was out of school). We left my minivan at the hospital and he caught

the bus back home because my sister was coming from southern DE to pick

me up. (This required an overnight stay). Van was packed and I was

going to rest at my sister's home for the holiday.

The incision in the groin was not bad. I was sedated but not completely

OUT. A little aware of what was going on, but could care less.

I had " the pump " to get a swig of meds when the pain was bad. Wasn't

even aware when it was over and didn't realize that my son had left.

They pestered me all night with bp and temp check. Made me get up and

walk around the nurses station with my IV pole. Very weak.

But I was released the next day with stool softener, Percocet, Motrin

and Cipro. Percocet and Motrin were to be taken aternatively.

Son drove me back home that Sunday and the only problem was constipation

and bad pains. But we got home and I took my Percocet and fell asleep.

I was home alone Monday and all went well. Took the meds as prescribed.

By Tuesday, I went out to Borders Books and barely made it home...the

constipation ENDED with me nearly not making it to the bathroom (catch

my drift?)

Pain was diminishing little by little and less need for Percocet. Went

back to work December 9 and was very tired, but ok. My boss told me to

go home early Thursday because I was having more pain.

December 20 - first post-UAE period and wow! All I needed was a regular

size pad. I was going through Always 14+ bags in ONE day before the UAE.

Also having to dress in black and pad my seats (car and chairs).

No regrets! Periods are a joy! I'm a month shy of 47 and still have

periods and use the thin maxis...a bag of 24 lasts THREE cycles. Also

wear tampons the last two days.

To me, my uterus is ME. I love the 'old thing'. Fond of it. And

wanted to " take it with me " .

The only problems I have now is night sweats and I guess for 47 it's a

happening thing before hitting menopause.

Had TWO periods in May which is a new thing. Hmmmmm, is menopause

around the corner?

But UAE worked for me...it's not for every woman. But I refused to have

a hysterectomy...I was hellbent on saying NO to that.

Vi