How are you preparing for your fibroid treatment?

Your preparation can be spiritual, or funny, or just ways you are pampering yourself. Name your treatment option and tell what you are doing to prepare.

How are you preparing for your fibroid treatment?

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Related Posts:
What should I carry with me to the hospital before my fibroid surgery?
What’s involved with pre-op testing before a fibroid procedure?

Would you rather be right or would you rather be well?

I know, I know. I’m jumping around from what happened some time ago to what’s going on right now. When I get a spare moment, I’ll write up a timeline and make it a separate page. Right now, I’ll post about the past.

From the “Fibroid tumors verified at last” post, you know that my fibroids were detected near the end of 2004. Although my new doctor was much, much better than the previous one, I still carried quite a bit of anger and was not ready to listen. I can be really stubborn at times (a true Aries). So, once again, I took no action. Decided it was time for me to get back into a lab. I missed my experiments. My health could wait a little longer.

With my 25% of a life, I set out to get a job. Sent out resumes and went on interviews like I could actually handle a job at that point. Bleeding terribly but in my mind, working was feasible. All I had to do was set that bar higher (I really thought this was tolerable) and create another new normal. I guess I would rather be right.

Is there such a thing as minor fibroid surgery?

Still trying to post daily but I hit a stumbling block. Been a little down the past couple of days or so. Fortunately, I received inspiration from a comment left today on this blog. Words are powerful. It DOES help to know you aren’t alone.

On with the post…

During a previous visit (about 12 days ago), my doctor told me that my June 7th surgery to remove one or two of my fibroids required general anesthesia. Yep, I admit that I freaked out a bit after that news. Really thought it could be done locally. Noted the name of the procedure and decided I would eventually conduct an Internet search. Started to come to terms with the whole “being knocked out” thing and then, my June 1st pre-op appointment rolled around. In my constant quest for knowledge, I did that Internet search and visited the site RIGHT before the doctor’s appointment. Wanted to do so in case I had any questions.

Just a little note here about searching. My upcoming surgery involves D&C and hysteroscopic myomectomy. I did get information by just searching those terms but I got my best lead by hearing my doctor say he needed to schedule a Versapoint procedure.

Searched for “versapoint surgery” and BINGO, I found the exact site I needed. Versapoint is the name of the equipment so the site explains the features and benefits of the surgical tools. There’s also a labeling page that lists when the equipment should be used (indications), when it shouldn’t (contraindications), adverse events, and warnings/precautions. The site is filled with pictures. Since I love gadgets and gizmos, everything was cool.

Talked to my doctor. Did the “objective reporter” thing and asked the questions I had written. Jotted down the answers. Everything was still cool.

Eventually realized that I’M THE ONE HAVING THIS PROCEDURE. All of those really neat surgical tools are going into ME. As much as I would like to be Spock (all logical and rational), this was still happening to ME. I actually started crying. Not “boo-hoo” crying just silent tears that my brain could not control. I pulled it together but still felt out of it for a couple of days.

Now, you understand why that blog comment I mentioned earlier was so important. Words are powerful indeed.

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Related Posts:
Memories before my myomectomy
Memories directly after my myomectomy

But I really have a fibroid problem

The “Do not try this at home” post touched on my frustration with a doctor who did not believe I had a fibroid tumor problem.

This is what should have happened: I should have left his office and immediately found another doctor. Unfortunately (as in this case), I can be quite stubborn when I know I am right. So…

This is what actually happened: I said, “screw it” (or some form of that saying) and moved on. I worked full-time and attended school but it was rough. Finished college and got married a few years later. Paused my career just long enough to notice my cramps and bleeding were horrible.

Tomorrow is a better day

I am tired. Cramps decided to wake me up at 5 AM. Slammed down a couple of Motrin and fell asleep. Woke up late. Rushed to get to work. Fortunately, I really like my job. Struggled a bit today because the cramps kept coming back. That wasn’t the main problem because I can take Motrin for the pain. What bothered me the most was the blood. Didn’t I just explain to my doctor on Monday (yesterday!) that my blood loss had improved? Yeah, I thought so. Hadn’t passed any major clots or had any “open flood gate” moments recently. Then, today happened. That’s OK. I’ll stay positive. It was only for a couple of hours and I’m still breathing. Just kind of tired.

I’ll close my eyes, fill my head with good thoughts, and drift off to sleep.

The truth is not always visible

Once I settled into that new job so many years ago and discovered it was just as big of a disappointment as my old job, my thoughts once again turned to my health. My symptoms were getting worse (heavier flow, more severe cramps, and clots). The clots bothered me the most. Other things were dismissed or covered up but clots were such a strong indicator of something gone awry. I could not deny it any longer. From the combination of symptoms and family history, my brain calculated that I had fibroids. It was now time to seek professional help. I found a Gynecologist, explained my symptoms and family history, and waited for him to reach the same obvious conclusion. Unfortunately, the results of the pelvic ultrasound were negative.

This is no longer normal

My periods had always been so predictable. A moderate flow with mild cramps occurred every 21 days and lasted exactly 7 days. That was the regimented pattern until just after my 30th birthday. That is when my cramps, previously manageable without medication, developed into ones requiring me to pop over-the-counter pain pills. That is also when the once nonexistent purchase and use of tampons became routine. In some out of the way location in my mind, I knew this was not normal. I knew I needed help but sometimes life gets in the way. Moving and starting a new job was the priority. My health could wait a little longer.