Cutting off a toe to save a foot

Several members of my family have experienced the difficult decision of giving up a part of themselves to save themselves. For some, it involved an amputation resulting from diabetic neuropathy and one member of my family required radical surgery for breast cancer.

What does all of that mean in terms of this site?

How are you feeling after your Abdominal Myomectomy? (part 4)

Incredible! It’s up to Part 4.

I’ll just leave the Abdominal Myomectomy links for those who want more information and you can take from there.

Geek’s 2007 SIR Abstract Report 3: Pregnancy after MRgFUS for Uterine Fibroids – First Experiences

This is the third installment of my geeky science series on the abstracts and posters presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 32nd annual Scientific Meeting held March 1 – March 6, 2007.

Pregnancy after MRgFUS for Uterine Fibroids: First Experiences

Geek’s 2007 SIR Abstract Report 2: Post-Embolization Syndrome: Leukocytosis after Uterine Artery Embolization

This is the second in my series of geeky reports on the abstracts and posters presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 32nd annual Scientific Meeting held March 1 – March 6, 2007.

Post-Embolization Syndrome: Leukocytosis after Uterine Artery Embolization

Geek’s 2007 SIR Abstract Report: Comparison of Partial to Complete Uterine Fibroid Embolization

The Society of Interventional Radiology held its 32nd annual Scientific Meeting from March 1 – March 6, 2007. Multiple abstracts and posters were presented. I’ll try my best to discuss as many of the fibroid-related ones as I can. Yes, this is (hopefully) the first in a series of very geeky reports.

A Prospective Randomized Comparison of Partial to Complete Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Prince Charles’ wife Camilla recovering from hysterectomy

One of my very frequent visitors sent me this news story about Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall via an email message a week ago. (Click the link to view the whole story.)

Prince Charles’ wife Camilla having hysterectomy

Updated Mon. Mar. 5 2007 8:51 AM ET

Associated Press

LONDON — Prince Charles’ wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, was in hospital Monday to undergo a hysterectomy, officials said Monday.

Camilla, 59, arrived for the procedure at the King Edward VII hospital on Sunday, having recently returned to Britain following a 10-day tour of the Mideast with husband Charles…

ExAblate 2000 (MRgFUS) non-invasive fibroid treatment receives two new associated approvals by the FDA

Received an email message from a visitor who wanted to pass along this information about the additional ExAblate 2000 approvals by the FDA. Thanks for the update!

From the email message:

The FDA approved new software that allows the ExAblate 2000 incisionless surgery procedure to be performed more efficiently by permitting more sonications during the same treatment window. This means that women with fibroids can be treated faster and women with larger fibroids may now be eligible for the outpatient procedure. The greater the area of the fibroid that a physician can treat, the greater the symptom relief. The agency is also allowing the system to be used with a more powerful open MRI machine, which means the physicians will have an even more precise view inside the woman’s body.

You can click the links to view the full press releases on Insightec’s web site but I included excerpts…

What’s involved with pre-op testing before a fibroid procedure?

I sense that some of you get a little nervous about pre-op testing so here’s some information. I’ll start with a quote from Lab Tests Online that provides a guide on test preparation:

One of the most important factors in determining the accuracy and reliability of your lab test is you, the patient. After all, it is a sample from your body (blood, urine, or some other specimen) on which the test will be performed. Therefore, it is essential that you do the following to ensure that the results will be useful:

How are you feeling after your Abdominal Myomectomy? (part 3)

This is Part 3. You know what to do. I’ll just leave the Abdominal Myomectomy links for those who want more information and you can take from there.

Tell me about Lupron, Synarel, and Zoladex (gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists)

One upon a time (months ago), I wrote a post on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists but I don’t think anyone really saw it. I guess it’s the name. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist does sound kind of strange.

How about Lupron, Synarel, and Zoladex? Yeah, still a little funny sounding but better. Lupron, Synarel, and Zoladex all belong to the class of drugs known as (everybody chime in)… gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists).

What should I carry with me to the hospital before my fibroid surgery?

Received an email request from Tina (1/24) about a specific list of what to carry to the hospital when going in for fibroid surgery. Thanks for the great suggestion!

I’ll start with a quote from the post that listed what I carried. Remember, I had a Uterine Fibroid Embolization and only stayed overnight.

EclecticGeek, why do you keep asking us to visit the Fibroid Forum?

Yes, there’s a Fibroid Forum here! I really want you to visit it more. Why? Two reasons. Well, probably more than that but let’s focus on these two: