Shutting Down the Baby Factory
After years of discomfort and heavy bleeding, my OB/GYN doctor intervened.
A little over a year ago, I had an endometrial ablation. The purpose was to manage heavy menstrual bleeding. While this procedure is a success for most women, I am among the 7% for whom there were still problems.
Doc and I decided to move forward with a hysterectomy a year later. I planned the date to coincide with the kids' mid-winter recess and during a slower time at work. The pre-op ultrasound revealed endometriosis and an endometrioma (also called a chocolate cyst) on my right ovary. All of a sudden, a simple surgery got a lot more complicated.
I decided to journal about my experience. This is a way for me to cope with all that has happened.
Leading up to the surgery, I focused on preparing my body. I ran, lifted weights, and cycled (indoor thanks to our delightful upstate NY winter. I decided that the stronger I was going in, the easier my recovery would be.
We knew that my right ovary was most likely a goner, but there was hope to keep my left ovary. All depended on what the doctor saw when he went in. The interesting thing about endometriosis is the "spider web" effect on nearby organs. My ob/gyn brought in other specialists to assist. My spider web had entangled the heck out of my abdominal organs.
When all was said and done, I was told that neither ovary could be saved. So now I'm in menopause! I hasn't been quite 24 hours since the surgery and I'm feeling pretty good. I get light headed if I'm up too long and am most definitely cramping, but so far it's better than expected. Could be the anesthesia still in my system or the pain medication that I keep steady on... either way I'm hoping to be out and about soon.
Most interesting so far? I have been peeing a lot. That I hope will slow down as I flush the IV fluids out of my system.
Time will tell.
A little over a year ago, I had an endometrial ablation. The purpose was to manage heavy menstrual bleeding. While this procedure is a success for most women, I am among the 7% for whom there were still problems.
Doc and I decided to move forward with a hysterectomy a year later. I planned the date to coincide with the kids' mid-winter recess and during a slower time at work. The pre-op ultrasound revealed endometriosis and an endometrioma (also called a chocolate cyst) on my right ovary. All of a sudden, a simple surgery got a lot more complicated.
I decided to journal about my experience. This is a way for me to cope with all that has happened.
Leading up to the surgery, I focused on preparing my body. I ran, lifted weights, and cycled (indoor thanks to our delightful upstate NY winter. I decided that the stronger I was going in, the easier my recovery would be.
We knew that my right ovary was most likely a goner, but there was hope to keep my left ovary. All depended on what the doctor saw when he went in. The interesting thing about endometriosis is the "spider web" effect on nearby organs. My ob/gyn brought in other specialists to assist. My spider web had entangled the heck out of my abdominal organs.
When all was said and done, I was told that neither ovary could be saved. So now I'm in menopause! I hasn't been quite 24 hours since the surgery and I'm feeling pretty good. I get light headed if I'm up too long and am most definitely cramping, but so far it's better than expected. Could be the anesthesia still in my system or the pain medication that I keep steady on... either way I'm hoping to be out and about soon.
Most interesting so far? I have been peeing a lot. That I hope will slow down as I flush the IV fluids out of my system.
Time will tell.
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