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Saturday, May 11, 2013

Ablation

This is a post about my health and decisions to try and make things better in the long run.  I have struggled with my periods for years.  Irregular, heavy flow, pain...I was diagnosed with PCOS about 10 years ago.  Since then pain has gotten worse to the point I was ready to be done with it.
 
In February, I went to my regular Physician and said, I'm done I want it all taken out.  To which he says, do you want to have any more children? My response is: I have two children one is 18 and one is 16, I'm not at a point in life that I want to start all over.
So we go through all of the things that I can do and make an appointment with a local OB/GYN.
 
I go to the OB/GYN in hopes of a hysterectomy to relieve me of all the pain that I experience whenever a period decides to show up.  She talked me through everything and told me about an Ablation.  She said she would feel better about this procedure instead of "bringing out the big guns of a hysterectomy."
As I sat waiting to meet the OB/GYN I could hear the patient in the next room getting her baby checked out.  I could hear the strong heart beat of a growing fetus and knew that what ever choice I made that would not be a sound coming from me ever again.  The shock of the final decision was a bit alarming to me.
 
We flirted with the idea of more children when Kayla was 5-6 years old.  We had made the decision when I was 21 and having a second C-section that we'd have a tubal ligation because child birth was hard on my body.  But, knowing for the last 16 years I wouldn't be having more children did not bother me like it did that day I was making an even more finalizing decision.
 
I was unaware that I'd be getting a biopsy that day.  I guess the April Fools Day joke was on me.  If you've ever had a biopsy before you know how painful they are.  I was unaware and was at the appointment by myself.  After being in shock from that pain, I walked myself out to the car and cried.  Cried like a big baby, sobbing I called my knight in shining armor to come get me.  He sat with me for a long time while I cried.  Cried for the pain and really for the loss of knowing no more children (why should that bother me?).
 
So after going back to the OB/GYN to find out that my biopsy was negative and no cancer or pre-cancer cells were evident, we decided to start with the ablation procedure.  I was schedule for Friday, May 10.
 The nice thing about going to Ashland is my friend Yaya at Whispering Pines works there, so I knew I'd be well taken care of.  For me the worst part of surgery is getting an IV.  My veins are not very cooperative.  I told the nurse that usually they have to pack my arms to get the veins to pop out.
 

 
 So they covered me with two really warm blankets to wrap my arms.  The nice nurse got my IV in in just one try.  I don't have any bruises today either.  That was not my  last experience and I am grateful.
See, not too bad.
I got back to my room around 10:30 ish.  I sure had a hard time staying awake. My post-op pain was the same as a normal period if that tells you  how bad they were.   Kyle took me home around noon and I slept until around 5 pm.  I tried to eat, but nothing tasted good.  Poor guy, got me three different things until I just gave up.  I dozed off and on on the couch and went to bed around 9 pm.

I feel good today.  Still taking it easy, but I feel good.  I know that I made the right decision for me at this time in my life.  I know that I will heal well.  I hope this takes care of the pain and heavy bleeding like it is supposed to, time will tell.

Thanks to all of those who have helped and prayed for me.  I love you all.

7 comments:

  1. You have two wonerful children, and the grandkids will come along for you to play with all too soon. :) I'm glad you are feeling better now.

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  2. Hugs and prayers for your speedy recovery. You did make the right decision for you. Sounds like you have A Hero too. We are lucky. Take care hug B

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  3. wishing you a speedy recovery. This is new chapter in yalls life that will bring enjoyment just as the previous years. God bless.

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  4. You did great! I don't know if you even remember I was there but I'm glad I could be with you in the OR. I remember feeling those sad feelings after I had my hyster. I was 45 and truly not going to have more kiddos, but the idea that my uterus was gone still had me sad. But I'm really happy that my health issues are better. I have PCOS too so I can feel your pain! Take it easy and rest and enjoy your Mother's Day!

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  5. Hope healing goes every bit as well as the surgery did. I had a hysterectomy myself and experienced some grieving even though my family was finished. I think it makes sense to feel sad about the "final decision" so to speak.

    Happy Mother's Day!

    =)

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  6. Feel better soon! Glad things went well. And ditto what selvageedge said.

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