Hi Friends....as I felt inspired and ready to share...I just started writing....nothing formal...more to help share my story for anyone looking for answers and support and for me to look back on....so hope this info helps just one person....thank you for reading (and I apologize in advance for the graphic details and grossness but again sharing to benefit others and remind myself what I went through)
In late April, during April vacation, I took the girls to see my college and we met up with Lea and her son...after giving them a tour of our campus, we went to a great seafood restaurant for lunch-my fave.
I wish I could've enjoyed. I started feeling so sick...Lea and I started chatting about our pre-menopausal symptoms and how everything was getting worse..traded war stories...supported each other...what besties do. Later on that day, when I got home, I felt much better and forgot about it.
In May, nothing significant happened (now looking back, we identified this being "the other ovary").
Once the end of June hit, and my period was due, it came on with a vengeance. It really shocked me. I was at a family birthday party and was prepared or so I thought...I had a tampon secured and a pad as a backup and when I stood up to leave, I had bled through my dress. I wrapped Diana's pool towel around me and made my exit...kinda freaked out but later on I felt better again and the flow had subsided.
That was Saturday...my period continued lightly the next few days and then we had our town fireworks night on Wednesday and the same thing happened to me...I had been lamenting to my besties and they supported me as they always do. Cass even took me to the porta potty to change. Then things lightened up again.
Flash forward to 4th of July Weekend and my period had continued for over a week with no signs of letting up...it started getting concerning. It was worse the Sunday of that weekend. I woke up and thought I was hemorrhaging. I felt like I was going to pass out. My besties took care of me and made me a hydrating drink and snack. As the day went on, I felt a little better.
They did convince me, though, to call my doctor right after the holiday weekend. Everyone was concerned at this point.
I bled for 14 days. I called my doctor's office and they tried to put me off. I can't stress this enough. BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE. Healthcare professionals are so slammed and straight out right now because of the pandemic BUT something told me not to wait and I scheduled a visit immediately. So glad I did.
My doctor ordered blood work and both a pelvic and vaginal ultrasound.
The results that came back were that the complex cyst on one of my ovaries had tripled in size in less than a year. I also had another cyst starting on the other ovary and the fibroid was still there on my uterus.
The cyst that had grown was the most concerning to my doctor. It really surprised her.
It was then time to do a specific blood test for Ovarian Cancer called Ova 1. That was my darkest day during this entire experience. I was told to pick up my blood test kit and was so surprised that they couldn't email me a lab slip as usual. When I picked up the kit, it had hit me. My doctor suspected or wanted to rule out ovarian cancer.
I completely broke down. I have been watched for years due to my family history- my dad's mom passed from ovarian cancer. It is a silent killer and people I know battling this awful disease have lived 3-5 years. All I could think about was how I wanted to live longer than that to see my girls grow up and reach different milestones. I went to a very dark place.
In addition to this blood test, they ordered an MRI which made me panicky but thank God I was able to have an open MRI in Boston. Rob stayed with me and I could look at him the whole time and that really helped me.
During this time, my doctor went on vacation for two weeks. That made me more nervous of course. I just wanted to know what was wrong with me and fix it if we could.
The good news was that she sent me a message through the healthcare portal, while she was on vacation and said the blood test came back with a "low risk"result...that was somewhat of a relief.
When she got back, I learned that the MRI showed that whatever that cyst was, had not spread. My lymph nodes were normal and no surrounding areas were affected. Another good sign.
My doctor determined that the cyst needed to come out. She still didn't know what it was. It was originally diagnosed as an endometrial cyst but these tests proved it was not and she didn't know what it was.
I then did my own research and the more I read and the worse I felt throughout the summer, I made the decision to do a full hysterectomy.
I was doubting myself because I really didn't get much guidance from my OBGYN/Surgeon. I felt much better, though, when I visited with my Primary Care Physician. He suggested it and asked me, "do you want to have another surgery in a year? Are you ok living with the risk of ovarian cancer given your family history?" He asked me, "what are you thinking?" and I told him "I feel so much better after talking to you because this is exactly how I was feeling and I was looking for some guidance."
Sure there are side effects as there are with everything....I will immediately go into menopause...I will most likely need hormone replacement therapy...I need to watch my heart health and keep up with cancer screenings and I am willing to do it all.
When I visited my OB right before my surgery I told her what I discussed with my Primary and she agreed that we would do the whole shebang.
She was hoping to do it laparoscopicly but I needed to sign a release in case she couldn't and had to go in.
On Thursday, August 25, 2022, I headed to Winchester Hospital for the surgery. My husband was truly my rock and took such great care of me. My surgery was scheduled for 11:10am and we needed to get there at 9am to get registered.
I guess my actual surgery did not start until 12:30pm but I didn't even know as I was knocked out. I don't remember even being wheeled into the OR. I remember waking up and feeling really drowsy and having to pee. The nurses at Winchester were WONDERFUL...can't say enough great things about them.
They helped me get up and go to the bathroom- I went but it really burned from all of the trauma.
The great news was that she could indeed do the surgery laparoscopically!
What is a laparoscopic hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the uterus. You lose the ability to become pregnant and no longer menstruate. Reasons for this surgery include abnormal bleeding, uterine prolapse, fibroids and cancer. Recovery usually takes four to six weeks, depending on the type of surgery you have.
A small incision is made in the belly button and a tiny camera is
inserted. The surgeon watches the image from this camera on a TV screen
and performs the operative procedure. Two or three other tiny incisions
are made in the lower abdomen. Specialized instruments are inserted and
used for the removal process.
They actually took the organs out vaginally. So yes...lot of trauma.
So I ate some crackers and drank some water and ginger ale and then they called Rob to pick me up but I asked if I could take one more nap...I was so drowsy...the poor guy had to wait another half hour.
We were still both pleasantly surprised that they were letting me go home that night...when all was said and done I was home by 7:30/8pm and went right to bed.
It was a rough first night as I was uncomfortable and had to get up several times to pee- my champion was right there taking me to the bathroom.
The next day was all about resting and getting TLC with some special visits and we got in my first walk. That night, I slept so much better.
The next morning (Saturday) we started the day with another walk and then I took the best nap I ever had! I slept so deeply and felt much better. I also stopped the heavy pain medication the doctor game me and switched to Tylenol. It just makes me feel much better, less loopy and more "regular." ha!
The past week has been resting in between working from home and a little walking and enjoying visits from family and friends with meals and treats and flowers and notes and just so much love I will be forever grateful....It really takes a village and sometimes a major life event to see and feel the people around you...for this I am so grateful...
