Monday, November 23, 2009

All I Want for Christmas is a Laparoscopic Myomectomy

While I won't withdraw my concerns noted in an earlier posting regarding soy milk, I feel that I must update this blog with the latest on my 'situation'. I have been diagnosed with a large fibroid tumor in my uterus, and this, not the soy milk, is what is causing my cycles to go wild.

Now, again, I do plan to avoid soy, as the studies I've read have been alarming. But, alas, when I couldn't straighten things out, I went back to my ObGyn for another exam. An ultrasound revealed a sizeable fibroid tumor in my uterus, and it must come out.


My doctor and I first saw the fibroid on a sonogram when I had my ill-fated pregnancy a couple of years ago now. It was very small and not bothersome at the time, but apparently it's grown since then and is now causing issues.

I've studied up on fibroids since getting the news. While they are a real bother to about 25% of the female population in their 30s and 40s, the truth is that most women develop fibroids at those ages -- it's just that they remain small and unnoticed in the majority of the population. Only the lucky few of us have an issue with them. Unfortunately, I am one of those who do.

And although fibroids are noted as a tumor, they are almost never cancerous, and I am hoping that my luck holds on the statistics quoted. No one really knows what causes them or what causes them to grow in some people and not others. But they do, and when they start to wreak havoc, they must be dealt with. I'm opting for a laparoscopic myomectomy -- which basically means I'm having it taken out...as opposed to more radical surgery, like a hysterectomy. I just hope the specialist affirms my choice.

Now, I'd like for this to come out of me sooner rather than later because it is causing havoc with my life and my health. But, I can't seem to get in to see the specialist right away, so here I sit, waiting two more weeks before I can see a reproductive endocrinologist. And I can only imagine that it will be at least another few more weeks beyond that until the surgery can be done. I now have visions of spending my Christmas holidays in the hospital.

This is quite unfun and fairly uncomfortable, but I don't seem to have much of a choice in the matter.

So ultimately, I must apologize to soy milk...somewhat....but I will continue to avoid you in my diet. Regardless.

4 comments:

SandDancer said...

The waiting must be awful, but I suppose at least you know what it is now.

SandDancer said...

How are you? Better I hope.
x

M said...

Oh how nice of you to ask. I'm still here. Saw the specialist, didn't like what he said (bigtime abdominal surgery, down for 6 weeks)...so I got a second opinion with another doctor, and I'm glad I did. I'll be having the lap surgery over the holidays, with about a 2-week recovery. Much better. I still have to wait until end of December and am lucky to have gotten in then! Amazing!

SandDancer said...

Good thing you got that second opinion. Good luck with it all. Hope you have a good holidays before that.