So, I've debated about putting this post up...and I decided that it is important to me for the following reasons:
1) I hope that all the women I love will go to the doctor regularly!
2) I hope by sharing my experience it will help me navigate through the last and final chapter of my infertility story...
3) I hope that sharing my experience will encourage you all to 'know' your body and be your own 'best doctor'!
A bit of History is required...
In 2002, I started having really REALLY heavy periods. I'm talking about a super tampon and a pad being necessary and still having to visit the restroom about every 30 minutes or danger would show it's garnet mark. I went to my OBGYN when things just were getting to be unbearable. She had me do an ultrasound. The results were clear... Fibroids. She told me that we would work on treating the bleeding now that we knew what was causing the bleeding. I spent the weekend researching 'fibroids'. 99% of the time, they are just a nuisance... meaning they cause pain and heavy bleeding, but otherwise are not dangerous. 1% of the time... they can become a pretty scary kind of cancer. She had told me that we were just going to 'treat' the bleeding and pain and that was all at this time. I didn't really like that answer, so I found a new doctor. I had surgery in April 2003. My doctor, who I loved, spend several hours removing fibroids... and lots of other stuff. The pathology report wasn't 'no big deal'. He spoke with me about 'cancer'. Since he knew I really wanted children, we mapped out a plan to do all we could to perserve fertility and my life. The plan included some pretty powerful drugs and two more surgeries. The plan worked. The next two surgeries didn't show any evidence that cancer had developed and I still had my reproductive system. But, I will never forget the fear I carried about developing a type of cancer that is a 'killer'. Nor, will I forget Dr. Bryner telling me that my decision to have the original surgery probably saved my life. He helped me (and Jerry) through all of the steps of the infertility cycle... clomid, insemination, invitro.... miscarriages. Then, the school district changed carriers and I could no longer go to Dr. Bryner. I selected a new doctor closer to home. I kept asking him if 'things were growing back'. He kept telling me that 'everything felt normal'. Well, I knew things were not normal. The pain was getting really bad, worse than before, and the bleeding, while not as intense as before, was increasing. I basically demanded an ultrasound, which proved what I already knew. The fibroids were back. My doctor, again, said we should just treat the pain and bleeding. This time, since I have two beautiful daughters, I decided not to play with fire again and sought out a new doctor. And, luckily, a friend had just researched out the 'best' doctor in the state who does a hysterectomy via laparascopy.
Now to the present....
I contacted the doctor to schedule the procedure. Dr. Arrington is incredible. He is the most personable doctor I have had through this whole adventure/journey. The hope was to take just the uterus due to the fact that it was known that I had at least 7 fibroids which were causing my uterus to be swollen to about a 15 week pregnancy. I also have endometriosis. He could tell in the exam that the endomeitriosis was going to cause additional challenges. He discussed all the options with me, which included having to remove the additional 'parts' of my reproductive system and potentially have to repair other 'non- reproductive system parts' depending on how advanced the endometriosis was.
On Tuesday, Feb. 10, I went in for surgery. Before the surgery, Dr. Arrington met with me and told me after reviewing all my records (which I know he did and did well!) he anticipated that the surgery would take a minimum of 1 hour. My mom and Aunt Susan were going to be waiting for me and he would provide updates to them.
I ended up being in surgery for 4 hours. The endometriosis was taking hold of my whole lower pelvis area. It took him (and his team) a great deal of time to release the necessary organs from the tissue and to remove what was necessary.... the uterus and cervix. Luckily, my ovaries look healthy, so no menopause yet! And, he was able to free my lower intestinal system and remove all the diseased tissue. My mom and Aunt told me he looked very tired when he came out to talk with them about the procedure.
I had originally hoped to go home the same day, but needed to spend the night at the hospital. I was so glad to go home the next day. I was feeling really good until about 5:00pm when I started having a hard time breathing... and turned an interesting shade of blue. My mom called Dr. Arrington and he told me to go to the nearest ER... Jerry took me up! Apparently, when you are under anesthesia for as long as I was... a lot of things 'quit' doing their jobs and there is a high potential for blood clots. Luckily, I didn't have any clots, just lungs that weren't quite back to normal... and they were holding 'gunk'! So, after several hours, a bunch more needle sticks and a CT scan.. I was able to go home. I had a 'breathing toy' and a perscription for antibiotics to insure that I was breathing deeply and don't develop pneumonia (which is also very common after surgery).
Today... I feel incredibly well... all things considered. I have to keep reminding myself that I just had an 'invasive' procedure done becasue I really do feel good. I'm supposed to keep the lifting to less than a milk jug for a few weeks, which is hard with Breoni and Kyrie. My mom and Jerry have been a great help.
The doctor, again, feels that I have done what needed to be done...and potentially saved myself from a much more serious situation.
I am grateful to my husband, Jerry, and Pete for giving me a blessing before the surgery and know that I have been blessed beyond measure. I am grateful to my mom and aunt Susie for all the support they provided at the hospital. I am grateful to Aunt Sherrie for being available to help Jerry with the girls while I was in the hospital. I am grateful to my mom for being able to spend the week helping me and helping with the girls. Jerry did a wonderful job getting the girls to and from school. He was coing a douple commute for 4 days. I am incredibly grateful for all of his efforts this week. I am grateful for a wonderful neighborhood and family that has provided meals for the whole week... thanks Terry, Lori, Jana, Janet, Cyndie, Stan&Lisa.... and to all those who are still going to help during the upcoming week.... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I am grateful for all the flowers I have received...
And, I am grateful for medical advances that have changed this procedure drastically... if you ever have to do this... make sure you go to a doctor who is trained in laparscopic procedures. I am grateful for a doctor who treated me like I was 'his only patient' every time he interacted with me.
I have had to close the door on the hope of being pregnant, but I have seriously reduced my chances of developing cancer and increased my chances for a long, healthy life. I can already tell that I am going to feel much, much better. I have so much to live for... so much to love.
Lastly...Ladies... go your your annual appointments... be aware of the messages your body is sending you... trust your instincts... ask lots of questions.... advocate for yourself!
My #2 New Year's Resolution is: COMPLETE UNFINISHED PROJECTS. The first project to complete is the girls "GROW BOARDS" so we can keep track of how tall they are getting over the years. I got them 'mostly' finished on January 2 and Jerry installed them on the 3rd. I still (ugh!) need to get their names made at "JUST A THOUGHT" and get a few more vinyl decorations to put on them. I was really excited to get these up and going.
I have had so much fun putting Breoni's hair up. She actually chooses if she wants 'curls' or 'ponies' now. She is really cooperative while we get her hair done in the mornings! 
