Thursday, October 18, 2012
I'm a woman now
The other day I went to see my OB/Gyn. A common visit for women however this visit wasn't so common. I've been diagnosed with uterine fibroid tumors. (1 in 5 women have them and the cause is unknown. They are more common in black women)
After my exam the Dr told me that my uterus is the size of a woman's 26 weeks pregnant and because of the size of the fibroids, if I want to stop the pain and heavy bleeding, a hysterectomy is my best option. He did give me other options but with me being 41 he offered in his professional opinion the best option and I respect that. I meet women on a daily basis that have had fibroid tumor surgery (there are several options when they aren't as large as mine) as well as women that have had full and partial hysterectomies and I've noticed it's kind of taboo. Most women talk about it in a whisper. Well, I'm not. I'm yelling about it. We need to talk about this topic. Let me start by saying that I don't have children and have no desire to have them (which some people can't fathom; totally different blog....lol) so a hysterectomy isn't devastating news for me but I could imagine for some women it could be. When I got the news, I sat in the parking lot and cried but I'm not quite sure why. Maybe because I felt bad about not giving my mom grand kids, maybe because my choice to have kids was no longer my choice, maybe because the thought of being incapacitated for weeks is crazy to me or maybe because the thought of surgery petrifies me. Either way, those tears didn't last long. I see this as a sort of freedom now. I've suffered from painful periods since I was 15. To have that pain gone will be a wonderful thing. No more planning vacations around "that time of the month" and I'll have a flatter stomach? Win/win for me. I definitely don't want to make light of the situation because I know this can be a horrible thing for most women but I have to come to terms with this the best way I know how and this is my solution. I also battled with natural alternatives and honestly, if I knew some of those alternatives years ago, I don't think I would have this issue now. The bottom line is that this is going to be a life changing event and as scared as I am, I'm also excited about it. Experienced a similar situation? I'd love to hear about it. Sharing is caring. :)
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7 comments:
T, I thank you for yelling because it is very true lots of women are going through this but are yelling in silence. I too have women's problems but like you I choose not to have any more child (1 and done) so I don't stress it as other women would, I don't have to have an hysterectomy but It is an option down the road for me my friends say don't do it I say why I'm not using those body parts ever again lol...Take care of yourself T and know that you are doing what's best for you...Loving being a women if with issues...
I had an ablation done in july, 2008 due to painful cramps and a very heavy flow and ended up still needing a hysterectomy (had it this march) because the painful cramps returned and were even worse than before. had i known (or my doctor shared) at the time i had the ablation done that the possibility of the pain returning even more severely was a known potential i would've skipped straight to a hysterectomy. (more surgeries = more $$ for doctors)
I agree that a hysterectomy can be devastating news for women who still want to have children (i feel for them) and i've read that it makes some women feel less than a woman. but, one of my girlfriend's mom put it best for me - "girl, now you have yourself a full time playground." :-D
the recovery is a little tough, but nowhere as bad as it use to be - just make sure you rest and don't try to do too much... as said by the woman who ended up back in the ER from doing too much... ;)
call me if you have questions... i had plenty that the brochures didn't seem to answer, but fortunately i had friends who could.
T, Thanks for sharing. I had fibroids and had a total abdominal hysterectomy in Feb 2011. My reaction was the same as yours. As you already know, I have two children and I did not plan on having anymore. I became really emotional when I found that I no longer controlled whether or not I wanted children. Life is full of surprises, but there is always something good in every situation. Just know that I felt 100% better after I healed up and I know that you will too. I am here for you. Please keep me posted. love ya girl!!!!!
Thank you all for sharing! I appreciate it. Yes Jewel, I'll be calling you for advice. :)
Thanks so much for sharing.
The 28th will make one year since I had my partial hysterectomy. I had fibroids and adenomyosis
( never heard of it until I was diagnosed). I know all too well about planning your life around your cycle, the heavy bleeding and awful pain.....
Although I decided not to have any more children, I still felt like less of a woman when that choice was taken from me. At the end of the day, you have to do what is best for you and your health. It took 2 years of being in pain and seeing all types of doctors before I was diagnosed.
Don't hesitate to reach out to me for support, info, anything at all.
I joined the site hystersisters, where women who've had hysterectomies offer support.... Knowing that there were other women who knew that I was going through made the process so much easier for me.
BTW, that first month where your period is supposed to come but doesn't........ mannnnnn!! Something to look forward too :)
Oh Wow!!!! I joined Hystersisters too!!!! I still receive emails sometimes
That's very brave of you to write about your issue and your decision making process. I like the way that you're able to flip to a brighter side, and realize that its not the end of Tinesha. Although this is another hurdle you have to endure, I know that for a fact you will be able to jump over this one unscathed and make it to the finish line.
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