This post is overdue to update you on my health but my life has been a blur since learning I have fibroids that require surgery. Here’s the update!
I was faced with one appointment after another and one event after another since learning I have fibroids – I went from having to coordinate my health, to changing jobs, to coordinating my husband’s health at which point everything in life just completely shut down to giving a friend emotional support because her mom had a stroke, to going on vacation to just being flat out tired. Sit back, grab a drink because this is a lengthy post.
Fibroids: Ultrasound
When I first complained of bloating, I was scheduled for an ultrasound. This procedure was very uncomfortable. It’s the procedure where you have a full bladder and they use a wand to scan for abornmalities. The ultrasound didn’t hurt but having the wand press and poke around against a full bladder did. This test concluded I had fibroids although it was not certain of what mangnitude.
Fibroids: MRI with Contrast
I am both claustrophobic and needle phobic so you can imagine how I felt when hearing I needed a MRI with contrast. There were many times during the procedure where I felt two seconds away from hitting the panic button. In total, I had to lay there for about two hours just listening to that stupid machine grind and knock as it imaged my body. My arms were going numb while lying still. They now have it where you can listen to satellite radio during the procedure so that helped some. It was a mess but I got through it. I was drained after the procedure and to make matters worse, the contrast made me very sick. Yuck! This test concluded I have 1 small fibroid and 1 large fibroid the size of an orange.
Fibroids: Uterine Biopsy
There are not enough words to express my discomfort during this procedure. I have never given birth but I’m pretty sure what I felt was contraction-like pain and discomfort. The little swab of numbing cream did nothing and I felt every poke, prick and movement in my southern region. This procedure left me hurting for days. Days I tell you! Days! *sigh* Thankfully, the results showed the fibroids are not canerous. Praise God!
All Procedures Done, Now What
My Gynecologist was pushing for embolizaton but I opted to see a Reproductive Endocrinologist before making a final decision. This doctor specializes in fertility which includes fibroids and myomectomy.
Endocrinologist Visit & Recommendation:
The visit with the specialist was everything I had hoped for and more. He was patient and kind and explained how fibroids work. He showed me photos of my fibroids and explained they are growing away from the uterus which is why I am not having classic symptoms.
He presented the following options:
Do Nothing
Since they are not cancerous and I’m not having major issues, wait it out until they shrink or until I have issues.
Embolization
Contrary to what many believe, embolizaton only shrinks fibroids, they do not get rid of them totally. Embolization is the least invasive option and the option many choose to relieve major symptoms (heavy menstrual cycle, pain, discomfort) if they are not quite ready for hysterectomy.
Side Note: I met with the radiologist that performs the embolization. He was encouraging and reassuring that he could shrink the fibroids but the side effects were a bit much for me to accept – pain, discomfort and nausea for a week or two. I just cannot see why I would trade no symptoms for that. The radiologist confessed he has never had a patient to opt for the procedure that wasn’t having issues. That made me pause and really think, then why should I.
Myomectomy
The specialist recommended a hysterectomy over myomectomy because myomectomy is a risky procedure when looking at the pros and cons. He would only recommend a myomectomy if we wanted kids and the fibroids were causing fertility issues.
Hysterectomy
Fibroids usually stay benign and usually become smaller as we age and enter menopause but for some, they can turn into cancer. Hysterectomy is the only sure way to avoid them from turning into cancer.
Final Recommendation
The specialist was really was leaning toward do nothing and wait. Meaning, get tested every 6 months to make sure the fibroids are not growing. If they are not growing, keep waiting it out. If they are growing, move to action with opting from one of the procedures detailed above.
The specialist also recommended embolization to hold me over until I decide if I want kids if I was uncomfortable with waiting it out. As it stands, I am comfortable with waiting it out so I am opting for just monitoring my health for now. In the end, however, I will choose hysterectomy because I’ve had a cancer scare of my own in the past so I don’t want any issues down the line.
I want to thank each of you for supporting me on this journey. I will keep you posted should there be any changes!!
And ladies, make sure you are taking good care of yourself and getting yourself checked as needed. You only get one life so make the best of it. I say this as I prepare to support a concerned mother through her daughter’s cancer diagnosis…to anyone reading this, don’t put off that dr. appt any longer!
Ihuchi says
December 2, 2015 at 6:22 amI thank God with you my sister, that the most uncomfortable procedure, at least showed the fibroids are not cancerous. Silver lining? I’m amazed at how you are able to be there for your friends with difficult health issues in their family, with all you are going through. Husband, I can understand. Beyond that? I can only say you are super woman! You even encourage us your readers to ensure we are healthy. God bless you and keep you and yours.
Jay | Relaxed Thairapy says
December 2, 2015 at 10:08 pmTY so much sis!! Muah. You truly made me smile. Some days I’m worn way, way down but I keep pushing. God has a way of distracting me from my worry by allowing others to appear in my path that need my help. I encourage & support them best I know how, even when my tank is on “E.” While building them up, I somehow build up myself which helps me to deal with my own issues.
I have to take care of everyone in my circle, including the Relaxed Thairapy Divas that follow my blog. I care about all of my peeps.
Prayers for you and yours as well.
MrsT says
December 3, 2015 at 9:06 amThank you so much for the update. I have an appointment with a new Gynocologist next week and will be basically starting the process of evaluating my fibroids over from scratch. Not looking forward to it, but it must be done. Good luck to you with future check ups and know you’re far from alone in this boat! 🙂
Jay | Relaxed Thairapy says
December 3, 2015 at 11:09 pmPlease keep me posted! What options did they give you at your previous doctor? Prayers sent your way!
Alicia says
December 3, 2015 at 11:10 amI had a scare like this years ago and got it under control by eating foods high in potassium (beets and cantaloupe) and taking Lugol’s iodine drops. It can take about a year for fibroids to reduce and eventually disappear, but I promise you they will.Good health!
Jay | Relaxed Thairapy says
December 3, 2015 at 11:11 pmThank you for the encouragement and recommendations. Where do you purchase the iodine?
Candra Evans says
December 4, 2015 at 9:59 amThank you Jay for this post. I praise God that you have several options that will keep you healthy and that you are not suffering any chronic pain. I have two small fibroids that have not grown or gotten smaller over the years. I’m supposed to get them checked every 6 months, but since they don’t cause me any known issues I keep putting it off. It’s been two years now and your post is a flag to go back. I still don’t have any pain but I know I need to stay on top of it anyway. Thanks again and God bless. 🙂
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Jay | Relaxed Thairapy says
December 5, 2015 at 12:50 amYes girlfriend, get checked. I rather you go and be told all is well than not go and not know. TY for the prayers and please keep me posted on your health as well. At a minimum, have a biopsy to ensure they are not cancerous.
Alana J. says
December 4, 2015 at 10:37 amJay, I have been meaning to respond to this since I first read about your issues. When I was 40, my gyno told me that if I wanted to have kids, I’d better get on it. She also discovered that I had fibroids. The only real symptoms I was experiencing was excessive urination. It was mostly just annoying, but I had many fibroids and one the size of a lemon. I was referred to a fertility clinic. They had a doctor that performed myomectomies with a Da Vinci robot. I really didn’t see any other option. I was willing to do what needed to be done in order to get pregnant.
Anyway, it was quite the process, I went through many of the things you went through, but I did have the surgery. I have no regrets about getting the surgery. About a year and a half later after trying a couple of fertility drugs, I was pregnant and had my first and only child at 42.
Even though I know we won’t have anymore kids, I still hate the idea of a hysterectomy, I don’t know why, it just feels so final. However, everyone is different in what they want and we have to do what is best for us. It sounds like you are doing just that. Good luck on your decision-making for the future.
Alana J. recently posted…Texlaxed Hair Journey Product Empties – 27 Products in 20 minutes!
Jay | Relaxed Thairapy says
December 5, 2015 at 12:49 amPraises to God all worked well for you and you received your bundle of blessings at 42. I am not mentally ready for a hysterectomy b/c much like you, I feel it’s so final and I don’t like that feeling. TY for well wishes and being open and honest about your experience. I truly appreciate it.
Tomes Edition says
December 4, 2015 at 2:15 pmWhere did my comment go! I know it must be hard to talk about such personal stuff and we appreciate it. I’m sorry you guys have to go through this and i hope you will be completed healed soon. Big hugs!
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Jay | Relaxed Thairapy says
December 5, 2015 at 12:46 amI looked for it in spam and it’s not there. Sorry about any hiccups you experienced. TY for the well wishes, hugs and love.
Aine says
December 6, 2015 at 1:25 pmThanks so much for sharing, Jay. Even amongst people I know who have had fibroids I’ve never had so much detailed info. It’s not easy to go through and couldn’t have been easy to share. I pray for good health for you and your husband.
Jay | Relaxed Thairapy says
December 12, 2015 at 1:15 pm🙂 TY doll. I hope my message will trickle out there to others than can use it. It’s really an exhausting process.