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Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Health updates: maybe a plan

 So much is going on, yet...I am posting so little. I've been really busy! 

I have been going back and forth with my doctor about my uterine mass. We were hoping that blood flow to the mass would decrease once pregnancy hormones settled down, which would not only potentially shrink the mass, but would also make surgery safer (the area was inoperable right after birth due to risk of hemorrhage from the extensive perfusion). However, that unfortunately did not happen, and I am once again experiencing severe symptoms. 

The short story is that I need a hysterectomy. It's the safest surgical option and the most definitive. Hormonal treatments don't work because part of the symptoms are due to the location, size, and damage in the area. I'm not a candidate for a hysteroscopy or myomectomy for the same reasons, and because of the risk of bleeding due to all the blood vessels feeding the mass. However, I don't want to do a hysterectomy yet. It's a major surgery with long recovery, and it seems so...extreme! Instead, we are buying time with a uterine artery embolization. This will reduce blood supply to the area and potentially shrink the mass, which will reduce symptoms, plus make any operation we might schedule a little safer. 

None of my options here are ideal. I don't want to take hormones (which aren't actually effective anyway). I don't want major surgery. I don't want multiple minor surgeries and procedures that drag out over time. And I don't want my current symptoms! But some things in life are like that! No good options, so you just have to pick the best of the bad bunch.

I'm waiting on my insurance to approve the procedure, and then I will have the exciting prospect of scheduling this around my work and life. But I'm really, really ready to be done feeling so crappy. Even a small improvement will make me happy for now. 

4 comments:

  1. Ugh. This sounds so difficult and frustrating. I've been a follower for a very long time but never commented. Finally coming out of the dark to say that you are doing an amazing job of advocating for your health! I have enjoyed following you, speedy woman!

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  2. I totally understand putting off the hysterectomy for awhile. I know several who have had one and it is a tough surgery. Hopefully you can wait until the baby is a little bit older and you are done BF’ing. It will be good to get it taken care of as I know it has been hard on you!!!

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  3. Wishing you the best possible outcome, Gracie.

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  4. I'm so sorry that this continues to be an issue. I hope that you get some relief from this procedure and you can recover quickly from it.

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