Post 9 – The Surgery
I developed uterine fibroids 1 after my first pregnancy. I had all the usual symptoms including the more severe ones which need medical attention:
- Pelvic pressure and pain
- Anemia
- Swelling or enlargement of the abdomen
The morning of my scheduled abdominal hysterectomy I sat at the edge of my bed debating if I had made the right decision. I was afraid to go through with the surgery. What about the risks? What about the serious complications? My doctor tried to assure me that the risks were minimal, but really, anything can go wrong during surgery no matter how good the surgeon. They were unnerving to say the least:
- Blood clots
- Post-surgery infection
- Excessive bleeding
- Damage to the urinary tract, bladder or other pelvic structures (OMG!)
- Earlier onset of menopause
Unfortunately, I had to accept the risks, there was no way around them. I knew I had to go through with the surgery. I was anemic and physically uncomfortable due to pelvic pressure. My fibroids had been growing since my last child was born. At the time of surgery, the combined size of my fibroids was equal to the size of a five-month-old fetus. So, I basically looked five months pregnant!
My doctor said:
“Fibroids can grow as big as watermelons.”
Of course, surgery is performed before they reach such a dramatic size. I certainly didn’t want to live life looking like I was five, six or nine months pregnant without actually being pregnant!
Sitting in a wheelchair, a nurse rolled me in to the surgery room. My limbs began shaking uncontrollably. I was terribly nervous! The environment certainly didn’t help. In the middle of the room was the surgical bed, which looked like a thick piece of particle board with a stiff leather covering.
Transferring from the wheelchair to the bed, my entire body shook. A member of the surgical team explained that I should sit as still as possible while he gave me a regional anesthetic. In other words, he was going to inject a gigantic needle into my back! I peeked at the needle, lying in a metal tray next to me. It was huge!
I took deep breathes, trying to control my nerves. I felt a sharp pain at the base of my back and out of nowhere one of the doctors shouted: “Lie on your back! Quickly!”
She startled me!
“Geez!” I thought. “What’s the rush?”
I must have also received a general anesthetic because after that last thought, as I was moving into the horizontal position, my eyelids crashed into each other and I lost consciousness. Within seconds, I was fast asleep. Seems the doctor wanted to make sure I didn’t fall off the bed, hence the urgency.
After the surgery, my doctor informed me that the procedure went smoothly. Turns out I had three fibroids: one the size of a grapefruit and two the size of oranges. It’s common for doctors to refer to fruit to describe the size of fibroids.
“Since you’re so young and fit,” my doctor said, “recovery should be quick.”
“Young?” I blurted. I certainly didn’t feel young…or fit!
“You’re very young for having this procedure. Most women who undergo a hysterectomy are ten years older…and they certainly carry more weight than you!” she said with a grin.
I returned the smile feeling slightly better about my age. I guess she was right. Now at age 42, or anywhere in the forties was still considered young.
Sources
- Heathline: Fibroids https://www.healthline.com/health/uterine-fibroids