More Surgery? Follow up on the hormonal issue.

stayceX
on 9/26/05 8:04 am - Baltimore, MD

This weekend was just awful. Missed work Friday and left early Thursday. Had to leave early again today. Very weak and dizzy from heavy blood loss and severe abdominal pain. It doesn't appear to just be hormonal issues from the weight loss. I saw my OB/GYN and had a pelvic exam done this morning. Looks like we are dealing again with a rather large uterine fibroid tumor. She was able to feel it. I have an Ultrasound tomorrow that should confirm the size and determine my course of treatment. The three options I have....... 1)If small enough might be able to hold out and just monitor. Probably need a biopsy just to confirm it is benign. These types masses always are so not really that worried. Started premarin today to stop the bleeding and could probably do some sort of birth control pill or shot for longer term control. 2) Open Surgery - Remove the Fibroid via a Myomectomy. Similar to a C-Section. I had this procedure about 18 months ago to remove a grapefruit sized fibroid. Some Dr's do it lap but mine doesn't. I feel most comfortable in her hands so I rather just have her do it even if it is open. I could also look into a radiology procedure - embolization to cut off the blood supply and shrink the fibroid which is less invasive but it also has a higher risk that it won't work. If it gets removed by the open procedure then I'll be done with it and not have to worry about that particular one coming back. Worried a little about surgery at this time. I'm not even 6 months out from my bypass yet. 3)Hysterectomy - I can't continue to keep having surgery to remove fibroids. It is just too hard on my body. Maybe one more time is ok but I still run the risk of growing more. I am also at high risk for uterine cancer and other gyn issues. My mother was treated last year for ovarian cysts and uternine cancer so she ended up with a hysterectomy and radiation. A hysterectomy would result in getting rid of them for good plus eliminate any futre risk of uterine or ovarian cancer. Dana and I talked about option 3. It would be very sad not to have the option to have our own children but we both agreed that my health needs to be first. I think it will be hard on us but I know we can get through it. Well first things first.. I'm probably jumping way ahead of myself as always. I need to get the Ultrasound results back and then I can go from there. I already dodged the surgery bullet for the gall bladder removal and have that under control just with my healthy diet. It is very possible I might be able to dodge this one too. Trying to stay optimistic. Thanks for listening. Good to get this all out of my head.