Well, last week I had a pelvic ultrasound, after what seems like an eternity of suffering with both severe period problems and severe low-back pain. The doctor suspected there might be a connection.
I went on Wednesday, and was told I would be called within 48 hours if anything suspicious was found. It was a long 48 hours. The doctor called me yesterday, eight days after the ultrasound. I have a very large fibroid in the back of my uterus, and a possibe smaller one in front.
I called the Women’s Clinic this morning to schedule the surgery to have this big ol’ honkin’ fibroid removed. The soonest they could get me in is January 21. The expected recovery time is a week, which basically means I will miss probably the first three days of classes when the new semester starts, as well as a weekend of work which I really can’t afford to lose financially. I can’t help but think that if the doctor had called my by last Friday, I could have gotten an appointment a few days sooner and only had to miss work, but not the classes.
I’m really bugged about this. I’m basicaly very sedentary, but the idea of being laid up for a week still doesn’t sit well.
Such is the state of health care in Las Vegas, especially if you’r poor.
I know your “pain” well. The horrible periods. Days when walking even a little wears you out and makes your back HURT. (Not to mention not wanting sex because of pain.) You will feel SO much better when those things are out. I did. Good luck with your removal. Keep us updated on it, ok? I’ll be sending you my best wishes for a quick thorough recovery.
So, they are going in the vaginal opening to remove the fibriods? That’s good at least. It means you won’t have a 6 week recovery time like I did. They had to remove my uterus to get the fibroid, which meant an abdominal incision. They left my ovaries in. Mine was the size of a large cantalope, and I’d had it for a while. It was just better for me personally to take the uterus so they wouldn’t re-occur etc.
Yes, I can maintain a sense of humor in the face of unpleasant medical problems. I actually stole the thread title from Dr. Dean Edell, who once told the story of a caller with fibroids who began her call by saying “My doctor says I’ve got fireballs in my eucharist”. I thought it was hilarious then, and now it takes the edge off the anxiety.
