Here I go

I have posted about it in the past, my female reproductive system not working correctly. As a result of that I have Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Adenomyosis (like a sister to Endometriosis). In 2006 I was told I really needed to have a hysterectomy. At that time I was on a charity type of insurance because we were low-income at that point. Then I went back to work and finally got good health insurance through my employer. After discussing this with my co-workers, including one who had just had her hysterectomy done, I finally decided I was going to bite the bullet and do it. Last March (2008) I had an endometrial biopsy done and luckily it showed nothing but proved to my physician that I do have the Adenomyosis.

I was referred down in Seattle to an oncologist gynecologist because of my weight. I am high risk just due to the weight alone. I met with him on July 21st and he did an exam and went over my history with me. He told me about the da Vinci hysterectomy, which I had already researched online. I asked if it were possible to perform that type of surgery on a person with a high weight/BMI. He had told me that he performed some before on heavyset people as well. He has excellent credentials outside of what I was told (again, research is your friend- you are your own advocate), so I feel confident in his capabilities. I am having my surgery at an incredibly wonderful hospital on Monday, August 10th. The da Vinci hysterectomy is a robotic-assisted laparascopic surgery. It's minimally invasive and very effective. There's a chance it might not work on me, so they are preparing for the fact that they might have to cut me open but I am hoping I do not have to go through that again. I have had a horizontal bikini cut in the past when I had my daughter in 2000, but that was when I was 100 lbs less (and believe it or not, still heavy!) and 9 years younger. However, I tend to recover well, so I am hopeful. I am more hopeful they can do the da Vinci procedure.

I'm not going to lie, I am very nervous about having a major surgery...but my quality of life will improve, and I will no longer be in pain. We're also hoping it will help me become more successful in my weight loss journey. For having been more active than I had in years and working out regularly and to only lose 17.2 lbs in a year's time is wrong. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have a loss than a gain...but I should have lost more. The swelling from the uterus and the hormonal issues have GOT to go. They are taking it all- uterus, cervix, ovaries, and even the tubes. I joked to my mother that I am going to hit menopause before she does. But yet I worry about the health risks. I'm just a worrier by nature.

So the next time I can get on this thing, I will be a new woman. And hopefully out of pain post-surgery. More updates to follow! (I promise.)