Update - The Pre-Opt Appointment

[aeronwen]

We got back a little while ago from the pre-opt appointment. The doctor went over in detail how the procedure will be done. He says that the cyst is the size of a Red Delicious apple, which certainly explains why I have been feeling so uncomfortable these past few months. Another thing he mentioned is that he will be taking a biopsy of my uterine wall while I'm asleep. Although he doesn't feel there is anything cancerous in my uterus, they need to do the test anyway. If any cancer shows up (and based on my recent blood test he doesn't think there will be) I would have to have a full hysterectomy. Again, he feels that this is highly unlikely.

If everything goes as he thinks it will, the procedure will take around two hours. Afterward, if my pain is under control, I'll be able to come home and will need to continue resting and avoid being active for at least two weeks. The doctor will of course be prescribing pain medication for me to take while I'm recovering.

Toward the end of the appointment he gave me a form to read over and sign that listed everything that could go wrong during the procedure (including death). Once I had been informed of and understood the risks, I signed the the papers. There really isn't any choice. The cyst can't stay there, and if left alone it would eventually be a threat to my life. It has to come out.

So for now I just have to get through the next two weeks and then I will hopefully see the end of this ordeal. Being a gamer gives me something to keep my mind and attention occupied during this time when I can't do much of anything else. Thank goodness for Morrowind and it's wonderful cast of characters.

Comments

[darth_eldritch]

Going forward... they make you wait so long for the surgery!

But, yeah, you have Neldor and crew to see you through :)

[aeronwen]

The waiting is really the worse part of this. I have lots of time to imagine the worst. And no matter how hard I try to stay positive, the fearful thoughts can and will raise their ugly heads from time to time.

[darth_eldritch]

I don't blame you. I know I would be anxious, too. I wish I could say something that would help you feel better. I'm keeping you in my thoughts.

[aeronwen]

That's deeply appreciated. Thank you.

I think the most frustrating part of the appointment was when the doctor said he needed to take a biopsy from my uterine wall and have that tested. I'm so tired of waiting to hear if I have cancer cells lurking somewhere in my body.

[pasque]

The size of an apple? I'm astonished that you haven't been feeling much worse than "uncomfortable," yikes!

My mum is going to be having a pretty similar procedure next month too (in her case, it isn't a cyst - it's polyps in her uterine lining). The doctor has said much the same thing to her: the biopsy is just routine, and the likelihood of anything being found that contradicts the negative results of her other tests is super super tiny. I kind of think it's reassuring that you've both been told the same thing - hopefully it helps you feel better too, at least a bit?

Thinking of you either way, of course. If only bodies could just behave, gosh!

[aeronwen]

I kind of think it's reassuring that you've both been told the same thing - hopefully it helps you feel better too, at least a bit?

Yes, it actually does help. Not that I'm glad that your mother is going through this, but it does help to know that all of this is fairly routine and not something that doctor's have never seen before.

If only bodies could just behave, gosh!

No kidding. As if women don't go through enough with their bodies over the course of our lives.