Over the last year or so I have been experiencing some really bad sharp pains in my sides. It woud come predictably at first, but within the last couple months it had gotten so bad I would have given anything for someone to be able to tell me what it was. About last year this time I had the pain, and at first it wasn't too bad so I waited a couple days before deciding that maybe I needed to get it check out. When I did go to the Dr. she ordered a CT scan that showed that I had a small cyst on my left ovary that would resolve on it's own (can you tell I have heard these words so many times that I know them by heart?). I had the pain again the next month, but since my insurance at the time had such a high premium and deductible I had cancelled it so I could start paying off the darn CT scan that gave me no relief. I continued to have the pain at least once a month and decided that I was just going to get a small cyst that would resolve on it's own every month for the rest of my life. By about December I started getting these "small cysts...." about once every 2 weeks and they were getting more painful. At this point I still had no idea why or what I was going to do about it. I started looking for some good, and I mean major medical insurance at the end of January because I knew that I was going to need to see whoever it took to figure out what this pain was because it had started effecting everything in my life. I'd have the pain and not be able to move so Tyrell would have to stay home and I'd have to stay home. I said I had to have the insurance effective by March 1st and then I was on a quest. March 4 I went to my first Dr. appointment and got an ultrasound scheduled for 3 days later to find that I had a small cyst that would resolve on it's own. Yeah, not what I wanted to hear. No, I didn't want it to be bad, but I wanted answers dang it! So I continued on until it happened again about 2 weeks later and hauled myself into the ER because this time it was worse than ever. They did two more ultrasounds with no more answers, and barely got the pain under control. The next day I'd had enough and had all my tests and ultrasounds faxed to Gyno I had heard good things about. He saw me and said we'd pretty much done all the testing we could besides laprascopic diagnostic surgery. This is where they place a camera inside you to get a really close look at what is going on. He said with how often I had the pain and the way I described it, as well as his exam he felt like I most likely had endometriosis or adhesions from my previous c-sections. He described a procedure they are doing now for people who qualify called LSH (laprascopic superacervical hysteretomy) that he'd like to go ahead and do if he found either of those things in there so that we wouldn't have to endure two or more surgeries. We discussed what I'd like him to leave if at all possible and again went over it the next morning before I went in for surgery. He did find endometriosis and was able to save my right ovary. Endometriosis is very hard to diagnose and detect because it's symptoms are not uncommon until it gets pretty bad. It continues to get worse and worse until the person effected is treated. I chose to keep an ovary, and therefore may need to have it removed in the future because it likes to come back. Being as young as I am though, I felt that having those natural hormones was important and I am hoping I don't start having pain on that side, but if I do I do.
I got to wear this sweet gown that they hook up to an air hose that blows hot air and keeps you nice and toasty! I wanted to bring it and the machine home,and I am pretty sure Tyrell was jealous!
So far my recovery has been a little rougher than I expected, but I have had an awesome husband who has helped me a ton! My mother in law also came to help the first weekend after I had it done, and she saved my life! I had 4 c-sections and did amazing, and I am not saying I didn't do amazing this time, it is just different. I thought it would feel similiar to my c-sections, but the pain is different, and honestly the things I have struggled with aren't really pain related. I had some pretty bad anxiety attacks the first couple days, and I think those may be from the pain meds (I am super sensitive to meds). I have also had a really hard time just letting others do the kids and things because I am so so used to being the sole caregiver (Tyrell works 2 jobs and isn't here a lot). I have also found myself getting really tired very fast. Now, I don't know why that is different than my other surgeries, it just is. Today marks a week and my stomach is getting less sore each day, but if I walk too much I regret it because it feels like my abs have been really working (which never happened with c-sections). The incisions are much higher than my c-sections as well and that may play a part in it. I am hoping that the kids will be very understanding in the coming week because Tyrell has to go back to work and so do I, and I still can't lift them.
I also have to say that I truly believe that our Heavenly Father knows things we just don't understand and he does things that we may not understand for a reason. I have 3 kids who are very very close together, but if they weren't so close together their little souls wouldn't be able to bless our home because I can't have anymore. Some of you may not know this, but we had a very hard time getting pregnant and then out of nowhere those last two just came. The Dr. also described how endometriosis starts to me, and it had to have started long ago, before my tubes were tied and thus we are very lucky to have those two last babies. Some people may think that we were stupid or don't understand where babies come from, or whatever, but Heavenly Father needed to get those spirits here quickly because I just didn't have a lot of time. I would have not thought that I would need to have a hysterectomy at the age 27, but I am really hoping this is a turning point and a new beginning for me and my family!
