Exact Approximations

Monday, August 13, 2007

Surgery Cancelled...

... for a few weeks, at least =(

I was supposed to go under the knife tomorrow for a hysterectomy, due to ongoing illness that has lasted about two and a half years. My surgeon called me this morning, telling me about a conversation he had this weekend with a pelvic surgical specialist. Both doctors reviewed the operative reports from my last two surgeries, and determined that I need a different type of surgery. Rather than a hysterectomy, they want to do a pre-sacral neurectomy and a peritoneal resection ("skinning"). Basically, they are going to go in and "scrape out" the lining of my abdomen. This is the place where the scar tissue was found during my previous surgeries. And, apparently, the hysterectomy was only going to give me a 50% chance of full recovery - this procedure is supposed to have a higher success rate.

So, it's not all bad news. I'm a bit disappointed that I have to wait longer (my old surgeon, now my referring surgeon, told me 2 - 3 weeks. But I'm guessing it will take longer - since I need to go to Pre-Ops, an initial consultation with the surgeon, and get insurance approval since this is a different kind of surgery.) I also feel bad because Momma, Sister & Niece all came out to help me, and now it might be harder for them to come back when I actually have surgery.

On the plus side, this newer type of procedure will have a better chance of curing me, and will allow me to retain fertility for about a decade (after this surgery, I will still probably need the hysterectomy in about 10 years).

Sensing my agitation, my referring surgeon tried to reassure me. I told him that I would try to focus on the long-term. While I am very frustrated, I realize that my frustrations are short term concerns - I want to get surgery, whichever kind it is, out of the way A.S.A.P., get off these flippin medications, and get back to work (if I have to stay home much longer, I am going to go insane). However, I also realize that if this newer surgery is the better option, it's going to be better in the long run. So, I'm trying to focus on the long-term, but it's kinda hard when you're struggling to get through, day by day.

I realize this is not nearly as interesting as my more recent posts, but a lot of friends and family keep up with me here, and this is the quickest way to get the word out.

2 Comments:

  • With the tone of some of the other posts, this sounds like great news. More mini-Lex's, female-wise and Luthor-wise. Oh yeah, 'Busto digging out the Superman reference.

    Does it ruin the reference when I admit I'm doing it? I just had to make sure everyone got it since "lawled" was missed. ;)

    By Blogger Arbusto, at 7:21 PM  

  • Arbusto: I loved the "Lawled" phrase! kind of reminds me of the "kewl" for cool phrase! I had never seen it before, but, it made sense immidiately to me! Thanks for the smile!

    By Blogger Crazy East Coast Uncle, at 7:18 AM  

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