There a quite a few appointments needed to prepare for surgery. I had my pre-op appointment last week. I knew the appointment would take at least 45 minutes, but it turned into an hour and a half. It was a long day.
Dr. Jacoby gave me a play-by-play of what would happen from the moment I checked into the hospital, pre-surgery, and post-surgery. I was somewhat familiar from my previous surgical procedure; myomectomy.
Dr. Jacoby than gave me my post op orders of do's and don'ts once I get home, and of course, pain prescriptions.
I had many questions for her, as well. Of all of the questions I had, I was most afraid of this question: 'can I still be a patient, even though I will no longer have fibroids?' Thankfully, she said yes! What a huge relief for me. She can still be my 'lady-girl' doctor. Another burning question I had was my last meal. My surgery is scheduled for 3pm. With previous surgeries, the doctor says no food/water after midnight. All I could think about was how grumpy I'd be if I couldn't eat a thing for an entire day. I wouldn't be so concerned, but I know how irritable I become when I'm hungry. Dr. Jacoby thought the same thing, but couldn't answer with certainty. She set up an appointment for me to speak with 'Dr. Feel Good, aka the anesthesiologist.
Lord help me if he says midnight!
During this visit, I of course signed all documents ensuring that I know what procedure I will have, the risks involved, etc. A weird thing happened as the Dr. was going over that I was having a 'supra cervical hysterectomy' and that we've discussed all other alternatives. As she was speaking, I began to tear up and than tears rolled down my face. I couldn't believe I was crying in the office. It was such a weird moment and very unexpected. As I shared with Dr. Jacoby, they were tears of relief; an end of a long journey with my fibroid-filled uterus, that caused me such grief. She had such a soothing an comforting voice. Another reason why I love her.
After my meeting with Dr. Jacoby, off to the lab I went to draw blood. My results revealed that my blood levels were very low. Every category I was below normal or at the very low end of normal. I shared the results with my mom and she too expressed concern and advised I reach out to my Dr to see if I would need a transfusion. Mom also told me to eat a hamburger or a steak! You know...for the iron.
I reached out to my Dr. and while my numbers are low, she doesn't think I will need a transfusion and advised that I take my iron daily. Oh...did I mention, I am anemic and I know I should be taking an iron pill daily, anyway???? I forget! Needless to say, since my pre-op appointment, I've been taking iron daily, I've had one hamburger slider, and I plan to prepare a steak for Sunday dinner. Eating lots of spinach is on the menu, too.
The count down continues....
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
The Decision.....
No, I'm not taking my talents to South Beach....
After careful thought and prayer, I've decided to write about an issue that has plagued me for more than 10 years. Through this discovery, I've learned of many others who have had a similar issue, including some very close friends.
You see, I have uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths that can wreck havoc on a woman's menstural cycle. For me, fibroids have caused extreme cramping, heavy bleeding, and extreme fatigue. They caused me to miss out on great times with family and friends because I simply didn't feel well or comfortable using the restroom in a public place. They were a serious quality of life issue for me. They made me hate being a woman...at first.
Once I learned more about fibroids I was able to make medical decisons based on what I thought would be most beneficial for me and my lifestyle.
At this point, I wasn't seeing my current doctor, a fibroid specialist, but in 1999, I had my first surgical procedure to treat my fibroids; a myomectomy. A myomectomy is essentially a c-section only I had fibroids removed and not a baby! My than doctor told me the fibroids removed were the size as if I were 3 months pregnant! Crazy, right?! After that, I felt great and more energized and I was no longer anemic.
Fast forwarding a few years, the heavy bleeding, cramping, and fatigue returned. I knew there was a problem. My doctor (who performed my 1999 surgery) immediately suggested another myeomectomy. I didn't like the sound of that, at all. It was a very painful recovery and there was just no way I could do that, again. It made me wonder: how can new mom's care for a baby after a c-section? Ouch!
My mom found an article in the paper that highlighted a fibroid specialist at UCSF. I held onto the article for a few months maybe even a year before I finally called for an appointment. Once I called, made an appointment, and met Dr. Alison Jacoby, I asked myself, 'what took you so damn long!'. I was in love with my new doctor. The 'special' doctor who would take care of my 'lady-girl' parts. Dr. Jacoby is tops in her field of fibroid care and is up on all of the latest technology and procedures. The best part that I LOVE about her-she listens and lets me make my own decisions about my care.
I knew my fibroids would grow back and the problems would resume, but I didn't know when. I soon began to call my uterus a 'fibroid garden' because of the amount of procedures I've had to be rid of them. I can't even begin to mention the types of procedures I endured to determine the location of my fibroids, size, and shape of them, etc. Suffice it to say, I thought I was being filmed for a medical documentary! You can't be modest through this process, let me tell you. I've had a total of three different procedures, all of which were band-aids.
Ultimately, the final way to rid myself of the fibroid issues would be to remove my uterus; a hysterectomy. While I have known for many years I would not have children, I shied away from that procedure because the amount of time required to heal, the pain, and that's just not what I wanted. I had marathons to train for, vacations to take, and I plain old didn't want to deal with that type of procedure.
Dr. Jacoby explored various options with me, but always allowing me to make my own decisions. As previously mentioned, I've have three procedures.
With much thought, prayer, more thought and more prayer, I've finally decided to move forward with the hysterctomy.
I must say, once I let Dr. Jacoby know that I've made the decision, I felt a huge relief, a sense of calmness. I thought about the amount of money I'd save by not buying sanitary napkins or refilling ibuprofen perscriptions needed to provide relief from the cramping. I thought about not being grumpy or feeling like was 20 months pregnant! For real!! I also thought of the vacations I could plan without counting the calendar. I thought about the family/friend events I could attend without feeling crampy, swollen in my belly, or fatigued. I thought about no longer being anemic. I thought about no longer talking to my uterus like a person and calling 'her' mean names. I dare not say what I call 'her' because it upsets my best friend and I know she'll be reading.
The thoughts of possiblities became endless. The more things I thought of the better I felt about my decision. I strategically planned to have enough recovery time to resume marathon training!
I have my first post-op mini-marathon at the San Jose Rock n Roll and of course, the big mama of marathons, Nike Women's Marathon; both in October.
The count down is on....And I look forward to the possibilities.
Resources that may help if you or someone you know has fibroids:
http://coe.ucsf.edu/coe/fibroid/index.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001912/
After careful thought and prayer, I've decided to write about an issue that has plagued me for more than 10 years. Through this discovery, I've learned of many others who have had a similar issue, including some very close friends.
You see, I have uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths that can wreck havoc on a woman's menstural cycle. For me, fibroids have caused extreme cramping, heavy bleeding, and extreme fatigue. They caused me to miss out on great times with family and friends because I simply didn't feel well or comfortable using the restroom in a public place. They were a serious quality of life issue for me. They made me hate being a woman...at first.
Once I learned more about fibroids I was able to make medical decisons based on what I thought would be most beneficial for me and my lifestyle.
At this point, I wasn't seeing my current doctor, a fibroid specialist, but in 1999, I had my first surgical procedure to treat my fibroids; a myomectomy. A myomectomy is essentially a c-section only I had fibroids removed and not a baby! My than doctor told me the fibroids removed were the size as if I were 3 months pregnant! Crazy, right?! After that, I felt great and more energized and I was no longer anemic.
Fast forwarding a few years, the heavy bleeding, cramping, and fatigue returned. I knew there was a problem. My doctor (who performed my 1999 surgery) immediately suggested another myeomectomy. I didn't like the sound of that, at all. It was a very painful recovery and there was just no way I could do that, again. It made me wonder: how can new mom's care for a baby after a c-section? Ouch!
My mom found an article in the paper that highlighted a fibroid specialist at UCSF. I held onto the article for a few months maybe even a year before I finally called for an appointment. Once I called, made an appointment, and met Dr. Alison Jacoby, I asked myself, 'what took you so damn long!'. I was in love with my new doctor. The 'special' doctor who would take care of my 'lady-girl' parts. Dr. Jacoby is tops in her field of fibroid care and is up on all of the latest technology and procedures. The best part that I LOVE about her-she listens and lets me make my own decisions about my care.
I knew my fibroids would grow back and the problems would resume, but I didn't know when. I soon began to call my uterus a 'fibroid garden' because of the amount of procedures I've had to be rid of them. I can't even begin to mention the types of procedures I endured to determine the location of my fibroids, size, and shape of them, etc. Suffice it to say, I thought I was being filmed for a medical documentary! You can't be modest through this process, let me tell you. I've had a total of three different procedures, all of which were band-aids.
Ultimately, the final way to rid myself of the fibroid issues would be to remove my uterus; a hysterectomy. While I have known for many years I would not have children, I shied away from that procedure because the amount of time required to heal, the pain, and that's just not what I wanted. I had marathons to train for, vacations to take, and I plain old didn't want to deal with that type of procedure.
Dr. Jacoby explored various options with me, but always allowing me to make my own decisions. As previously mentioned, I've have three procedures.
With much thought, prayer, more thought and more prayer, I've finally decided to move forward with the hysterctomy.
I must say, once I let Dr. Jacoby know that I've made the decision, I felt a huge relief, a sense of calmness. I thought about the amount of money I'd save by not buying sanitary napkins or refilling ibuprofen perscriptions needed to provide relief from the cramping. I thought about not being grumpy or feeling like was 20 months pregnant! For real!! I also thought of the vacations I could plan without counting the calendar. I thought about the family/friend events I could attend without feeling crampy, swollen in my belly, or fatigued. I thought about no longer being anemic. I thought about no longer talking to my uterus like a person and calling 'her' mean names. I dare not say what I call 'her' because it upsets my best friend and I know she'll be reading.
The thoughts of possiblities became endless. The more things I thought of the better I felt about my decision. I strategically planned to have enough recovery time to resume marathon training!
I have my first post-op mini-marathon at the San Jose Rock n Roll and of course, the big mama of marathons, Nike Women's Marathon; both in October.
The count down is on....And I look forward to the possibilities.
Resources that may help if you or someone you know has fibroids:
http://coe.ucsf.edu/coe/fibroid/index.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001912/
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
New Trail at Lake Chabot!
Lake Chabot is one of my favorite trails. I walk there most Saturdays or Sundays. I usually will walk either the left side of the trail if I want a more challenging walk or the right side if I want a more flat course.Yesterday, I was walking with a friend who was very familiar with Lake Chabot and the various trails it has. I was super excited. I finally know how to get to the other side of the lake!
It's the small things.
If you haven't enjoyed one of the many trails of the East Bay Regional Parks, I highly recommend that you do.
http://www.ebparks.org/parks/lake_chabot
http://www.ebparks.org/parks/trails
Saturday, July 14, 2012
A message of thanks...
Today I weighed in at my Weight Watchers (WW) meeting and I reached a long awaited milestone. I've surpassed the 10 LB loss mark and I was elated! I'm actually down 11.4 LBS and I couldn't be more proud of myself.
Right after that moment, I had to share with some family members who have been supportive along the way. And I also had to share with some friends from work. I sent them a mass-message to thank them for their support as I continue to reach my goal LB weight loss by my surgery date.
What a great way to start this day!
Right after that moment, I had to share with some family members who have been supportive along the way. And I also had to share with some friends from work. I sent them a mass-message to thank them for their support as I continue to reach my goal LB weight loss by my surgery date.
What a great way to start this day!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Back in the chair, again....
I made a pretty big decision a few months back ( I may share later), but as a result of this decision, I pledged to myself to lose 15 lbs. In order for me to meet my goal, I knew I needed to be in a place where I felt the most sucessful. Where did I go? Back to Weight Watchers. I previously lost 17 lbs there and the meeting leaders were great and I always learn new tips.
June 2nd was my first day 'back in the chair'. Of course the welcome was warm and inviting. It really was the perfect time to return, too. It was just the beginning of summer and that week's meeting topic was about setting goals for summer as they related to weight loss. Warm weather, vacations, family events, etc. are times when eating can get off track and the pounds you've worked to lose prior to summer slowly return. The weekly as it's called provided spaces to jot down goals you want to achieve by Labor Day (i.e. weight you want to lose, how you're going to get there, weight you want to be on Labor Day, etc.). I wrote my goals down and I look at them everyday!
Since I've been back in the chair, I'm down 9.8 lbs and my goal is to meet my 15 lb loss by August 8th, but I've recently set an even more aggressive goal date of July 24th. Wish me luck!
In the meantime, I will be preparing some delicious meals from my Weight Watchers cookbook: Fruits and Veggies from A-Z.
http://www.weightwatchers.com/plan/index.aspx
June 2nd was my first day 'back in the chair'. Of course the welcome was warm and inviting. It really was the perfect time to return, too. It was just the beginning of summer and that week's meeting topic was about setting goals for summer as they related to weight loss. Warm weather, vacations, family events, etc. are times when eating can get off track and the pounds you've worked to lose prior to summer slowly return. The weekly as it's called provided spaces to jot down goals you want to achieve by Labor Day (i.e. weight you want to lose, how you're going to get there, weight you want to be on Labor Day, etc.). I wrote my goals down and I look at them everyday!
Since I've been back in the chair, I'm down 9.8 lbs and my goal is to meet my 15 lb loss by August 8th, but I've recently set an even more aggressive goal date of July 24th. Wish me luck!
In the meantime, I will be preparing some delicious meals from my Weight Watchers cookbook: Fruits and Veggies from A-Z.
http://www.weightwatchers.com/plan/index.aspx
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