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Hi folks, I’ve never done a vlog before; this is my first one (below the fold). I don’t think I’ll publish many of these on the Blend, so you’ll have to subscribe to my YouTube channel to see when a new one goes up, or follow me on Twitter.
I guess I’ve just thought of vlogging as yet one more thing I’d need to keep up with besides the blog, Facebook and Twitter — all are part of my routine to keep y’all up to date, and all take time to do it right.
In this case, I think vlogging will be a good therapeutic outlet for me as I walk through my ongoing health issues, rather than boring people on this blog. I know it’s my personal blog, but it’s also seen as a resource for political content now more than the former, so I have relegated most personal stuff to the slow-traffic weekends. Besides, writing takes more effort, and I really, really don’t have any more time to squeeze out of the day.
I face a major health decision soon, hence the vlog. More after the jump. TMI alert. Move along to another post if you don’t want to deal with talk of surgery and the like.So for this first vlog, I figured I do the Cliff Notes version of the backstory by writing up some of what I discuss in the video in a diary, then move it straight to video only.
1. I have uterine fibroids that are wreaking havoc on my quality of life. As non-cancerous tumors, they are often not even a problem for most women (as many as 1 in 5 women have them)- they may not even be aware of them. Unfortunately, in my case, one of the three that could be seen on ultrasound is basically doubling the size of my uterus. My cycles are not only painful, but the amount of bleeding is outlandish in volume and duration.
2. Options: right now it’s down to two choices: a) endometrial ablation (basically burning/eliminating the lining of the uterus – stops your periods, you can no longer have kids) b) hysterectomy: variations of removing your reproductive organs.
3. Complicating factors: I have polycystic ovaries, fibromyalgia, and insulin-dependent, insulin-resistant diabetes. The latter is most relevant regarding higher chances of complications and infection for any surgery.
So if I have more invasive surgery, I may be offline for a while, but I’ll know more after this week, and perhaps I’ll have a date soon.
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One thing I didn’t mention in the video is my strange weight loss. I have spent most of my adult life dealing with the inability to lose weight. Not yoyo-ing. That would require me taking it off in the first place. Having to take insulin and having PCOS are big factors in making weight loss hard.
Then starting about six months ago, roughly coinciding to the monster inside my uterus growing and really making its presence known, the weight started coming off for no reason. No change in eating habits, no increase or decrease in exercise. I did have less of an appetite more often than before, so perhaps I would skip a meal, but that was never unusual when I was unable to lose weight.
That does not mean that the fibroid has anything to do with this; it just happened around the same time.
Anyway, here I am, 5 sizes smaller, 40 lbs lighter without trying. I’d love to say that’s great news, but when you’re not sure why, that’s a tad disturbing. I’d just like an explanation that makes sense.
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BTW, someone on Facebook thought it would be a loss not to include the vlogging as front-page entries since health care is a critical issue and I could expound on that in my videos. I told her that I’d put up a poll to see what regulars think. Obviously I don’t think my vlogs will need to be on PHB, but maybe some of you do. Weigh in.
10 Comments
Yowch, Pam!Hope you come out of surgery OK and without too much pain. That’s gotta be scary.
FibroidsI was in a similar position maybe 10 years ago, Pam, minus the weight loss. I was expecting the onset of menopause in about 6 years. I was offered the option of Uterine Artery Embolization (here’s one outline of the procedure: http://www.mirs.org/fibroids.h…
Did it, wasn’t as bad as either of the surgical options, seems to have worked, I’ve been pain-free since, and my periods decreased markedly (and then there was menopause and eventually no periods, period).
BTW, there’s also something called endometrial myomectomy, which supposedly preserves the uterus and is done laparoscopically (a bunch of small incisions). Likely, you’ve explored all these options with your doc.
And just to make it clear, I have (and had then) insulin-resistant diabetes (although I was then on oral agents). I likely had PCOS (the symptoms read like my life), but never went through to official diagnosis.
No fibromyalgia, though — that’s a tough one — and makes it even more amazing that you get done all that you get done.
Is it possible that your fibroids are impinging on your intestines and somehow preventing absorption, and that’s part of the weight loss puzzle?
Whatever procedure you go through, there’ll be lots of loving, healing energy headed your way.
From Personal ExperienceI had endometrial ablation in 1994 for uterine fibroids, when it was still considered “experimental”. A hysterectomy was not offered to me, as the doctor felt that at 33 I wasn’t capable of deciding that I didn’t want children.
After a few years, my periods slowly came back – just as painfully. The fibroids slowly came back, in full force. I still haven’t had children, by choice. Now that I’m only a handful of years away from menopause, I’m grinning and bearing it, but I do wish I’d had the hysterectomy 16 years ago.
Only you can make the right decision for you, and I didn’t have any of your additional complicating medical issues. Perhaps endometrial ablation has been perfected since I had it done. (in England, but let’s not get into a health care debate!) Ask your doctor about long term success rates.
I wish you (and Kate) all the bestThose are some enormous concerns to be sorting out. It is awful to be at odds with the very vessel that carries us around. I hear you re: getting answers. An MRI I had a couple years ago finally confirmed a nearly 20 year old injury previously diagnosed by symptoms only. What a strange, validating relief to actually see the damage and have external evidence it was real. I hope you get all your answers, and that they turn out to be as harmless as they could possibly be. (Though I understand these are major health concerns.) Glad you are taking care of yourself & getting all the help you need. May your choices become clear, the treatment flawless, and your recovery swift and complete. BTW, I always like it when you “own” your blog and share something that amuses (“Wee, wee, wee!”) or that is personal (pit bull education, health concerns, etc.). If posts are TMI for some Blenders, they can scroll on by. Be well. You are loved. Including in that weird internet way where we don’t meet, speak in person, or have any of the usual IRL experiences. But it’s there, palpable.
Smooth ride and a quick recoveryPam, I wish you a smooth ride and a quick recovery as you go through your medical adventures on your way to a better quality of life.
As for your vlogging, definitely on the front page! This is your blog and whatever you have to say should be on the front page, no matter what format you are saying it in.
Besides, I would rather have a one-stop shop for all my Blending needs instead having to hop around to multiple websites to keep up. Speaking of which: would it be possible to have a widget in side bar with a feed for your Facebook page, or least a link to it.
I think with vlogging showing you talking on video frequently it will give you exposure that could attract attention from the MSM to put you in their rolodex as one of their “go-to gays”.
PSI love your braids!
The very best wishesto you in getting these problems behind you. I watched your video last night. While I was sorry that the topic was about such unpleasant news, I enjoyed seeing and hearing you. I’ve always found your writing to be something that I could connect with personally. Your warm self confidence comes across even better when you are speaking. I look forward to more of your videos,
… another personal experience…Pam,
I had horrible problems with fibroid tumors similar to yours. I was having very painful periods with biblical bleeding and also some bladder involvement that lasted all month long. By the time I had surgery, I was on a teather all the time (I couldn’t even make it though a trip to the grocery store without have to stop at the bathroom to pee), housebound for a week every month (my periods lasted a full week and were completely unpredictable), and bathroom-bound for 36-48 hours a month (when the really heavy bleeding kicked in, I could easily go through a super-plus tampon every 15 minutes). I was losing sleep (not only from the monthly heavy bleeding, but also from having to get up 2-3 times every night to pee) and unraveling quickly.
Presented with basically the same options you were given, I opted to try the endometrial ablation first, in the hopes that it would work and I could keep by reproductive organs. I’ve read some horror stories about surgical menopause and also recall my mother having issues for years after her hysterectomy. Further, I’m not convinced that our reproductive organs stop participating in our body chemistry at menopause — there might be subtle things that the ovaries or uterus do that are helpful, even after menopause. And of course, the recovery time for the hysterectomy is much longer than that for the ablation.
So in June 2009, I had a hysteroscopy, D&C and endometrial ablation. I was amazed by how quickly I bounced back. I never took pain meds (there was no pain) and the next day, I was able to resume my normal activity level (including weights, core workout and running on the treadmill). The only thing that really slowed me down on the day of the procedure was shaking off the fog left by the anesthesia, but even that was gone in time for me to cook dinner that evening.
Since then, my health has been great. I did have one more episode of heavy bleeding and dealt with spotting for about 6 weeks after the surgery. Beyond that, I continued to have monthly cycles for a little over a year. And by “monthly cycles,” I mean that once a month, I had a day or two of very minor spotting (a panty liner was all that was ever necessary, and sometimes just some dark panties were enough), and that was it. And this summer, even that monthly spotting has phased away.
It’s only been a year and a half, but so far, I’m very pleased with the results of the ablation. I’m not sure if I’m out of the woods (I’m 48, so it’s maybe a bit early to declare victory), but this past year sure has been great! I’m never trapped at home anymore and my bladder quickly recovered to the point where I can often sleep through the night without having to get up, and I can go for hours at a time during the day without having to pee.
Good luck with your decision, and then with whatever procedure you opt to have. I’ll be thinking of you and watching for updates!
Alice
ps. I think you and my little brother might have gone to high school together… he attended Sty for just a year or two, though, and gradutated in 1982…
NovaSure endometrial ablation changed my lifePam, just sent you an e-mail detailing my experience. For any other women experiencing such pain and debilitation, I encourage you to consider the NovaSure procedure. It literally gave me back my life and ended my horrible pain. Please remember to have a well-experienced, recommended dr. perform the procedure.
Best of luck to you Pam, I believe that things can get better for you!
Very best of wishesI hope you feel better soon