Well I have just been for my post op meet up with my surgeon and the great news is that all my tests came back showing nothing "sinister".
The not so great news is that within the next six months I am definitely going to have to further surgery which will take 5 - 6 hours. Most of the work will be concentrated on my bowel which is apparently a bit of a mess with the endometriosis so a bowel surgeon will be required and they will probably have to give me a hysterectomy in order to access it properly.
There is no guarantee that all this surgery will cure me but there is about an 80% chance that it might stop it from occurring again. If it doesn't it will mean I will probably require surgery again at some later date when it all starts to come back ... 'choice' as the kiwis say!
The surgeon also recommended placing me on some medication (a monthly jab in the butt) which will cause immediate menopause ... this hasn't thrilled me at all as the side effects may possibly worsen some other issues I have. I am going to try and see my GP, whose opinion I value, to discuss this with him. I sort of got the impression from the surgeon that these drugs would make the operation easier for him, not necessarily do a whole lot for me.
I have also spoken to a lady who has run a support group for many years and she has given me some great advice on other options that may be available to me instead of the injection.
It is all a bit confusing and quite a steep learning curve. I do wish I could simply put it all behind me (I feel fine!) but sadly that is not an option.
Hopefully this will be the last you hear of it all until after my successful op later in the year.
Goodness, I hope you can find a solution that works for both of you... not just the surgeon!
ReplyDeleteBut really good news on the nothing sinister front !!
Thanks. Those Dr's can be a bit powerful at times ... they do always think they know best ... one does wonder. ;)
DeleteThanks for the update Lisa. I've been wondering how it's going. I'm glad it's nothing Sinister but it still doesn't sound fun. The learning curve does sound potentially overwhelming but you are absolutely doing the right thing speaking to other women who've been through similar experiences. Xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Lucinda, A doctor told one of my dearest friends once something along the lines that patients generally know more than their physicians as they have a vested interest in their disease, etc so investigate it more, unless they are a specialist in that field I'd imagine. I think some Dr's get quite funny when you question what they're saying or proposing and if you suggest something else you have read or heard they almost take it as am affront to them.
DeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear your health problems weren't entirely solved by your surgery. Praying for a successful op later in the year. xxx
Thanks lovely. It is a bit of a nuisance but it's all going to be fine ... appreciate those prayers though.
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