Two Years
It's odd to think that two years ago at this time I was settled in a hospital room waiting for the okay to have sips of water after my uterus and its attending fibroids (weighing approximately 1.4 pounds) were removed....

Beautiful Nails
I know it sounds strange, but I think the hysterectomy (more specifically not being anemic) has strengthened my nails. I've always been frustrated with my nails, and for that matter, not terribly fond of my hands. I have tiny fingers....

Cycle on Track
So I think I am ovulating now, so I think things are back on track. I don't think I had much to worry about, but it's always nice when my body kicks backin again. I have really nothing to report...

Late Cycle Again
I'm not sure why, but I think I skipped a cycle. This isn't unusual for me at all. I almost always skip my January cycle, but I've always chalked that up to traveling for the holidays. This year I didn't...

New Year's Resolutions
I'm not really one for resolutions about my body. I try them. I've tried to stop biting my cuticles, I've tried to take better care of my teeth. The resolutions to do so really mean nothing to me. I do,...

The Mini-Period
I don't know how much I've talked about this, but now that it's been over a year, I should probably talk a little about mini-periods. If you have a hysterectomy and keep your ovaries and your cervix, there is a...

Always Wondering About the Fallout
I'm depressed now. I'm not sure if it's full-fledged clinical depression, but it's been going on for about two and a half weeks. I might just be stressed and overworked, overdoing it and maybe tired. I'm still meeting my obligations....

Sleeping Better
The weather is better now, still mild and the rain and overcast conditions have cleared, so sleeping seems better. Also, the time change makes me much more tired in the evening and I guess it's easier to sleep that way....

Trouble Sleeping
I've been having trouble sleeping. This has nothing to do with my hysterectomy. I've had trouble sleeping since I was about eight years old. I used to sit up late at night in the hallway of the second floor of...

Another Reason to Investigate All Options
I saw a new study today that says that women who have had hysterectomies have higher levels of C reactive protein in their blood. What's that, you ask? It's generally viewed as a marker for inflammatory factors and may be...

Popping a Stitch
I know it's been well over a year since surgery, but I think I just expelled a stitch. If you've been following along, in early March I noticed that my incision had an infected spot. I was already on my...

Southpaws and Breast Cancer
I saw an article over the weekend about left-handed women being at higher risk for pre-menopausal breast cancer. Here's a link to the article - link. This has nothing to do with hysterectomy or fibroids, however, I am a southpaw...

Dealing with Regrets
The previous entry I made about focused ultrasound treatments for fibroids has a story behind it. Last week I got an email from a friend (one who was with me through the whole process). He sent me the link to...

Focused Ultrasound as Treatment for Fibroids
I've heard about this therapy before. I even did a little research on it last year before my hyster. It was very new then and still only being tried out by a few groups, but it sounds promising. The idea...

Honored
Sometimes I wonder if folks are reading, so it came as a complete surprise when I saw that Tracy (the editor of Health Diaries) said that my page was selected for the honor of Reader's Choice! Of course, hearing that...

Yeast Again
Here we go again. I got a call from my doctor's office this morning before I headed to work. The nurse told me that my test results came back that I have a yeast infection. Yes, another yeast infection. I've...

Sometimes You Forget To Ask
You know how it is, you go to the doctor with something on your mind, even though it's a regular check up and then you totally forget to mention it. I've had trouble with my incision. It's healed over rather...

Doctor Visit for Yearly
Today I had my yearly exam. Since I'm only 39, I didn't need to go for a mammogram. There is no history of any cancers in my family (except for a few skin cancers that were caught very early) so...

Longer Period
I'm having a weird cycle this month. Last month I barely bled during my period, yet this month my light bleeding has been going on for almost a week. I can't really blame my doctor for this, I think there's...

The Difference Between Hysterectomies
There are a couple of different kinds of hysterectomies, and they're commonly confused: First is a total hysterectomy where they take both the uterus and the cervix. Second is a subtotal or supracervical, which leaves the cervix in place. Now,...

Today Marks the Year
Yes, last year at this hour I was sitting in my hospital room with a very dry mouth and sore throat. Oh, and my uterus was gone. Now I'm sitting in my living room getting ready to go to a...

Emotional Decision Making
Sometimes we make decisions based on fear. Sometimes well founded fears and sometimes it's an emotional reaction to an unlikely event. You know the anectdotes, someone has a family member killed in an airplane crash and then never fly until...

Keeping Ovaries, Keeping Bones
Again, I'm on the kick to keep ovaries as healthy as possible and in the body as long as possible. Of course there has been a change with the medical colleges no longer recommending oophorectomy to pre-menopausal women over 45...

Another Step Closer to Ovarian Cancer Detection
Tampa Bay Online reports that there is a promising new test for ovarian cancer that just got approval for This week, the National Cancer Institute awarded a $3.5 million grant to H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute at...

Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont stops covering some HRT
I try to keep up on my reading about the latest on fibroids, hysterectomy and ovarian cancer. One of the easiest ways to do this is to set up a Google News Alert, where Google will email you a list...

Diffuse Abdominal Pain
I'm not quite sure what it is these past few months. I've been having trouble sleeping since the beginning of the year. Part of it, I think, is a change in bedding. My doctor wanted to be more aggresive with...

Androgen Levels lowest in women with Oophorectomy
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism published a report recently about androgen levels in a large survey of women. The cross-section was otherwise healthy women aged 18-75. Some were pre-menopausal, some post-menopausal and some had surgically induced menopause. "We...

Early Menopause for Hysterectomies
This is the first study I've been able to find on this subject. There's been lots of info flying around about what happens to ovaries after hysterectomy if you keep them. And finally someone's done an actual scientific study on...

Full Recovery
I went on vacation last week and I have to say, I had a better time than last year. Last year at this time I was in the process of scheduling my surgery and making my decisions. I went on...

Strange Cycle
A while back I gave an account of what my periods used to be like before the hysterectomy. Most notable was the length of my periods. The weirdest thing happened two weeks ago. I got what I thought my was...

Another Month
The hysterectomy is pretty much behind me, so part of me is resisting this diary because it makes me think about it. I'm not saying I want to deny it, but after a certain point talking about it makes it...

Nine Months This Week
Here's the nine month update: Things are great. No twinges, no zingers and no more swelly belly. Here's what the incision look like these days. View image Additional photos from earlier here - Week 16, Week 4-6, Week 3 and...

Hurting Every where Else
This weekend I spent both days working in the yard. Hours and hours of hard, backaching working. Here's the good news, I hurt everywhere except for my belly. My glutes, my arms, my back, the insides of my thighs, everything...

My Period
This is what it used to be like. I'd ovulate. Then about ten days later I'd start to spot. A little fresh blood for a day. I'd wear a pantyliner. This was usually a Tuesday. For the rest of the...

Keeping the Promise of Early Detection
I mentioned about six months ago that there were promising new screening tests on their way for ovarian cancer. These are non-invasive blood tests that screen for markers of cancer. Now Australia's Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre at The Royal Women's...

High Blood Pressure and Fibroids
A new article that I saw today shows that there's a statistical link between hypertension (high blood pressure) and fibroids. "Hypertensive women were 24 percent more likely to develop clinically symptomatic fibroids than non-hypertensive women, and the risk increased with...

Balancing Creams
I've been using progesterone cream on and off for about two years. Dr. Lee wrote a book (I've mentioned it before) called What Your Doctor May Not Have Told You About Pre-Menopause. In it he talks about estrogen dominance and...

News for your Heart
Following up on the news that women with hysterectomy are 26% more likely to have cardiovascular disease, I figure it's a good idea to keep an eye on things. Simple Blood Test May Help To Predict Cardiovascular Risk In Older...

Little New
I don't have much to report, really. The good news items include the fact that I'm ovulating, or did a few days ago. The other item is that I went on a cross country trip all by myself. I went...

Rethink Every Once In A While
I went to the doctor a couple of days ago to follow up on my bad bronchitis a few months ago. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was a teenager. I get bronchitis a lot. There was a period...

Hysterectomy Raises Cardiovascular Disease Risk
A study released by the American Heart Association to be published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association reports that women who’ve had hysterectomies have more cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors – making them more prone to heart disease...

Commonly Asked Questions
I'm happy to answer any questions anyone wants to pop me in an email (fibroidlizzie -at- yahoo.com). Here are some things Cindy asked in the comments area. I figure for every person that emails me or leaves a comment, there...

Weekend Freedom
Here's the good news. I went to Catalina over the weekend. I went last May and spent the day there and experience four bathrooms while I was there. This time - it was a nine hour trip and I had...

HRT After Menopause Increases Bladder Incontinence
HRT has been shown to be worse for bladder troubles than nothing at all. We all thought it was the opposite, didn't we? We all recognize that one of the side effects of menopause is an increase in urinary incontinence...

Abcess on Incision
I went to the new doctor yesterday. He was great. Attentive to the whole picture. He asked about my hysterectomy and seemed dubious about it for fibroids and asked how big and I said "one pound--" and I didn't even...

Doctor Bound
I'm going to the doctor tomorrow. It's a new doctor. I'm switching primary care doctors so this'll be my first appointment with him. I've got mild asthma and since I'm getting over bronchitis I need a new prescription of Advair....

Going Away
The little abcess on the side of my incision seems to be going away. I have no idea if it's because of my liberal applications of neosporin or my body is just doing what it's supposed to do. I didn't...

Disturbing Development
I'm a little worried. Last night as I got ready for bed I felt along my incision line and there was a distinct bump on the left end of it. I looked at it and there's a swollen spot that...

Options
I talk a lot about what I've done for fibroids, which was a hysterectomy. But there are now lots of options: Abdominal Myomectomy - surgical procedure where just the tumors are removed and the uterus is left intact. Laproscopic Myomectomy...

Smallest Complaints
I'm feeling damn normal. I noticed that I'm ovulating this morning. My only complaint at this date is vaginal dryness. It only bothers me during intercourse and my husband and I have solved it quite neatly with some astroglide. But...

Getting Better
Now that the bronchitis is just about gone I'm feeling pretty much normal. Yesterday I drove up to Ojai to see my mother for lunch and I wore jeans. I know, it seems a little silly to even mention such...

Bronchitis
I've come across a nasty disease. I haven't the foggiest what it is but I've got it. It seems to be going around, several friends I saw last weekend socially have the same malady at the moment. It started on...

Cycling
Yup, got my period this morning. It's barely a period, really. In other news, I feel just fine. I'm starting to do all those things I'd limited before. Like carrying things. Grocery bags, dog food bags and of course laundry...

Six Months
Tomorrow marks six months since my surgery. Things that are good: I can lay on my stomach without feeling pressure on my bladder. I can sleep through the night without getting up to go to the bathroom I can go...

Belly Pains
I made the mistake of picking up the dog today. It had to be done. We were at the vet and she would not go into the waiting room. I couldn't just stand there out on the street yanking on...

Ovulation
I've made it a policy in the past five years to not bring work home with me and not think about work when I'm at home. I have what I feel is an excellent job. I don't make a lot of money, but I think it's a fair amount. I'm middle management (no one works under me, but then again there's only one person between me and the president), and I've gone about as far as I think I can go in this position. There is nowhere to be promoted to without taking on broadened responsibilities.

Weekend Challenges
My belly still swells but I've been taking less ibuprofen for it. I read a report about a study that found that long-term use of ibuprofen causes stomach and intestinal damage and I'm a little worried about that.

Svelt
I bought some new jeans a couple of weeks ago and I've started wearing them to work. Let me say, I've been looking gooood lately. Finally my figure has returned to where it was about five years ago. At the...

Cycling
Yup, my period started last night. I'm so not used to the idea (I'm not sure why) that I left the house this morning without putting on a panty liner. It's mostly a little blood when I wipe, but sometimes...

Change in Food Preferences
I don't know if this is true or not, but some women report changes in food preferences after a hysterectomy. I still enjoy everything, but at the moment I'm noticing that I prefer milk chocolate to dark chocolate. I can't...

Late Cycle
I was running a bit late in December. I expected to ovulate somewhere around December 21st. Instead, I didn't ovulate until December 30th. Not so bad. That was perfectly normal for me back when I had a uterus. I had...

HRT/Oophorectomy & Strokes
In my continuing crusade to inform women about the value of their ovaries, I saw this article in a UK newspaper online yesterday. HRT shown to increase risk of strokes: A study released by the University of Nottingham using a...

Actually Feeling Better
I'm amazed how actually following good advice sometimes nets positive results. I'm feeling good. Not great, but good. I'm afraid of feeling great too quickly, because then I'll revert to my old ways, so I'm really encouraged. The swelly belly...

Food Poisoning
Last Thursday we had our department holiday lunch. We went out to a local restaurant that's known for their fried chicken, but I thought that would be a heavy and salty meal for me, so I opted for the seared...

Remiss
I've been remiss on my blogging. I have excuses, but I'm sure you don't care one way or the other. I'm on the verge of my period again. So I figure this is really it, this is the way it'll...

Doctor Report
I went to the doctor today. Three major complaints: 1. The mini-period 2. Pain during/after sex, just a slight, burning/itching feeling in the vagina. Mind you, my husband and I have never, ever had sex before without a condom -...

Stop Kicking Me in the Belly
Oh, I don't feel well. For about a week my belly has been hurting, but more the past few days. I'm doing too much, I know it, but I can't slow down. I suppose I'm waiting for the doctor's appointment...

The Proof
So, here it is, my third cycle. I ovulated early last week. And if I had a uterus, I would have started bleeding this weekend. And I did. So it seems that I have enough of a uterus left for...

Bumpy Roads
Today I took a bit a hike down to a local coffee shop. That felt pretty good. Of course coming back was harder, it's always harder because there are five flights of stairs and I was really huffing at the...

Crampy
I'm a little crampy, a little cranky. I ovulated early last week, which means I'm premenstrual this week and if I do have the dreaded mini-period, it will arrive on Saturday morning. My breasts are a bit tender but my...

Ovulating
Yes, here I am again, exactly on time. I'm ovulating. Started on Tuesday as far as I could tell, which was exactly four weeks from the last time I ovulated. Yay for ovaries. In other news, there is a new...

So Sorry for Dropping Off
I was afraid this would happen. This is how I am. I have transient obsessions where I post a lot and have lots to say. Now I feel like it's all over. The surgery is well behind me, I feel...

Bleeding
I guess I'm getting back to my real life. My recovery was overshadowed this weekend with a bit of a startling health problem with my husband. He came back from his most recent trip with what we thought was a...

Back to the Real World
I guess I'm getting back to my real life. My recovery was overshadowed this weekend with a bit of a startling health problem with my husband. He came back from his most recent trip with what we thought was a...

First Full Week
This marked my first full week back at the office. Granted, it was only part time. But I did have to get up and get myself there on time! My energy level was actually pretty good. My only concern is...

Feeling Sorry for Myself
I'm in a bad mood. I don't think I can blame it on hormones. Probably not even the operation. First, my husband is sick. I know, I should be wonderful and supportive because he's not feeling well and he took...

Right on Time!
You might recall that back on August 29th I mentioned that I was ovulating. Well, here it is exactly 30 days later and I do believe I've ovulated again. I was a little worried, since I think that one of...

Still So Huge
It's amazing how huge my belly is now. It was bugging me on Saturday, so I decided to do nothing at all on Sunday. This consisted of watching many movies on TV (pretty much left it on the Hallmark Channel...

Save a Life, Protect Your Own
How often do you get the chance to save someone else's life and have it be good for you too? I'm not talking about a good feeling, I'm talking about it actually making you healthier. First of all, I've suspected...

Big Belly
I got to work early this morning to get a good parking space. Unfortunately, I think I'd have to get there at about seven if I wanted a spot on the first floor of the garage. Getting in early means...

Working Girl
I got to work early this morning to get a good parking space. Unfortunately, I think I'd have to get there at about seven if I wanted a spot on the first floor of the garage. Getting in early means...

Going Back to Work
I feel like a kid going back to school. Tomorrow I go back to work. I'm trying to figure out what to wear. My belly is still a bit tender and big towards the afternoon, so I want to pick...

Cleared!
I had my doctor's appointment bright and early this morning at 8:30. The doctor looked at my incision (well, it's more of a scar now) and was pleased at how well it's healed and that there are no gaps whatsoever...

Getting Back
I've pretty much made the decision to go back to work later this week. I have my six week checkup tomorrow (even though I'm almost seven weeks post) and will discuss it with my doctor. I went to the outlet...

Incision Check!
Since someone on the HysterSisters site asked, I figured it was time to post my incision photos for the past few weeks. Unfortunately I stopped taking them for a while since my husband took the camera with him on a...

Getting Rid of Things
"Perfection is reached not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery I still have twinges that having a hysterectomy was a mistake. I still get feelings that...

Back on Subject
I forgot. This diary is supposed to be about uterine fibroids. I'm not quite sure if I should have this diary filed under fibroids any longer since I don't have them. I have to say, I don't miss those rocks...

New Tests on their way for Ovarian Cancer
I know I wrote a lengthy article last week about keeping your ovaries. One of the things that I mentioned is that there will be tests available soon to detect ovarian cancer before it advances into the less treatable later...

Brilliant
I had a brilliant idea this morning. I've been on a kick lately to organize things. Since I've been trapped in the house I've wanted to reduce clutter. One of my pet peeves at the moment is the proliferation of...

The Mall Life
Today, because it's still hot, my husband and I went to the mall. He needed a new suitcase for his trip next week and I was interested in looking at some clothes that I might be able to wear back...

Hot Time!
Tonight a few friends from the neighborhood came over to watch fireworks from the roof. We're not far from Dodger Stadium, so on special nights (tonight was fan appreciation night) we get treats like this. I woke up this morning...

A Case for Keeping Ovaries
I've been hanging out over at HysterSisters and have been noticing a trend - women asking for advice about whether or not to keep their ovaries. Without a strong indication for them to be removed (existing ovarian cancer or strong...

Big Trip
Today I'm off on my first long-distance adventure. My neighbor is taking the day off of work and wants to check out a furniture store down south from here in Costa Mesa. She wanted some company and advice so we're...

It's Hot
I've really nothing to report other than it's hot. Today I went to the grocery store. I bought healthy things. I bought fruit and for some reason took great joy in measuring out 1.4 pounds of each item (because that's...

Long Walk
My husband has gone out of town for nine days. My dear neighbors came by to check up on me (I'd been alone for four hours!) and suggested we take a walk. So I leashed up the dog and we...

Getting around on my own
Well, today marks four weeks to the day from my procedure. I'm officially released to have all the orgasms I want. Well, I didn't wait for the official word. I wanted to know much sooner. That doesn't mean that I...

The Thing about Vicodin
Well, it turns out that my biggest challenge at the moment has nothing to do with my recent operation. Nope, I've tweaked my back. It's an old injury that's given me trouble since I was 17 and I slipped in...

Back Pain
Well, it turns out that my biggest challenge at the moment has nothing to do with my recent operation. Nope, I've tweaked my back. It's an old injury that's given me trouble since I was 17 and I slipped in...

Ovulating
Well, I'm greatly encouraged to report that I believe I am ovulating right now. Since Friday my temp has be one half of a degree higher and for the past two days I've had that slight clear and stringy discharge...

New Links!
We've got new links over there towards the bottom of the right sidebar. I thought I'd explain why I wanted them there: HysterSisters (http://www.hystersisters.com/) - woman-to-woman online support for those considering or going through a hysterectomy. It's a great place...

Fibroids & New Genetic Research
I found a fascinating article about a study that was released a couple of months ago about the genetic connection to uterine fibroid tumors and keloid scarring. It was a study conducted by Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences...

A Bit Tired
At the moment I'm a bit tired. Mentally, I'm quite sharp (which means I can blog) but physically I'm wiped. I took my husband's car into the shop to have a tire replaced. It was a rather long drive (about...

Workplace Privacy
My general thought on this is that it's no one's business what's going on with your health. I mean, your boss and co-workers are entitled to know that you're taking some time off for medical things and that there may...

Driving, Miss Lizzie!
Yes, today I drove. It's a good thing, too. My car needs to be driven every two weeks or so! I was glad to get out of the house too. I didn't go far. Just two miles to the bank...

More incision photos
Here are the incision photos I promised earlier. There's not much new, but I know some of you are curious. Day 15 - august20a.jpg - you can see a little bruising still on the top of the incision site and...

A Few Tidbits Today
Funny thing first: since my pubic hair has started growing back my husband calls it my crotch mullet! Business on the top and party on the bottom! (Yes, we are randy sometimes!) More of doing nothing today. Played a little...

Good Intentions
I meant to do a little more exercise today. I meant to put away the laundry. I meant to pay a few bills. I did none of these things. A friend came over for a little while this morning and...

Yet Another Uneventful Day
I think the thing I've noticed most of all about being open and frank about my gyno problems is the fact that it seems to get so many other people talking about their gyno problems or problems other people they...

Busy, Busy Day!
This morning a friend came over for a day-long visit. He keeps me company. He's been reading to me, sometimes we play Scrabble. Sometimes we just sit in the back yard. I think of it like some sort of Victorian...

Two Week Mark
A friend was supposed to come over today to keep me company. But no biggie. So I didn't do anything at all today. A little cruising on the internet. Talked on the phone. Had some lunch. Checked in at work....

Sneezes Hurt!
I've had only one other sneeze up until now, and not a big one. Just now I had two in a row. Owie! I tried bracing my belly, but the spot that I didn't seem to cover really hurts, just...

The Nothing Day
A friend was supposed to come over today to keep me company. But no biggie. So I didn't do anything at all today. A little cruising on the internet. Talked on the phone. Had some lunch. Checked in at work....

Who Wants to See Photos?
Yes, I have been taking photos of my incision since day four. They're not as gory as I thought they would be. And for those of you checking out this diary as you prepare for this sort of surgery or...

Stupid Hormones
Well, I'm doing great. Much better than I thought. I get tired, and I knew I would, but I don't think I really understood what that would feel like. It's not like a sick tired, like when you have a...

Oh, the Itching!
Yes, everything itches. The incision area itches. The incision itself has no external stitches, just surgi-strips. (Yes, my guts seem to be taped closed.) And of course they shaved a good part of my pubic area too. And it all...

One Week and a Day
Well, I'm doing great. Much better than I thought. I get tired, and I knew I would, but I don't think I really understood what that would feel like. It's not like a sick tired, like when you have a...

Day One and Two
I was asleep. I can only tell you what they told me. The surgery went well. They found no involvement of my bowels or kidneys or bladder with the tumors (sometimes they can fuse together and teasing them apart during...

The Operation
I was asleep. I can only tell you what they told me. The surgery went well. They found no involvement of my bowels or kidneys or bladder with the tumors (sometimes they can fuse together and teasing them apart during...

The Pre-Op Tale
I'm home from the hospital. The surgery went flawlessly. It turns out that the fibroids were much bigger than the ultrasound indicated. The largest was the size of an eggplant (sitting sideways across the backside of my uterus). It was...

Confidence for the First Time
I'm home from the hospital. The surgery went flawlessly. It turns out that the fibroids were much bigger than the ultrasound indicated. The largest was the size of an eggplant (sitting sideways across the backside of my uterus). It was...

Away
I'm off to the hospital in a half an hour. I slept pretty well, I woke up a lot, went to the bathroom twice. Boy will I be glad when it's just mental problems that keep me up all night!...

Unexpected Good Things
Just a few things: 1. When I went to leave the house this morning for work, instead of the usual kiss (just a peck on the lips), my husband gave me the most wonderful rocking embrace. And promised a night...

Good-Bye to U.
I had my pre-op appointment yesterday morning. They took my blood for all the tests they do, did a urine sample for a pregnancy test.  There was no exam, just a consult with the doctor as she explained the procedure...

Pre-Op Day
I had my pre-op appointment yesterday morning. They took my blood for all the tests they do, did a urine sample for a pregnancy test. There was no exam, just a consult with the doctor as she explained the procedure...

Doing the Math
I'm ovulating. I started yesterday. My last gasp at fertility, I guess, since surgery is next week. I'm all nervous today, too. Tomorrow I have my final exam at the doctors office and all the pre-surgical tests. Then, if that's not harrowing...

Ovulation
I'm ovulating. I started yesterday. My last gasp at fertility, I guess, since surgery is next week. I'm all nervous today, too. Tomorrow I have my final exam at the doctors office and all the pre-surgical tests. Then, if that's...

An Ache That Can't Be Soothed
I'm considering taking lots of photos. My doctor promised me photos of the surgery and the fibroids and enlarged uterus. I've never seen anyone's incision after surgery, and I was thinking of taking a photo of it every day as...

Does Anyone Wanna See Graphic Photos?
I'm considering taking lots of photos. My doctor promised me photos of the surgery and the fibroids and enlarged uterus. I've never seen anyone's incision after surgery, and I was thinking of taking a photo of it every day as...

A little off topic
About a year ago I was introduced to Dr. Lee's book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause. I read it, cover to cover and then went back and re-read the portions about fibroid tumors.   I'd not yet...

What Your Doctor May Not Have Told You
About a year ago I was introduced to Dr. Lee's book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause. I read it, cover to cover and then went back and re-read the portions about fibroid tumors. I'd not yet...

The Prep Work
Today my husband and I went out to Target to pick up a few things for my recovery. He will be away until the week of the surgery, so I wanted his opinion on a few things.   First of...

Careful Observation
I'm trying to take inventory of myself. I want to know as much as possible about how I was before the operation, so I'll know when I'm back to normal, or possibly better than before. I'm premenstrual right now, and...

Feelin' Frisky
What I think is a little odd about my situation is the way I feel like my hormones have reacted lately. I'm a perfectly healthy woman in a long relationship. We love each other and have wonderful intimacies and a...

The Grief
I took my dog to the vet this morning. I have a huge list of things I want to have done before I go in for surgery, so I don't have to worry about them. One was getting the dog...

Good News
I got good news from the doctor's office today that my test for HPV came back negative. This means my chances of cervical cancer are dramatically lower and it's considered safe for me to keep my cervix. That's great news....

How Much is in my Head?
Sometimes I wonder how much of this is in my head. I wonder if I'm getting worse. Lately I feel like my bladder is getting smaller. I also notice more cramps. Not painful ones, I just feel like I can...

How I Feel
I have a surgery date. It's August 5th. A Thursday. Of course I'm scared. It's major surgery. My fibroids are too large to remove laprosocpically without hormone treatment. The uterus will be removed through a bikini incision leaving my ovaries,...

Making a Decision
First, it's all personal. There is no right or wrong decision when it comes to your own health. Modern medicine is great because it gives us so many choices. There was a time when I was younger, perhaps more angry...

The Oranges in my Belly
I'm thirty eight and live in southern California. I've never had a baby. About two years ago I began feeling a hard mass in my abdomen. I could feel it with my hands if I were laying down - just...