Over the past few weeks I’ve gotten a few emails with good wishes following my little surgery a while back ~ and some of my friends in Blogland have inquired about what I had done. I guess when one mentions a *girlie procedure* that it sparks a bit of interest!
Well, I’m not shy ~ and I’m also a believer that information is beneficial for the greater good, so I thought I would share a bit. In addition, I don’t have anything running-related to blog about (apparently one has to actually RUN in order to blog about it), so what the heck…
MEN: You might want to stop reading here and flip back over to ESPN.com
WOMEN: Carry on....
No, I didn’t have a boob job. Anyone that has met me in person can attest that a procedure like that is not something I have a need for. Just trust me on this one.
No, I didn’t have my tubes tied. The way I figure, if I had two major surgeries to have my two kids, the least my dear Hubs could do was have one minor surgery to ensure we don’t have any more kids. Enough said?
What I did have ~ after much contemplation and research ~ was an Endometrial Ablation procedure. Translated into normal person terms: I had the inside of my uterus destroyed so I wouldn’t spend a miserable week of every month resembling a scene from a bad slasher-film. Get me? (you can google all the technical terms if you’re interested)
Yeah, I thought all you women would get it.
When you find yourself planning your life, and vacations, and races – of all things! – around that time of the month, something just isn’t right. As I’ve gotten….ahem….older…..it seemed that my dear Aunt Flo was just taking advantage of me.
So after months of consideration, I had a ThermaChoice Ablation done on the 29th of April. It was a less-than-30-minute procedure, done in a surgical center, under full anesthesia (my doc’s preference, and mine too) that has a 40% of chance of ridding me of Aunt Flo all together…..and a 60% chance of just making her a much nicer, normal relative.
The jury is still out on the effectiveness of my particular procedure ~ doc says it can take up to 6 months to determine the final success. But in the mean time, my body is basically struggling to heal a lovely, internal, third-degree burn. Makes it sound pretty, huh?
Which leads me to my frustration and lack of running lately. I’ve been getting really irritated with myself for being so out of sync lately ~ until someone I know (that also had an ablation procedure done a few years back) gently reminded me that my body is still VERY much in recovery mode. Just because I can’t see it….or feel it (thank goodness)….my body has a severe internal burn that it is trying to mend. And I guess I’ve come to realize that I’ve been expecting too much of myself too soon. It’s only been 3 weeks since my surgery, and I’m irritated that I don’t have enough energy to run or workout like I think I should be.
Well, after yesterday I have stopped being mad at myself. It is now time for me to be realistic about all the chaos I have put my body through in the past few weeks, and be patient with the ol’ body while it recovers and catches up with my brain. No more mental beatings ~ I just need to do what my body tells me to do.
So there. Isn’t that more information than you really needed?
But seriously ~ there are more women out there than you realize that suffer from the same, vindictive Aunt Flo that I did. Many might be considering such a procedure, and desperately searching (like I was) for anyone that might have an experience to share. So I throw it out there in hopes that if someone needs my insight – they know where to come ask for it. I stumbled upon several blogs during my search, and actually emailed a couple of the authors to inquire. First-hand experience is a very valuable thing.
So watch out ladies – you just might be insanely jealous of me in a few months when I tell you that I have rid myself of pesky, monthly-visiting relatives FOR GOOD! Until then, just smack me when I whine about my running and tell me to get over myself. I’m doing exactly what I should be doing.
Happy Running!
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16 comments:
Well, I didn't want to be too nosey and ask, so I'm glad you shared. I'm sure it will be helpful information for a lot of women.
Sounds like it would be pretty painful. Good thing you opted for the anesthesia!
Take it easy while you are healing. Hope you are back to feeling 100% soon!
Dee Dee had that done about 8 years ago. It's been good for her! I hope it works out for you too!!
I know other women who have had that done. I am not one of them. I think they've all been happy with the results when all healed up. Hope it works out for you.
I am already jealous! As I've gotten older things have gotten much worse. My doctor doesn't think it's 'bad' enough to warrant any thing like that. I've tried to tell him he doesn't know what he's talking about!!
You will be back to 100% soon. :)
Oh Karen, I am glad you shared. If I hear you beat yourself up on here about running I will come out there myself. You do need to recover. Don't rush into it all. I used to do the Depo shot and had no cycles. This time I went for that IUD and get one twice a month go figure..
I hope you fall in that sweet 40% category.
LMAO if a guy reads all the comments.
I hope you feel all better soon!!
I had it done almost a year ago and it has been *GREAT*! Hope you're on the mend soon.
I hear it works well, and I'm glad you are doing this for you. Really who has time to do that much planning. But do make sure you get some rest and focus on the healing. The running will wait...
Thanks for sharing! I hope you fall into the 40% too! Don't push yourself!
Bloggers are a nosey bunch! You definetly need to cut yourself some slack. Heal up ! Excessive Aunt Flo probably also was throwing you into anemia which will rob every last bit of energy you have. Let's hope this takes care of it.
Heh heh, it's like you gave Aunt Flo a lobotomy. I hope she straightens up for you. My problems were more emotional than anything. I elected to take the pill coninuously (no week off). I occasionally get a small break through of maybe a day but for the most part Aunt Flo no longers stays overnight. It's really heavenly. I know we've talked about this. More putting it out as another alternative for anyone who is suffering.
Your body is probably using a lot of energy to heal. You'll come around in no time.
Hugs.
I'm glad you shared! I was *just* talking about this the other night with DH. There's a gyno doc on TV in our area advertising Novasure ablation, and my blogger friend Vickie had it done about a month ago, too. And I was pondering whether I'd be a candidate or not. I've got my annual with my doc in a couple months and I'm going to ask. I didn't realize it was such a long recovery, though. It makes sense, but when it's a short procedure, you just kind of think it will be a quick recovery, I'm sure. Glad you are not beating yourself up any more.
Enjoy your weekend!
Get well soon!!!!
Wow! You have been through a lot give yourself some time to heal. Plus anesthesia has a way of lingering in your system for a bit (at least in my opinion from experience).
I hope this proceedure works for you.
I've had the endometriosis surgery before (due to HORRIBLE Aunt flo problems). They got better, but in the last few years, they are getting worse again. It's a different worse though, so I may consider that when I'm done having kids. I have a week of bad AF issues.
Well, some of you gals saw me hurting in Phoenix...
Thanks for sharing your story! Get better, but take that rest. Your body does need it.
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