When I was in third grade my favorite teacher, Mrs. Richmond, told us that even though we had to learn the imperial measuring system, we also had to learn the metric system. She was sure that by the time we grew up the whole USA would use the metric system exclusively.
Here's me now-
I got a call from the doctor after the ultrasound. The doctor said, "The ultrasound shows that you have a large ovarian cyst on the left measuring 13 centimeters and several small ones on the right measuring 3-5 centimeters each. We have scheduled you for an MRI." Then she said the thing that no woman wants to hear- "And someone ate all the tacos."
No- that's not what she said. She said, "I've recommended you to a gynecological oncologist."
So I said, "Okay."
And that was the end of the conversation.
Next, I had to think about how big 13 centimeters is. Mrs. Richmond would be disappointed. I pulled out my ruler. I looked at the metric side and measured to 13. I looked at it and thought- 'Is this big for an ovarian cyst? seems pretty small to me.' Then I realized that I had measured 13mm, not 13cm.
Then I measured 13cm and found it was about 5 inches. I still don't know what that means. 13cm long? 13cm diameter? I don't know.
I got the MRI- that was an event I'd rather not experience.
I had made an appointment with my gynecologist a month before when I had experienced the pain the last time. (It took that long to get in.) So I told her all my issues and showed her all my test results, and she told me what she thought it was and suggested that I "get rid of everything." She said, "you're almost 50, you don't need it!"
That sounded good to me.
When I went to talk to my surgeon, he said, "So- if we are going by the book I'd leave an ovary in if it isn't damaged."
I said, "Why?"
He said, "For hormones. Research suggests that women who start menopause surgically are at higher risks for several illnesses."
I said, "But I'm 50." When does menopause start for most women?
He said, "Between 52-54."
I said, "My gynecologist recommended that you take it all, and I'm okay with that."
He said, "Who is your gynecologist?"
I said, "Dr. Udell."
He said, "Kim Udell?"
I said, "Yeah."
He said, "She would say that."
He said, "You can decide, but going by the book, I'd leave one."
I said, "Okay- take it all."
In the end, the surgeon decided that although he was "pretty sure" that the cysts were not cancer, he didn't want to rupture them just in case. Since the cyst was so large he said he couldn't do the surgery laparoscopically, nor could he do it vaginally. He also said he would normally do the surgery in the same manner as a C-section, but since I have had 4 C-sections already, he thought there was too much scar tissue.
So ... I have 9-10 inch scar from my belly button all the way down to my C-section scar.
The doctor said the recovery would be similar to a C-section.
I disagree.
It was terrible.
It still hurts more than 6 weeks later.
But- I'm mostly healed and optimistic for the new year- just a few organs lighter.
