Surgery Update and Results: Inter.....WHAT?!

Finally its time, the long promised Surgery update and results. On March 27, 2014 I had my second surgery for Endometriosis. The purpose of the surgery was to see how the disease has progressed and what the next plan of action should be. I went into this procedure completely confident in my decision and the expertise of my wonderful doctor. I arrived to the hospital at peace and  ready to get the show on the road. I was delightfully surprised, the Women's Wing of Grady Hospital is really nice. If you know my relationship with Grady, then you understand my shock and awe. My nurses were wonderful and the entire experience was great. I had three procedures, A Hysteroscopy & Endometrial Ablation, A Cystoscopy, and an Abdominal Laparoscope. When all was scoped, burned, and invaded, I was closed up and sent to recovery. According to my family, recovery was a little unnerving. I was told that I had a hard time in recovery, it seems that they could not get the pain under control. I have no memory of any of it. I am now about 3 weeks post surgery. I had my first Post Op appointment on yesterday 4/14/2014. My doctor discussed with me her findings and what the treatment plan will be.

The Findings:

• Fibroid Tumors that have grown
• Enlarged Uterus, due to fibroid tumors
• NO new Endometriosis Legions
•  Interstitial Cystitis

According to my doctor she was pleasantly surprised and relived that she did not find what she was expecting. She saw scar tissue from previous surgeries but from the ways she went in she found no evidence of new Endometriosis growing. So, it has not invaded any new areas. However, to my heartbreak and shock, she did find Interstitial Cystitis. To say that I was floored is an understatement. Now, I have my reservations about the diagnosis but pictures don't lie, I saw it for myself, there is no denying there is something angry happening in my bladder. Ironically enough, through this entire journey, I have NEVER had a Cystoscopy. My GYN believes that the disease has been there for a very long time and is the cause of most of my Pelvic Pain. So now here I stand; stunned, confused, angry, but motivated. This dx has energized me and given me a glimpse of what direction I need to take my movement. I will come back to IC. Through this surgery I realized that there are so many women suffering with some kind of Pelvic/Reproductive Pain or disease but they don't have Endometriosis. Somebody has to be a voice for them to. While Endometriosis is a real part of my reality and life, I have to be a voice of Awareness for women who are suffering because of different "female issues." Back to the topic of convo, Interstitial Cystitis and what my doctor's proposed treatment plan entails. I have been prescribed 3 new meds. There is an antihistamine, a pain med, and Neuropathic med. I will discuss these meds in more detail after I have taken them for at least 2 weeks. I am still coming to grips with this new information but I know I have to face it and learn to embrace yet another invader. 

Until Then,

Keep Fighting