Women castrate themselves everyday because they are desperate and ill informed. Unless you have Cancer, please do not do this. There are other options out there that will enable you to live the life you were meant to live. Please educate yourself and those you love. Here are some suggested links.
http://althysterectomy.org/
The Hysterectomy Hoax by Dr. Stanley West, Paula Dranov,
If you have Cancer and know that a Hysterectomy is what you need, this is a great resource.
The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy by Lauren F. Streicher
I will add more links and books after previewing them first.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Symptoms That Drove Me to Surgery
-Cyclical Pain. This pain would begin about the 15th day of the cycle (Mittelschmerz (German: "middle pain")) It could be described as being sharp and biting for 2 days. Then a dull ache with bloating for the next 10 days.
- Two days before menses symptoms were a debilitating headache, searing pain in the right shoulder,spotting,the sensation of internal tearing and ripping.
- First two days of menses were always a cause to stay in bed. It was a compilation of all the symptoms mentioned above with a very heavy flow.
-For 5-7 days after menses, I felt great. This alerted me that my pain was connected to my cycle, not intestinal related.
After years of spit-wadding my symptoms to doctors, I learned that some types of pain are a red flag. Here are the buzz words that can get you some help.
-Ripping, Biting, Tearing
-Debilitating Headache
-Pain in the Right Shoulder
-Extra Heavy Flow
- Two days before menses symptoms were a debilitating headache, searing pain in the right shoulder,spotting,the sensation of internal tearing and ripping.
- First two days of menses were always a cause to stay in bed. It was a compilation of all the symptoms mentioned above with a very heavy flow.
-For 5-7 days after menses, I felt great. This alerted me that my pain was connected to my cycle, not intestinal related.
After years of spit-wadding my symptoms to doctors, I learned that some types of pain are a red flag. Here are the buzz words that can get you some help.
-Ripping, Biting, Tearing
-Debilitating Headache
-Pain in the Right Shoulder
-Extra Heavy Flow
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Trip
In planing the trip I spoke to many people. American Airlines was very helpful with getting me a last minute ticket and preferred seating on my return trip. In conversation it came up that the clerk with the airline had had a hysterectomy herself. Then when I was booking a hotel with Hotels.com, the operator had also has a hysterectomy. When we landed in Philadelphia and rented a car with Dollar, our friendly attendant had been wondering about having a hysterectomy herself. I had to wonder, is it normal for women to have their uterus removed at a certain age? If so, why aren't men having their testicles removed at the same rate?
My trusted friend traveled with me so my husband could work and care for our children. It was such a comfort to have my chosen sister there with me the whole time. There were moments when the pain melted away with her smile and encouraging laughter. When she held my hand, I drew upon her strength. When I could not speak for myself, she was my advocate.
When we met Dr. Toaff in person it was bittersweet. I knew he would soon change my life for the better. I also understood I would have to endure some more pain to get there. It is fair to say that I was apprehensively committed. Fortunately, Dr. Toaff's jovial nature put the color back in my cheeks. Within the hour I was able to laugh and look forward to the next day.
I was checked into Bryn Mawr Hospital with precise efficiency. The staff was reassuring and met my scared face with a smile. At times like that, it makes a big difference. At Bryn Mawr, we were definitely surrounded by earthbound angels.
Dr. Toaff escorted me into the surgical suite himself. He introduced me to the anesthesiologist and his operating room team. Their friendly nature put me at ease. I went to sleep knowing that I would soon be divorced from the pain.
After the surgery, Dr. Toaff went to the "green room" to give my friend the details of the surgery and assure her that all was well. The biopsy was tested and I was cancer free. The diagnosis of Adenomyosis was made with clinical certainty. The pain was removed from my body.
My friend was allowed to stay with me in the hospital. The nurses made up a real bed for her beside my own. For two nights I was in the arms of some true healers. The women of the maternity ward were like none I have ever met before. Their compassion and care was beyond anything I could have imagined or requested. I truly felt blessed.
The night before we checked out, Dr. Toaff returned to chat and give a motivational talk that would rival Tony Robbins. I have to be honest and say that I was crabby. I didn't want to look up, only complain. Dr. Toaff found this unacceptable to the healing process and took a try at stand up comedy. I laugh looking back. This man is truly one of a kind.
Two weeks later, I am really feeling better. I am beginning to understand that this is a chance at a new life. A life without pain or pills or side effects. I am so glad that I took a chance and saved my uterus.
My trusted friend traveled with me so my husband could work and care for our children. It was such a comfort to have my chosen sister there with me the whole time. There were moments when the pain melted away with her smile and encouraging laughter. When she held my hand, I drew upon her strength. When I could not speak for myself, she was my advocate.
When we met Dr. Toaff in person it was bittersweet. I knew he would soon change my life for the better. I also understood I would have to endure some more pain to get there. It is fair to say that I was apprehensively committed. Fortunately, Dr. Toaff's jovial nature put the color back in my cheeks. Within the hour I was able to laugh and look forward to the next day.
I was checked into Bryn Mawr Hospital with precise efficiency. The staff was reassuring and met my scared face with a smile. At times like that, it makes a big difference. At Bryn Mawr, we were definitely surrounded by earthbound angels.
Dr. Toaff escorted me into the surgical suite himself. He introduced me to the anesthesiologist and his operating room team. Their friendly nature put me at ease. I went to sleep knowing that I would soon be divorced from the pain.
After the surgery, Dr. Toaff went to the "green room" to give my friend the details of the surgery and assure her that all was well. The biopsy was tested and I was cancer free. The diagnosis of Adenomyosis was made with clinical certainty. The pain was removed from my body.
My friend was allowed to stay with me in the hospital. The nurses made up a real bed for her beside my own. For two nights I was in the arms of some true healers. The women of the maternity ward were like none I have ever met before. Their compassion and care was beyond anything I could have imagined or requested. I truly felt blessed.
The night before we checked out, Dr. Toaff returned to chat and give a motivational talk that would rival Tony Robbins. I have to be honest and say that I was crabby. I didn't want to look up, only complain. Dr. Toaff found this unacceptable to the healing process and took a try at stand up comedy. I laugh looking back. This man is truly one of a kind.
Two weeks later, I am really feeling better. I am beginning to understand that this is a chance at a new life. A life without pain or pills or side effects. I am so glad that I took a chance and saved my uterus.
The Decision
After amassing as much information as I could find, I made a decision. I contacted Dr. Toaff by email. Expecting an email response, my husband and I were surprised when we received a call from the surgeon himself, the next day!
Dr. Toaff gave detailed information about what to and what not to expect with the diagnosis of Adenomyosis. As if his credentials were not enough, Dr. Toaff gave us the phone numbers of ten women who had the surgery. I called two of them at his urging.
These women were the same age as me, late 30's. One lived in Oklahoma City, the other in the Sierras of California. They both made the painful trek to Philadelphia and back again in five days. Two days were traveling, one day for pre-op appointment, two days in the hospital. The long trip home was painful, but they lived through it. Their healing time was two months. They both agreed that after the first two weeks, they felt better. After two months, they were new women. These women had been where I was and promised that my life would be better than ever if I had this surgery.
A life without pain or pills was something I could not remember. Taking a chance and using every ounce of bravery I could summon my husband and I made the appointment for two weeks from that day.
Dr. Toaff gave detailed information about what to and what not to expect with the diagnosis of Adenomyosis. As if his credentials were not enough, Dr. Toaff gave us the phone numbers of ten women who had the surgery. I called two of them at his urging.
These women were the same age as me, late 30's. One lived in Oklahoma City, the other in the Sierras of California. They both made the painful trek to Philadelphia and back again in five days. Two days were traveling, one day for pre-op appointment, two days in the hospital. The long trip home was painful, but they lived through it. Their healing time was two months. They both agreed that after the first two weeks, they felt better. After two months, they were new women. These women had been where I was and promised that my life would be better than ever if I had this surgery.
A life without pain or pills was something I could not remember. Taking a chance and using every ounce of bravery I could summon my husband and I made the appointment for two weeks from that day.
Side Effects
Side effects can be just as problematic as the primary condition. Before making any medical decisions, one should always be informed of the risks associated with treatment.
Side Effects of Hysterectomy
Here are the top ten immediate side effects according to the Hers Foundation.
http://www.hersfoundation.org/effects.html
Personality Change
Irritability
Loss of Energy
Profound Fatigue
Diminished or Absent Sexual Desire
Difficulty Relating to and Interacting with Others
Loss of Stamina
Difficulty Socializing
Short Term Memory Loss
Diminished or Absent Pleasure During Intercourse
As if those immediate side effects are not enough, there are some biggies that are guaranteed further down the line. Those are heart problems, depression and osteoporosis. If this is already in your family history, then your risk has been multiplied.
Risks of Hormone Therapy
(according to the U.S.National Library of Medicine)
Blood Clots
Cancer
Cardiovascular Disease
Gallbladder Disease
Side Effects of Painkillers
Narcotics are great at knocking down pain when you need them. However, narcotics do not address the cause of the pain and bring a great risk of becoming addictive.
* Constipation
* Respiratory depression (slowed rate of breathing, one of the more serious concerns)
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Drowsiness
* Dizziness
* Weakness
* Dry mouth
* Confusion
* Difficulty urinating
* Itching
( listed on the site http://www.health.com)
Side Effects of Hysterectomy
Here are the top ten immediate side effects according to the Hers Foundation.
http://www.hersfoundation.org/effects.html
Personality Change
Irritability
Loss of Energy
Profound Fatigue
Diminished or Absent Sexual Desire
Difficulty Relating to and Interacting with Others
Loss of Stamina
Difficulty Socializing
Short Term Memory Loss
Diminished or Absent Pleasure During Intercourse
As if those immediate side effects are not enough, there are some biggies that are guaranteed further down the line. Those are heart problems, depression and osteoporosis. If this is already in your family history, then your risk has been multiplied.
Risks of Hormone Therapy
(according to the U.S.National Library of Medicine)
Blood Clots
Cancer
Cardiovascular Disease
Gallbladder Disease
Side Effects of Painkillers
Narcotics are great at knocking down pain when you need them. However, narcotics do not address the cause of the pain and bring a great risk of becoming addictive.
* Constipation
* Respiratory depression (slowed rate of breathing, one of the more serious concerns)
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Drowsiness
* Dizziness
* Weakness
* Dry mouth
* Confusion
* Difficulty urinating
* Itching
( listed on the site http://www.health.com)
Living With the Pain
I remember being eleven years old when my menses started. Doubled over in pain, I begged to stay home from school. My parents allowed this for two days, then came the speech. My father told me that this "pain" would be happening for the rest of my life and I needed to learn to live with it. "Canceling school and appointments for a week every month just isn't practical. I know it hurts but you are just going to have to find a way. That's life."
Dad was right. Canceling one fourth of anyone's life is not only impractical, but a near impossible trick to pull off. There is just so far that the philosophy of grin and bear it can take a girl. I used 600mg of Ibuprofen every four hours to help me through the tough time of the month.
When the pain became stronger than pills, I learned about applied heat, dandelion root, ginger, chaste berry, and elimination diets. I tried the pill,acupuncture,faith healing,chiropractic, massage,reiki,biofeedback and visualization. Physicians passed me around like a hot potato referring me to internists, gynecologists, oncologists,and psychiatrists. I got the hint when they stopped returning my phone calls.
Sometime in my early thirties I gave up. I began scheduling time off during my time of the month. For a week every month I stayed in my pajamas and took naps while the kids were in school. It worked for a while.
And then it didn't. One night the pain became so intense that I was hospitalized for a few days. Doctors argued and tests were inconclusive. I was fed pain medication and antibiotics through an IV. When I asked why I was in the hospital, the only answer that was given was "abdominal pain". When I asked what caused the pain I was given the talk about how doctors practice medicine. Sometimes doctors just do not know.
I knew I was in pain. So,I found a local gynecologist who kept me comfortable on narcotics until he could schedule a hysteroscopy, laproscopy and burn the lining of my uterus. The scopes were intended to pinpoint the source of pain. The burning was to clear me of diseased endometrial tissue.
Three polyps were found and removed from my cervix and the uterus was swollen and globular. The doctor called the next day to apologize. It looked to him like I had a condition called Adenomyosis. He offered to take some blood tests to rule out any other underlying conditions that might cause pain. My normal life had screeched to a halt for 3 months. I needed to get back into living life but that darn pain would not let up.
Two weeks later at the post op appointment options were laid out before me. My options were hormonal treatments,a referral to a pain management facility or a hysterectomy. I knew it all already. These were all unacceptable to me. The side effects alone would be more than I was willing to bear. I had taken the two weeks to educate myself on Adenomyosis and its treatments. So when the doctor asked me what I wanted to do, I showed him a fourth option.
It was a printed article from The New York Times chronicling the unique surgical technique of Dr. Michael Toaff. I had found his website by Googling the word "Adenomyosis". The site was easy to read and understand. It informed me that the pain would only get worse over time without treatment. Dr. Toaff spoke of a surgery that he had perfected in removing the disease while leaving the healthy uterus and my body in balance. Having read the article in The New York Times, I felt I could trust it. But it was a big decision to make alone. So I sent the information and website link to my friends and asked,"What would you do?"
Dad was right. Canceling one fourth of anyone's life is not only impractical, but a near impossible trick to pull off. There is just so far that the philosophy of grin and bear it can take a girl. I used 600mg of Ibuprofen every four hours to help me through the tough time of the month.
When the pain became stronger than pills, I learned about applied heat, dandelion root, ginger, chaste berry, and elimination diets. I tried the pill,acupuncture,faith healing,chiropractic, massage,reiki,biofeedback and visualization. Physicians passed me around like a hot potato referring me to internists, gynecologists, oncologists,and psychiatrists. I got the hint when they stopped returning my phone calls.
Sometime in my early thirties I gave up. I began scheduling time off during my time of the month. For a week every month I stayed in my pajamas and took naps while the kids were in school. It worked for a while.
And then it didn't. One night the pain became so intense that I was hospitalized for a few days. Doctors argued and tests were inconclusive. I was fed pain medication and antibiotics through an IV. When I asked why I was in the hospital, the only answer that was given was "abdominal pain". When I asked what caused the pain I was given the talk about how doctors practice medicine. Sometimes doctors just do not know.
I knew I was in pain. So,I found a local gynecologist who kept me comfortable on narcotics until he could schedule a hysteroscopy, laproscopy and burn the lining of my uterus. The scopes were intended to pinpoint the source of pain. The burning was to clear me of diseased endometrial tissue.
Three polyps were found and removed from my cervix and the uterus was swollen and globular. The doctor called the next day to apologize. It looked to him like I had a condition called Adenomyosis. He offered to take some blood tests to rule out any other underlying conditions that might cause pain. My normal life had screeched to a halt for 3 months. I needed to get back into living life but that darn pain would not let up.
Two weeks later at the post op appointment options were laid out before me. My options were hormonal treatments,a referral to a pain management facility or a hysterectomy. I knew it all already. These were all unacceptable to me. The side effects alone would be more than I was willing to bear. I had taken the two weeks to educate myself on Adenomyosis and its treatments. So when the doctor asked me what I wanted to do, I showed him a fourth option.
It was a printed article from The New York Times chronicling the unique surgical technique of Dr. Michael Toaff. I had found his website by Googling the word "Adenomyosis". The site was easy to read and understand. It informed me that the pain would only get worse over time without treatment. Dr. Toaff spoke of a surgery that he had perfected in removing the disease while leaving the healthy uterus and my body in balance. Having read the article in The New York Times, I felt I could trust it. But it was a big decision to make alone. So I sent the information and website link to my friends and asked,"What would you do?"
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