Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

HeiressofBickworth

(2,682 posts)
33. A friend of mine
Wed Nov 26, 2014, 03:10 AM
Nov 2014

had fibroids for many years with heavy bleeding and cramping as a result. I first met her when she was a Temp at the office I worked at. We became friends, she told me about her fibroids and said that she had no insurance and couldn't do anything about them but take acupuncture for the pain. She subsequently was given a full-time permanent job complete with health insurance. I talked with her again about having a hysterectomy now that she had insurance. She didn't want to because of the down-time and this was a new job and she couldn't take the time off. She also had issues with "western medicine" and preferred other treatments. She was there a couple of years and then moved on. Later, when the bleeding and pain became debilitating, she finally went to a doctor only to learn that she had Stage 4 uterine cancer. The fibroids had been masking the cancerous tumors. She died five months later.

So, when I had some problems and learned that it was fibroids, I INSISTED that I have a complete hysterectomy, just on the chance that fibroids might be masking cancerous tumors, like my friend. I had the hysterectomy and was fortunate enough not to have cancer. Now my daughter has fibroids. She knows about my friend's cancer and death. She has been pushing her doctor to do a hysterectomy but the doctor is one of those "let's wait and see" types. I told her that she should just go to the surgeon I went to and do it before something goes wrong. Taking the uterus out as whole as possible will contain any tumors that might exist. This slice n'dice method spreads cancer if it is present so there's no sense in taking chances.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Kickin' Faux pas Nov 2014 #1
I've warned my friends against having a procedure done where woodsprite Nov 2014 #2
Thanks. 840high Nov 2014 #3
What procedures do you think are safe? chowder66 Nov 2014 #4
I had fibroids many years ago, RebelOne Nov 2014 #5
Thanks! nt chowder66 Nov 2014 #8
Fibroids often shrink by themselves after menopause, so this might be a situation pnwmom Nov 2014 #6
Thanks! nt chowder66 Nov 2014 #9
But they don't always ... Delphinus Nov 2014 #23
Thanks again! nt chowder66 Nov 2014 #25
About 40% of women get fibroids. MoonchildCA Nov 2014 #10
Thank you. chowder66 Nov 2014 #11
Make sure to check your family history for breast cancer - Ms. Toad Nov 2014 #14
Thanks again! nt chowder66 Nov 2014 #16
I had a full hysterectomy too, MoonchildCA Nov 2014 #15
I'm hoping I don't have to but my Aunt chowder66 Nov 2014 #17
I had no problems either, after recovery. MoonchildCA Nov 2014 #21
I'm not nearly as worried as I was chowder66 Nov 2014 #22
If there is a single submucosal fibroid, Ms. Toad Nov 2014 #13
That's really good to know. chowder66 Nov 2014 #18
My great grandmother had a radium pellet Ms. Toad Nov 2014 #19
That's terrible about your Great Grandmother chowder66 Nov 2014 #20
get a hysterectomy noiretextatique Nov 2014 #24
I appreciate the advice chowder66 Nov 2014 #26
please do some research noiretextatique Nov 2014 #28
Thank you. chowder66 Nov 2014 #30
one of the best resources: women who've been through it noiretextatique Nov 2014 #31
: ) agreed. nt chowder66 Nov 2014 #32
OMG! elleng Nov 2014 #7
some questions I'm wondering about... BlancheSplanchnik Nov 2014 #12
All part of the current medical fixation on surgery-through-anywhere-but-a-major-incision. WinkyDink Nov 2014 #27
Thanks for sharing this eissa Nov 2014 #29
A friend of mine HeiressofBickworth Nov 2014 #33
I had that surgery - Davinci robot ecstatic Feb 2024 #34
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»FDA warns gynecologic dev...»Reply #33