Surgery update

healz413

Hi everyone. Thanks for your kind thoughts.
I'm out of surgery. Amanda is getting the car from the garage and I thought I'd pass the time by updating you all.

As I woke up in the recovery room I had a memory of our doctor telling me that I had stage 4 endo in both of my tubes. I didn't remember anything else. When I got taken to the second recovery room, M confirmed that that is indeed what the doctor had told me. What I didn't remember it that apparently I pulled out my own throat tube and was talking to the doctor.

They removed both of my tubes. They could have left the right one in but the doctor thought there was very little chance of it working correctly. And the advantage to having both tubes out is that the provincial health care program will cover half of the cost of IVF is you have a bilateral blockage or both tubes removed. If they'd left it in, it technically wouldn't have been completely blocked so we wouldn't have gotten that six thousand dollar savings. So given the givens I guess I'm glad they're out.

I can't say that I'm totally surprised by this outcome. 2mamazinseattle had told me that if something is wrong with one tube it is often wrong with both. And I have really bad periods cramps so the idea that I have endo is not surprising.

Apparently I actually have endo all over not just in my tubes. That said, the doctor does not think I will have a problem carrying a pregnancy or producing eggs for a retrieval.

I think the plan is that we are going to go in to meet with the doctor next week and she is going to start me on birth control to help clear things up. M can say more about this.

Then M and I have to figur out our budget and who is going first for carrying my eggs.

healz413

Oh. I meant to add that I'm really glad we did the lap rather than trying and failing with a bunch of IUIs with me!

Manada

Hi everyone,

I just tucked H into bed. Yes, the doc confirmed stage 4 endo all over the tubes and ovaries. She said it was pretty severe and definitely accounts for the tubal blockages. The huge cyst that showed up on the ultrasound was also a chocolate cyst, so that has been removed. Apparently we will get to see photos of it at some point when the doc gets them in the chart.

Both tubes were removed and we are now, unequivocally, on an IVF path. H is doing okay and sleeping off some gravol now. We are both still processing the dx and removal.

That said, the doc assured me postop that with the pill to suppress the endo for a couple of months, there is really no reason to believe that a successful
Egg retrieval and embryo transfer won't happen. So that's some good news at least.

Thank you for all your support and kind words. We really appreciate them.

2MamazInSeattle

Oh Healz! And Manada! That is so much to digest....

But first, I'm glad you're safe an on the other side of the surgery. Second, while my heart sank when I saw they took both of your tubes - when I awoke to the same news when I had my tubes out, I remember thinking "well, I don't want things in my body that have gone bad..." so I'm glad they are both out if they were both going to cause you pain and problems later, even if it does complicate TTC.

It sounds like you have good docs who are being honest and clear with you on things. I know you have to re-think your road to a LO, but there are lots of options and there are some cool things about IVF (for example, you know for sure the sperm and egg have met!).

All in all though, I'm so sorry this process has just sucked for you both. But you are totally tough cookies and you will get through it and figure out your best path forward. For now, Healz you heal up and let Manada take good care of you (And p.s. don't forget the little tip I sent you!!!!)

 xoxo thinking of you both!

ball.and.chain

Glad it's over, glad you're recovering, and glad there is a silver lining to having both tubes removed.  Like 2Mamaz said, it does sound like a lot to digest, but I know you will both figure out the best path from here.  And there are plenty of us here to coach you through what will hopefully be a very successful IVF cycle whenever you're ready!

KH826

Glad to hear that you are recovering and in decent spirits -- hopefully you will be back on your feet in just a few days.

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your tubes, but it sounds like you have a really good outlook about the path that you are on now. I am excited to hear about your next steps with IVF.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

clairmeij

I am truly sorry for your loss, but I really am excited for your more clear path forward. Sending lots of healing energy your way and looking forward to following your journey. I see good things!

mollykelley

I'm sorry for your struggles up until now! It sounds like it truly is for the best. And now I'm very excited for you that you will have a chance to do IVF! Like you I was so tired of the run around of IUIs - the timing, the waiting, the guessing. IUIs are literally a shot in the dark, you never know if it is going to work and it is so frustrating. With IVF, as 2mamaz said, you know the egg is fertilized and it has so much higher chance of success! I'm truly happy and excited for you. I was super bummed when it came to that for me, but it has turned out to be the biggest blessing! I hope you will do shared maternity IVF because I think it is the coolest thing ever! Big hugs to you both...And gentle shoulder hugs to the recovering healz!

songbird31

I echo everyone hear by saying that I hate to hear this news, I'm glad that even though this situation is not what you may have wanted to hear, at least there will be some financial assistance for your clear path toward conception and parenthood. I wish you both healing and peace as you process through these plans to move forward.

healz413

Thank you all. You are so thoughtful and supportive. I love this board.