AW: First RE Appointment Was This Morning (X-Post) - Loss mentioned

meredithcarole · November 2014

***Apologies in advance for the novel***

**Loss Mentioned**

So I had my first RE appointment this morning. Holy information overload, Batman.

First off, I really liked the doctor. She was personable, straight forward, empathetic, and seems to really know what she is doing (a definite bonus when you're talking about anything medical).

We started with a consultation in her office. I had sent in tons of pre-work and she had copies of my radiology reports both from my mc and from the ultrasound a few years ago that I insisted on because my mom had fibroids and I just had a sneaking suspicion that I did, too. She asked H and me a few questions and told H she would have him do an SA just to make sure he doesn't need any additional focus. Then we talked a bit about my cycles (generally very regular) and what my concerns are and what I was hoping to gain from seeing her. I told her I was (and am) very concerned about the fibroids and the possibility of RPL. We then got into what her thoughts are.

She is a bit worried about my idiopathic hives (I have been getting them for 7 years with no known cause so I take a daily antihistamine to keep from being all itchy) and wants to looks for autoimmune factors (which stands to reason). She also agreed that fibroids are a concern and flat out recommends removal (which I was prepared to hear). What I was not prepared to hear was that due to a recent (within the last 12 months) FDA ruling the Florida Hospital system (of which her practice is a part) is not currently doing robotic surgery for myomectomy (sadly, because she is actually one of the leaders of the Da Vinci procedure here in Florida) and thus it would have to be an outright hands on surgery. This means a 6 cm (ish) incision, an over night hospital stay, and a 4 - 6 week recovery time (as well as being benched for 3 months, of course). It also means that I would absolutely have to do a cesarian for a future birth. If we do nothing about the fibroids I run about a 15% chance of a second or third trimester loss.

So then we go to do an ultrasound. She tells me in advance that it isn't going to give her the best view of what is going on with the fibroids so I am going to have to do a pelvic MRI. She does a quick pelvic exam and tells me I carry my uterus low (who knew that was a thing). She also commended on how strong my core mussels are (yay!). I joke that it doesn't do me much good because with an 8 cm fibroid I'll never have a flat stomach and we all laugh (I am big on dry and ironic humor in stressful situations). But, I digress. So, she does the ultrasound and the largest fibroid from what she can see is 6 cm, but again she acknowledges that it could be her angle and the ultrasound isn't a great tool for knowing what is going on. I mention how 3 doctors told me that the fibroids wouldn't have caused an early loss like I had and she says she agrees, but then stops and says "wait, actually I am going to disagree." So the big fibroid is apparently fairly innocuous (other than being large and taking up room in my abdomen), but there are 2 smaller (looked like maybe 2 -3 cm) fibroids pushing right against my uterus and she actually thinks that could have been a factor and they are the ones she is now worried about. She says of course they will take them all out regardless, but she doesn't like those 2 in particular. Great.

So we wrapped up the ultrasound and she takes us to another office where they will give me a checklist of everything I need to have done (which is good because I had not really been able to take notes up to this point). They call me out to do my vital signs which all look good and then they want to do blood work. So I get back to the room to do the blood work and there are 13 vials sitting and waiting on the counter (I once had 7 vials drawn and the session ended with my head between my knees and a cold compress on my neck because I almost passed out). I have had 1 piece of toast and about 4 ounces of a sugary latte this morning and that was it - not good. So the phlebotomist says "let me know if you don't feel well" and I joke (deflection again) that I already don't feel well and we haven't even started yet. She starts taking blood and I'm not looking, I'm trying to do deep controlled breathing, but I can feel myself getting clammy and my head getting fuzzy. She asks how I'm doing and I say not great. She asks if I want to stop and I say no, I'd rather just get it all over with. She informs me that she cannot continue if I am going to faint. I say I'm fine. She has H grab me a juice box from the mini fridge in the office and he has the nerve to ask whether I want Motts or Juicy Juice. I pointedly tell him I really don't care, but he better hurry up and give me something. She gets one more vial and I tell her we need to stop. And there I am: clammy, sweaty, nauseated, and now pissed because we only got 9 of the 13 vials. After about 5 minutes with cold compresses and my juice box (and DH's helpful "keep drinking" to which I had to reply that I was balancing hydration and glucose with not throwing up) I am finally able to sit up straight and leave. Anyway, I survived, but I am already dreading the CD3 blood work because it is now 8 vials instead of 2 and one of those is a glucose test so I will be fasting. That should go well. Ugh.

The summary of this is: I have to set up an MRI, do another 8 vials of blood work in about a week and a half, and figure out how to tell my new boss that I will be out of work for 4 - 6 weeks (that should go over well). I have to decide when to do the surgery because I had wanted to do it before the end of the year (for insurance purposes), but that was when I was thinking we were looking at a 10 -14 day recovery. Now I am thinking it needs to be January, but that sucks financially.

Okay, rewards for making it this far. Have some "pup" cakes (because seriously, these are frickin' adorable). Thanks for "listening!"

SND1231 · November 2014

Your RE sounds very on top of it. Good for you. I would say that you need to do what is right for you.. Have the surgery, work will understand. I know that surgery is never fun. I have had too many to count. My most recent is a complete hip replacement which had me in the hospital due to heart complications for almost a week! I thought I would never get better but actually returned to school within a week! Mind you mostly online

... I will keep you in my prayers and FX for your upcoming surgery and recovery.
P.S. tip on not passing out while giving blood. Do not look at your arm, do not look at the blood, stare at something like a clock or anything away from what is going on. Sing a song in your head to keep yourself distracted. I pass out at the sight of blood, which is not a good thing considering I have blood checks every 6 weeks!

meredithcarole · November 2014

rainbowbridge14 said:

Sorry for the rough appointment, I agree blood draws are awful with that many vials, you are practically giving blood.

Right? I think they should consider your stature when they do that. I'm rather petite.

meredithcarole · November 2014

Thank you everyone for the positive thoughts!

DSculley1824 · November 2014

Sorry for the rough appointment! Your RE sounds great though. The blood work stinks. I would have done the same thing if I were you! 12 vials is insane! However, I've been a lot better (have had to get about 12 blood draws in the past two months). The more you do the easier it becomes. But, it's never fun. Good luck with the rest of your testing!

BunnyBerry · November 2014

I'm so sorry for your loss, and for all the awful crap the IF is putting you through.

Sounds like your RE is really on the ball. It sucks that you can't do the robotic surgery, but hopefully the recovery time will end up being a welcome break from it all.

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AW: First RE Appointment Was This Morning (X-Post) - Loss mentioned

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