This blog started off to document everything I went through with infertility, and I’ve documented other medical procedures before. The last time I did an operation was back in 2011 which was a laparoscopy – it was a game changer for me because it cleared out the endometriosis and fibroid and made way for Nicky. So it turned out to be a good thing.
I’m at a different stage of life now. I’m older and I’m past the time of having kids. No that I don’t want Nicky to have a sibling it’s just that at my age of 47 there are more risks involved in having kids with older eggs and kids are expensive too!
The path that took me to this operation was completely different. It wasn’t a need for fertility. It was a health issue.
Around May of this year I started bleeding for a long time. I’m talking about two weeks of bleeding at a time at this stage. It’s something that I just powered through but it did affect my energy levels and how I was feeling.
My first visit to the gynaecologist was on 17 June.
One of the possible reasons she suggested that was going on was called adenomyosis. This is where the endometrial tissue grows into the muscle of the uterus, as opposed to what I had last time – endometriosis – where it grow outside.
She suggested that I go on an injection that would take away my period. You take this injection at three month intervals. This would be a hormone solution and less invasive than an operation.
I still had problems after this injection but was assured that after the second injection things would get much better and the blood would go away.
The second injection was on the 8th of September. The blood didn’t go away. In fact it got worse. I was so frustrated I started writing these emails to their offices about how I was “bleeding and angry”. I had terrible cramps and heavy bleeding. I was told to hang in there till the next injection and they also prescribed some medication.
The meds did reduce the flow but they didn’t stop it. By this time, after about a month of bleeding, I’d had enough anyway. My body had had enough. Where previously I’d been able to power through, I was very weak and I started taking iron supplements.
After another email from me she called me in and we decided on invasive measures. To me, there was no other option. I wasn’t waiting on any injection to kick in any more, it was time to take action.
The procedure we had talked about doing before (if the injection didn’t work) was called an ablation. It’s something that removes the lining of the uterus. She also said that I would also need to remain on some kind of birth control as there was always a risk of pregnancy, even if the lining had been taken out. One option was sterilisation which appealed to me because then I wouldn’t have to keep remembering to take pills or fill myself with hormones all the time.
The final list of procedures of my operation was as follows: Laparoscopic sterilsation, hysteroscopy and D&C with Novasure Ablation. The date was set for 18 November.
So what is a Novasure Ablation? Basically they dilate your cervix and insert a wand and a triangular mesh device is extended into your uterus. The mesh expands to the dimensions of your uterine cavity. Then radio frequency energy is delivered through the mesh for 90 seconds. The mesh is then retracted back into the wand and all is removed from your uterus.
It’s something which doesn’t take a lot of time but it does have the effect of removing your lining. It’s also a better option than a hysterectomy (where they remove the uterus completely) although I’m prepared to go through that if this procedure doesn’t work.
While I was under general anesthetic I was sterilised as well with two small incisions. Here metal clips are placed on the fallopian tubes.
So how was the operation?
I had to be at the hospital at 6am and my procedure was at 9am. My mom dropped me off. Nicky had been sick the whole week coughing like anything but by some miracle I didn’t catch his germs. He was at home with me during this time though which was kind of nice.
After fielding questions at reception and giving my ID and medical aid card it was a bit of a wait before I was taken though to a ward with some other ladies. I met someone who was trying to conceive. It really felt like a different stage of life and so removed from where I am now! But we encouraged each other.
The lady who I had met had her op first at 8am. We sat there in these gowns and got quizzed on all sorts of things. They also took BP and ECG. I guess they had to be thorough.
Finally I got wheeled through on my bed to just outside the theatre. At one point there was a child who was wheeled in next to me. I wondered what he was “in” for. But I heard him crying later. Shame, must have been awful.
I met a few more nurses and my gynae and finally the operation happened.
When I woke up I felt really awful. My first thought when I felt a bit better was to get hold of my phone (they locked my valuables away) so I could message everyone and say I was ok. I watched as other ladies laughed and smiled while I sat there in a bit of a funk. I felt sick and I puked.
The nurses were very understanding and cleaned me up. There was a sandwich to eat but I had no appetite. I forced myself to eat half slowly. The doctor visited me and said the procedure was a success. She said she had a good look inside and everything else looked fine. At least no endo again! Everyone else was getting dressed and going but I felt like I needed more time.
I asked one of the nurses when I could go and he said I had to be able to go to the bathroom then I could go. I needed the toilet anyway so I went there… slowly.
I was the last one there but I phoned my mom to pick me up. The nurses looked a bit concerned about me “Are you sure you don’t want a wheelchair?” and I said, no, but I just need someone to help me find my way out. So this very nice nurse walked me all the way to the entrance and it wasn’t long before I got picked up.
My mom insisted on staying the night so Nicky slept in my bed. As soon as I took my pills I felt a lot better. They really worked.
I basically spent the next few days sleeping and in bed, taking it easy. I didn’t have to cook because my wonderful boyfriend, who had been away that week, bought takeaways and told me to take it easy. I really do appreciate him. He brings me cappuccino in bed too. 🙂
One of Nicky’s friend’s moms took him for a sleepover on Friday night too.
My sister in law filled in for me for Nicky’s sports day and we used Brett’s T-shirt in the race. That was really special.
I was also completely grateful for the nurses at the hospital and decided for a change that instead of a snotty letter to the gynae I would write them a really nice one to say thank you.
Honestly I really am so grateful to have all this support in my life and I feel lucky and blessed too.
I’m still recovering and feeling a bit bloated but I know I’m on the right track because I’m not bleeding that awful red blood anymore. It’s more like a watery brown discharge now.
It isn’t draining, it’s just clearing the way for a more healthy me.
So here’s to a better, more healthy year ahead for all of us! Cheers!
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