You Have A Hangnail. Let’s Cut Off Your Arm.
May 6, 2008 by Katherine Coble
I’m doing my best, as I explained in an email to someone yesterday, to live at peace with all mankind. That’s sort of my promise to Casey–to follow his example of kindheartedness as his legacy.
That means that I’ve refrained from calling the various medical people I saw Saturday and Today a bunch of long words with many syllables that frequently feature the letter K.
I’ve got a fibroid in my uterus. Medically it’s sort of the equivalent of having a wart, a hangnail or another nuisance bump. Yet the first thing out of everyone’s mouth has been the notion that I should think about whether or not I want to keep my uterus.
My flavour of feminism has always been a bit off. I read serious feminists and their opinions and often find myself confused. I don’t know which “wave” I am, and in the last few years I’ve actually sort of stopped calling myself a feminist and started just being stubborn about individual rights in general. Nevertheless I get very annoyed at the number of unnecessary hysterectomies and caesarian section births that are sold to women because they’re easier. It offends me that we’re actually telling a woman to cut out a necessary part of their bodies for convenience’s sake.
The doctor today made it sound as though my only option was to have the womb and all associated parts 86′d. Then I come home, run straight to the internet and see that there are indeed many options which are more preferable, easier on the patient and allow the women to keep their body parts intact.
All told, I think that’s what I’m gonna go with.
Hey, I’m just happy to be considered a “serious feminist” (twice, even!). Don’t worry, though, we’re still going to count you, I just have to look up your correct wave…
You’re correct that you have other options. As an aside, if I’m not mistaken, there have been studies suggesting that non-white women are more likely to be offered hysterectomy for fibroids instead of ablation or other options, so there are serious issues with the pushing of hysterectomies that you’re quite right to note.
Ugh, that’s so ridiculous. They want us to get rid of our uteruses all the time, don’t they? Ugh, the medical community.
My gynecologist on fibroids: “well, of course you have them — you’re a middle aged woman. Now, do you have anything that’s a problem?” Fish gotta swim and surgeons gotta cut, I guess.
Because I am a typical male. I’d say take the uterus if you must, but leave the box it came in.
I can’t stop myself sometimes.
Kat, I would definitely recommend getting a second opinion, and although me, Sista, and Ivy have a good time referring to our doctor as “Dr. McDreamy”, when it comes to medicine, he is very serious–I can confidently say he is the best doctor I have ever been to.
If you would like his name and number, just let me know.
I had a hysterectomy but I kept my ovaries. My doctor gave me that choice and I took it.
In some regards, it was a great decision for me personally but I had other issues that went with Edna (my uterus) coming out so for me, it was good.
I think checking out all the options is the best thing.
Short and Fat, you are in a word, awesome.
If I listened too all the docs who wanted me to have it removed, I could have ended up with a slew of issues. (Long story)
Get multiple opinions if you need them, and go with your gut. Yes, they have the degree, but you spend more time with your uterus than they do.
Hey - there’s a great yahoo group called uterinefibroids started by a woman named Carla Dionne who also authored a book “Sex, Lies and the Truth About Uterine Fibroids” - and started a nonprofit “NUFF” (National Uterine Fibroid Foundation).
You’re not the only woman trying to avoid hysterectomy — and it is VERY possible to avoid it — though your doctor may not tell you that because he or she may lack the experience/skill/training and/or not want to refer you to another doctor or different specialty.
Knowledge is power — keep on EDUCATING yourself.