My Laparoscopy Experience (and a bit of a rant!)
On Thursday I had my first surgery experience ever- a laparoscopy. My doctor already knew that there were some endometriosis cysts on my ovaries, but unfortunately even an ultrasound doesn't give the full story. A laparoscopy involves making an incision to insert a tiny camera in order to properly diagnose the disease. From there, decisions can be made about how to remove cysts and whatever else is floating around.
I was extremely nervous while waiting for my turn to be operated on. I also consented to being part of a study which may lead to endometriosis being diagnosed earlier without such surgery. Yes, please! I was so relieved when I saw my doctor, and don't remember much after that point.
When I woke up, I was told about their findings, and what action had been taken. Apparently, there was lot more endometriosis than what they had expected. It was on both of my ovaries, and had spread to my bowel. Four incisions had to be made, and I was to stay overnight for observation. I was in a lot of pain, particularly my throat, my shoulder, and the site of my incisions. When the catheter was removed, it hurt to pee. On top of all this, I had my period, and was worried about leaking everywhere!
It has been 5 days since the surgery, and I feel like I am still recovering. I've been very tired, paranoid about my wounds opening, hobbling about, and constipated. Thankfully, my boss is aware of the disease, and is very understanding. However, not many women are. And for something that touches 10% of us, I think we ought to know more about it.
I've been feeling very angry over the last few days- that my symptoms were dismissed so early on, and that I was made to feel like a hypochondriac. I feel angry at myself for not trusting my instincts. I feel angry that $61 million is being spent on diabetes (which affects the same number of people), whereas a mere $800 K is spent on endometriosis!
It makes me wonder whether the reason for that is because it only touches women. If men had it, I'm sure they would make a huge song and dance about it, and it would get the attention that it deserves! So let's make a song and dance. Let's stop being so bloody hush-hush about periods, just because some 'men' are grossed out by it! It amazes me that people can watch gory movies and paint themselves in SFX makeup for Halloween, yet are grossed out by the most natural thing ever- a woman menstruating!
We all bleed once a month, so why is it such a taboo topic? We need to talk about what is normal, and what could be symptoms of something very serious. I'm not sure if the nurses were whispering about my period for my sake, for theirs, or for the other patients. I'm tired of the PMS jokes, and condescending comments from men, and I feel like we've somehow let ourselves believe that there is some truth in them. Let's educate our boys about periods as well as our girls.
I was extremely nervous while waiting for my turn to be operated on. I also consented to being part of a study which may lead to endometriosis being diagnosed earlier without such surgery. Yes, please! I was so relieved when I saw my doctor, and don't remember much after that point.
When I woke up, I was told about their findings, and what action had been taken. Apparently, there was lot more endometriosis than what they had expected. It was on both of my ovaries, and had spread to my bowel. Four incisions had to be made, and I was to stay overnight for observation. I was in a lot of pain, particularly my throat, my shoulder, and the site of my incisions. When the catheter was removed, it hurt to pee. On top of all this, I had my period, and was worried about leaking everywhere!
It has been 5 days since the surgery, and I feel like I am still recovering. I've been very tired, paranoid about my wounds opening, hobbling about, and constipated. Thankfully, my boss is aware of the disease, and is very understanding. However, not many women are. And for something that touches 10% of us, I think we ought to know more about it.
I've been feeling very angry over the last few days- that my symptoms were dismissed so early on, and that I was made to feel like a hypochondriac. I feel angry at myself for not trusting my instincts. I feel angry that $61 million is being spent on diabetes (which affects the same number of people), whereas a mere $800 K is spent on endometriosis!
It makes me wonder whether the reason for that is because it only touches women. If men had it, I'm sure they would make a huge song and dance about it, and it would get the attention that it deserves! So let's make a song and dance. Let's stop being so bloody hush-hush about periods, just because some 'men' are grossed out by it! It amazes me that people can watch gory movies and paint themselves in SFX makeup for Halloween, yet are grossed out by the most natural thing ever- a woman menstruating!
We all bleed once a month, so why is it such a taboo topic? We need to talk about what is normal, and what could be symptoms of something very serious. I'm not sure if the nurses were whispering about my period for my sake, for theirs, or for the other patients. I'm tired of the PMS jokes, and condescending comments from men, and I feel like we've somehow let ourselves believe that there is some truth in them. Let's educate our boys about periods as well as our girls.
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