I'm not sure that I am completely comfortable opening up about something quite so private on a public forum like this, but I have come to trust the advice, support, and views of many of the members of the TMF. Enough that I would like to take a gamble and open this topic for discussion with you all, for my own possible comfort and benefit, as well as possibly offer it as a warning to other ladies here who may find themselves in similar situations.
I was dealt a heavy blow today from the OB/GYN who delivered my daughter 8 years ago. I had gone to see him to discuss birth control options and discuss the possibility of having a tubaligation done. While we were perusing through all the options available to me, he informed me that due to my uterine tumors, my variety of choices would be somewhat limited.
Uterine tumors.
Quite a shock for me, as I was NEVER informed that I had tumors. The GYN was every bit as shocked as I was that I had never been told. He stated that they found numerous tumors in my uterus when they performed the caesarian section to deliver my daughter. Since he was only brought in to handle my delivery due to the fact it became too complicated for my family doctor to handle, he had assumed my family doctor would discuss their discovery with me upon my follow-up post natal appointments with him. I never had any follow-up appointments with the GYN that would have given him the opportunity to inform me. It was my family doctor's responsibility to give me the news.
He never did. And not only did he never tell me about the tumors, he never did any follow-up on them at all. No biopsy, no monitoring their growth, nothing. And to add insult to injury, over the past 12 years I have gone to see him numerous times with symptoms consisting of abnormal bleeding, abdominal pain, irregular menstrual cycles, severe menstrual cramping and bleeding, pain during intercourse, and 3 , count them - 3 - miscarriages. And every single time he told me everything was normal, there was nothing wrong with me that would cause such symptoms, and I should just treat them as needed. And for the last 8 years he has KNOWN I had uterine tumors and not once did he find it necessary to inform me of that fact.
I am so hurt, frightened, and overwhelmed by this feeling of betrayal right now that I don't know where to turn or what to do. I've been seeing that doctor for 25 years....since I was 5 years old....and he has treated every ail and illness of mine all the while. Why on earth would he withhold information like that from me, especially with all the complications and pain I was enduring, and the risk factors involved with NOT following up and monitoring them?
All I know at this point is that I am never seeing that Doctor again. I am in good hands now with the GYN, and he will be performing a biopsy on them, and monitoring their growth.
Now onto the purpose of this thread.
Are there any ladies here who have dealt with uterine tumors, that may be able to advise me of what I am up against and what I might be able to expect? I'm terrified of where things may go from here. I have a strong family history of reproductive cancers on both sides of my family (my Mother had cervical cancer about 10 years ago, my Aunt and Grandmother on my Mothers side have both had complete hysterectomies due to numerous, large uterine tumors, and my Aunt on my Fathers side had a complete hysterectomy due to uterine cancer), and I have no doubt that raises my risks for similar conditions greatly. I'd appreciate any experiences, advice, or comments you could offer.
And the second purpose....For you ladies out there who may be experiencing similar symptoms to what I've been dealing with - PLEASE get them checked out, asap. Do not assume it is merely typical womanly problems, brought on by your regular cycles. And if you are seen, or have been seen, and been told that you're normal and there's nothing wrong, GET A SECOND OPINION. Find the best damn OB/GYN in your area and do not rest until they can tell you without a doubt that there is not a damn thing to worry about.
Thanks for listening to me ramble, folks. Hopefully I'll get some of the answers I desperately need to rest my mind that all will be okay. Cause right now, I'm feeling pretty helpless.
Mimi
I was dealt a heavy blow today from the OB/GYN who delivered my daughter 8 years ago. I had gone to see him to discuss birth control options and discuss the possibility of having a tubaligation done. While we were perusing through all the options available to me, he informed me that due to my uterine tumors, my variety of choices would be somewhat limited.
Uterine tumors.
Quite a shock for me, as I was NEVER informed that I had tumors. The GYN was every bit as shocked as I was that I had never been told. He stated that they found numerous tumors in my uterus when they performed the caesarian section to deliver my daughter. Since he was only brought in to handle my delivery due to the fact it became too complicated for my family doctor to handle, he had assumed my family doctor would discuss their discovery with me upon my follow-up post natal appointments with him. I never had any follow-up appointments with the GYN that would have given him the opportunity to inform me. It was my family doctor's responsibility to give me the news.
He never did. And not only did he never tell me about the tumors, he never did any follow-up on them at all. No biopsy, no monitoring their growth, nothing. And to add insult to injury, over the past 12 years I have gone to see him numerous times with symptoms consisting of abnormal bleeding, abdominal pain, irregular menstrual cycles, severe menstrual cramping and bleeding, pain during intercourse, and 3 , count them - 3 - miscarriages. And every single time he told me everything was normal, there was nothing wrong with me that would cause such symptoms, and I should just treat them as needed. And for the last 8 years he has KNOWN I had uterine tumors and not once did he find it necessary to inform me of that fact.
I am so hurt, frightened, and overwhelmed by this feeling of betrayal right now that I don't know where to turn or what to do. I've been seeing that doctor for 25 years....since I was 5 years old....and he has treated every ail and illness of mine all the while. Why on earth would he withhold information like that from me, especially with all the complications and pain I was enduring, and the risk factors involved with NOT following up and monitoring them?
All I know at this point is that I am never seeing that Doctor again. I am in good hands now with the GYN, and he will be performing a biopsy on them, and monitoring their growth.
Now onto the purpose of this thread.
Are there any ladies here who have dealt with uterine tumors, that may be able to advise me of what I am up against and what I might be able to expect? I'm terrified of where things may go from here. I have a strong family history of reproductive cancers on both sides of my family (my Mother had cervical cancer about 10 years ago, my Aunt and Grandmother on my Mothers side have both had complete hysterectomies due to numerous, large uterine tumors, and my Aunt on my Fathers side had a complete hysterectomy due to uterine cancer), and I have no doubt that raises my risks for similar conditions greatly. I'd appreciate any experiences, advice, or comments you could offer.
And the second purpose....For you ladies out there who may be experiencing similar symptoms to what I've been dealing with - PLEASE get them checked out, asap. Do not assume it is merely typical womanly problems, brought on by your regular cycles. And if you are seen, or have been seen, and been told that you're normal and there's nothing wrong, GET A SECOND OPINION. Find the best damn OB/GYN in your area and do not rest until they can tell you without a doubt that there is not a damn thing to worry about.
Thanks for listening to me ramble, folks. Hopefully I'll get some of the answers I desperately need to rest my mind that all will be okay. Cause right now, I'm feeling pretty helpless.
Mimi
