I am showing two of the pictures that I received from my surgery.
This picture below (not a picture of me) is a picture of a healthy abdominal cavity. The uterus is resting in the middle with the fallopian tubes hanging over and surrounding the ovaries. The bowel is laying separately towards the bottom of the screen and there is lots of space to be seen.
WHAT I SHOULD LOOK LIKE:
ABOVE IS NOT A PICTURE OF ME.
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First: This is the view looking down at my abdominal cavity. THIS IS A PICTURE OF ME , from surgery. What you see is the uterus with the bowel adhered to the walls of the uterus and somewhere in that mess are my fallopian tubes and both ovaries. Absolutely NO space between any of those organs in my abdominal cavity. The Doctor tried to scope my bowels to see if there were an blockages or roots growing through and he could not run a tiny scope in through them because of the kinks and strangulation of my bowels caused by the endometriosis.
THIS IS WHAT I LOOK LIKE
THIS IS A PICTURE OF ME BEFORE SURGERY
The basics of what was discovered during surgery was that I had a large endometrioma or (chocolate cyst) in or on my left ovary, I had total "cul de sac obliteration" , my bowel was adhered in clumps to itself and adhered to the surface of the uterus.
cul de sac obliteration: Cul-de-sac obliteration secondary to endometriosis implies the presence of retrocervical deep fibrotic endometriosis beneath the peritoneum. This endometriosis is located on or in the anterior rectum, posterior vagina, posterior cervix (the cervical vaginal angle between the upper vagina and the cervix), the rectovaginal septum, or the uterosacral ligaments; often one area predominates.
Endometriosis inflames and blisters and pulls and attaches organs together, fusing them with something called adhesions. You can see by the above pictures how the disease can ravage your insides.
cul de sac obliteration: Cul-de-sac obliteration secondary to endometriosis implies the presence of retrocervical deep fibrotic endometriosis beneath the peritoneum. This endometriosis is located on or in the anterior rectum, posterior vagina, posterior cervix (the cervical vaginal angle between the upper vagina and the cervix), the rectovaginal septum, or the uterosacral ligaments; often one area predominates.
Endometriosis inflames and blisters and pulls and attaches organs together, fusing them with something called adhesions. You can see by the above pictures how the disease can ravage your insides.
SECOND: This picture above shows my cervix, which is all that is left of my uterus and it has been completely cleared of endo lesions. I know this picture looks awful, but this is actually a good job and good work. All the blackened areas have been coagulated due to bleeding. I had wide excision of my peritoneum as well.
peritoneum: The peritoneum is thin membrane that lines the abdominal and pelvic cavities, and covers most abdominal viscera. It is composed of layer of mesothelium supported by a thin layer of connective tissue.
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More details of the surgery will be revealed when the report is finished in a few weeks.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank you Lord.
My pain is at a resting 5-6 and I am currently being tested for infection and awaiting the results, just as a precautionary measure. I will keep you all updated.
Prayers:
Pain to diminish
No infection
Complete healing
health and strength for my care givers
safe travels for my Dad who is arriving to help
That I would be able to reduce my pain meds soon
Wow, so similar to my situation. I'm debating going back in because I am dealing with adeno. Did he do a bowel resection? I didn't have to have one but bowels are def a mess. Comparing notes here. May have to make a trip to SF! Do you have any ovaries left?
ReplyDeleteLove you my sis!
Angie
My left ovary and Fallopian tube were taken as well as my appendix and most of my uterus (supra cervical) so he left my right ovary and tube tacked up to a ligament that once held my uterus in place.
ReplyDeleteBowel resection was on the maybe but he decided It wasn't necessary. He did do extensive work on around my Bowels as they were being strangulated by adhesions and endo. He said it was really good that I put removing my uterus on the ok list because he doesn't think he would have been able to prevent the bowel from reattaching to the uterus if he had left it.
I think my doctor was amazing and I got a lot of quality time with him and even extra time once we found the adeno. I was never rushed an he supported whatever decision I made.
People come from all over the world for his care. My first time in his office was a woman from Saudi Arabia... Having her pre op.
He had a special bowel surgeon on call for my possible bowel resection. It was worth every penny so far.
If you have the ability check your insurance for coverage.... If that doesn't work switch to a blue cross PPO.
Sent from my iPhone
you're an amazingly strong woman - a great example to your family and friends and a testimony of God bringing you through trials. Taking your prayer points to heart and to Jesus. Love you
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