Adenomyosis, hysterectomy

Dear Dr. del Junco Jr.,

I am 44 year-old recently diagnosed with adenomyosis and fibroid tumor after more than a year of heavy and prolonged periods with severe cramps, constipation, frequent urination, bladder infections, stomach bloating, constant fatigue, wight-gain, depression etc. The only solution doctors are offering is hysterectomy. Without being utero-centric, I would not accept this choice since my mom had TAH some 20 years ago and now she is devastated by plethora of health problems, all of them, I am sure, related to that operation. Unfortunately, I come from Bulgaria (Europe), where the health insurance is very far from covering the operation costs, nor my financial status allows me to afford the wonderful alternative that you and your clinic are offering to desparate women like me. I was wondering whether you have any suggestion to people of my category, that entirely share your medical philosophy, but have no means to join your reputable clinic. Thanking you in advance for what you are doing,
I remain respectfully yours,
Sonya

Dear Desparate-
Thank you for emailing our Institute…unfortunately, there are many women like yourself unable to reach us either due to distance, finances or insurance type.
We are very familiar with what medical options women have when it comes to fibroids…you have very few. Our clinic is one of a kind. My best suggestion for you and others like you, is to use your voice….let your doctors know you are not happy with their options..you want alternatives. Expose them to our site…let them know others are out there advocating options for women. Get as many opinions as is necessary…but make yourself heard and prove to them that there is something else out there besides what they are offering. As long as women stay quiet and accept current trends…nothing will change.
Good Luck

Dear Sonya,

I would like to tell you I can totally understand your situation. While I was born not far from you, Bucharest, Romania, I have been living in the US for half of my life. I was very fortunate to find the doctor and FAS. I had this surgery at exactly your age, in 1999 and am feeling great. I had just about everything, except adenomyosis. Here is some practical line of action I may suggest, in addition to what Dr. DJ just mentioned:

1. Contact the American Consulate in Sofia and ask to be given the commercial section. They deal with more practical issues and may be responding to you faster than the regular immigration section. Believe me, I know the system all too well.

2. Insist this is urgent and make an appointment with someone. Give them your info, the doctor’s website and impress upon them that you need this surgery and nobody is offering you options. If you reach a dead end, tell them you are not the only woman with this problem in your country, but rather your situation is widespread among women in this age range. You need their help in locating women’s health foundations, charitable organizations, missionary groups, anyone who can sponsor you to come here. The Red Cross, the Albert Schweitzer Foundation, plus a million other international groups help people every year.

WHY NOT YOU?

3. Write, on your own, to California senators, or other political figures who know the right channels. If you need help locating them, you can use the internet, or if you don’t know how (which I doubt, since you found this site!), ask the consulate to help you.

4. Duplicate this effort, this time contacting the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington. Create your own mailing list for this project and do not give up.

I know, it’s hard because you are not feeling well, but you must persevere. You may be the person to open a new way for other ladies.

And then, there is always the Vatican!

If I can help in any other way, please email me.

Good luck – and remember that hope springs eternal, but we must keep it alive.

All the best,

Michaela

Dearest Michela,

Your letter means so much to me! It is hard to find words to thank you for the emotional consolation and detailed step-by-step practical plan you have offered me. I do appreciate your frindly advice and promise I will do my best in trying to implement some of your great ideas. I know it won’t be easy as in my country there are munerous cases of terminally ill children and young people seeking help and financial support along similar lines. Some might say it is not about life-saving or that I am too pampered or pretentious since medicine here is dealing with the problem in one way or another etc etc, but yet it is worth trying. I would be glad to stay in touch and continue sharing experience and ideas. Being born in neighbouring countries makes me feel you indeed very close. Warm embrace, Sonya

Dear Dr. del Junco Jr.,

Thank you so much for sparing time to answer my letter and for talking to me, as here, I am sorry to say that, doctors seem to be reluctant in talking with their patients. I will take your advice and try to withstand my position on hysterectomy as indeed a final resort. Wishing you further success in your endeavors, I remain
Sincerely yours,
Sonya