Help!!! I am terrified.

Dear Dr. del Junco: I am 44 yrs old and was diagnosed with a 4 cm. fibroid iver a year ago and my doctor advised a hysterectomy. After review of my med records, I found out that this fibroid tumor was found initially seven years ago when my son was born seven weeks early. I was never told of this tumor that was 2 cm at the time. I have heavy bleeding, my stomache is bloated, I feel like I have to urinate all the time and then nothing comes out. Most of all, I have severe cramps and back aches. My doctor (who I has cared for my since I was 17 yrs old and has delivered my three boys) is really pushing the hysterectomy and says (I have issues to deal with since I am so terrified of him now). I actually went into a depression after his diagnosis because I trusted him literally with my life and now he was offering no other choices. My uturus is slightly enlarged and my recent ultrsound shows no growth in one year. What should I do? I feel rejected by my doctor now and no longer trust him. Do yo do FAS laporoscopically?

Dear Patricia-
Many of my patients feel betrayed by their doctors…it is a sad reality of medicine these days.
You should have your fibroid removed asap, but their is no reason to remove your uterus. I am suspect that you may have other issues going on since your symptoms are not totally condusive to fibroids. You may have a disease known as Adenomyosis, which is a form of endometriosis that attacks the uterine muscle. This is very painful and is consistently found on the posterior side of the uterus. We can laser remove this also during our FAS procedure. Unfortunately, FAS cannot be done laparoscopically…I need to be able to open up the uterus to view the internal part of the organ and this is not possible from a closed technique like a scope. Please call my office..I know you would benefit from the surgery. Good Luck

Patricia,
I totally empathize with you. I trusted my doctor too-one who was/is affiliated with DUke University. As you know, Duke is a very well respected University and she told me I had fibroids but to just wait and see. Well, I took her advice and I waited and the last time I saw an ob/gyn the advice was to have a hysterectomy. Keep in mind that at the time I was single and didn’t have any children and only 28 years old. So I understand how depressing that news can be. Don’t feel like you’re alone and PLEASE don’t feel like you have to accept the advice of this doc. I had surgery with Dr. Deljunco Jr. June 12, 2000 and as I approach my 1 year anniversary of FAS I can honestly say I would do it all over again-in spite of my fears, anxiety, and reluctance to fly across the nation to have it done. He and his staff are wonderful and compassionate people who will LISTEN to you and not dictate to you. BE PATIENT with yourself during this difficult period of decision making and remember there’s help out there if you just keep searching. Feel free to email me if you have any quesitons about my surgery.

All the best to you!!!

Cledra.

I live in the Washington, DC area. It is practically impossible to go to California. I am a single parent. Why are there not any other surgeons in my area to treat my fibroids? I am impressed with the things I have read, but I need someone in my area to help me. I am scheduled to talk to a doctor about embolization. I am scared, confused and depressed over this problem. What can I do?

Dear Sick-
Unfortunately, you are in the same situation as many other women. There are many doctors out there that will treat fibroid tumors, however depending on the size, location, and number of the tumors, hysterectomy is the standard traditional approach.
You need to try to find a physician who is willing to try to save your organs, not remove them. I will admit, the larger the tumors, the more difficult it will be to find a doctor willing and able to remove them without transfusions and hysterectomy.
Good Luck