Age: 49 years old
Resides: Iowa
At the age of 49, after having 5 children, I discovered that I had a fibroid tumor. According to my female doctor, it seemed that the only solution offered to me was to have a hysterectomy. But I had read many articles and seen TV programs detailing the devastating effects of a hysterectomy and I was determined not to undergo that procedure. I even considered embolism, but decided that maybe that wouldn’t be enough of a procedure to help.
I became overwhelmed by the complications of the fibroid tumor, which was gradually getting bigger. Eventually, I could feel the tumor rubbing my ribs and the weight put pressure on my legs, which became very cumbersome. I never went through menopause and was experiencing very heavy bleeding. I became very emotional and my problem really “drug me down.” I believed that death was seriously possible if I didn’t do something about removing the tumor.
I finally spoke with Dr. del Junco Jr. on the phone. He had a very good understanding of my problem, including the complication of blood clots in my leg; since he is is also a vascular surgeon. I was very anxious to get to California for surgery.
I had built myself up with a regimen of multiple vitamins and was in pretty good shape considering my problems with a tumor that was now the size of a small baby or watermelon! But the proper precautions were taken before surgery, since I had previously suffered rheumatic fever.
There was no blood loss during surgery and afterwards, I felt wonderful! I healed very quickly and the terrible pressure from the weight of the tumor that I had lived with was gone. I lost 20 pounds and my energy level jumped dramatically. One year later, I am able to do everything that I want to – I’m back to normal. I am very pleased with the results of my surgery with Dr. del Junco Jr.!
The only disappointment was the reaction of my female doctor at home. I thought she would want to hear about the success of my surgery, but she was not the least bit interested. She did not want to know or even learn about any other options to hysterectomies. She preferred to continue thinking the “old” way and told me that I still should have had a hysterectomy. I realized that she is part of a large number of doctors that continue to “pad their own pockets” by continuing the money-making procedure of a hysterectomy. They will not even inform their patients about their options. It’s almost a crime!
I wish that many more women, especially older women, knew about the surgery that I had because there are many that suffer from bladder problems. I can sleep through the whole night without getting up to go to the bathroom. I feel like a girl again and my husband likes me the way I am!
A.
