My Body, My Choice

United States
July 1, 2017 12:23am CST
You always hear the saying "my body, my choice." But is it really? Lately I've been forced with making a major, irreversible decision about my body. I have severe endometriosis, with damaged fallopian tubes and ovaries that are glued to my bowel. The only way to correct this issue is surgery, which could also get rid of the endometriosis if they extracted it. But the surgery comes with its risks and nobody will give me a clear recommendation on how to proceed. My regular gynecologist, who discovered this issue, said the tubes definitely need to come out. The specialist she sent me to said "she might be right," but wouldn't recommend one form of treatment over another. My primary doctor recommended not having surgery to treat it unless I'm in agony (she has absolutely nothing to do with treating this issue; I only asked her opinion since I figured it's best to get as many medical opinions as possible.) I'm seeing another gynecologist next month and will ask her opinion as well. The people who have no problem giving their opinions, however, are my mother and partner, both who are staunchly opposed to me having surgery. They think I should just take birth control and that will be the end of it. Except I have a bad history with birth control and know my body doesn't do well on it. Last time I was on the Pill I thought I had a stroke (probably a really bad migraine, as I've gotten those since I was two years old. I never had one like that before or since, though, as I immediately stopped taking the Pill after that happened.) I don't like being at an increased risk of stroke, blood clots, or heart attack. It's my body, my choice, right? So I have the right to say "NO, I DON'T want to take the Pill!" Tell that to them, though, and they act like I'm a petulant two year old or an idiot, and get mad at the notion that I'm still contemplating surgery. What I would like to do is treat this issue in a way that will give me the most peace of mind. Right now it's not being treated. I cannot go through life panicking over whether I'll have a tubal pregnancy or not (an increased risk with the damaged tubes) and praying that my period comes, then being miserable and in agony when it does. A hysterectomy would do away with those issues, but comes with its own risks. Removing the tubes and extracting the endometriosis would give me some peace of mind, but that would still likely leave me in pain during that time of month. Honestly, I wouldn't hesitate to have this surgery if not for the fact that my organs are adhered to my bowel, which makes it riskier (I could experience a perforated bowel or bladder, or wind up with a bowel obstruction depending on how the scar tissue grows back.) I'm terrified of that happening. But I'm also terrified of risking a tubal pregnancy or the endometriosis spreading, or getting cancer because apparently it puts me at an increased risk of certain types of cancer. And worst of all, I'm terrified of losing my health insurance and not being able to do anything to treat it further down the road. So what to do? Sometimes when it's "my body, my choice," the choices aren't so simple.
8 people like this
9 responses
• United States
1 Jul 17
Yeah it is a pity you can't get a really skilled gyno surgeon..that would lessen the risk of perforation.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jul 17
@Srbageldog My Mother had stage 4 cancer..omentum which started in her womb...at 88 yrs old she had a total hysterectomy to removed cancer and part of her omentum..she was fine afterwards..I was amazed for such a big surgery and she got chemo and got rid of all the cancer..
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jul 17
@Srbageldog Yes that is the only reason I was telling you so that you could hear a good story about it..I wish I would have had it done when I had the chance (when I had good insurance)..because now I regret it with pain that I suffer..
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jul 17
The specialist I got referred to is a gynecological oncologist... So I assume he's experienced with performing surgery. I just don't know how experienced he is with this particular surgery, since he admitted there's still a lot they don't understand about endometriosis. I asked about whether I'm at risk of a bowel obstruction just leaving everything attached to my bowel like that, and he said "always, but having surgery puts you at a higher risk because there's no way of knowing how scar tissue will grow back." I guess technically anytime you have surgery you're at risk of a perforation to your organs, because they always have you sign consent forms acknowledging that fact... So I don't know if it's an increased risk with this surgery or just the typical risk. But a hysterectomy would be major surgery, and I'm not sure I want to put my body through that... Even if it would resolve so many issues.
1 person likes this
@vsai2008 (11796)
• India
1 Jul 17
I am sorry to hear about your health Please listen to the qualified Gynaecologist and weigh your options. Do what you want to do. Sometimes taking too many doctors opinion can be confusing, as you yourself have mentioned, so think with a clear mind, please. And then decide.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jul 17
Thank you. You are right, asking too many doctors for their opinion can be confusing, as they aren't all qualified to treat this issue and don't all share the same opinions.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jul 17
@vsai2008 Thank you. I appreciate it.
1 person likes this
@vsai2008 (11796)
• India
1 Jul 17
@Srbageldog Yes, please ask the qualified Gynaecologists. We are entitled to the second opinion but from the concerned specialist only. I pray to God to provide you with peace of mind to take the correct decision for yourself :) Take care
1 person likes this
@sissy15 (12269)
• United States
17 Jul 17
I know you've asked me what I'd do, and I honestly don't have an answer. You're stuck with a tough choice but that's just it, it's YOUR choice, whatever you end up deciding, go with your gut don't let anyone else convince you to do something you don't want. Talk to your doctors, get second opinions if necessary and figure out all of your options and the pros and cons of both find out which is riskier and go from there. Definitely, don't let people who don't know what you're going through to decide for you.
1 person likes this
@sissy15 (12269)
• United States
17 Jul 17
@Srbageldog Hopefully, just make sure you're really informed before making a decision.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Jul 17
I'm meeting with a new gynecologist later this week and will ask her opinion. She has endometriosis listed as a professional interest on her profile online, so maybe she will know more about it than the last one did.
1 person likes this
• Valdosta, Georgia
1 Jul 17
I am so sorry to hear about what your going through. If it were me, I would do what your doing. Get as much info as I possibly can, think about it and definitely pray about it. Other people have no say on what you decide to do with your body. It has to be what you think is best for yourself.
1 person likes this
• Valdosta, Georgia
1 Jul 17
@Srbageldog Your welcome, I hope you come to the best decision for yourself. =)
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jul 17
I have been thinking (and praying) about it for over a month. I have made decisions and then changed my mind, then changed my mind again. I'm so torn over what to do. Most the time, I think surgery is the way I want to treat it. But then I'll rethink things and get scared and decide "well, maybe I can treat it another way" or "maybe I can just not treat it." But not treating it isn't the answer; I'm in pain and I can't go on living in a constant state of fear. Thank you for the kind words, by the way. It helps being able to talk about this (or write about it) and not be judged for the decisions I'm contemplating.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (457195)
• Switzerland
1 Jul 17
If I understand well your major concern is to have tubal pregnancy and you should take the birth pill to avoid this. What about tubal ligation? This is a very small and simple surgery, you do not need to take birth pill and you do not risk to get pregnant.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (457195)
• Switzerland
1 Jul 17
@Srbageldog Ask a gynecologist if this could be a solution. I can understand you are concerned a tubal pregnancy can be very dangerous.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jul 17
I have considered doing that, but I don't know if it's possible since my tubes are damaged and glued to my bowel. They might not be able to tie them and just recommend removing them. I will have to ask if that's an option though, as it is one of my main concerns. I was told I can't have children because of the damage to the tubes, but if I did manage to get pregnant it would be very bad.
1 person likes this
@atoz1to10 (6781)
• Australia
1 Jul 17
Sorry to hear about your health. I believe you are the one knowing your health and your body more than anyone else so you should do whatever you think is right for you. Your mother and your partner love you and maybe they try to think the best for you, but again they are not doctors. I'm sorry if my respond doesnt really give you any answer and once again it's back to you to make that decision. Goodluck in whatever way you choose and all the best with your health.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jul 17
Thank you. I guess I just wish they would tell me they will support me no matter what decision I make. I'd especially like to hear that from my partner, rather than just be told (in an irritated voice) "I still say you should take the Pill." Easy for him to say, he's not a woman and has never dealt with any of these things.
@atoz1to10 (6781)
• Australia
1 Jul 17
@Srbageldog Yes, it always makes us feel better to have family members supporting us. Hope you have an idea what you will be doing. We are here to support you...stay strong.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jul 17
@atoz1to10 Thank you, I appreciate it. :)
• United States
1 Jul 17
Such difficult decisions to have to make. I truly wouldn't want to be in your shoes. I hope this next doctor can give you more clear thoughts on the subject.
1 person likes this
1 Jul 17
Yes you r right . the choice is ours but not easy.
1 person likes this
• Mumbai, India
1 Jul 17
I suffer from PCOS which is a nightmare honestly. I'm so scared about my future because it doesn't really have a foolproof treatment. Listen to a highly qualified gynecologist and consider all your options and choose what your heart wants you to. May it all go well. At the end of the day, it really is YOUR body and you should have the most authority over it. My best wishes with you x
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jul 17
Thank you. I am sorry you also suffer from a reproductive illness. My last gynecologist told me that the only cure for endometriosis was to remove everything, which would put me into surgical menopause, but when I researched it more myself, I learned that there is no cure. It could still come back even after taking everything out. I guess I just would like to know that my partner will support me if I do decide to have surgery to treat it, especially if it results in huge life changes. I will have to travel to have the surgery, which is another issue, as I will need my partner to take time off work and stay with me for at least a week afterwards. So much to consider, and it's all so scary. My best wishes to you too. xx