BLOG INFORMATION, Julie Anne's Personal Stories, SPIRITUAL SOUNDING BOARD

Julie Anne’s Intruder, Softball, and Issues

Julie Anne

***

I promised an update on me and so here goes.  It seems that my generation and older seems to squirm about personal issues, but frankly, I’m tired of that. So, I’m posting what’s been happening with me because more often than not, when I do post on something personal, several people will usually e-mail me and tell me a similar story. We really are not alone in this world and I’m absolutely fine with this discussion.

Last Spring term at school, I could not wait for school to get out. I was completely spent. I could not get enough sleep. I attributed it to my busy lifestyle and just pure exhaustion. Boredom is a foreign concept to me.

One time at school, I had my period, and it was not pretty. Let’s just say that if Jesus were here walking down my street, I would the woman with the issue of blood racing to touch his robe. I knew that I needed to do something because after that day, I realized that every month, it would be necessary to remain at home for a few days so I could take care of said bleeding issue . . it was that bad, and it has gotten worse, currently over 6 weeks nonstop. I cannot afford that kind of disruption at school.

Additionally, for the last couple of years, I noticed weight again — specifically in my belly. If you are around my age, every symptom known to womankind can be attributed to pre-menopause or menopause symptoms and so that was the explanation I gave myself. It’s a lot easier to blame that than to interrupt your schedule to make an appointment that will tell you what you already know, right?  🙂

Well, I eventually had enough of the issue and finally scheduled an appointment with my gynecologist who informed me that my uterus was the size of a 12-wk pregnancy.

 

Whoa! Say what? 12-wk pregnancy?  No wonder I look like I’m 12 weeks pregnant!

 

I started poking and prodding my belly, and sure enough, could feel the top of my uterus just below my belly button. I am normally very in tune with my body, how could I have missed this?  I scheduled an ultrasound and had blood tests done. I’m slightly anemic – that explains why I’m tired all the time, and there is a uterine fibroid.  Mine measured over 10 cm – bigger than a softball. HELLO!!! 

What the heck?  What’s going on in my body that it needs a soft-ball sized fibroid? I’m envisioning each month a softball game going on in my nether regions and I wasn’t even invited to participate. Ridiculous!

softball

Here’s a bit of info:

About 20 percent to 80 percent of women develop fibroids by the time they reach age 50. Fibroids are most common in women in their 40s and early 50s. Not all women with fibroids have symptoms. Women who do have symptoms often find fibroids hard to live with. Some have pain and heavy menstrual bleeding.

Fibroids also can put pressure on the bladder, causing frequent urination, or the rectum, causing rectal pressure. Should the fibroids get very large, they can cause the abdomen (stomach area) to enlarge, making a woman look pregnant. (Source)

softball2

Evidently, many women have fibroids and never know it because they do not cause any symptoms. These are the women who go on in life with no issues. And obviously they or their body can easily tolerate the uninvited intruder. They be havin’ a good time playing softball without any negative effects. Cool for them!

 

 

I guess I’m special because the intruder is wreaking havoc on me physically. And as chief umpire, I’m calling this softball along with its player officially:

OUT!!!

 

softball3

 

Tomorrow is the day I will be free!!!!  The invader (fibroid) and its host (my uterus) have one last day of residing in my body.  I have surgery first thing in the morning tomorrow. I will stay overnight in the hospital 1 or possibly 2 nights depending on recovery. Because of the size of the uninvited guest, the surgery will be done via abdomen, so I’ve been hearing it will be comparable to a c-section. So, for anyone who has had a c-section or this kind of surgery, please let me know what helped you in your recovery process.

I have no idea what will become of the blog for the next few weeks.  Will it interfere with my writing mojo?  Or, will it make me have more time for writing?  Anyway, I guess we’ll find out together.

Thanks for hanging on with me.  I have another post coming up and will be scheduling a new blog post of Kathi’s as she continues her series on reviewing the book, God’s Design. (Her excellent first article is here.)

The only knitting that will be happening is outside my womb from tomorrow on out – – haha!  Y’all, I can have a lot of fun with this.  Any and all jokes/puns are certainly welcome  🙂  Yes, I am bringing my knitting needles to the hospital!

 

 

 

photo credits: Solano College Infielder Kylie Larsen (06) via photopin (license), Solano College Outfielder Molly Schnurr (14) via photopin (license), and Sierra College Catcher/First Baseman/Third Baseman Lexi Wagoner (21/33) via photopin (license)

 

 

57 thoughts on “Julie Anne’s Intruder, Softball, and Issues”

  4. I’m sorry to hear this, JA. I’ve had 4 c-sections and abdominal hysterectomy. They were nothing alike. The hyster was much harder to bounce back from. My doc told my 6 weeks basically on my back, he wasn’t kidding.

    I read a lot of books (which I don’t now remember reading), I watched some TV (which I don’t remember watching), and then my energy level kicked back in at week 7. There is a website too, called “HysterSisters” that I found after mine. You might take a look, I found it helpful.

    Good luck!

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Will keep you in thoughts and prayers, friend! Post-surgery/chemo, I’ve always gone with Percocet, Hagen-daz, and Ken Burns documentaries, but that’s just me. 🙂

    Like

  6. There is a website too, called “HysterSisters”

    I was also going to mention HysterSisters. I stumbled across them doing various google searches on health issues.

    JA, I hope you take plenty of time to rest up.I’m glad you’re getting this dealt with so you can feel better.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. I also had “issues” with fibroid tumors and in 1991 had one the size of my fist removed. You will be so thankful to have it gone! You’ll feel like you have your life back! And while I was incredibly nervous to have surgery, I was so covered in prayer I was immersed in God’s peace that surpasses understanding. I will be praying for you and look forward to hearing a good report when you’re back on your feet! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  10. JA, Maybe your uterus is worn out!!😉😉 I have had a c-section and a hysterectomy (everything is gone).
    My one huge piece of advice is: if you stay overnight in the hospital, try to have a friend or family member stay with you. You never know what kind of nurse you will have or issues that may come up. Often they are too busy to get to you in a timely manner, so you need an advocate who can be there to help you! I can not stress that enough!
    I am so glad you are taking care of your health. We aren’t going anywhere so don’t push yourself! Let us know if there is anything you need done online. (I am in North Carolina).
    Also listen to your doctor and your body. If it hurts, don’t do it. Don’t compare your recovery time with anyone else’s. Thank you for your honest and informative post! Wishing you a pain free recovery! 💕💕💕

    Like

  12. Oh, JA, been there, done that! You’ll feel so much better once it’s taken care of. I’ll be praying for you to have a safe surgery and speedy recovery.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Praying for a full recovery! I haven’t had a hysterectomy, but I have had 6 c-sections (should have put a zipper in!) ☺. Well, here are a few things I found helpful while in the hospital. Don’t let too much time go between pain meds. For example, if you get another pain med at 4:30, ask for it around 4 – 4:15 because it may take that long to get it ☺. I’m sure the nurses are doing their best, but when you’re in pain, you don’t want to wait and let the pain get ahead of you. Also, I did find walking around the hospital floor helped as soon as I was able (not sure what they would recommend for a hyster) and I drank lots of cranberry juice with crushed ice! Take your time healing, no rush. Well, your uterus had a good run and did a great job! Now it’s time to retire ☺

    Liked by 1 person

  14. My mom was 46 when she bled out for 6 weeks until she could get a hysterectomy. I informed my doctor a couple of weeks ago at my annual physical that now that I am 46, I need to follow in my mom’s footsteps and have my uterus removed. I don’t need it anymore, and I’m too old for this crap. And like he does every year, he just laughed. Anyway, my mom said her hysterectomy was one of the best things that ever happened to her. It was in ’79, and they cut her open from her belly button to nearly her nether regions and took uterus, ovaries, and appendix (since they were in there anyway). I think she was home for 6 weeks, and then went right back to her job at the cotton mill like nothing ever happened. She never took any hormone supplements, and never even acted crazy. Like she skipped the whole experience of peri- and menopause. Of course, I was also 9 at the time, and some of my memories from childhood are spotty. 😉

    My mother-in-law, on the other hand. Lord have mercy. She didn’t have it so “easy.” But she was also not near as healthy – physically or mentally – as my mom.

    I wish you a trouble-free surgery, and speed recovery!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Thanks, all, for the encouragement and sharing experiences. Yes, my uterus has been pretty amazing. My last baby was 13+ pounds and most of my pregnancies I was about two weeks overdue. I have friends who have had lots of problems. I feel very blessed (minus the bleeding and the softball).

    I told my Gyn that I wanted to see pics. My mom and I are both weirdos that don’t get grossed out by blood and guts. Don’t ask how many surgeries I’ve seen on YouTube. My daughter is also a pre-med student and told me she also wants to see pics. I love my family. 😛

    Liked by 1 person

  17. By the way, Julie Anne, I have just started blogging over the weekend about my ex-abusive church.

    Since you and Kathi talked about domestic violence in your recent post/video,
    and the need for resources to be given to churches, I put a link to the national domestic violence hotline 24/7 in my blogroll.

    I also added the N.A.M.I. – National Alliance on Mental Illness (since everything from depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are so common in our lives, families, friends, neighbors).

    I also added links for child safety/protection/reporting.

    And I added the Suicide Prevention 24/7 link/phone number.

    So I am doing my little part to raise awareness and to educate people.
    Thanks for the discussion that you and Kathi had.

    Like

  19. Hi Julie Anne,

    I will be thinking of you and praying for you. Some practical tips: try not to cough and try not to laugh. If you do either, press a pillow to your stomach. The after effects of the anesthesia came as a surprise. My level of concentration was seriously undermined for about three months. I went back to work after three weeks( against my doctor’s advice). I am a tax accountant. When I had ny end of tax season review I was told my accuracy level was down to 88% from my previous level of 97%. My supervisor said that was not surprising because of the surgery, she said the same thing happened to her father when he had surgery. So do not be surprised if you can’t concentrate as much as you would like.

    Like

  21. Uh oh…if the anesthesia affects you too much you need nice and easy knitting projects. Nothing too complicated!

    Like

  22. For Julie Anne

    Some Black Gospel for tomorrow. Evelyn Turrentine-Agee “God Did It”
    at Gospels Legends recording in Mississippi.

    Like

  24. Praying for a quick recovery. Pamper yourself and accept any and all help offered. BTW, I was in Portland 2 weeks ago. I wish we could have done coffee! I’ll be back quite often, though.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Kathi,

    I’ve got an easy one I’m working on. It’s the cowl pattern/yarn that Hannah sent me. The most difficult part of the pattern is: yo SSK k4 repeat for the rest of the round 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Julie Anne, Praying for your today. I had a full hyst after months of excessive bleeding most weeks of the month to the point that my legs felt like jello. When the GYN asked if I wanted to leave the ovaries, I asked his opinion. He said, “take em out, take em out, take em out”. It is harder to detect cancer once the uterus is gone. So he took em out. No plumbing out and wasn’t using it anyways…..praise God. I got to do the laparoscopy, though. It took twice as long as usual being they found I had endometriosis. He asked how long I had it. “Didn’t know I did”. That was when I was 44. I love the zipper comment, but sure glad I didn’t need one.

    Velour, Where is your blog?

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Just to make things clear, the cut from belly button to pubic area is no longer routine for a C-section, even though I had one. (Not a fun time.)

    Everyone here has great advice. My contribution is: just rest. Let the kids do the housework. You won’t have a baby to take care of when this is done so that’s one thing less to worry about.

    Praying for your recovery.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. JA, If they give you a morphine drip, have you walk the halls and ask if you think you are ready say NO. Oh the morphine I thought I was Superwoman and found out the next day that I was allergic to Vicodin and couldn’t get out of bed by myself. They told me to use Tylenol. WHAT???? I might as well have drank water. That was before the MS diagnosis. Take it easy and loads of recovery time. Each child has a task to do.

    Like

  31. I had the same problem about 12 years ago, ovarian cysts all over plus a fibroid tumor on the backside of my uterus. This was discovered a year after I underwent 2 D&C/endometrial ablations until on the third time, my cervix was scarred closed tighter than a fist. So I didn’t have a choice but to have a total hysterectomy. I had it on Halloween morning and thought everything went fine…until the following morning when the surgeon entered my room to inform me that I lost too much blood and that if they couldn’t get my blood count up, I would die that day. Then they gave me blood transfusions for the next 8 hours. My daughter called all my family, even my son in Louisiana, and told them that they needed to get to the hospital asap…just in case. Well, the Great Physician was there with me, and I was able to go home after a week (I got pneumonia while in the hospital), and was very happy on my hydrocodone. I remember the day after I got home, I was so bored I walked 5 miles to the mall…but had to call my hubby (now ex) to pick me back up because I was too worn out. My advice, take it easy, don’t overdo it, if it hurts, stop! Don’t push yourself, pamper yourself, keep an eye on your incision even after they remove the staples/stitches, looking for any signs of drainage or infection. Don’t be afraid to go to the ER at the first signs of infection. Good luck with being thrust into instant, surgically induced menopause.

    Liked by 1 person

  33. It was, but, you see, I was a runner and walker from my childhood on. I used to run 5 miles a night, so I was accustomed to it.

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Uh oh…if the anesthesia affects you too much you need nice and easy knitting projects. Nothing too complicated!

    Either that, or enjoy the knitting on the painkillers and then see what amazing work you’ve done a few days later. :^) I remember coming out of surgery for my gallbladder, and the morphine let me fade in and out of coherence….thankfully I said nothing too stupid or embarrassing, at least nothing that my dear wife wants to remind me of.

    Praying for you in this.

    Liked by 2 people

  36. Six weeks? I read that twice to make sure I hadn’t read it incorrectly. You poor thing. I’m so glad you finally decided to see a doctor. This episode may not be a picnic, but you will surely feel better once you get through it, and what a great story you’ll have to share at get-togethers with family and friends!

    Liked by 1 person

  37. With Julie Anne out for a while, I’ll keep a watch on comments in moderation. Please know that I work during the day (I’ve just peeked in right before lunch) so I may not be able to get to them until after work.

    If I hear anything from Julie Anne, I’ll let you know!

    Liked by 1 person

  38. Julie Anne, you are in my thoughts and prayers as you have your ‘softball’ removed. Even though you have suffered, I just want to say how inspiring your story was to me, and appreciate your impeccable sense of humor in addressing your health issues. I underwent an experience very similar to yours, putting up with the bleeding for three and a half years. I am so thankful that you are taking care of this during its early stages as it is the best thing for your body. Praying also for a great medical team, a strong support system following your surgery, and lots of rest in Christ Jesus, because He loves and cares for you.

    I will share a comment made by my surgeon (an amazing Christian woman by the way!) before my surgery as she cupped my face in the palm of her hands saying, with compassionate eyes, “You are so precious.” That goes out to you, Julie Anne.

    waitingforthetrumpet2….ditto Brenda…..so glad you are still with us! Amazing story!

    Liked by 2 people

  43. Thanks for the update. I remember you talking about periods before, and I thought of you in the process of learning of some new products making me aware of how, in developing countries, the “taboo” was keeping them in poverty. Much appreciated bringing that up.
    Praise God your surgery went well. Praying for your continued well-recovery, and for your family. Kathie, thanks for all you do as well.

    Liked by 1 person

  45. We’re glad that you made it through surgery and are now in your room.
    We love you and are praying for you. Here’s that beautiful Beatles song
    about love performed by French music students at a beautiful old square in France.

    Like

  46. Went through exactly he same thing when I was 47. Best thing in the world! Kept my ovaries. Will pray for you. When you get back on your feet you will be so glad you had this done! I have thanked God often for hysterectomy!

    Liked by 2 people

  47. Julie Anne!

    So glad to hear that you got through surgery OK! I’ve been praying for you, hoping you have a quick and safe recovery. Please be patient with yourself while you heal, and don’t worry about us.

    Take care!

    Like

  48. JA, so glad to hear you are through the surgery and recovering. You are in my prayers!

    I went the same route (kept the ovaries) but still needed some hormone supplementation afterward- you’ll be able to see as time goes by whether it becomes an issue or not, it’s so individual. They do have great options for it these days, at least- I’m so thankful for modern medicine! I always wonder, what if I lived 500 years ago, what would I be going through right now? lol!

    Take good care and pamper yourself until you get your strength back.

    Like

  51. My thoughts and prayers will be with you, Julie Anne. I had two C-sections and it took several weeks before I felt like I was back to normal. I’m surprised by some of the women here who have had quite a few C-sections. After the second one, I knew I didn’t want to go through that kind of pain anymore. Get lots of Rest & Relaxation and avoid stress, J.A. Which means avoiding any discussion about Church O’Neal. (Just toying with ya.) 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  53. Thank you, Darlene!

    Yea, I don’t know how people do it with c-sections. I had some pain the last few days that no amount of labor breathing could get me through. – it felt like burning. I’ve since read that the burning sensation is from nerves healing from where my huge uterus was removed.

    One big praise: lab reported no cancer.

    Liked by 1 person

  54. Julie Anne – That’s great news! The other good news, but not so good for how you’re feeling, is that it sounds like your body is doing what it’s supposed to do.

    Liked by 1 person

  55. Sometimes healing really hurts. That is a big praise. No cancer is one of the best things you can hear. So glad you are mending.

    Like

  57. Yea, I don’t know how people do it with c-sections.

    It varies a lot depending on the mother and a bunch of other factors. My wife often amazed the nurses by how quickly she recovered–she had five C sections. Good painkiller control helps as well–she’s been blessed that way.

    Why? No clue.

    Like

Thanks for participating in the SSB community. Please be sure to leave a name/pseudonym (not "Anonymous"). Thx :)