Myomectomy: A major surgical procedure (Finally decided to undergo after 10 years of diagnoses)

Introduction and Definitions:

Myomas  - are smooth, non-cancerous tumors that may develop in or around the uterus. Made partly of muscle tissue. Estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that stimulate development of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy, appear to promote the growth of fibroids. Fibroids contain more estrogen and progesterone receptors than normal uterine muscle cells do. The cause of fibroids is not known; however, their development seems to be associated with the female hormone, estrogen. Fibroids appear during the childbearing years when a woman's estrogen levels are high.                               

                              Source and image: Google

Myomectomy - is the surgical removal of fibroids from the uterus. It allows the uterus to be left in place and, for some women, makes pregnancy more likely than before. It also involves making an incision through the skin on the lower abdomen, known as a "bikini cut," and removing the fibroids from the wall of the uterus. The uterine muscle is then sewn back together using several layers of stitches.

    Source and image; Google

This is actually the current situations of my wife. I have even quoted her condition in the mid part of my last published article (https://read.cash/@GlenCanete/kidney-failure-a-diabetic-complications-a-family-struggles-and-challenges-59b40852). “Myoma” was first detected by my wife few months after she gave birth to our youngest daughter 10 years ago. She noticed some small hard part or something like a lump that seemingly floats on her abdomen whenever she lays down. Since it was just small but time and can’t hardly distinguished if it really is a “Myoma”. Thus, we didn’t take precautionary of undergoing her some check up to confirm if it really was as it was not really bothering her by that time and we are also hoping that it will just get washed away during her monthly menstruation but unfortunately, it wasn’t the case as the lumps gets getting bigger and bigger as months passed by. After several years, my wife and I decided to undergo check to an Obstetrics and Gynecologist. By the way, Obstetrics and Gynecologist (OB-GYN), is a healthcare professional or doctors that specializes in female reproductive health. See a clearer definition below:

·         Obstetrics - involves working with pregnant women, including delivering babies.

·         Gynecology - involves the female reproductive system, treating a wide range of conditions, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and chronic pain.

So the consultation indeed happened. The doctor give us a request for an ultrasound to determine the things that’s inside her. We gone home and come back on the next day with the ultrasound results. After a thorough examinations, the doctor confirmed her conditions but the doctor clear out that “Myoma” is considered non-cancerous conditions based on the 1st Ultrasound result (please see image of the 1st ultrasound result down below). The doctor laid out to us the procedure that they will be taking to those who diagnose with “Myoma” and some problems that my wife will be experiencing in case she doesn’t want to get operated and that the “Myoma” gets bigger and bigger and will start experiencing the following:

·         Discomforts;

·         Pressure;

·         Infertility;

·         Tolerable Pain in the abdominal part;

·         Excessive bleeding during menstruation;

·         Easily gets shortness of breathing once doing things or walking long enough;

·         Numbing of feet when standing even just a short period of time.

The doctor also mentioned that it’s considered delicate when time comes that it will led to bleeding and that the patient should undergo a major surgery for myomectomy procedure immediately. The doctor suggested for an operation and not to wait for that to happens but my wife decided not to undergo the procedure as of yet as we need to think more about it especially with the budget and cost of the operation and then we left the clinic and decided to go home. The whole myomectomy procedure will cost us almost Php 200,000.Though, she’s covered with my company insurance from still this will not be enough as the Insurance shoulder’s only half of the overall expenses which Php 100,000. We’re actually both sad after hearing the whole truth about her condition and got worries but I also sense my wife’s fear and hesitation of undergoing the procedure that the author laid out to us and that she doesn’t want to get operated. Thus, we started researching about condition and what could be the alternatives of the operations. We managed to found some and resorted to it. She undergone some herbal medication for several months. Though, my wife feel that it really slows the growth of the “Myoma” but it still wasn’t that enough. Also, the herbal medication are also expensive and cost a lot from out budget. After 3 year, we have decided to undergo another ultrasound with a different OB-GYN doctor this time and it confirmed that the “Myoma” was indeed growing (please see image of the 2nd ultrasound result down below). The doctor suggested for a medical operation for a complete removal of her uterus as there will still be chances that it will go back if only the “Myoma” will be removed – this is just actually  same medical procedure laid out by the doctor that we have consulted during the first time. My wife still doesn’t want to undergo operation and she’s really afraid despite of several attempts of convincing her.

Now after 10 years since that “Myoma” occurred, my wife now agrees and decides to undergo operation as she’s already experiencing something discomforts, pain, pressure and numbness and sometimes a shortness of breathing whenever she walks far. These were actually the signs and results of a woman having a massive “Myoma”. With the “Myoma” growing in her, she barely look 5-6 month’s pregnant. I really feel glad that she now decides to undergo operation but still worried about the result of the operation that she will undergo. I just hope things will just be alright for her. As of now, I’m coordinating with my company’s insurance on the things that we needed to furnish prior to the operation. We also need to have another ultrasound laboratory and a final check-up for her to an OB-GNY doctor for the procedure and requirement, for another ultrasound, the final estimated budget cost for the operation so that I can also prepare for the excess amount that we will be charged to us. Hopefully this will be the last consultation to a doctor about her “Myoma” after 10 years of resorting battle on her “Myoma” that she have to undergo.

 1st Ultrasound Results last 6 years

2ndUltrasound Results last 5 years

Below is the estimated cost of the entire operation and the 2 insurance coverage. I just need to gather Php 50, 000 before we go for the operation. This might be a lot but I know God’s will help us find ways on how to gather that amount.

Phil-health List of Procedure Case Rates:

https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/circulars/2015/annexes/circ08_2014/Annex2_ListofProcedureCaseRatesRevision1.pdf

Closing Thoughts:

Life is very important and that you should be given priority and should be taken good care of. Take actions immediately on things that you feel somethings not right from the start and don’t take it for granted or even hold back. Our body has its own special way of letting us know if there’s something wrong inside of us. Take it seriously and take actions immediately so that it won’t worsen the condition – the sooner you deal with it the better.

 Hope you have learned something from this article of mine. Have a great day, everyone. Thank you.