Hi everyone, so here I am lying in the hospital bed for an overnight stay post laparoscopy...
My journey started less than 2 years ago (I’m 30), I’ve always had super painful periods but I visited my gp when I had been bleeding between periods for about 9 months. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 2.5 years and haven’t used contraception for 4 years. My husband works abroad so we had started investigations for fertility treatment in the Middle East. My gp in the uk referred me for tests to investigate the bleeding, I had multiple scans and blood tests, the scans showed I had a cyst on each ovary and suggested it could be endo... but they were quick to end our relationship there and discharge me when they found out I was looking at fertility treatment abroad.
Luckily, we have private insurance abroad so from my first visit to now took about 8 weeks. It’s a wonderful feeling meeting an ivf and fertility specialist that takes an interest in your problems (though my problems are few when compared to the pain and symptoms alot of you experience). I’ve been emotional for months, and distraught at the very real possibility that I won’t be able to conceive. It’s emotionally draining.
Here we are to lap day... I was terribly nervous, the idea of the cannula causes me distress and as a result I cried for at least an hour maybe 2. It’s still in now 12 hours later but I’m not looking at it or moving at all.
The next challenge was the fear of being put to sleep, there were only a few tears whilst in the OR, my surgeon was there talking to me which helped. I counted to 10 and I was out. Next thing I knew, the nurses were saying my name and that it was over. There was no pain, just dizziness and uncontrollable tiredness whilst trying to come round. I wouldn’t describe it as a pleasant experience. 40 mins in recovery and I was back in my room with my husband. Not sure I felt myself for about 3 hours, trying but failing to keep my eyes open. I wasn’t allowed water for a few hours and for food, I had to wait for about 5 hours, by which point I was ready to eat a limb!
My surgeon came in after a couple of hours to inform me that he successfully removed my right ovarian cyst, a few patches of endo and freed my ovary as it was doing something it shouldn’t. He wants to see me again in a week to check recovery, talk ivf steps in 3-6 months, to talk results of the tissue analysis and as my levels were low, he suspects I’m anaemic.
Going to the toilet was uncomfortable but less painful than I was expecting, even if I did hobble and shuffle just incase. Not totally sure I’m ready to make the journey on my own yet.
I have just caved and asked for painkillers though due to pain in my neck (10 hours post surgery completion), I have been quite gassy so I was sad but also glad when my husband left for the night.
My stomach is pretty much the same size, there’s been no real swelling just yet which is a result.
Anyway, this is my experience so far, my fingers and toes are crossed for a quick recovery!
Love to you all ❤️
