Surgery Just Over a Week Away – Kelly’s Journey
This story is one part of an ongoing series where NJ101.5 news reporter and anchorwoman Kelly Waldron chronicles her experiences after being diagnosed with Endometriosis. Follow “Kelly’s Journey.”
One week and one day from today, I'll be heading to the hospital for my surgery. I had my blood work done this past week and I have to report to the hospital next Monday, the day before, for more blood work and to get my hospital bracelet, etc. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately leading up to this day. I'm hoping the anticipation of it all is much worse than the actual procedure and recovery. Only time will tell.
Before I had children, I don't think I would have been as concerned as I am now going into the hospital for a surgery like this. There's something that changes once you have kids. When you're responsible for someone else, it's always nerve-wrecking to think about going under general anesthesia and being out of commission for a while. I think not knowing exactly what's going to happen has my mind racing as well. Are they going to have to cut or will it be able to be done laparoscopically? How will it be coming out of anesthesia? Will it be like it was three years ago when I had the surgery or will it be worse? What will the pain afterwards be like? I have always liked to be in control, so when something is out of my control, it's hard for me.
PREVIOUSLY IN KELLY'S JOURNEY:
What I think about the most is, what if this isn't endometriosis after all? The doctors keep saying that the only way to diagnose endometriosis for sure is to go in laparoscopically and take a look. While they know that the ovarian cysts have returned in both ovaries and the type of cysts I have are consistent with endometriosis, they don't know with absolute certainty. Then again, my doctor said regardless of whether it is endometriosis or not, my pain is real. So, removing whatever is causing my pain will only help. There are also times in between menstrual cycles when I feel perfectly fine and when I feel fine, it's hard to think I need surgery. Then, when my period comes around again, the pain strikes and I'm ready to drive myself to the hospital. It comes down to a quality of life and right now, every single month, I get anxious awaiting my period and not knowing what I'm in for. Basically, I lose one week every single month because of the horrific pain and that is not a way I want to continue living my life.
At the same time, sometimes I think it would've been easier if they just gave me the potential diagnosis and sent me for the surgery right then. Waiting for a month has given my mind too many things to think about. I've been trying to turn my thoughts to action. I've been exercising and running a lot. I've always worked out and I've always been athletic. I figure, the more in shape I am, the easier recovery will be. At least, I hope that's the case. I already have my prescription filled for the pain medication. I'm getting all of the paperwork together that I need. I've also been having conversations with the kids to make sure they know what to expect, so they don't worry.
So, I think I'm set. Now I just have to figure out a way to keep my mind from going in a zillion different directions until next Tuesday.
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