Church's Myomectomy Surgery

Cassandra Church needs your help.

 

On Oct 7th, 2021 my sister will undergo an Open Abdominal Myomectomy surgery at UCLA in Los Angeles to remove multiple large uterine fibroid tumors. The largest tumor measures 12cm (6inches) and has been putting extreme pressure on her surrounding organs, causing her debilitating pain. The mass has grown so large, the doctors say it is the equivalent of a 3-4 month pregnancy. Due to their size, number, and location, pressing on other vital organs, the only option for her is open myomectomy surgery. This surgery is urgent. Recovery will take 6 weeks, and I will be traveling to Los Angeles to care for her.

 

 

Front MRI view. White area is the largest tumor viewed from the front.

 

 

Side MRI view. Dark area is the same massive tumor extending front to back, putting pressure on bladder, bowels, spine, compressing the uterus, and generally wrecking havoc.

 

An open Myomectomy is basically a c-section. This is a major surgical procedure. Church will be put under, and an incision will be made in her lower abdomen. Her surgeons (both women, #feminism) will then remove as many of the tumors as possible, taking care to try to preserve Church's uterus and prevent blood loss as well as any damage to other organs. The uterine muscle will then be sewn back together using several layers of stitches. The surgery will take 2 hours, and she will be in the hospital for 2-3 days. After that, as long as there are no complications, she will recover at home for the next 6 weeks.

 

This, we hope, will be the end of Church's uterine fibroids, but the surgeons may not get everything out. If that is the case, further treatment will be needed. And unfortunately, fibroids often grow back. Though hopefully next time we can catch them before they can grow so effing large.

 

 

 

Ladies, If you ever look like this, run, do not walk, to the doctor, and get an ultrasound, asap.

 

" I first noticed the pain at the beginning of the pandemic during the first lockdown.

 

Severe cramps out of sync with my menstrual cycle, acute pain that woke me in the night, lower back pain, what I thought might be kidney pain, nausea, constipation, frequent urination, fatigue, irregular periods. These symptoms would come and go throughout my cycle, and although I did notice that something was off, I wrote most of it off in the beginning.

 

I thought, maybe the stress of the pandemic threw off my periods... I do have back problems, so that's not completely out of the ordinary, although its usually my upper back... Maybe I have a UTI? ... Is kidney pain a sign of covid?...

 

If you're a woman and you're reading these symptoms you can probably understand how they wouldn't necessarily alarm you at first. Especially, if they come and go. We're used to a certain amount of pain in this area.

 

But the kidney pain, that was troubling. And then I noticed this freaky protrusion. My pelvic area, distended. WTF?

But this came and went as well.

 

In 2020, given the pandemic, wanting to avoid the hospital, and without insurance, I decided to wait.

But my symptoms only got worse.

 

In the fall of 2020 I couldn't wait any longer. By then I knew that something was very wrong. The pain became constant.

 

Some nights I wake up sweating, nauseated, dry heaving, and with such acute pain in my lower back that I can barely walk to the bathroom. Some days I will just be walking down the street and suddenly feel like I'm going to faint. Others, I spend in the fetal position. It became more and more difficult to eat.

 

I have a family history of fibroids and polycystic ovarian syndrome. My mother by age 20 had only half of one ovary left after surgery, and multiple operations. My grandmother had had a hysterectomy for fibroids.

 

So I decided to go to a Planned Parenthood. I told them I suspected fibroids. I described my symptoms, my family history, showed them the photo of my distended pelvic area, and suggested to them that I might need an ultrasound.

 

They examined me, had me pee in a cup, told me I had a bladder infection that was spreading to my kidneys, and prescribed an antibiotic.

 

I didn't get better.

 

Then I was prescribed another antibiotic. And another. And another.

 

Then, I was laid off from my job.

 

A few weeks later, I ended up in the ER.

The doctor ordered various labs, and an abdominal ultrasound.

And there it finally was. " Enlarged Fibroid Uterus".

 

I've been seeing specialists ever since.

 

I've had a dozen hands up there, 4 ultrasounds, an MRI, so much blood drawn I'm surprised I have any left, and now, finally, surgery is scheduled.

 

Uterine Fibroids are common and usually benign. Many women will never notice them. I didn't for years, until one finally grew so large I could no longer live a normal life. And now there's no option but open myomectomy. Most uterine fibroids will never grow this large. But I now know, that even if I had insurance, and went to the OBGYN regularly, there is no regular screening for fibroids. So ladies, if you know you have a family history, or if any of these symptoms sound familiar, just get an ultrasound.

 

So that's my story. Please help if you can, and share. I'm looking forward to putting this all behind me.

 

And for those of you who know me well, and have been wondering where I've been since everyone got vaccinated, now you know. I'm sorry I've been so MIA. I hope you can forgive me, and I hope to see you all soon."

 

- Church