2013 Consultations and Specialists

 

 

Back to the Gyn/Onc…

After a series of the birth control shots, he referred me for a consultation with an Intervention Radiologist. I forget his name - but I do recall he either had too many vowels or not enough vowels in his name. 

The purpose of the consult was to see if I was a viable candidate for Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE)   UAE involves injecting tiny particles into the blood vessels that feed the fibroids, cutting off their oxygen and nutrients.  

The IR Doc determined that because I was not actively bleeding, it would be too risky for me to have the procedure done. 

My Gyn/Onc wanted to do a procedure called hysteroscopy (not to be confused with hysterectomy).  Hysteroscopy is a medical procedure that uses a narrow device with a light and camera on the end (hysteroscope) to take images of the inside of your uterus. This thin, telescope-like instrument is inserted into the uterus through the vagina and cervix.

As you may recall, I was still having issues with swollen legs and my legs were still actively leaking fluid. Because of this, My Gyn/Onc wanted me to see a Neurovasculat Surgeon before he would do the hysteroscopy.  The name of the doctor was the same jackass that told me I was fat and the only treatment he provided was measuring my legs and telling me to keep my feet up.  I broke down in tears in the Gyn/Oncs office and told him about my experience with said surgeon.  

I’ll never forget what he said to me at that point. He said “There are two surgeons in that office. I want you to make the appointment with the other surgeon. And I’m going to make a phone call” 

So I went home and made the appointment. The second neurovascular surgeon got me in right away.  Ironically, by the time I made my appointment, the first neurovascular surgeon was no longer treating patients and had been ‘invited’ to leave the practice.  

The second Neurovascular surgeon treated me with Unna Boots on both legs.  An Unna boot is a compression dressing made by wrapping layers of gauze around your leg and foot. It is often used to protect an ulcer or open wound. The compression of the dressing helps improve blood flow in your lower leg. Compression also helps decrease swelling and pain.  The compression dressing hardens much like a cast. I had the dressing changed weekly. Within 6 weeks, the fluids had stopped leaking out of my legs.  I also learned that the fluid that leaked out was from my lymphatic system. And had I waited much longer to get real treatment, I would have lost both of my legs from the shins down.  As for the skin buildup on my shins - I was referred to a dermatologist. 

The dermatologist gave me some kind of cream and instructed me to use it and then rough up the area and let the skin slough off.  Yeah - I wasnt about to do that. I did use the cream and let the skin do what it wanted to do.   To this day, I still suffer from extremely dry skin on my legs, especially around my shins and ankles 

What I learned this year:

Be your own advocate - If you aren’t getting the care you need, speak up and tell EVERYONE until you do get the care that you need. Not only could it save your limbs, but your life. 

Until Next time…