mel-kurtulus

My 2nd Endo Surgery : Recap & Comparison

| Bloomin' Uterus
Illustration of human organs: intestines, uterus, bladder, liver, diaphragm
Yes, I’m an artist!

Well, here I am, alive and doing well!  Surgery was on September 21, 2016, and today is my 3-week surgiversary.

In a nutshell : my Endometriosis had returned, bringing with it a leaking cyst and a bunch of adhesions.  Endo had also decided to now grow on my bowel (the outer layer of my sigmoid colon) and my ureter (the tube that carries stuff from kidneys to bladder – he had to detach my ureter, clean it up, and reattach it).  AND it disappeared from my liver (doc couldn’t find any there this time).  He was able to cut out all of my Endometriosis, except for a lesion that is on my diaphragm.  He cut away all of my adhesions and put my organs back where they belong.  I’ve still got both my ovaries and fallopian tubes.  My uterus was stuck to my bowel, my ovaries and tubes were a rat’s nest, and my uterus was also stuck to the right side of my pelvic wall.  It just sounds like such a mess…But, he did confirm that my bladder’s exterior AND interior were completely healthy and Endo-free.

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Today’s Pre-Op Visit

| Bloomin' Uterus

As you may know, today was my pre-op appointment with my gyno for my September 21st laparoscopy/excision surgery.  I had previously prepared a bunch of questions, to which he answered all that I asked!

First of all, let me share something he wanted me to press upon myself…and all of you.  Positive thinking is powerful.  I need not be nervous about my surgery (or my recovery).  Just tell myself that it will all work out.  That my recovery will go well.  That everything is going to be okay.  That is one of the most important steps I (and all of us) can do for ourselves.  Embrace positive thoughts.  Shoo away the negative.

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2nd Surgery pending…

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operating room set-up with da vinci surgical machine

This morning I found out Surgery No. 2 is imminent, thanks to my Endometriosis. The date will be sometime in September; I’ll know more in a few days. I met with my doctor today to discuss my ongoing symptoms and worsening pain.  After a long talk and history, an a transvaginal ultrasound (OUCH), and another looooong talk in his office: he felt it’s time to peek under the hood.  I knew going in today that the surgical option was likely it. I wish we could tell if it was present in other ways.  But nope.  My CT was normal.  My US was normal.  But, as you and I both know, it may not always show up on imaging studies.  My symptom history is what convinced him:

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Feel Good Fridays!

| Bloomin' Uterus
letter

Well, I’m a day early; I know…but I’ll be making a road trip to see family and won’t have a chance to share tomorrow.  So, today it is!

I respect my gynecologist so very much.  While sitting with him to discuss recent test results, and my displeasure at my insurance’s handling of a situation, he encouraged me to write a letter, which I did.  He had done so that week already.

The long and short of it is the medical group has decided that HMO patients can no longer have imaging studies performed by my doctor; that we have to be ushered to an off-site facility to have a complete stranger perform the test, then wait a few weeks to hear the results.  PPO patients are still able to have their imaging studies done by my physician…but not HMO.  It was stressful.

But, my doctor said something that resonated on so many levels

“You may not only change your own life, but the lives of others.” ~Dr. Mel Kurtulus

Take that to heart.  And know that your little actions may very well influence many.

Have a wonderful weekend.  I intend to.

Update: January 7, 2021; Several months after this entry, I heard back from my HMO’s medical group. Due to the letter I wrote, they re-approved Dr. Kurtulus to perform in-house ultrasounds. YAY for small victories!

Reader’s Choice : How to find an Endo Specialist in my Area

| Bloomin' Uterus
A soldier searching through binoculars

It’s a New Year!  Time for new beginnings, fresh starts, and resolutions!  And time time for me to start writing again 🙂

Today’s question is from one of our Readers, and she asks, “Do you have any advice on how to find a local or local-ish doctor who ‘specializes’ or at least is studied in endo more so than your averge ob/gyn? I’m looking for someone like that, but no luck so far.”

So, how do you go about finding a specialist in your area?  It will take patience, research, and balls.  That’s right : balls.  And, I want to make it clear that I am not endorsing any of the physicians identified in this blog, or any of the links provided.  Just hoping to point you folks in a direction…hopefully the right one for you.

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