Google News | Fibroids Yahoo! News | Fibroids PubMed | Uterine FibroidSubscribe to the feed:
Bookmark this site:
The best browser:
This is the second in my series of geeky reports on the abstracts and posters presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 32nd annual Scientific Meeting held March 1 – March 6, 2007.
Post-Embolization Syndrome: Leukocytosis after Uterine Artery Embolization
The Society of Interventional Radiology held its 32nd annual Scientific Meeting from March 1 – March 6, 2007. Multiple abstracts and posters were presented. I’ll try my best to discuss as many of the fibroid-related ones as I can. Yes, this is (hopefully) the first in a series of very geeky reports.
A Prospective Randomized Comparison of Partial to Complete Uterine Fibroid Embolization
The idea for this entry sprouted from thoughts on total healing (mind/body/spirit) left in the post-Abdominal Myomectomy forum. I thank the ladies there, particularly Sunday and Gab. This is a fascinating topic as I’ve always felt that to have total health, the mind, body, and spirit must work together. I’ll start with my experience and then open the floor to others.
My body, mind, and spirit became disjointed years ago. I decided to seek medical assistance because my periods were becoming bad and blamed fibroids. There are women in my family who had surgery for fibroids and I just knew it was my turn. Yeah, too bad the first ultrasound didn’t detect the dang things. Had a heck of a time trying to convince the doctor and grew tired of doing so. Ended up dealing with my symptoms on my own (with mind fighting body) for YEARS…
I sense that some of you get a little nervous about pre-op testing so here’s some information. I’ll start with a quote from Lab Tests Online that provides a guide on test preparation:
One of the most important factors in determining the accuracy and reliability of your lab test is you, the patient. After all, it is a sample from your body (blood, urine, or some other specimen) on which the test will be performed. Therefore, it is essential that you do the following to ensure that the results will be useful:
Your preparation can be spiritual, or funny, or just ways you are pampering yourself. Name your treatment option and tell what you are doing to prepare.
How are you preparing for your fibroid treatment?
——————–
Related Posts:
What should I carry with me to the hospital before my fibroid surgery?
What’s involved with pre-op testing before a fibroid procedure?
This is really late but I promised Aly Fibroids that I would post both a 5-month and 6-month update. 
I’ll be honest. I don’t even remember the details of that period. It lasted a little longer (4.5 days) but it was lighter (more spotting/less actual bleeding). Still qualifies as a question mark and that makes me happy.
That would be my Interventional Radiologist (AKA Batman). I had my 6-month post-UFE MRI on last Wednesday. Stay tuned for that post because the experience was pretty funny. Remember my first MRI? Much better this time.
So, I saw my IR on yesterday. The rest of this post is taken directly from a comment I left on one of my update posts in response to Aly Fibroids who just HAD to know my results:
I was so excited because I KNEW everything had to be smaller. I feel so well. Things just must look better inside.
My periods are still question marks. They average about 3.5 days. Incredible that they are now half of the previous legendary “7 days of hell”. I can actually have a period during a holiday and it not matter. What a victory!
Details of my most recent period:
Monday, November 20, 2006: Cramping and spotting started that evening. Took two 200mg over-the-counter Motrin for relief. Ended up taking two more before going to bed so I would sleep through the night. Bleeding became heavier during the night but still light.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006: Cramps were more painful (still moderate) and the bleeding heavier. I would characterize the bleeding as moderate. Was running low on OTC Motrin so I took a 600mg Ibuprofen left over from one of my procedures. No more pain that day. Took another that night at bedtime and slept like a rock on top of a log.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006: Light cramps and light bleeding. Took one 200mg OTC Motrin.
Thursday, November 23, 2006: Ah, the holiday. Light cramping and spotting most of the day. I did take one 600mg Ibuprofen (probably overkill) so I would definitely enjoy the day pain-free… and I did!
I cannot even begin to tell you the RELIEF of being able to sleep through the night. No more waking up at 3 AM in a pool of blood reminiscent of a crime scene. As I would start my sprint to the bathroom, I often expected to look back and see my own chalk outline. Yeah, that anemia can mess with your mind at 3 AM.
On a lighter (and less bloody) note, my holiday was good. Hubby purchased a precooked Thanksgiving dinner and we carried it to my parent’s house and stuck it in their oven. I really enjoyed the fellowship and food. After I returned home, I wanted a turkey so hubby purchased one more cooked meal. I stuck it in our oven and had another Thanksgiving dinner on Friday. How terribly geeky! 
I was trying to avoid having tons of leftovers lingering in the house but I have no desire to pig-out anymore. Amazing. So these days, I am well and happy and exercising regularly again. After I consume just a little more turkey, I’ll start working on those posts about fibroids, weight gain, and weight loss. I think you’ll find my perspective quite comical.
——————
Related Posts:
How are you feeling after your Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
Two weeks after my Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Gosh…my period turned out to be a question mark!
My condition one month post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition two months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition three months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition five months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Been blogging here for a number of months on the medical decisions I made to finally address my uterine fibroid tumor problem. I consider myself fortunate because a number of women have decided to share their choices as well. It’s now time to string some of the Forum “threads” together and assemble a post that lists fibroid treatment options.
I’ll start with some general information from the MayoClinic.com Uterine Fibroids Decision Guide. Visit the site for treatment details including what to expect, common concerns, and pros and cons. I’ll also include links to related posts on this site for each of the options.
I postponed this update until after my period so you would get the most up-to-date information. Looked over my 2-month update before writing this and just realized that I lost track of a period. I vaguely remember having one at the beginning of the month but really didn’t write much about in my composition notebook. I had several other things going on at the time. Incredible how my periods now are in the background. I attended a dinner with my husband on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed myself (can’t beat that good food + great company combo). It’s incredible that I don’t have to rearrange my life anymore. My periods and these dang fibroids are no longer a major focus. Wow.
Details of my most recent period:
Friday, October 27, 2006: Cramping and spotting starting that morning. Bleeding became heavier as the day progressed but still not that much more than spotting. Ended up taking a total of four 200mg over-the-counter Motrin during the whole day. (This was exactly the same as my last update.)
Saturday, October 28, 2006: Cramps were more painful (still moderate) and the bleeding slightly heavier. I would characterize the bleeding as light to moderate. This was a five 200mg Motrin day. I took the extra Motrin so I could enjoy the food (and company) at the dinner.
Sunday, October 29, 2006: Light cramps and light bleeding (slightly more than spotting). No Motrin.
Monday, October 30, 2006: No cramping but light spotting most of the day.
I am feeling well. Haven’t noticed very much of the weird calf/ankle/foot swelling on my right side but, then again, I haven’t been working out very much. Yes, I’ve been a bad geek. I really need to get back on track with my exercising. Want to start talking about fibroids and weight gain and subsequent weight loss. It’s coming. I promise.
——————-
Related Posts:
How are you feeling after your Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
Two weeks after my Uterine Fibroid Embolization
My condition one month post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition two months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition four months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition five months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
This update is over a week late. Sorry for that but I’ve been busy trying to keep up with comments and making posts on the Forum. I’m definitely NOT complaining. It’s wonderful that everyone is posting questions, answers, thoughts, and funny moments.
So, how was my second period? Another question mark. I was a little nervous because I had to attend a funeral that Saturday. Last period, I stayed in the house and hovered near the bathroom. This time, I needed to be away from home for a few hours. Tense in the beginning. Sometimes, I revert back to the mindset of having to KNOW where the bathroom is located and a quick escape route. Once I realized that I wouldn’t just spontaneously hemorrhage all over the pew, I knew it would be okay.
Here is the timeline:
Friday, September 8, 2006: Cramping and spotting starting that morning. Bleeding became heavier as the day progressed but still not that much more than spotting. Ended up taking a total of four 200mg over-the-counter Motrin during the whole day.
Saturday, September 9, 2006: Cramps were less painful but the bleeding slightly heavier. Decided to wear the “tampon + pad” combo just to be on the safe side. No problems. Noticed one small clot but the bleeding I would still characterize as light. (I think my previous episodes before treatment of passing liver-sized clots and bleeding as though I had been cut in half with a chainsaw have now slightly screwed my perspective.) This was a two 200mg Motrin day.
Sunday, September 10, 2006: Cramps and bleeding early in the day. Both tapered off by that night. Only needed two 200mg Motrin on this day as well.
Today, I’m feeling well. Still have that weird swelling in the calf, ankle, and foot on my right side. Off and on. It goes down overnight and is fine the next day. It’s worse when I work out. Alas, the perfect excuse NOT to exercise. Sigh. So yeah, I’m good. I feel positive and I owe that to my support system including this site. Thanks for sharing what you share. I laugh, and cry, and feel quite human. This from someone who considers herself, at least, half Vulcan.
Thanks Aly Fibroids for giving me a nudge to get this update posted. Now back to the other 20 things on my list that I’m trying to post. 
——————–
Related Posts:
How are you feeling after your Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
I’m really starting to think my wiring is kind of screwed
Two weeks after my Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Gosh…my period turned out to be a question mark!
My condition one month post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition three months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition four months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition five months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
(Tuesday, January 30, 2007) Decided to edit this post significantly. In my zeal to present different recovery experiences, I seem to have created a monster. Women are reading this post and becoming frightened over the UFE/UAE procedure. I’m obligated to try again. So, I’ll include my own recovery experience on this post to provide balance.
Note: Please realize that you are online. By its nature, the Internet will draw women having problems with fibroids and looking for answers. Women with great UFE/UAE recovery experiences probably aren’t searching online for fibroid information. I discovered this when looking for Lupron information several months ago. I was alarmed by the disproportionate number of negative Lupron experiences and decided to start a blog with a more balanced perspective. Hopefully, I’ve come close to that.
Look who’s talking about fibroids