The day after I turn 29 is the day that I am booked in to surgery. My head goes back and forth from “it’s no big deal”, to “holy shit, this is happening, try not to think about, try not to think about it”. I would say that it really doesn’t cross my mind too much, I feel a lot of peace about it. Tonight I wanted to write out some thoughts, share this little journey, as like anything else I share that’s personal, I know someone out there might be going through the same thing, and I hope they are comforted from these words, knowing they are not alone.
As some of you may not have seen my past post on the discovery of my ovarian cyst I have linked it below. This is something that I have been living with, pain free, for the past 4 (maybe more) years.
Related: Discovering my Ovarian Cyst
Where I left off on my last post was that I was waiting for my appointment with my OB. I was encouraged by many friends and family members, some of who are doctors, not to worry. Some close friends and family members shared their stories about having cysts removed and even just choosing to live with them. Those have all been super encouraging, I feel blessed to have those people in my life willing to share.
I had my first appointment with my OB where he shared about what surgery would look like if I chose to go that route. He also discussed to me how very low risk ovarian cysts are and that because I wasn’t in pain that I likely could go on living and not even worry about it.
He asked me if I had any questions after explaining the very slim likelihood that it was anything to fear.
I started to explain what had happened to my sister a year before. How she was assured that the lump in her leg wasn’t cancer. Then, after testing and removal, she was told that it was in fact a cancerous tumour. A very rare form, and very serious. He looked at me and said that knowing that there were two ways to look at this. There is the medical point of view, that your risk rate is very very low and then the real life way. The real life way meaning, if this is something that is going to be on your mind, going to be a cause for concern for the ones that love you dearly, take it out. I was somewhat shocked by this answer, and so pleased that he put it in those terms for me.
He gave me a week to decide on which route I would like to take. To chat with James, and other members of my family to decide what I felt was best.
Believe it or not I actually forgot about my appointment (forgetting appointments happens more than I like to admit). Well, I remembered on the day (or day after ? Serious mom brain) that I had an appointment and called but I had already missed it. So we rescheduled it, thankfully. Though I had to wait another couple weeks, I made sure I wasn’t going to forget and set a reminder in my phone.
Making the Decision to have the Ovarian Cyst Removed
At my second appointment I shared with my OB that because of what my sister went through, it was best to be sure. Take care of myself early on and let the worry rest. We decided as a family that it was a good idea to have surgery booked.
We chatted more about what surgery would look like. He said there was likely two different ways that it could go, removing just the cyst off the ovary or removing both an ovary and the cyst. The latter would be depending on how the cyst is attached and how much surface area it is consuming. The thought of removing an ovary is a little freaky, but I am trusting that the doctors will know the wisest choice in the time of surgery.
I’ve been praying for peace as this date approaches and quick healing and clear results for after. I would love if you are reading this, if you could also pray. I don’t want to make it into anything bigger than it is, as it really “Isn’t anything to worry about”, but I know the power of prayer and community.
Header Image Photography: Julie Christine Photography
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