A Fresh Start

Hello my friends, and a very happy (belated) New Year to you! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season and are looking forward to all that God has in store for you in 2018. It's been a while since I have written here, but alas, #holidays. Today, I want to give you an update on my health and all that has been going on in the last few months. I promise this isn't going to turn into a blog that is just an update on my health and such, but this is the easiest way for me to be able to keep you informed and armed with information so that you can pray! I do not take your prayers for granted and am very grateful for you all. 

Last month, Rory and I decided that we would attack my fibroid issue/gynecological health and then address any remaining infertility issues. We visited with two different doctors here in Athens and weren't really getting any answers to the questions we had, so we sought out a specialist in the Atlanta area who performs a non-invasive non-surgical procedure called Uterine Fibroid Embolization. In the past, doctors have recommended that I have a laparoscopic myomectomy, which is a surgical procedure in which they cut away any fibroids they can find. It also involves an incision to the uterus, and there is a waiver you have to sign saying that you understand you could wake up without your uterus if things go wrong. Needless to say, I was not about that. 

This other procedure, UFE, is a non-invasive alternative to surgery in which the doctor can get every one of the fibroids.  There is no incision and a radiologist performs the procedure.The recovery time is only 7-10 days as opposed to several weeks, and there is no incision. Unfortunately, myomectomies can reduce a patient's fertility by as much as 50%, and there is always the chance that the fibroids will come back. But the UFE procedure is completely different in that the fibroids rarely reoccur and it does not impact fertility nearly as harshly. There are actually some studies that say it will improve fertility. 

The specialist in ATL requires an MRI before reviewing each patient's case, so I had an MRI the week before Christmas and sent it off to their office and then had an online consultation with the doctor last Monday. The consultation about my MRI went really well and the doctor was so kind and very thorough. He talked with us for almost an hour! He said that I am a good candidate for the procedure. (Praise. the. Lord.) The MRI shows that I have one major fibroid that is about 6 cm (the size of a small orange) and then a few other ones as well, with a total of about 5-6 altogether. 

After talking with the doctor, Rory and I both felt a peace about proceeding along this path. God has opened all of the doors so quickly and easily, and everything has come together so well. My appointment is tomorrow, Friday morning at 6:15 am (eeessshhh). And because it is a procedure performed in an office instead of an outpatient facility or hospital, it is going to cost us next to nothing. God is so good. I truly believe that over this last year, He protected me from getting pregnant so that I could be taken care of first. I am so incredibly grateful and am really looking forward to a fresh start. It's been a long road, but we are finally beginning to see some glimmers of hope and a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Please pray for:

- an easy recovery

- quick results

- complete healing 

And if you are suffering from fibroids, please contact me and I will be more than happy to give you information about my amazing doctor!

P.S. If you live in Athens and have flexibility during the day I am more than open to visitors next week as I recover at home. :)