Transcript
Real Patient
I was originally diagnosed in 2015. But, I started having problems in 2013 when I was stationed in an overseas base. Was at a medical aid station by myself, there as a provider. I started noticing some changes back in 2013, using feminine products. And, I kind of disregarded it. When I came back to Las Vegas and I said something to one of my providers, that I was having some issues for a secondary problem, they sent me in for an MRI and it was a secondary finding that I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids.
I ended up having my surgery in February of ‘16 and I’m now back, kind of, pretty much recovering, very well actually. The size of my fibroids were fairly large. The – my uterus – the way my doctor explained it to me was about the size of a grapefruit. And then I had an alternate fibroid that was about the size of a lemon. And then another one was about the size of a golf ball.
The only option we really had was to just remove the whole – the whole uterus and the tubes and everything. Along with the other fibroids that were on the outside of my uterus. So, but there were other options available based on some of the other, other places inside the uterus where those fibroids could be. But, for me the best option was to have a, the hysterectomy. So they made a six-inch incision inside my abdominal wall and removed the parts that they could.
Right after the surgery, I remember sitting in the room, waking up in my room and the next day the doctor came in to the, to my room, and I just spoke to my nurse. And the nurse and I – I was already having a difficult time like moving and rolling over and everything because of the surgical site, and the nurse and I sat there and we talked about our plan.
Our plan was to get up, you know, about 10 o’clock, were going to give me some pain medications. And then about 11, let that medication kick in. Eleven we were going to get up. My doctor walked into the room and, “Tanya, get up.” And I’m like, what? Are you serious? And she’s like, get up. So I, I rolled right over and I got up. And then that same day I walked out, I walked out of the hospital.
After the surgery, having to slow down a little bit really kind of put a little bit of a drain on me. Because I was so ready to get back. I was so ready to be back doing what it is they needed me to do. And so that was kind of a motivating factor. Like, I don’t want to be down too long. I want to be able to, to get back in the game. And get ready to deploy again. And get ready to do my job. After three months, little under three months after my surgery, I’m back in the gym lifting weights, and doing dead lifts and riding my bike again.
I have a pretty amazing support system of friends that we discuss, we discuss our menstrual cycles. We discuss all, you know, anything that’s, that belongs with women. For women. Whether it’s sexual activity, whether it’s emotions, depression, it’s having that support system and talking to them is going to help you whenever you do go in with your provider. And discuss those things. Discuss those issues that you’re having. And help formulate where your concerns are. Be aware of your body. Understand what’s going on, what’s happening. And don’t be afraid to actually open up and talk to your friends, your provider, your loved ones, about where your concerns are.