Afraid I Won't Be A Mommy

[gabrielle]

I agree... everyone does have to make their own choices. I'm almost 21, and of course i am not going to have a baby tomorrow but let's face it mistakes happen and I just want to make sure that if that would happen I would be the best "incubator" (so to speak) for a little one.

I just found out that I have an ovarian cyst. I'm a little worried...Cgilsing- i seen that you had the same problem... what should i be expecting in the terms of treatment and so on? Anything you or anyone could tell me would be great ( I live in a small town where doctors are not really on the ball- i have to do a lot of my own research )

Oh...I just pray to God I can have a few little babies someday!!!! GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU THAT ARE TRYING!!

[cgilsing]

Hi Gabrielle

Overian cysts are actually a normal occurance. Everyone gets them each month when they ovulate. The problem occurs when the cyst won't let go of your ovary. I have had two cysts removed. One was tennis ball sized and one was orange sized. If your cyst is large like that they may opt to go in and remove it. (Not a big deal...they go in through a cut under your belly button and you are out of the hospital the same day) Some just take care of themselves too. I actually had a cyst rupture a few weeks ago and went in for some tests. They said I have a few more in there, but they are small and will probably take care of themselves. I'm pretty sure that cysts generally don't cause any scaring that would be dangerous to your fertility. So try not to worry too much about them.

The endometriosis is something to watch a little closer. Endometriosis is uterine tissue that has grown in places it shouldn't (like your ovaries or your tubes) It can cause scaring that could be problematic later on. I've had endometriosis and the first thing they do is a laproscopy (the surgury that goes in through your belly button) and they laser off all of the bad tissue they can. After that I went on a treatment called Lupron Depot. It's a fairly new drug and rather expensive but SOOOO worth it! It puts you in menopause for a period of time. I was on it for six months. I won't lie to you it's not fun. The hot flashes are the WORST! Be prepared to be the only person sitting in class in February with a tank top complaining about the heat! However it starves that bad tissue of hormone and it will go away completely. My doctor said it would last for at least 7 years than I may have to do it again. It's been 5...so far so good!

I'm so sorry that you have to go through these things...I know how scary it can be. It will all be alright though. Just keep yourself informed, see your doctor regularly, and know your body.

I hope this was some help. Let us know how everything goes with your doctor!

[gabrielle]

Well, i got my results back... I don't really have a "cyst" it's called a dermoid cyst but it's actually a benign tumor. And unfortunately i can not have laparoscopic surgery because the tumor is too big, so i have to have the surgery where they make an incision at the bikini line. Unfortunately, i will not be out the same day and i will have to be off my feet for 2-3 weeks... Im scared to death... but I have to do it.

Thanks for responding back, i appreciate it! gabb

[cgilsing]

Oh a dermoid cyst. That is different. I have a friend that had one, but she was little when she had it. I think she was 12 when she had it removed. I guess you can have them in different places too, not just your ovaries. Conciquently my friends' was on her ovary too though. I wish I knew more about that so I could offer some help. On they bright side, my friend hasn't had any more cysts since that one was removed (and she said she felt MUCH better after it was removed). I think they told her that she was born with it. I don't know if that is the case for everyone. My thoughts are with you. I hope the surgery goes well and you have a quick recovery. Feel better ok!

[Guest BERNESES]

Hang in there gabrielle- I have a lot of the same fears as you (I'm 37 and got married in October) but I really believe everything will work out. I was adopted myself so I had always hoped to adopt in addition to having my own. Believe me, adoption is a beautiful thing- I was adopted by the BESt parents in the world. Not that I'm undervaluing having your own children because from what I've heard, it's an experience like no other, but just to know that you have another option is wonderful. Hey, Angelina Jolie's doing it!

[jenvan]

Gab- Sorry to hear about the upcoming surgery--have you scheduled it yet?

Berneses- I think its awesome you were adopted. There are so many kids are there dying for homes ! I have several friends who have adopted, regardless of whether they can have their own children or not...

Tiffany- I'm where you are girl--'do i want kids?' I hope my heart changes over time--my husband would really like to have children...but both of us agree it would be several years out.

And good news on getting pregnant A few months ago I was having dinner with a friend who has celiac disease, and she was sharing her own fear of not being able to get pregnant one day (they weren't trying). Well... little did she know she was actually pregnant at that moment !! She was diagnosed w/celiac 2 years ago, but has had some issues with the diet along the way...so it wasn't a fierce gluten-free 2 years. She is 4 months along now and doing well!

On a sweet and also slightly disturbing note a few weeks ago my husbands sister offered to be a surrogate for me! she has had 3 and was thinking of getting her tubes tied. (she is one of those women who gets pregnant right away and has easy pregnancies)... she said she would wait until we wanted to have kids and would be a surrogate for us. i was thinking--'wow! that is pretty amazing of her! and wow--that would be really weird!' needless to say--i told her to go ahead and get her tubes tied and not wait for me !

[gabrielle]

thanks again for the replies. My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday.. i can't believe it is only a few days away. has anyone had this kind of surgery before? i am so scared... if anyone has any reassuring info i'd greatly appreciate it.