Ok I have been getting queries on what has happened to me following my Facebook comments on my 'op'.
So here is the full story, totally uncensored:
I have been having severe menses cramps and excessive bleeding each time my menses came since about 4-5 months ago. I would cuddle up like a baby at home whenever I am having my period and change my pads every 2 hours, which would already be overflowing already.
Worried, I approached my specialist at Tan Tock Seng, asking whether my lupus had anything to do with this. She said that it was impossible and referred me to KK Women & Children's Hospital for a thorough check-up.
After the scan at KK, my gynae confirmed that there was a cyst measuring about 5cm near my right ovary. However, she told me that there was no cause for concern yet and it might disappear. So she arranged for another follow-up scan two months later, which was on 7th Oct 08. And this time it was confirmed that the cyst was getting bigger, almost 7 cm. It is called a blood cyst.
It develops when the some of the blood from my period does not discharge totally out of my body and spills back into my uterus/womb. It then coagulates into a ball when it contains the toxic blood and as it gets bigger, there is a danger of rupture and thus damage to the other organs. Thus my gynae ordered an immediate surgery to remove it.
I was of course very shocked to hear all this and refused to go for the operation! Only after my gynae's persistence and convincing me that it would be fatal, I reluctantly agreed to go through the operation.
Lucky for me, my manager at work was quite understanding and urged me to go for my operation as soon as possible. I was so embarrassed because I had just started work and now I had to leave and take a few weeks MC. Great timing, huh?
So anyway, the op was scheduled on Mon morning 13 Oct, but I had to be admitted one day before for observation. I was given medication to clear my bowels (they inserted a laxative liquid inside my anus!!) and had to fast from midnight onwards.
My operation was scheduled at 10.45am and an hour before that, I was already wearing the operation gown. I was put onto the trolley bed and a drip was inserted into my vein on my left hand. The nurses then pushed me into the operation theatre. This was where I felt so nervous that I wanted to back out!
The surgeon must have noticed my fidgeting and restlessness that she ordered the nurse to give me the oxygen mask. Little that I know that was the sleeping gas, and within a few breaths, I felt my eyes so heavy...and when I woke up, I was already back at my ward!
Just some general information on the keyhole surgery that was performed on me:
The surgical procedure is carried out through a very small incision in the abdomen. The advantage of this operation is that no large cut has to be made in the abdomen which means that there is less post-operative pain. There is a much better cosmetic result as there is no large scar left after the operation.
The surgery is carried out under the magnification of a telescope called a laparoscope, which is inserted through the umbilicus (belly button). The laparoscope is attached to a miniature colour video camera, which in turn transmits the picture to a video monitor screen. The operation is performed under magnification; thus the surgery is more precise and causes less scarring and adhesion formation.
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Two small punctures (5 – 12 mm size) lower down in the abdominal wall is necessary to insert long narrow instruments which are used to perform the surgery. The Surgeon watches the operation on the video screen while he is undertaking the operation.
So that's how my abdomen looks like at the moment.
My right ovary was also removed because they would be a recurrence of the cyst if not taken out. However, I am still able to conceive if I wish to with just my left ovary.
I can't carry any heavy stuff yet...so I am feeling quite low actually because I am not able to carry my kids when they cry for me.
Just pray that I will recover fast, ok?
