The Day Has Come

I wish I could say that the title of this post refers to an offer of representation from an agent, or that I've finally won the lottery or lost the weight I've always wanted to, but alas, it is none of these things.

No, the day of reckoning has come for my uterus.

Yes, you read that correctly. She has been a constant source of misery for me for the past eleven years. I don't even want to know the amount of time, energy, and money I have spent on trying to make her work properly. She is a nasty piece of work and refuses to cooperate.

So, the doctor has ordered her removed.

The pathology report came back after my surgery last week and the results were not good. I have complex endometrial hyperplasia with atypia. A mouthful, to be sure, but what is boils down to is this: it's not cancer yet, but it has a very good chance of turning into it. As far as I know, it is only confined to my uterus, so the best method of prevention is to get it out.

When I got the news yesterday, I was halfway expecting it. What I wasn't expecting was to have to have the surgery so soon. It's scheduled for April 3. And since it is a major surgery - indeed, a hysterectomy - I will be out for four weeks from work. I have no paid vacation or any paid leave at all as I used it all up for the year already, most of them attributed to the devious uterus and the havoc she wreaks upon my body. Since hubby is going to school full-time, we are living on my income, and what small savings we have accumulated will be used to pay for living expenses for the time I'm recovering. Unfortunately, it won't come close to covering them all. I'm working on figuring that all out, and I guess it's good I have a month in which to do so.

But! I am optimistic that a solution will be found, and I have given this entire situation to the Lord since He has much stronger shoulders than me.

I guess in the end, I'm glad to have the decision made for me. I've been riding the fence on this issue for over a year and enough is enough.

On the upside (because we must have an upside to this!), I will have four weeks of writing time. Thankfully, that is one thing I will be able to do while recovering, and I'm so grateful to be able to do that. Being out of work for four weeks will be challenging as I need to be around people at some point or I tend to get depressed. But I am hopeful that the Internet will help me stay connected.

And another upside to this all? No more guessing. No more monthly drama. No more cramps. What a relief that will be! I've heard some women say that they've felt so much better after having a hysterectomy. I am hoping I also fall into that category. 

Onward!