Based on my operative report, Dr. Bidwell said that my left tube was more than likely damaged beyond use. He said that IVF would most likely be our only option to get pregnant. He said I had good chances of IVF success because of how young I am, I've had an ectopic pregnancy which showed I can get pregnant, and also Brandon already has children, so that shows that he doesn't have any issues.He said based on all of that information, my chances of getting pregnant on the first try were about 80+%. However, if I kept my left tube, and it wasn't fully closed off, my success rate would go down to 40% because of the risk that the left tube could absorb the fertilized egg and it would result into another ectopic pregnancy. Seeing that my insurance doesn't cover IVF treatments, Brandon and I didn't want to place a $13,000+ bet on just a 40% chance of success.
So I decided to be proactive and have my left tube removed. I was praying that the tube wouldn't be damaged, but Dr. Bidwell said that based on the operative report, he was 95% sure he would need to remove my left tube. So obviously, Brandon and I were very emotional about this surgery. I knew once I had this procedure, I would officially be done trying to get pregnant. At least in the sense of getting pregnant naturally.
Last Thursday, May 29th, I had the surgery. Brandon and I got to Kettering Medical Center at 1030am. When we checked in, they handed brandon a 6 digit code number that showed up on a big screen tv on one of the walls. That number represented me, and would show Brandon where I was in all stages of the surgery. He would know when I was in pre-op, surgery, recovery, etc.
Once I was in my room with my gown on, the nurse came in to put in my IV. Brandon immediately stepped in and told her she had one shot at it so she better pick a good vein. Reason being....
*FLASHBACK* My last surgery, the nurse tried to put in an IV on my forearm by my elbow. When she put it in, she didn't secure it and the needle popped back out. Not exaggerating when I say blood flew all over the bed. Looked like a murder scene. She ended up putting it on the side of my wrist which is the WORST PAIN EVER! You could see the needle right under my skin and it felt like it would pop out of my skin.
So anyways, the nurse said no problem and pulled out a little hand held machine that looks like a barcode scanner. She waved it over my arms and it showed us every vein. Brandon thought this was the coolest thing ever and afterwards I looked up and the nurse is standing over him waving it all over his arms and neck showing him all of his veins LOL.
Two hours later, Dr. Bidwell came in to discuss the surgery and to make sure I hadn't changed my mind about anything. Here's what decision we made. If he found that the tube was 100% blocked and would NOT interfere with IVF in the future, he would leave the tube in place. (Reason being is that blood flow to the ovary's is important in IVF, and that comes from the fallopian tubes. So by leaving it in, it would benefit my chances).
If the tube was partially blocked, he would try to fix it. I knew that there was a chance that it wouldn't work, and I was fine with that. If he was able to repair the tube, I ran the risk of having another ectopic pregnancy, but I told him I'd cross that bridge if we came to it.
If the tube was partially blocked and NOT repairable, I instructed him to go ahead and remove the tube. I wanted the best percent chance for IVF as possible.
So with that being understood, they wheeled me in for surgery. I spent about an hour in recovery before I was able to see Brandon. When they moved me from the bed to the chair, my knees almost gave out. I became so nauseous, I thought I was going to die. They gave me graham crackers and apple juice, which made it so much worse. When the nurse left the room, I made Brandon hand me the trashcan and I made myself throw up. INSTANTLY BETTER!!!
When I felt better, Brandon asked if I wanted the news on how the surgery went. With shaking hands, I told him to lay it on me. Brandon said Dr. Bidwell got in there and said he was "extremely happy" with what he found. He said my tube is FINE! He said it's slightly swollen, but is otherwise fine. When he put the dye in my uterus, it flew right out of my tube! NO BLOCKAGE!!! Plus the hysteroscopy showed that my uterus is fine as well! He told us that IVF is no longer our 1st option and that any money we saved already for IVF, we can go ahead and use on a crib! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?! It gives me chills just thinking about it!!!
I asked him that since he said my tube is slightly swollen, would I run a high chance of having another ectopic. He said most women only have a couple percent chance of having an ectopic, and with my tube, I only go up to about a 5% chance. So we went from there being a 95% chance he'd remove my fallopian tube, to a 95% chance of having a normal pregnancy!
I asked him that since he said my tube is slightly swollen, would I run a high chance of having another ectopic. He said most women only have a couple percent chance of having an ectopic, and with my tube, I only go up to about a 5% chance. So we went from there being a 95% chance he'd remove my fallopian tube, to a 95% chance of having a normal pregnancy!
So next Wednesday, I go to see Dr. Bidwell for my post-op appointment and he said that we'll discuss new treatment options for getting pregnant!! I'm so excited! I will update when I get more information! GOD IS GOOD!
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