Laparoscopy Oopherectomy (repost)

a repost from a previous blog

A year into our marriage... I thought, maybe we can start getting pregnant. It never entered my mind that there would be a problem. Ever since I got my period in 5th grade, I've been having it "regularly irregular". When we couldn't conceive, I thought of mentioning to my OB that I never had regular periods. At that time, I have been missing my period for 3 months. She advised me to undergo a trans-vaginal ultrasound (TVU).

That first ultrasound in December 2009 showed a mass of about 5cms in my right ovary. My OB told me that I had 2 options; one is to have it surgically removed and the other one is to get an injection that would suppress my menstruation for 6 months, hoping that the cyst will become smaller within those months.

Since it was Christmas-time, I put the issue aside for a while to enjoy the season. It was at the latter part of January when I decided to seek other opinions from other OBs. Good thing one of my best friends is an OB Resident at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). I asked her to refer me to reputable doctors.

I was referred to Dr. Lara Marie David-Bustamante, an OB Sonologist (specializes in ultrasounds). It was on February 3, 2010, almost 2 months after my first TVU, when I went to visit Dr. Bustamante. In her ultrasound report, she found out that there was a mass in my right adnexal area, measuring around 8.1 cm. Imagine that, in just two months, the 5cm mass has increased to 8. However, what was puzzling for the doctor is that, she could not find my right ovary. She wasn't sure that this mass was in my ovary or in my right fallopian tube. Dr. Bustamante is well-known in her field for being a skillful sonologist. I had no doubt about her expertise. So at that time, I was really scared because the mass may have been in my fallopian tube which caused it to bloat and cover the right ovary. Both Dr. Bustamante and my friend said that at this size, it really needs to be surgically removed. They said that laparoscopy is usually performed.

Laparoscopy is an operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis through small incisions (usually 0.5–1.5 cm) with the aid of a camera. It can either be used to inspect and diagnose a condition or to perform surgery. It can be used in endometriosis surgery.

Dr. Bustamante suggested that I look for an OB which specializes in Repro-Endo (Reproductive-Endocrinology) to get a diagnosis of my condition. A Repro-Endo will also be able to give the proper treatment. My friend suggested several doctors, all well-known in PGH, unfortunately, their schedules are all very hectic and I really need to set an appointment. So I went home and started to do some online research.

I googled laparoscopy and was directed to forums with members discussing conditions of their reproductive system. Some of them, I realized have symptoms same as mine. It was in the female network that I chanced upon a thread discussing laparoscopy. Members were all sharing information about the procedure. Rates, process, after-effects, etc. But one thing I was really interested in, the doctors. I noticed that there was high-regard for Dr. Chiaoling Sua-Lao. Her clinics are at The Medical City and the Binondo area. I found out that she is an Infertility and Laparoscopy Specialist and that she is the Head of the Laparoscopy Section in PGH. I immediately texted my OB friend and asked her if she has heard of Dr. Sua-Lao and she immediately replied, "I love Dr. Sua-Lao".

My husband and I went to see Dr. Sua-Lao that Saturday in her Binondo Clinic. They have a first-com-first-served policy so we really had to be there early. They also entertain only a certain number of new patients so if you're new, you have to be extra-extra early.

That first meeting with Dr. Sua-Lao, she also performed a TVU on me. She also couldn't find my right ovary and noted that she could not say that this is a tubal thing or endometriosis. She said that it would be better if I undergo laparoscopy immediately rather than have an x-ray of my fallopian (HSG) first. At least, with laparoscopy, they could immediately perform what needs to be done upon diagnosis. It would save me time and money.However, she said that she still would like to observe the mass inside before introducing foreign objects inside my body.

She gave me some presciptions and we met for at least 3 more times over the next 2 months in her clinic before she finally asked me to see another OB whom she refers to as her senior. She wanted a 2nd opinion before finally scheduling an operation. I went to see Dr. Gilda G. Germar-Martinez for another TVU. Same results, still no visible right ovary. I went back to Dr. Sua-Lao that same day and she immediately scheduled me for a laparoscopic oopherectomy or removal of the ovary.

I was shocked to learn what oopherectomy means. At first, I really did not want to lose any of my ovaries. For me, it would mean that it would automatically lower my chance to conceive to 50%. However, when I did more research, I realized that it would be better to have one of my ovaries removed than to risk situation I was in and there were 2 possible conditions.

1) Endometriosis in the Right Ovary
2) Tubo-Ovarian Abscess (or puss affecting both the fallopian tube and the ovary)

Both conditions will post more danger if not treated immediately. There is also a great chance for the infection to spread to other healthy parts which may affect my chance of conception more. It may also lead to other diseases so I just submitted whatever illness that I have to the Big Boss above and accepted whatever faith lies ahead.

I had a laparoscopic oopherectomy last May 6, 2010 and the doctors found out that the mass they were seeing in all those TVUs that I've had was my right ovary itself. It was Endometriosis aka Chocolate Cyst. Click here to learn more about this condition.

I lost my right ovary but I've never been more optimistic about having a baby. My family is always here to support me. My friends are always ready with kind and assuring words. I really am blessed and I know my that my doctor will take care of me 'till the day that we are finally showered with baby dusts.