SURGERY!?

If you haven’t read part 1, “My Big Fat Positive!“, this is the time to catch up because I will not be doing a recap 🙂

After finally getting my first ultrasound and the ultrasound tech seeing nothing, my doctor scheduled for another ultrasound. The day before my second ultrasound, I started spotting again and had discomfort in my right pelvic region. I shared this information with my doctor at my appointment and he started to grow concerned. He ran more tests and diagnosed me with “pregnancy of unknown location.” He shared with me that there is a high possibility that it may be an ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy that is outside of the uterus.

At that time he wasn’t sure exactly where the pregnancy was but said it is most commonly found in a Fallopian tube. After going through all of my data (at this point my HCG numbers started to plateau), he wanted me to make a decision right away. My options were to get a shot that will stop rapid cell growth, or to surgically remove the pregnancy. Neither option sat right with me. I didn’t feel comfortable injecting MTX (methotrexate) into my body and I definitely didn’t feel comfortable with the idea of a surgeon playing Dora the Explorer inside my body as they go on a search for a pregnancy that is in an unknown location.

My doctor reluctantly allowed me to go home to sleep on it but urged me to check myself into the emergency room first thing in the morning. He wrote me a prescription with an order to run all of the tests again. If there is no improvement he will be moving forward with the surgery (he was concerned about my Fallopian tube bursting and bleeding internally because I was so far along).

I went home and prayed fervently when I no longer had the strength to pray I finally shared what I was going through with some of my leaders and they also prayed fervently. By the end of that night, I became at peace with not only my decision but with God’s will. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

At 7am the next day, I checked myself into the hospital with my lesson plans and books (I didn’t get a chance to call off, it all happened so fast). All of the tests were run again and the ultrasound tech came in to complete one last ultrasound. It was during this ultrasound that I finally able to see the pregnancy. I looked over to the screen and there it was… hanging out in my right Fallopian tube. At this point I felt 100% comfortable moving forward with the surgery. My doctor came into the room to talk to me, the anesthesiologist introduced himself, and at this point it got real! I sent a mass text message to all of my loved ones to let them know that I was going into surgery (they were most likely shocked and confused but I appreciate them for not prying for details at the time and just responded “praying”).

A salpingectomy was performed and my entire right Fallopian tube was removed. Through this entire ordeal, I’ve received so much. I’ve learned that there is power in community, my faith is on another level while on my conception journey, God’s peace truly surpasses all understanding, my relationship with my husband has grown to a deeper level of intimacy (chile that’s another story for another day), life is hard but life can also be good; struggle and goodness can coexist, and so much more. Yes, I’ve experienced loss but the list of what I’ve gained is so much longer.

God will get all of the glory out of this 🙂
#stillsovereign

Supporting Scriptures
Job 1:21
James 5:16
Philippians 4: 6-7
Hebrews 10:25