Fibroid Tumors

"You may want to consider having that thing ranked out" was the last suggestion I took from that doctor during a follow up visit to discuss my girly issues. It's not that she was not a good doctor. But I was a young woman (35 years old) who had just been diagnosed with fibroid tumors (generally called fibroids.)

As I sat staring at her in total disbelief from what she had said, I went on to ask about alternatives - ablation, laser treatments . . . Her response was, "No. You should go for the hysterectomy because it's the only thing that will really get rid of them."

Not acceptable! I did not see a hysterectomy as an alternative and I was really leery since a large number of women I knew had either partial or total hysterectomies before their 40^th birthday. I thought it was odd that this barrage of surgeries was being done and that no one had an alternative.

Since I am not a doctor I did not want to run off halfcocked, thinking my doctor was some sort of Frankenstein type. I first started talking to all of the women I knew who had fibroids and opted for the hysterectomy. We all had similar stories. The one constant for me was the heavy bleeding. I was not in pain, I did not have major discomfort and my cycle did not disrupt my day.

Second, I went to Half Price Books and bought every book I could fine on fibroid tumors. They all had the same basic information; it is unlikely that the tumors are cancerous, they are aggravated by certain foods and drinks (caffeine, sugar and alcohol) and they shrink after menopause. The shrinking and one other specific line that stood out to me was, "If you are not in pain and they are not growing your doctor should monitor your process and leave them alone".

Now I was mad. My doctor never mentioned that they go away with menopause and that monitoring them was an option. I was not in pain!

That was 2004. In 2005 I changed OB/GYN doctors. I told my new doctor about the fibroids and she ordered my ultrasound records from my old doctor and scheduled a new ultrasound to see what progress I had experienced during that year. I was not happy with the news.

"Well, you have a few more and a couple of them grew" was her input.

"We'll just keep watching them to make sure they don't begin to bother you" was her closing line.

"Watch them?!" I thought. No hysterectomy, no meds, no surgery? Not even the suggestion?!

I was just a little baffled. After all, how can one doctor be so quick to suggest slicing me open and yanking out my parts; while another one just causally suggest we "Watch them".

After sharing my story with others I was informed that the cost of a hysterectomy is between $7000 to $15,000. So some (not all) doctors have a vested interest in making this surgery happen. During 2004 when I was diagnosed I met approximately 25 women who were going under the knife. Most had not heard of any alternatives and some said their doctors were insistent that this would be their only hope.

Fast forward to 2009.

My choice was to continue to have my tumors monitored. Late 2008 I realized my menstrual cycle had gotten heavier. I still wasn't having pain. But I really am still baffled that a person can bleed that much and not die. Seriously, by April of 2009 my cycle had gone from 3 days with a minor tinge of cramps and about 8 pads to 11 days of using 2 packs of overnight pads and super plus tampons and me sedating myself with Pamperin. I had never stopped looking for alternatives, I just decided to amp up my search.

In June of 2009 I was talking with a colleague who had gone through the same saga. She had also gotten the suggestion from her doctor to have the hysterectomy. Due to the fact that she and her husband wanted to have children that was not going to be an option. She asked if I wanted to know what worked for her. Of course I said yes because I really didn't think I was going to live much longer with the degree of blood loss I had experienced.

She said, "Acupuncture".

Now, I had seen this process on TV and had heard Doctor Oz promote it on Oprah. But I did not know anyone personally who had gone through it.

She went on to tell me that there was no pain with the procedure and that it was actually incredibly relaxing. I was a bit apprehensive so I asked her how long did it take to see results. Apparently the doctor (yes a certified doctor) she went to had told her what the entire process would entail, to include when she would conceive and give birth. That just made me believe she was lying. But as she stood in front of me two months pregnant as her 4 year old and 13 month old ran in circles, I knew there had to be something to this.

She gave me the name of Dr. Pingping from McKinney, Texas. Dr. Pingping is a certified herbalist and received her medical training in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in China (home of acupuncture).

No, I did not rush out and schedule an appointment with Dr. Pingping. I was still doing research and weighing my options. Then, one evening while speaking in front of a crime watch group I felt a gush between my legs and started praying that I didn't break through. I rushed my speech and left the building as quickly as possible. By the time I had completed the 10 minute ride to my home the entire front of my pants were soaked! Thank God for leather seats (which still had to be detailed). That was my defining moment. Continue to bleed like a stuck pig or move forward with getting help.

The next day I called Dr. Pingping to make my appointment. She would not be able to see me for at least three weeks; which was good because my cycle would be ending again by the time I made my appointment. I scheduled for late July on my birthday.

During those few weeks I had a business trip that took me to Tampa, Florida. I was very comfortable knowing that I would be traveling and would not have to worry about my cycle. SIKE! It started early on the last day of my conference. This would not have been an issue if I were going to go straight home after the conference. But since I decided to visit relatives in Indiana before returning to Texas my heart was struck with fear.

Days 1 and 2 were fine. But on day three I went out to dinner with a childhood friend. We had to cut the evening short because I had soiled my skirt during dinner. It was just a tad bit embarrassing. But it also made me anxious to see what success I would have with acupuncture.

I arrived home on a Thursday, my birthday was on that Friday and it was time to get healed!!!

Dr. Pingping walked me through the entire procedure just as she had told the angel who sent me to her. She said, "Your first cycle will be the same. By at least the third one you will feel like a new woman." Lo and behold. I was angry during my first cycle after my procedure. Then I remembered the conversation she and I had. And I must say that 8 months later I feel like a new woman.

No cramps, not the slightest bit of heavy bleeding and no moodiness. One thing she did was tell me to stop taking the low dose estrogen birth control pills I had been on for years to regulate my cycles. That within itself was a blessing to me. Cause Lord knew I did not need them for their intented purpose. She explained that acupuncture dealt with the energy flow and that the chemicals from the pills were blocking that energy.

The acupuncture process, as my friend stated, was very relaxing. I was in a crisp, clean room where classical music played. I was instructed to just take off my pants and was given a sheet. After I got ready Dr. Pingping came in and gave me a belly massage. Then she wiped certain areas on my hands, belly, feet and calf's with alcohol. That was followed by approximately 40 little pins being strategically placed in those newly sterilized areas.

As she put the last pin in, I lay on the table listening to Chopin (I think) as she turned the lights off in the room and said, "Relax for 30 minutes" and then walked out.

Thankfully it's a relaxing environment because I'm sure if I had jolted awake one of those pins would still be stuck in my chest. The process was painless, relaxing and it worked for me and one other person I know. Since I have not talked to all women on planet earth about their girly issues to know the numbers who have had hysterectomies suggested to them, I can only tell my story in hopes of keeping another woman from going under the knife. I do not know too many women who are happy after their hysterectomies. Many I've talked to state they did not find out about the alternatives until after their surgery.

It is imperative to do research before making any life changing decision. And since my pre-existing conditions have caused me to be without healthcare for the past two years, I cannot accept the word of one doctor on any diagnosis. Whether you try acupuncture or choose surgery, understand, there are alternatives to controlling fibroid tumors.

One last caveat - I lost ten pounds shortly after this procedure. It may have been the reduction in sugar and coffee. Regardless, I feel great.