6 in 13

So, I'm sitting in my doctor's office yesterday, and she tells me that despite the fact that she really hoped my cyst would go away, it hasn't. It's gotten bigger. Big enough that she's worried. It's causing me pain. We've waited 5 months in the hopes it would go away. But it's still hanging around. It's time to remove it surgically. She talks about the surgery, and everything that's involved in great detail. And this is why I trust and respect my doctor. She's professional and knowledgeable, yet she puts things in terms that I can understand. And then she tells me that she really feels like it would be best to remove my ovary too. And when I start to ask her why she feels the need to remove my ovary (even though I already knew why), my voice cracks and starts to quiver. And when she starts to explain it to me, her voice cracks and starts to quiver too. She explains to me that my ovary just doesn't work properly. It never has. And as long as I keep it, it will continue to produce cysts and I will continue to need surgery every couple of years. And that's when she tells me that I've had 6 surgeries in the past 13 years. 6 in 13... Do I really want to have another surgery in a couple more years, and put myself and my family through this again? And this is why I've come to really like my doctor. She gets it. She gets me. She understands that this is something we both wanted to avoid, but for my long-term overall health and well-being, it is time to do something more permanent to take care of this recurrent problem. And that is why I've decided to have the surgery and say goodbye forever to my bum ovary and the pesky cysts that like to hang out there.

My surgery is scheduled for Thursday, February 3. Prayers for a smooth procedure and speedy recovery are greatly appreciated.