Notes from a bitch – my last period…

Hi y’all!

I’d like to apologize for my recent absence.

I’ve been sick.

Specifically, I’ve experienced some serious complications related to uterine fibroids.

Last month my doctor informed me that she recommends a hysterectomy and, after a lot of tests (ouch!) followed by a second opinion, I came to the conclusion that she’s right.

On November 22^nd I’m going to have surgery to remove my uterus.

My condition is serious and I’m damned lucky to have the ability to address it.

There are a lot of treatment options for fibroids and plenty of women are able to control the growth of the tumors and avoid hysterectomy.

I’m not one of them.

That’s just the way it is.

This will be major surgery and I didn’t come to the decision easily…there are risks and I’m taking them seriously.  In my case, the risk of doing nothing outranks the risk of surgery.

So, here I am…trying to prepare my body for major surgery and trying to organize my life for the 4 to 6 weeks of recovery that will follow.

I’ve got to confess that I’m not going to miss the pain or the toll the anemia related to my condition has taken on my body.  I’ve been on a medical roller coaster for damn near a decade and it hasn’t been a smooth ride.

But even though I’m looking forward to feeling better, I am a wee bit nostalgic about my period.

I’m surprised that I am, given the drama my monthly cycle has posed for the last couple of years…14 days on and then waiting for the next 14 days and so forth and so on.

I’m glad that’s going to be over…but I can’t help looking back at how it all began and noting that it is coming to an end.

I remember when I first found out about menstrual cycles.  I didn’t believe such a thing was possible.  At first I was horrified that one day I’d have a period…but then I started to anticipate it and chat with friends and family about it…and eventually I started to look forward to it.

I’ve had a period every month since I was 13 years old.  It’s been a constant companion…

…and when I woke up this morning I realized that I’m now down to the last one.

Something tells me the reality of this isn’t going to really sink in until next month.

Anyhoo, the next couple of weeks will be filled with more tests and frenzied preparation.

But tonight I’m planning to raise a vodka cran to my last period at my Farewell to Aunt Flow happy hour!

Wink.