On May 6, 2003, it was twenty months since I had the Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) performed by Dr. Robert Worthington-Kirsch.   I am very pleased with the results of my procedure.  The following personal information is an update from my last article: 

December 4, 2002, at fifteen months, my doctor ordered an MRI.  (In the photo Dr. Worthington-Kirsch is looking at my MRI images.)  The MRI showed that I actually had three fibroids.  The January 2002 ultrasound detected only two fibroids.  The one fibroid located in the fundal, top part of the uterus, was actually two fibroids across from each other.  Two fibroids showed up on the MRI image as black, which represents infarcted (dead) fibroid tissue!!  The third fibroid located in the lower uterine segment (the neck, bottom part, of the uterus) was GONE!  This fibroid was the cause of my bowel and urination problems.  My fibroids and uterus are still shrinking!! 

In the earlier “My Journey” articles, Dr. Worthington-Kirsch and my gynecologist mention that, “Some women may experience fibroid and uterus shrinking for a year or more depending on the fibroid size, location, and how the woman’s body responds to the elimination of the fibroid tissue”.  Dr. Kirsch mentions, “Ninety percent (90%) or more of his patients may NOT experience any major change except the brownish discharge (for 1-3 weeks) and the reduction of the fibroids and uterus.  Only 5 –10% of his patients have experienced sloughing of fibroid tissue”.  I am part of this 5-10% group of patients.  At this point of my UAE experience I am in an even smaller group who have occasional activity with fibroid sloughing at twenty months.  Even though I continue to slough fibroid tissue, which most women in the 5-10% group have finished by this time, I am still within normal recovery range.   Dr. Kirsch said, “I’ve had women slough fibroids as late as twenty-four months after UAE.  It could conceivably be even longer.” 

I continue to have my menses at age 46.  Post UAE I am experiencing less cramps and my bleeding is lighter when I have my period.  The menses are not regular yet.  Many factors could be causing this:  age, hormones, and how my body is handling the remaining fibroid tissue.  Sometimes I have slough-related bleeding (the difference from a period is that it has small fragments of fibroid tissue).  It does NOT affect my everyday lifestyle and activities.  During the time I have this experience I follow my doctor’s instructions.  I take over-the-counter Motrin as needed for the OCCASIONAL period-like cramps.  I also keep a watch for the following:  foul-smelling discharge, worsening cramps, and fever.  If I experience these symptoms or have any concerns I contact my physician as instructed.  I realize fibroids are tumors and I feel the elimination of this tissue is a good thing in the reduction process. 

I continue to keep a diary of my post UAE experience in case the doctors or I need it. 

Two questions that I have most often been asked and I would like to share the answers are the following: 

“Are there any decisions that you would have done differently concerning your fibroid problem?” 

Hope, “Yes.  I would have found a new Gyn at least a year earlier and gotten a second opinion to find out why I was having so much pain and discomfort.  From that point, if I had been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, I would have moved forward in researching the fibroid treatments and having the UAE performed at least a year earlier.  I feel VERY angry that I had to suffer all the pain and mental anguish for over two years.  I hope and pray no other woman ever has to suffer that long with ‘painful’ fibroid symptoms.” 

“Do you feel you made the right decision having UAE?” 

Hope, “Yes!  It eliminated the experience for major surgery.  I did not have to be absent from work for an extended time.  I still have my uterus.  The fibroids are dead and my uterus is shrinking.  My health has improved, both physically and mentally, and ALL my fibroid related symptoms are gone.  I feel like I have a new lease on life.  I enjoy golf, Tai Chi, and UAE has really made sex enjoyable again because of the elimination of the pain during intercourse.” 

“At this writing, I am very pleased with the doctor and hospital I chose for the UAE.  The doctor’s medical care before, during, and after the UAE (even at 20 months) has been excellent.  I hope every woman has the opportunity to be under the medical care of such a high caliber physician as Dr. Robert Worthington-Kirsch.”  - Hope