Menopause and Me, Part 2

On the day of my appointment I explained, upfront, that I was treatment conservative, that I wanted to have an active role in my health, and that I wanted to know about any complementary or alternative treatments available as well. After my wishes were made known, the first words out of her mouth were, “You are not planning on having any more children are you? So why not get rid of the uterus and be done with it?” I felt completely unheard and more than a little aghast.

I again said that I would not have unnecessary treatment, and I did not feel a hysterectomy was needed. The specialist, obviously unhappy with me as her arms crossed and her eyes blazed, listed off reasons to have the hysterectomy: no more periods, no more fibroids, no more fear of pregnancy! What I was hearing, however, was, “I want you to do this so I can keep my production up.” After further verbal skirmishing, we compromised on a D & C. (Dilation and Curettage.)

In the short period of time following my procedure I was aware enough to notice the specialist did not stop by the recovery room to talk with me. Instead, a kindly nurse recited post-op instructions and sent me home. About a week later, I received a form letter from the specialist saying the D & C showed no signs of cancer. The letter went on to say I was to start taking the enclosed prescription and to schedule a follow up appointment in 3 months.

The coldness of the message aside, it bothered me that no reason had been given as to why I would be taking the prescription, or even what it was. A slow burn worked its way through my emotions. This was my body and my life, neither an object to treat cavalierly!

I researched the medication I was to take (Premarin) in my husband’s Physician’s Desk Reference. What I read, including a litany of horrible side-effects, caused me to crumple my prescription and toss it in the wastebasket. All I could think about was how irresponsible the specialist was being on many levels. Was it that threatening that I told her about my integrative health belief system, or that I wanted to be involved in the decision making? It sure felt like it. But as I let go of my frustration with the specialist, the question remained, “What now?”