I guess this whole thing really began before that awful day in August. If I think back there may have been warning signs something was wrong, but I easily rationalized them away. As early as the summer before, maybe around July of 2009, I did notice a change in my periods. They slowed from a steady six days, every 28 days – to maybe three days in duration, every five or six weeks. But why would I complain about that?? I remember thinking at the time that even though I was only in my very early 40’s, perhaps ‘perimenopause’ (when changes first begin before your body goes into full-fledged menopause) had begun. Or perhaps it was my body adjusting to the fact that I had recently ended an 11 year relationship, adjusting to celibacy for lack of a better word.
Then early in 2010 they changed again, this time becoming heavier and more frequent. The accompanying menstrual cramps also became quite strong at times. But again I was able to explain this away. I’d recently accepted a new position with my company which required me to relocate. (Truth being, I did not move to Tampa to take the job, I took the job so I could move to Tampa.) Although I was thrilled to be living in Florida, it had been a goal for many years, I was in a new state, in a city I’d never even visited before. And the position I’d accepted was… a bit challenging. I figured stress was an easy explanation for these heavier more painful periods.
This continued off and on through the summer. Early in August of that year I did start having a little nagging thought that something wasn’t quite right. I was occasionally experiencing cramping at times other than while I was on my period. Here’s where the internet and a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. All my symptoms pointed to fibroid tumors. Fibroid’s are quite painful, but usually nothing emergent. I was pretty sure that’s what was going on and had it in my mind that as soon as things settled down at work I’d ask around to find a good gyn doctor and begin the process I thought would lead to a hysterectomy. I knew that most women were out of commission for several weeks after this surgery, so I wanted to wait til the time was right to be out of work for that long.
Then one day in late August 2010, might have been around the 27th… I woke up with really bad menstrual cramps. By the time I got to work I would probably change that description to really bad abdominal pain. By 9:30 or so that morning, I could not stand up straight, literally had to hold on to things to get out of the building and to my car. Unfortunately I had not had a reason to go to a doctor since I’d moved to Tampa so I did not have a doctor yet. By the time I got home the time off my feet had helped the pain to ease a bit. I jumped online to look up gyn doctors in my area. The first few offices I called were not accepting new patients. Thankfully the fourth or fifth practice was able to give me an appointment, but it wasn’t early the next week. The pain had eased a bit so I accepted.
Seeing Sunrise 