Ugh, Surgery!

If I have learned anything about pregnancy in the last few years, through my experiences and my friends, it's that there are always surprises!  From unplanned pregnancies to early deliveries to emergency c-sections to finding out you are having twins, it seems like everyone gets some sort of surprise! 

My pregnancy with Jacob seems to have been pretty uneventful, especially after the crazy helicopter ride while in labor with Hannah.  However, I did have some "excitement" at the beginning of my pregnancy.  At my 8 week ultrasound, the technician discovered a tumor on my left ovary.  I had no idea what was going on during the ultrasound, but I knew when the tech went to get the doctor that something was wrong.  I could see the baby with a little beating heart, so I wasn't overly concerned.  Then the doctor came in and told me I had a tumor and I would need surgery as soon as I hit my second trimester.  She said they would wait six weeks and then look at it again and do surgery.  I was a bit overwhelmed with that sudden burst of information, but I felt really strong in that moment, like I would do anything to protect my baby.  However, I melted down later that night and thought of a million questions and things to worry about. 

The next day, I actually had another appointment, this time with the midwife, and he assured me that it was no big deal and would be a simple procedure.  I felt better; not great, but better.  I had another appointment the following week with the doctor and I asked more questions.  She told me that it was going to be a long, hard surgery and that I wouldn't feel like getting out of bed for weeks.  She was going to do a seven inch incision-this was major surgery!  And, even though she has been in this profession for about thirty years, she has only does this surgery a few times on a pregnant lady.  I was obviously most concerned about my tiny baby!  I was concerned about the anesthesia and the fact that they would be doing a procedure right next to "him" (but I didn't know it was a him yet :)  I asked the doctor if we could wait until after I had the baby.  She simply said "not recommended."  I was much more upset after this meeting. 

I thought and prayed and talked to friends, family, people at church, and people in the medical field.  Everyone had the same advice-get a second opinion.  I was hesitant.  I wanted to, but I felt like I was going behind my doctor's back.  I felt a little guilty, but I did it.  I went to Champaign, and they said that they absolutely saw surgery as completely unneccessary, and furthermore, if I was to have surgery, it should be done laparoscopically with a minor incision.  Wow-what a different story!  I switched doctors and really put it out of my mind the rest of my pregnancy, but I knew that it would have to be looked at again after Jacob was born.

I went yesterday for a post-partum ultrasound, and the tumor seemingly has not changed since April.  This is good and bad.  The doctor is not concerned that it is anything scary, like cancer.  However, she still thinks it should come out so that it doesn't grow and cause problems down the road.  She wants to do laparoscopic surgery on February 17th to remove the tumor.  This is actually an outpatient procedure, which I was surprised about.  I am not looking forward to it, but I am not overly worried either.  I'm sure I will be nervous when the time comes, but I'm also sure that everything will be fine.  Right now, I am just thankful for my doctor who I greatly trust, and I am thankful that Jacob was born without any affects of this.  I am so glad I didn't have major surgery while I was pregnant with him and that I now can have minor surgery without worrying about my baby!  However, I would still really appreciate your prayers for the upcoming procedure because I'm sure I will still be scared when the time comes.