Doctor does it right 3


Today we went to a new doctor who specializes in laparoscopic hysterectomies. I have had endometriosis for decades, and have over the years tried almost everything for it. Some things have helped, but it has always returned. I am sick and tired of being in so much pain for a week out of every month that I cannot leave the house!

I was nervous to go to this doctor because I’ve never seen him before, and I had no idea how he would react to Hestia. Especially because I would need Hestia to be with me pre- and post-surgery.

The doctor was all the way in Lancaster, because my insurance is annoying! We have big hospitals closer, but it was a 40 minute drive to this one. Luckily we had been to that hospital complex years ago for a visit to a neurologist for Brad, and were aware that the whole campus shares the same address. I had to hunt for it online, but eventually I found the building and suite number for my doctor so we wouldn’t have to drive past every single building looking for his office.

I needn’t have worried about Hestia being accepted! All the employees there were absolutely perfect about Hestia! No one said a single word about her! That is the way it is supposed to be with a well-behaved service dog– you are treated like any other patient. No one gave me trouble, no one told me how cute she is, and no one asked to pet her. It was great!

I liked the doctor, he listened to me and took me seriously. He didn’t even ask what Hestia does for me, just accepted her as my service dog! It was great! He did a pelvic exam on me and didn’t bat an eye when I put Hestia up on my chest so that he could feel my abdomen and do the exam.

The doctor agreed with me that the next step will be a hysterectomy. The only other option that I haven’t tried is the menopause-inducing drugs, but we agreed that having to go on and off of them every 6 months would not only be painful when I actually had my periods, but also it would put my hormones in a constant state of flux. That could be really bad for my mental health.

He was adequately concerned about hormone levels affecting my mood, and so we decided that for sure I will have my uterus removed. It would be better if I could keep one or two ovaries to keep producing normal hormones so that my moods would be more stable. So he will evaluate my ovaries when he does the surgery. If one or two looks OK, he will leave them, but if they look involved with the endometriosis he will remove them.

They have to wait for insurance to approve the procedure, which takes up to two weeks. Then they said they can schedule the surgery usually the next week. So I could have it done in three weeks! If everything goes really quickly, I may not even have another period ever in my life! But more likely, I’ll have one more and that will be my last. I will be glad to be rid of them!

I made sure to ask if Hestia would be allowed with me in pre-op and recovery, and they said it wouldn’t be a problem on their end. I may have to educate the hospital itself, still, but it’s nice to know I have my doctor’s support. When they call to schedule the procedure, I will make sure to have the doctor write in the notes that I will be accompanied by my service dog pre- and post-op.

After the appointment, we went to Sam’s. Hestia was PERFECT! I was SO proud of her! She heeled beautifully, left it every time I told her to, and ignored lots of people talking to her and several forklifts. The one thing she did, though, was when we were in the checkout line there was a yellow plastic chain dangling down. She put out her paw to bat at it like a cat (Chin are known for being cat-like), but stopped when I told her to leave-it. Everyone who saw her was so impressed!

We got a few pictures! I am wearing my turquoise flamingo dress and Hestia has her red mesh vest on. Brad is wearing a dark green blazer with a reproductive tract pin on it! Yes, it has a uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries all reproduced in silver and pearls!

Veronica sits on the exam table and looks over her shoulder into the camera, smiling.  Hestia lies on her lap, also looking at the camera.
Veronica sits on the exam table and looks over her shoulder into the camera, smiling. Hestia lies on her lap, also looking at the camera.
A simulation of how Hestia lies on Veronica during the pelvic exam.  Veronica is lying back on a white sheet-covered exam table, looking to the side at the camera and smiling.  Hestia is perched right underneath Veronica's chin, looking seriously into the camera.
A simulation of how Hestia lies on Veronica during the pelvic exam. Veronica is lying back on a white sheet-covered exam table, looking to the side at the camera and smiling. Hestia is perched right underneath Veronica’s chin, looking seriously into the camera.
A close-up of Brad's reproductive tract pin.
A close-up of Brad’s reproductive tract pin.
Brad smiles in the office!  He also has a pink cotton-flower tie on, and a driving cap.
Brad smiles in the office! He also has a pink cotton-flower tie on, and a driving cap.

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3 thoughts on “Doctor does it right

  • Jennifer and Bunny

    Phew! Here’s hoping for some solid permanent relief for you! And hurray that they were so great about Hestia! 🙂

  • deborah rubin (aka debandtoby)

    A pin with a reproductive tract?! Where would you even get such a thing.
    I had endometriosis and other related problems for decades. Was put on the pill, then put on continuous (no break) for decades. Then I hit menopause. Except for the nasty hot flashes and night sweats, no problem. I was so glad to be done with all that! No doctor ever considered how things would affect my mental health.
    Hope all goes well with you. I must say, I’ve never had a gynecologist have a problem with having my dog on top of me during an exam.

    • Veronica Morris Post author

      He got the pin from aliexpress.com they have loads of pins for $1-2 including shipping! This was my first time having a gyno appointment with Hestia, so it was my first time having a dog on me during an exam! I had no idea how a doctor would respond! Glad your periods are over and done with!