With cases of COVID-19 rising into a new surge across the United States, many people are putting off regular checkups and screenings for health conditions. But for those struggling with severe symptoms due to complex GYN conditions such as fibroids and endometriosis, delay in care will likely do more harm as symptoms worsen.

ON THIS PAGE:

• Looking for a Resolution in a Pandemic: Tasha’s Story
• Importance of Not Delaying Care
• Finding Relief in the Midst of COVID-19

Having surgery during a global pandemic might sound scary, but with enhanced sanitation practices, thorough screenings and thoughtful care, everyone at The Center for Innovative GYN Care is here to put your mind at ease and help you find relief today. For CIGC patient Tasha, that made all the difference.

Looking for a Resolution in a Pandemic: Tasha’s Story

After being on birth control for years, Tasha started to experience depression as a side effect and decided to stop taking it. Birth control is not a long-term treatment for gynecological conditions. Instead, the medication can mask the true severity of GYN conditions by muting symptoms.

As soon as Tasha ceased the birth control, “everything went left,” she said. Her periods started getting heavier and cramping was getting worse. She tried to manage these changes with diet adjustments, but nothing worked. At one point, she had a period that lasted for two months. Multiple doctors suggested she just go back on birth control. The bleeding became so severe that at one point she went to the emergency room, where a doctor suggested removing her ovaries.

“I felt like the doctors were just telling me to take this pacifier and go sit down,” Tasha said.

This sparked a drive in Tasha to do some research and figure out what was really going on. She began asking for sonograms at her appointments. Finally, one of her scans showed a fibroid and an ovarian cyst. Her OBGYN at the time wanted to remove her ovary but told her the fibroid wasn’t that big and didn’t need to be removed. Tasha wasn’t convinced. She pressed to be referred to a specialist.

“Don’t just cut my ovary out [and leave the fibroid there]. Give me something else,” Tasha said. “I’m not looking for a cut and paste. I’m looking for some kind of resolution.”

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Importance of Not Delaying Care

CIGC’s Dr. Paul MacKoul was the first doctor who gave Tasha another option. He would be able to remove her fibroid and the cyst while leaving her ovary intact. Together, she and Dr. MacKoul made a plan for a minimally invasive partial hysterectomy.

Despite rising infection levels across the country, it was important not to delay Tasha’s care. Fibroids, when left to “watch and wait” will grow over time, causing more severe symptoms. With Tasha’s history of already heavy bleeding, waiting for surgery could have resulted in her losing dangerous amounts of blood.

Tasha’s surgery revealed other underlying causes of her pain and heavy bleeding. During surgery, Dr. MacKoul discovered and excised previously undiagnosed stage 4 endometriosis and adenomyosis. He was also able to remove built-up scar tissue from a previously ruptured cyst. None of Tasha’s previous doctors had ever mentioned the possibility of endometriosis or adenomyosis.

After recovering from the surgery, Tasha said she felt a massive difference in her health.

“I sleep now,” she said. “Because my uterus was so heavy with the fibroid, I was getting up to go to the bathroom several times a night.”

Her day-to-day life has changed for the better, and she noticed an immediate change in her focus when she returned to normal activities and responsibilities.

“I was constantly focusing on my pain and wondering if other people could see me in pain,” Tasha said. “I feel free now.”

Get the safe, timely, personalized GYN care you deserve. Talk to a CIGC patient advocate about surgery at an ASC today.

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Finding Relief in the Midst of COVID-19

Tasha knew that COVID-19 wasn’t going to get in the way of the surgery she needed. Undergoing surgery during the pandemic didn’t register as a major concern while she was dealing with severe pain and bleeding on a daily basis.

“My experience [at CIGC] was beautiful from beginning to end,” Tasha said. “I didn’t have to question anything. [The surgery center] was comfortable and COVID was the last thing on my mind. I didn’t have to worry about being in a hospital environment.”

CIGC surgeons perform outpatient surgeries at select freestanding surgery centers. These surgery centers do not treat patients with COVID-19, and CIGC patients can avoid the hospital stay after surgery. All surgery center staff are screened for the virus regularly, masks are required for both staff and patients and enhanced sanitation is practiced throughout the center.

We’re committed to giving our patients the best possible care while helping them avoid possible exposure risks. Pain doesn’t stop for anything — even a global pandemic — so we’re here to help you find relief and get back to your life.