Monday, January 23, 2012

"Bless Her Heart, She is so Young" (Surgery Scheduled)

“Bless her heart, she is so young.” This is the response that I get when I tell family, friends, and others that my 27 year old wife is having a total hysterectomy this Wednesday. After 5 difficult surgeries, it has been determined that Mary Kathryn’s reproductive system is causing too much discomfort and trauma to her body. Furthermore, it was discovered in December that her ovaries were functioning like a 40 year olds. Even with an oophorectomy (removing just the ovaries), the chances of having a successful egg donor transfer and carrying a pregnancy to term are very slim. We also have concerns that leaving any part of her reproductive system would lead to future cancer.

MK has given a lot of thought and prayer into this decision. If I tell you it has been difficult for her, I would be understating things. MK is very strong, but she is giving up the part of her body that is the very symbol of a woman. She is doing this so that she will finally return to good health after 2 years. She is also preparing to care for the child God has provided for us through a future adoption. She calls me daily in tears telling me that she can’t do it. She knows very well that God has a plan for us and that we will have a family, but it really hurts her knowing that this surgery will be the “final” surgery and will unfortunately eliminate any future chances of becoming pregnant. MK is very strong in the fact that she can even make this decision but greatly needs everyone’s support. She very much needs everyone’s understanding of the emotional and physical side effects of the hysterectomy.

The surgery will be performed at UAB’s brand new and beautiful Women and Infant Center by a specialized Gynecology/Onocologist. Why an Onocologist? MK’s disease, endometerosis, grows and spread in a similar fashion to cancer. Her doctor has the expertise to perform very detailed surgeries of this nature. This surgery will be considered a major surgery and will require at least 3-4 days in the hospital. Depending on how wide spread the disease has become, the doctor may have to rebuild parts of MK’s large intestine. In this event, her hospitalization would be doubled.
Please keep Mary Kathryn, our team of doctors and nurses at UAB, and myself in your thoughts and prayers. We are set to arrive at UAB this Wednesday (1/25/12) around 6am with surgery hopefully beginning around 9am and last several hours. I will try to keep everyone up to date via the blog, email, text, or phone calls. Thank you so much for your love and support. We could not continue our journey without it.

-Bradley

3 comments:

  1. Praying for ya'll. God knows what is best and he has things all planned in his time. Know that I love ya'll. If there is anything I can do for ya'll, please let me know. MK, I will be checking on you. God BLess

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  2. Praying for you both!!! Our journeys are laid out for us, and waiting for you is the happiness that you so deserve!!! Remember, you are a strong, beautiful young lady! God will carry you thru and you will be stronger than ever!

    And hey Sweet Peas will be waiting;)
    Love and Hugs!!!
    ~Val~

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  3. Bradley and Mary Katherine,
    I will be praying for both of you and the doctors and nurses as they care for Mary Katherine. You are a very special couple and I know God will bless you both.

    Sue Barron

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