mychildfreejourney

[mychildfreejourney]

Access

https://linktr.ee/yourauntiehan?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=a82da735-227b-413d-b8fe-636a3592c465

[mychildfreejourney]

One Year Later

Today is the one year anniversary of when I received my Bilateral Salpingectomy. I took you all along for the journey of before, during, and after so I thought I would give you an update one year later! First of all, I cannot believe it’s already been a year!! It feels like only yesterday I was fretting over if my doctor was going to approve me for the surgery. As you know I was on hormonal birth control of some sort for 10+ years and as time went on it was completely wrecking my physical, emotional, and mental health. I was tired of the anxiety surrounding taking my pills, placing a patch, or tracking periods to make sure that I didn’t have an unwanted pregnancy. I knew that children weren’t in future and with the dwindling access to reproductive rights in the United States it only tripled my anxiety toward the subject. After my surgery I was expecting a long detox from the hormones and a lot of physical and emotional issues—gladly, there were none! Come to find out it doesn’t take that long to purge them from your body so within a month I was pretty well and set. I have had exactly 11 periods since my surgery and they have, thankfully, been just fine! While on hormonal birth control I experienced 2-3 day periods on a schedule that was like clockwork. Since going au naturale my periods are now more like 3-4 days and are a little wonky when it comes to scheduling. I keep track of my periods with an app called Period Panda (because it was free in the app store lol) and it helps give me a window of when to expect my period based on inputted data. While it’s not perfect it’s still a way for me to keep track when I’m not counting pills in a little case. I’ve found it’s easier to lose some weight and got back into the gym (though with COVID we’re still playing it safe) and I feel like my mental health has gotten (to a degree) more manageable. My physical scars from the surgery itself are practically invisible! The only one I can still feel from time to time is my belly button scar. But I think that incision had more scar tissue than the others. If you’re reading this blog and wondering if this surgery is right for you I would encourage you to read over this blog or visit the Child Free reddit threads. There are so many amazing resources available to you. For me, a child free for life person with a uterus, this was absolutely the right decision and the only decision.

 Also, in celebration of this occasion I am raising money for Planned Parenthood. Because not everyone has the same privilege as me— Reproductive Rights are Human Rights. Everyone deserves safe access to these services!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD

[mychildfreejourney]

11/06/2020

A chapter of my life has both closed and a new one has opened. Everyone who is Childfree has their own reasons for joining the community— for me it was my own health both physically and mentally.

I’m so fortunate to have a partner that loves and respects that decision!

This year (9/25/2020) I achieved a personal goal to receive sterilization surgery (bilateral salpingectomy).

While this tattoo is a bit silly it means a lot to me to be able to celebrate something I’ve wanted for over 15 years.

[mychildfreejourney]

11/04/2020

It feels a little weird to be on this side of the surgery. I’ve spent so long wanting it to happen that now that it’s done I have moments of disbelief—??

Or, I find myself feeling the same emotions of excitement that I did before the surgery — like I’m still anticipating it.

Maybe it’s just euphoria lol

I’m so very happy with this decision!

[mychildfreejourney]

[mychildfreejourney]

I’m sorry but this is so me #childfree #childfreebychoice

[mychildfreejourney]

It has been a little over a month since my surgery (09/25/2020) so I wanted to check in with a little update. 

I’ve had my first period after having the bilateral salpingectomy and it honestly wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. Now, it could be because I’m still working through the 10 years worth of artificial hormones from my old birth control -- but my period only lasted 3 days like it used to when I was on “the pill”. I’m curious how this month’s period will be. It’s set to start in about 4-5 days if my period tracking app is to be believed. 

As far as my scars go I’ve put a picture under the cut. Now, I have extremely sensitive skin -- like, bandaids will irritate my skin so badly it’ll bleed and scab. That said-- the scars on my lower stomach are fading really well!! The incision in my belly button seems to be the only one that has keloided. It’s only slightly raised, however--nothing too bad. 

I fully anticipate my scars to fade completely in a few more months. For now, however, I can deal with a little bit of redness. 

[mychildfreejourney]

10/08/20

Today was my 2 week post-surgery checkup.

My doctor finished my pelvic exam to make sure everything was good to go then looked up at me and said the most amazing thing: “Congratulations, you are now sterile!” I can’t explain to you how happy that made me feel! I went out to my car and had a happy cry :’). 

I got my stitches removed the and am now healing the little irritated spots where they had rubbed against my skin. I have extremely sensitive skin - even bandaids can cause me irritation. When the stitches rubbed against me while wearing clothes it caused irritation to the point that I thought the stitch below my belly button was infected. Thankfully my doctor didn’t think it was infected, just irritated. She recommended now that my stitches are out to use some antibiotic ointment or cream like Neosporin on the little spots to heal them up. 

(Picture below the cut) 

[mychildfreejourney]

10/03/20

I meant to check in yesterday but got a little distracted. 

It’s now been 8 days since my surgery and I’m feeling pretty good! The surgical glue is now completely gone from my belly button incision. At first I was nervous about this but I called the nurse at my doctor’s office and she said as long as I kept the area clean I should be good.

I get the rest of the sutures out next Thursday at my 2 week checkup. 

I’m feeling pretty good! 

[mychildfreejourney]

My first coldbrew since surgery and I think it touched my soul.

[mychildfreejourney]

09/29/20

So it’s 4 days post-surgery and I’ve discovered a few things!

The first 3 days I could only wear loose fitting pajama pants because tighter pants would bother the incision under my belly button. Over all the only incision that has bothered me at all was the one beneath my belly button. 

I think it’s because the scope went through that hole and it moved around a lot more and it’s a bit bigger than the others. The other incisions -- I actually forget they’re there... so that’s nice. 

Today is day 4 and I was finally able to wear yoga pants instead of sloppy big PJ pants. I’ve still got some bruising going on around the incisions but I’m much more comfortable! 

One thing I’ve noticed is that I was able to clean the other incisions a lot better than the belly button. If you’re a thinner person this might not be an issue, but for me (who is a bit chunky) I had to come up with a little device to clean inside my belly button without too much water pressure. 

I took a water bottle and with a clean pin I poked a few holes in the cap. Filled it with clean water, stood in my shower, and used the gentle stream from the tiny holes to clean out my belly button. 

This seems to help keep the site clean. I then dry it out with a tiny bit of tissue and let the rest air dry. 

One last (and kinda gross) thing I discovered was after my surgery it took me at least 3 days to poo. I’d recommend starting Colace (or any other non-stimulant stool softener) the day after you have your surgery-- because I didn’t and I think that would have saved me a lot of trouble. Yesterday was the first day I had a regular poo and it was a little traumatic (lol, it wasn’t that bad but it’d still be a good idea to take the meds). 

[mychildfreejourney]

*heavy metal guitars wailing* Find this illustration in my shop as an art print, sticker, tees, and more! Visit the shop link in my main profile.

[mychildfreejourney]

09/27/20

Day 2 of surgery recovery and I honestly feel great. 

I don’t even feel like I need to take my prescription pain meds. I took the Oxycodone my doctor prescribed the first night but after that I just switched to the Ibuprofen. Today I haven’t even felt the need to take my pain meds cause I honestly don’t hurt enough to need them (of course I will if I feel the need). I took some tylenol for my sore throat (from where they put the breathing tube down my throat) but that’s it. I do have some bruising around the site of my belly button incision, but all-in-all it’s not too bad. 

I’m still taking it easy, just going to spend some time on the couch watching tv or playing video games-- but I’m happy to report all is well! Very happy with the healing process! 

Picture of day 2 healing wounds below the cut

[mychildfreejourney]

Got a cake to celebrate getting sterilized— it’s so tacky I love it!

September 25th will forever be celebrated in my house as “No Baby Day”

[mychildfreejourney]

09/25/20

This morning I was scheduled for my bilateral salpingectomy at 10AM at a local day-surgery center.

My morning started out decently, I followed the last of my pre-surgery instructions and went to the bathroom one last time before heading out. It’s weird how last night I was *starving* but this morning as we drove to the center I was fine.

Upon arriving they gave me a mask, checked my temperature, and asked me the COVID-19 questionnaire. Satisfied with my answers I moved inside the waiting area and sat until they called me to get my wristband. I waited there for a few more minutes while they prepared my bed.

When they finally took me back they weighed me (fun fact, I lost 3 pounds from doing the day-before surgery bowel prep-- GROSS!) and then I got to put on my fancy hospital gown, mask, and socks (I’m sad I didn’t get to take home my socks).

The nurse that first came to talk to me was great-- she was a little blunt at first but then we started talking about stuff and she turned out to be really sweet. I told her I’m a bad stick because my veins collapse and she said she’d be able to get me first try (I was VERY skeptical). One thing that was cool was they have this hose that runs to a heater so you can be warm while you’re sitting in the bed. Before she gave me my IV stick she put my arm under the blanket with the heater. FIRST TRY! She got me on the first try and I can honestly say it was the best and easiest stick I’ve ever had in my life! She’s a pro for sure!

She then prepped my surgery area, gave me some oxygen, hooked me up to the blood pressure cuff, heart monitor, and pulse oximeter.

We talked about tattoos and what I did for a living then she asked me how many kids I have. I don’t really consider this a “bingo” since most people who have this procedure already have children. When I said I didn’t have any she just went “Oh ok cool! I have two daughters. One has three kids and the other doesn’t want any. I get it! She’s planet conscious, vegetarian, fosters dogs, and volunteers.” It was such a relief to talk to her.

The second nurse, however, asked me the same question and when I answered her with “none” she made a sad sound but refrained from asking why.

I met with the anesthesiologist and his nurse next, wonderful guy who also complimented my tattoos and asked me the same set of questions: *any allergies? any dental partials? any cuts, scrapes, bruises, or sores?* (I got asked this set of questions probably like--- 10 times). He walked me through the process, asked if I had any questions and me (being the mega fan of Forensic Files that I am asked if they were going to use Succinylcholine (they laughed). She said no, but was impressed I knew what that was and I had to explain how many forensic shows I’ve watched and they thought that was cool.

Once they talked to me I ended up waiting about 2 hours in my little room. This process was not fast-- but since I had my little heater and my socks I was comfortable for about the first hour. The second hour, however, I noticed I was starting to get really antsy. The nurse came and sat me up a bit higher and helped me get comfortable.

When the nurse finally came to administer my pre-op drugs she asked me the same set of questions, checked on my oxygen then left me for another thirty minutes.

FINALLY at that point my doctor/surgeon walked by and said “Alright, you’re next!” with a wink. That’s when the nurse came to get me and I got wheeled off into the surgery room.

Now, this part was interesting. As someone who has never had anesthesia before I wasn’t sure what to expect. I remember one of the nurses removing my oxygen tube and placing a mask over my face. He asked me to breathe deep and at that point the nurse put the anesthesia in my IV. I was out pretty quick after that because the next thing I remembered was waking up in the recovery room to one of the nurses asking me how I was feeling.

I think I did pretty good to be honest because it took me probably 20-30 minutes to come all the way to. They wanted me to pee before I left, which I found a little odd, but once I had they put me in the wheelchair and I was with my partner driving home.

The first thing I can say about the surgery is the pain afterward is like a bad period. It feels like bad period cramps. I’ve taken my smaller prescription for now (which is just 600 mg of ibuprofen) and am saving my oxycodone for bedtime since I don’t know what that will be like.

I’ve included a photo below the cut if you want to see.

This is post-op, day of, 09/25/20

[mychildfreejourney]

9/21/20

4 days until surgery and my insomnia has only gotten worse.

I’m not sure if it’s anxiety/stress or a result of coming off my birth control (the pill).

I even take a sleep aid at night and still wake up at 5am.

I’ll be so relieved when this is over!!

[mychildfreejourney]

My Surgery Bag

Contents:

> Sterilization binder

> Tablet

> Slippers

> Sports bra

> Spare underwear

> Hooded sweatshirt

> Sweatpants

> Socks

> Pads

> Hairbrush

> Glasses case

> Deodorant

I’m counting on not wanting to wear uncomfortable clothing so I packed my favorite “comfort outfit”.

Thursday 9/17/20 I went for my pre-surgery checkup. Even tho I had just had my annual exam the week before I had to get another breast and pelvic floor exam. It went fairly quickly and, as always, my doctor made it as painless as possible (lol).

We went over a lot of the stuff I already researched. How the surgery is done, where my incisions will be, how effective it is (tho she did say “it is 2020 so— haha”— thanks Doc 🤦‍♂️), and where I’ll have my procedure done. I also asked her (rather hilariously) if I could *see* my tubes when she was done. She said yes, and told me she’d take a picture “for my neat binder”. Call it anxiety, I just want proof they’re gone!

A local day surgery place near my house, September 25, 2020 at 10am.

After talking with her I was sent to the nurse for a blood draw. She got me on the second try, which is unheard of normally lol.

There are only two things I’m dreading (and in the long run aren’t too bad) — the “bowel prep” the day before (just cause— a day of nothing but liquids and laxatives doesn’t sound super appealing) and the IV (I’m a notorious bad stick when it comes to finding veins, they roll and collapse— honestly I was shocked when the nurse got blood on her second try!).

Honestly, the rest I’m fairly worry free about— I’ll be asleep.

Recovery is a bridge I’ll cross once I get there.

I’ve taken 10 days off work, which I’m assuming is more than I need, but wanted to give myself enough time to feel comfortable going back. I like my job, but my first priority is healing— not work.

I ordered a surgical retainer for my conch piercing and had my tricky tregus ring swapped for a retainer as well yesterday.

5 days. I think I’m ready!