Anxious

Hi

I’m hoping someone might be kind enough to offer me some advice.  Last year, due to post menopausal bleeding (I’m 58) I was referred for an urgent ultrasound. I ended up getting an internal scan, which revealed the lining of my womb was 7mm. I was then referred to gynaecology for an urgent biopsy. The biopsy was negative for cancer so it was a case of monitoring the situation. Sometimes there is spot bleeding, sometimes heavy and sometimes just a dirty pink discharge. Earlier this year, Inwas in horrendous pain so my GP referred me for another urgent scan. This time it revealed the lining was now 11mm.  I was referred for another biopsy which again was negative for cancer, but the gynaecologist said she wanted to carry out a hysteroscopy to get a better look of inside my womb. I’ve had to wait five months for this urgent procedure.

When I got to the hospital on Tuesday 05 December I was given a local anaesthetic before the procedure began so to begin with I didn’t feel any pain. To cut a long and traumatic story short the camera then revealed a growth that they wanted to remove there and then. To get a closer look however they required a bigger more powerful camera and greater access. Unfortunately, when they inserted the camera the pain was so intense (despite having had a local anaesthetic) that I suffered what is referred to as a ‘cervical shock’. I screamed to get them to stop which they did. They had to stop everything as my blood pressure plummeted.  I was on the verge of passing out (I’m not sure if I did) while three nurses and two gynaecologists were telling me to stay awake, to keep speaking to them, while they gave me smelling salts.  I was in agony and being sick. They wheeled me through to a recovery room and put me in a bed and started taking my blood pressure every five minutes. Nurses were coming and going and expressing their concerns. I couldn’t believe what was happening. My blood pressure wasn’t increasing so they tilted the bed in the hope that might help.  I was in the recovery room for an hour before my blood pressure slowly improved. They then told me I could leave but only if someone was able to collect me.

The consultant said the growth (I think she said polyp) has to be removed as it could become cancerous. The truth is they were unable to reach it so they don’t know whether it’s cancerous or pre-cancerous already. I was told I’ll probably have to wait six months for an operation under general anaesthetic.  I was in so much pain and reeling from the ordeal that I didn’t ask any questions.  The two biopsy procedures were extremely painful but the hysteroscopy was the worst pain I have ever experienced. Surely that isn’t normal?

I’m just wondering if there are questions I should be asking. I appreciate you taking the time to read my post. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

SJ