posted
Chrissy, Eric'sgirl. Well I just cant thank you enough for that note. On one hand I know it will be fine. But all the other hand, doctors have made me gun shy. Even my TL Dr said it couldn't be reversed. Even though I KNOW there must be tube left in there. He made a little note on my Operative notes that he counseled me that The multiple cautery would make a reversal more difficult. I can't wait to call and schedule. The wait just might make me more nuts than I already am.
posted
Hi Cassandra, I think you will find lots of support on this message board. There are many women who have had various histories and stories of their TL procedure. Our website has lots of information to help you. Let us know it you have any questions about the tubal reversal surgery. Kathy
posted
eric's girl, yes, my first son Gavin was born when i was 19. we did not know he was sick until he was 9 days old. by the time we realized this the rest of his system had started to shut down. I went on to have another son Landyn when i was 20. Landyn has two heart conditions although thankfully neither of them bother him and we just monitor. He has a murmer and his aortic valve is a little bent. Since I had the first two and they had heart conditions now I always have an ECHO ultrasound during pregnancy. It goes into depth looking at the heart and the bloodflow through the heart during pg. I would strongly recommend having this done because with todays advances in tech they can fix some heart conditions before birth. also, it will give you a headsup or the clear before birth so if there is something going on you can take care of it immediately after birth. my youngest two are PERFECT. Good Luck and let me know if you have any ?'s
posted
I had my TL when I was 23. I did it not really because I did not want more children it was more a bad place to be at the time. I have went on to get divorced and remarried. I had my TR on March/24/08. My tubes had been burnt and cut. My doctor was doing a good job. At lest Dr.B does as well work on his end. After the TR I have R/3.0-L/2.5 now. I wish you all the best. You are in great hands when you go to CHTRC. The PTLS I had has all most all went away it is so great to feel like myself again. Miranda
posted
Smuckersl25 I could help but notice that you said you had a child pass from hypoplastic left heart syndrome. I had the same with my second son. I had my tubes tied after the birth of him. We did not find out he was sick until he was three days old. So to say the least I have been trying this ttc for 10 mts I have got pg once and had a mc. I hope in the near future I will be able to have a baby.
posted
Courtney... here it is. All the wonders of Dr. Berger and his staff at Chapel Hill.
Eric'sGirl Member # 10652 posted October 26, 2007 01:35 AM
This THANK YOU! is long overdue…. I had my TR one week ago! I have started and restarted this 100 times over in the past 7 days. I can’t find the words to say what I feel in my heart… so the following is a mere fraction of the gratitude that Dr. Berger and all the wonderful nurses and staff at Chapel Hill deserve.
I found Dr. Berger’s website in March 2004. Life had thrown one hell of a twist my way… my high school sweetheart and I were reunited. I may have loved other men in my life… but never the way had I loved him. And he was back… a second chance to correct bad life decisions we made 10 years earlier.
In those “lost” 10 years I had met and had kids with a man… a man that was my best friend and my worst enemy. He changed me… I lost some of the personality traits that made me “me” while I was with him. And along the way, I opted for a TL – and asked a doctor to “cut and burn” my tubes instead of the clips he was going to use. I knew if I came home with clips I would only hear over and over again how I did that so I could leave him and start a new family with someone else. His post operative notes didn’t make much sense! So the first time I sent them into Dr. Berger, he told me my post op notes were ambiguous. I was told I could have the pre-screen laparoscopy to determine the true effect of my TL.
So that is where it sat… until I got married in October 2006 and decided to start pursuing a TR more aggressively. In January 2007 I had an ovarian cyst… and a wonderful local Ob/Gyn. My doctor told me we could wait 8 weeks for the cyst to resolve itself and do a follow-up ultrasound. I said I didn’t want to wait 8 weeks and risk a rupture – that I was considering a TR. He removed the cyst and took pictures so I could send them to Dr. Berger.
Those pictures put me in “marginal” candidate status - I am a smart woman… but never looked into the numerous ways a TL can be performed. That doctor… the one that was recommending clips because I was so young (27 yrs old) went on to remove all but 3-5cm of my tubes and cauterize them right up to my uterus wall. No two ends for anastomosis… and possibly not enough tube left for implantation.
In 2004, I had sent my report to two other doctors – wasn’t as impressed with them from the start….but this time I was doing due diligence in the research phase. Again, I contacted the two other facilities. One took over a week to respond… and the other, the nurse on the phone wasn’t versed enough to understand the “implantation” option… or maybe they just didn’t perform it… or maybe not that often – I don’t know. All I know is neither had the support network that Dr. Berger and his staff provided.
I once sent an email over the weekend…. Because I had time to send it then and wasn’t expecting an answer until Monday… It by no means was anything pressing. Dr. Berger himself responded… shortly after I sent it!!!! Oh my goodness… that pushed me over the edge. It was followed shortly by a response by the nurse that was copied on it!
I have now been to CHTRC… I don’t know how they do it! Four consults and four surgeries each day… and somehow there is ALWAYS a prompt reply to every phone call and email. And the message board full of ladies who are saving to schedule, waiting for their day, or on the other side…. You couldn’t ask for a better support system!
On Wednesday, October 17th I walked into CHTRC for my consult. What an amazing place to be! Nothing but professionalism from the second you walk in… until you walk back out. I hire people for our service company… I can’t believe the caliber of the staff Dr. Berger has assembled! It is not an easy feat to find that many people who put their heart and soul into their work and the cause!
On Wednesday, October 17th I met with Dr. Berger. I don’t know if I have ever been in the presence of such a gifted and caring individual. And I don’t know if I have ever been so shaken. He accepted me… at my “marginal” candidacy – and I came face to face with that reality. I signed a surgical consent form that needed to be so vague – “bilateral tuboplasty” (plastic surgery of my tubes!) it read. I didn’t fit into either “standard” (anastomosis or implantation) procedure. I walked into that room knowing that there was no other person on this planet that could put me together. And with complete professionalism, he walked me through every reality and every possibility. I watched as he drew out what he MAY be able to do. I left struggling to hold onto the faith I had – IN HIM! I wanted a miracle out of him – how unfair of an expectation was that?!?! In fact, I even told him to write, “Dr. Berger is going to pull of a miracle tomorrow” on my surgical consent form – instead of “bilateral tuboplasty.”
My husband wasn’t there that day. He was in Cincinnati for work – flying in that night to be there for the surgery the next day. But I wasn’t alone… Dr. Berger’s network extends past the doors of CHTRC. Online I had my girls pulling for me… from all over the world! And back at the hotel, I had Donna and her husband Bob. Donna was on my thread… and had surgery the day of my consult. We hung out after her surgery and my consult…. Clear through my husband arriving at 9 o’clock that night. They kept my chin up. Without them I would have sat in my hotel room – crying until my husband got there. It was ALL OR NOTHING the next day.
So with my hopes and dream of babies with my high school sweetheart on the line… I walked back into CHTRC on Thursday, October 18th. I have never been so scared of an “answer," and surgery never seemed so – well… refined and simple. There were no worries… they took such good care of you and kept you so comfortable! I almost forgot there was a chance this wouldn’t go well!
I remember telling me they were starting the anesthesia. I remember trying to wake up and ask the nurses what he did. I wasn’t the typical case… he had told them he wanted to explain things to me… they weren’t able to say much. I remember someone telling me, “thumbs up!” I remember someone saying, “It’s good news!” I wasn’t catching their hints. Half loopy – and fully determined to get the answers I wanted… I guess I worried my recovery nurses. My husband later told me they came to get him and told him they had upset me.
Dr. Berger PULLED OFF A MIRACLE THAT DAY! He found my original passage through my uterine wall. He connected the minimal tube my TL doctor left behind. Dr. Berger sat in front of me and told me I had 4.0 cm on the right and 3.0 cm on the left. OH MY GOSH!!!! I wasn’t supposed to have much more than that in there!
And here is where I can’t explain what I feel inside… gratitude… hope… faith… yes! But they don’t come close to describing what it feels like to be whole again. What it feels like to be with my husband. What it feels like to make love and know I may be able to make a baby…. The old fashion way.
I don’t know how to say “thank you” for all that! I believe in always giving of yourself what you can give… you may never know when you will need to ask someone for something. I have never done something so great in my life for anyone – I don’t know how to pay this forward – I spin every time I try to fully grasp the impact he has had on our life.
Never have I been so amazed by anyone! I don’t know what made him dedicate himself to women… to families. He gives us so much – and there is nothing we give him! Or so I feel.
I have been on the boards long enough to know my same story is replayed time and time again by women who find you… what a gift you give us by providing us the opportunity to undo our past!
I am sorry this is so long…
Dr. Berger, Sarah, Jan, Ericka, Jennifer, Julia, Rhonda, Pam, and Dr. Phlugrath – I remember each of you from that day or previous correspondences… and I know there were other surgical nurses and recovery nurses I was too hazy to acknowledge… please don't feel I thank you any less!
THANK YOU! Thank you for caring so much…. Thank you for being the amazing people you are… Thank you for what you have given me… us… and our family!
May all your lives be as blessed as those you help!
posted
Oh Courtney... my TL doc left next to nothing... and Dr. B pulled off some amazing work in there. I will go find a link to my story and post it here for you to read.
All the best to you considering TR... Chapel Hill is the best place to be!
posted
Hi Ladies! I have four boys, my first passed away due to hypoplastic left heart syndrome. After boy four I felt an EXTREME amount of pressure from my hubby and mother to get my tubes tied. Four years to the day almost TL 12-21-04 and TR 12-19-08 I am reversed and thrilled at the prospect of maybe just maybe having a lil girl. Good luck and the surgery was a blessing. Dr. Berger is amazing and you will be in great hands. Thankfully someone is willing to help us out. I am 29 and ready for the ride of a lifetime with a TR baby. Just waiting till ttc take care.
posted
Hi ladies.... I'm just so anxious. I have three son, 9 and 8 and 7. Just 28 months between them. The youngest was a twin and I got pregnant again a year later after my (ex) hubbies failed vasectomy. Needless to say I was emtional and asked the Dr to make SURE I could never get PG again. Well here we are....new hubby and we want more babies. Sounds like only a third or a bit more of my tubes are left. Trying to save money for the surgery and lapro. I just can't wait. I'm so nervous and excited all at the same time. ANyone else have REALLY short tubes? Anyone else disgusted that a Dr would do such damage? I was only 25 at the time. He burned my tubes 5 times on each side. UGH>
posted
Cassandra, we are glad to answer questions to help you make your decision. The website has lots of information to help you get started, but feel free to call us for any unanswered questions you may have. We want you to feel comfortable with your decision and we will be there every step of the way!
posted
Cassandra and Candi, These are stories we hear all too often. Candi, I am so glad you are planning for your TR. There are so many women who suffer from PTLS. Cassandra, if you have any questions feel free to contact us by phone or email. We would be happy to help you both. So many women regret their choice of TL, and we are very happy that we can help you with becoming whole again. I look forward to seeing you both here in the future!! Good luck! Carrie, LPN
posted
I understand exactly how you feel. My third daughter was born with her cord wrapped around her neck and she wasn't breathing. My husband at the time and his mother decided we should not have anymore children. I fought this everyday and tried to offer other solutions including vasectomy. In the end I lost the battle and had my tl. I was only 21 years old. My now ex husband has gone on to have two more children. While I feel terrible about the fact that I can't. It hurts everyday and the sadness is only the beginning. I also suffer from the dreaded PTLS. My wonderful husband and I are planning our tr in March of 09. He is getting excited about the whole event. From what I hear this is the BEST place to go if you want a reversal. Hope this helps and good luck.
posted
Hi Cassandra....I had my tubes tied when I was 24 after the birth of my 3rd daughter...I have difficult pregnancies and made the decision on a whim on the way to the or for my c-section. As soon as I woke up I regretted it. I had my tr in March of 06' when I was 28 and am 27 weeks pregnant with my first tr baby. It was worth it for me and I am totally thankful I did it just to atleast feel complete again. Good Luck on your decision! DR B and Dr M are truely the best!
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[CHTRC]](graemlins/logo.gif){kind=logo}
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic
© Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center
