RIP Fred

Ali's ovarian cyst, callsign Fred, is finally gone. The procedure was a complete success. The cyst on the right ovary was removed without incident, and trace amounts of endometriosis were "zapped" from the left ovary. Both ovaries are intact and hopefully functioning well.

The procedure began about two hours late, and we arrived home at approximately 1830. The surgery was laproscopic, meaning they don't make a big incision. Instead, they poke several holes for vision instruments (fiber optic), pump the abdominal cavity full of CO2 to make it puff up like a dome, and use small instruments to perform the surgical procedure through the small holes.

The surgeon was kind enough to take some pictures of Ali's innerts while he was performing the procedure (gee thanks!). Ali wanted to place them here on the blog's main page, which is why I am writing this entry...they will be linked to instead. For those with weak stomachs, you may not like these:

Ali's innerts #1
Ali's innerts #2
Ali's innerts #3

Ali was happy to eat Mac 'n Tuna for dinner, after not having eaten a real meal since Sunday evening. She is in no pain, at all, making me feel like a wimp. However, they sent her home with Percocet and Motrin, so I am comforting myself in the assumption that most people aren't as tough as she is.

The doctor said that everything looks good to resume fertility efforts. He did not say when, but sounded hopeful about starting soon after Ali recovers.