Uterine Fibroids Blog — An Expert Speaks Out

My successful adventure in finding Dr. Indman was an interesting journey.  In June of 2008, I realized I had a problem when I was unable to empty my bladder.  After going to the emergency room and having a catheter inserted in order to empty my very full bladder, I visited a urologist who thought I might have had too much water to drink after hiking the day before.  When a second similar incident happened later in the summer, the urologist was again at a loss as to what might be going on.  He recommended I see a neurologist and get an MRI.  Finally, it was determined that I had a large uterine fibroid.  In September, I visited the gynecologist to determine what my options might be.  Before this doctor had even examined me, he told me I would need a hysterectomy in the next month. Since this option was not one I was willing to accept without further study, I left determined to do just that.  He did order a sonogram of the fibroid, which added a bit more information about it.  I found another gynecologist who had been recommended to me because he listens to his patients and their concerns.  This doctor also thought a hysterectomy would be my final outcome, but he was willing to try a few things first, which bought me some time.  Since I am a teacher and it was the beginning of the year with a very active class, I needed time to get them in order before an extensive absence.

So the waiting period began.  I was put on Lupron, which put me in medical menopause, in hopes that the fibroid would shrink.  This was not the most pleasant option, but it did give me six months of no more problems with my bladder and may have shrunk the fibroid a small amount. When I was trying to schedule my hysterectomy with this doctor and unable to reach the scheduler, I continued my research about uterine fibroids via the web.  On a Thursday evening, I found a story about Dr. Indman and the eight, count ‘em, EIGHT ways to approach uterine fibroids!  I was intrigued.  The next day at the end of school, I was talking to a colleague who had been helping in my search for a satisfactory way of taking care of my fibroid.  She encouraged me to go home and call Dr. Indman’s office to leave a message about my interest in his methods (after all it was almost 5:00 on a Friday afternoon.)  To my pleasant surprise, I reached a real person who gave me very comforting information about Dr. Indman and his work with women who have fibroids.  I set up a phone appointment for Monday with another knowledgeable person in Dr. Indman’s office and planned to make an appointment to meet Dr. Indman in a couple weeks.

The process from that point was so smooth and easy, that a couple nights later I woke up and reminded myself I had just found a doctor on the internet who I thought would be able to help me.  This seemed so crazy that I got out of bed, turned on the computer, and searched for others who had made comments about Dr. Indman.  Every entry I found started off with my same concern, “I don’t usually find my doctors on the internet, but I’m very glad I found Dr. Indman….”  Okay, so others had realized this was a bit unorthodox as well, but everyone was also so positive about their interactions with Dr. Indman!  When I did meet him, I felt very comfortable with his manner, his listening, his gentleness, and even his questions of my desire to keep my uterus at age 48.  Even though Dr. Indman’s procedures generally allow a woman to keep her uterus, he talked me through my own reasons, disputing some of them as urban legends.  I listened carefully and told him I would still like to keep my uterus.  He agreed that removing the fibroid without taking out my uterus would be a good probability.  He did ask that I consider giving him permission to take more if he found something during surgery that would dictate that.  I readily agreed because I trusted Dr. Indman so much and I knew his intent was to leave as much in place as possible, per my request.

On April 27, 2009, Dr. Indman did an abdominal myomectomy to remove my fibroid, which was not in my uterus at all, but attached to the back wall.  He also checked nearby organs and removed a small ovarian cist.  I was in recovery a short time later and able to leave the hospital a day early, about 30 hours after I had arrived. Dr. Indman visited me twice on the day after the surgery, once on his morning rounds and once at my request to be discharged because I was feeling so good.  Dr. Indman even arranged for me to have my stitches taken out the next day without having to have an appointment in his office.  I did see him the following Monday for a post-operative appointment and was released to ride back home to Nevada.  Four weeks later I returned to work.  Today, about a year later, I am sure I was able to make the most informed decision about removing my fibroid. Dr. Indman provides options, depending on the size and number of fibroids, and based on what each woman’s needs and desires are.  When I thanked him for keeping my uterus in place, he answered nonchalantly, “Of course!”  I know Dr. Indman knows how unusual his procedures are and how much dignity he allows women to have in making decisions about their own bodies, but his calm response makes me wonder if he realizes what an impact he has made and continues to make.  He is a true medical hero in a field that needs a few more!

-Pam