Took Uterus Home

Dear Mary Anne,

I did ask my doc if I could take my uterus home (and asked if anyone else had done that and he said I was the first to ask!). He said that maybe after a year that they could release it from pathology to me. He says that need to keep it for a year so if anything changes inside or there is a mis-diagnosis they can compare to the saved uterus.

Because he did know that I asked about it he DID ask me if I wanted to SEE it after he was done (I had a spinal block and was VERY awake and chatty at the end). I said, "Sure." It was fascinating and he showed me all those darn fibroids and where another one was forming. I asked him to show it to my DH and he did that, too (off in some private room NOT in the waiting room!). it was good for my DH to see it as well and he wasn't grossed out either. But that's probably not for everybody, especially if they get queasy about things like that.

I, too, felt sentimental about it and I do know that some women ask to keep their placentas after birth. So, I still have a year to request it, if I'd like. Maybe others could check into that possibility if it's not too late.

Blessings to you,
pj

I thought your idea was great! Although I don't think I would even want to see mine because it's been so stretched out over the years! I had a 14lb. baby! It's a very special thing though and I will cherish the job it did to help me deliver three healthy babies. Women are so lucky to do such a momentous thing with their bodies and I know I will have a hard time after my surgery date, Aug. 24th, knowing that my childbearing days are officially over. I have known that for a while anyway, but having surgery puts everything under a spotlight.

My DH actually was able to go to pathology and took photos of my uterus with fibroid inside. It was very interesting to see the pics he took. The pathologist was very accomodating.
If anyone would like to see my photos please email me.

Jody, I'm going to email you (hoping I don't get brain and forget. LOL) because it's going to be forever before I can get my film developed and see what mine looks like- maybe seeing yours will tide me over till then.I'm dying to see what a uterus looks like now that I no longer have one!

Also- a YEAR? That can't be right- seriously? I can just imagine how stocked up they are with uterus's and such if they keep all of them for a YEAR! Wow... I've never heard of that before. As many hysts that go on- they'd need a warehouse for each hospital just for uterus's wouldn't they?

Doh! I didn't even think to ask! Probably just as well - I'd be grossing out my friends, asking if they want to see.

I did have my tonsils in a jar for years. One day they mysteriously vanished. Pretty sure Mom had something to do with that.

I have pictures from my pre-hyst lap, at least, which is kinda cool. You can see the fibroids very clearly. One of the fibroids looks really phallic - I mean, if you saw the photo you'd blush. So I don't show them around - too embarassing.

A friend kept telling me to ask for my fibroid. Said I could keep it in a jar. Another friend pointed out I probably couldn't find a large enough jar! ( basketball size) My Dr. did take pictures. Showed them to my 85 year old Dad after surgery and probably shook him up. I saw them when I went to her office. Same friend told me to ask for the pics, "They are your pictures!" I made her take me to my last visit and asked if she could see them. Maybe now she'll quit nagging me. I do wish I had copy of pic, tho. I find I am not missing my uterus, but am missing that stupid fibroid. Now, that is weird!!!