Take The Damned Thing Out
So I found out recently that I need to have my disease-ridden, malfunctioning uterus ripped out of my body. In one sense, I’m actually quite pleased to part ways with the unpleasant organ since I have absolutely no interest in procreation whatsoever (and we’ll say nothing about my advanced age). To be finished with it will be a relief.
However, in another way, I do NOT want to part with the organ at all! In fact, I would love to pickle it in a jar and display it with my other curios. And I’m distressed because I just know they won’t let me! They’ll say something about needing to do pathology tests on it to rule out cancer blah blah blah – as if they couldn’t take a look at it then give it back to me! And they will probably think I’m certifiable for even asking… which is true, but that’s beside the point. Shouldn’t I be able to keep my own organ if I want to? It just seems so unfair!
But I am grateful, at least, that I’m not having this particular surgery done (though it would be fun to make small children cry… oh, what am I saying? I do that already):
(Thanks to Katchaya for the link.)
You should totally ask to have your uterus. It’s yours, and if you want it, you should have it. It’s bad enough that the ones removing it are already getting paid plenty to do it, without keeping what is yours!
Despair,
I do not look forward to any surgery these days with the whcked doctor’s and medical system BUT I do hope you have a safe surgery and recover fast. Perhaps this will be helpful with the depression as well. I do think you should be able to possess your own organs.
Many years ago I had a liver biopsy and the doc showed me the like strans he ripped off my liver. They were floating in some solution stuff. it would have been cool to have them but testing would eat them up supposedly.
You must get healthy Despair! Who will continue to lead us??????
Morgana
Convince them you are a member of an orthodox religious sect and your belief system demands you be buried intact.
Jealous!
48 and perimenopausal and no excuse to get rid of the damned thing..
The worse of both worlds.
I hope your surgery goes well!
Lucky you. I’m only 32, but I never want kids and the whole menstruation thing lost its novelty about the third month I had it. But my uterus is discouragingly healthy, so really no good reason to go under the knife.
However, my aunt had hers out a couple years ago. She recovered quickly and is much happier without all the cramping and bleeding. So I’m sure you’ll make out fine.
It wouldn’t hurt to ask to keep it, and who knows? Maybe if you do like Michael above suggests, they’d work something out.
My biology professor in college has an office crammed with specimens. A baby/fetus (not sure which, for reasons that will become obvious) that had been born basically headless, only a small part of the brain stem was formed; no skull, no real face, nothing. She’d had it for over forty years and called it “my office-mate.”
And a pickled uterus, which this prof, a dear, kind older lady, actually took out of its jar and had me hold in my ungloved hand.
I agree with the other opinions expressed ere – demand that they let you keep it. It is definitively yours, after all!
My mom has had her tonsils out and a bit of her intestines out and she just laughed when I told her she should keep them pickled. Alas, I was being serious.
I don’t see why they wouldn’t let you keep your uterus. You can even make your own canopic jars if you’re crafty.
Good luck with the surgery.
@ Aimee
I think it counts as a baby once it’s been born. It sounds anencephalic.
When I was in 12th grade, we dissected cats in anatomy class. Regular house cats like everyone has. Skinned them first. I suspect they were cats that were going to be euthanized by the shelter most convenient to the school.
Anyway, we dissected ‘em, and I was allowed to prepare and take home small jars with various organs and whatever preserving fluid you use in them. I kept them on the bookshelf over my desk in my bedroom for several years. I think I had 4 or 5, but the only one I vividly remember is a nice, curly, long section of intestine.
When they removed my gall bladder, immediately after the procedure (I was still out) the surgeon told my husband it was “nasty”. Wish I would have had the forethought to ask to see it!