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Discussion Thread for ... Field Trip: My Mystery Surgery (Patreon)

Published:
2024-03-22 00:35:17
Imported:
2026-06

Content

Welp, here's what's been happening the last few months! I've been a bit cagey about a surgery I had a few weeks back, but have gotten a chance to put it all together in a Field Trip with all the details you never asked for.

It's a lot of info, but I might as well use first-hand life stuff as a teaching tool for us all so ENJOY. Even if this episode doesn't apply to your own bod, it'll give you a lot of context for others'.

And really, thanks for being the nicest, most supportive listeners on the globe. While the world thirsts for info on a planned abdominal surgery, please enjoy this all-too-willing TMI from me while you wait.

Hugs and scrubs and such,

Ol' Dadward McAlie

Files

FIELD TRIP: Alie's Mystery Surgery - alie ward

Where have I been? What surgery did I have? Am I going to die? I took you along for the whole wacky, sometimes scary process in hopes it might help someone and urge you all to draft up your wills and call your doctors if anything seems weird.

Comments

SteeljawPanda

Hope your recovery goes smoothly DadWard 🤗

jangonator

I was literally crying in the gym listening to this one. Your fears and anxiety were so valid. We’re happy to hear your good results *air horns* - thanks for bringing us on this field trip with you!

JENN 'Benthopelagic squirrel' ALVAREZ

Alie! I met an ologite in the wild today! She saw my license plate. We high 5'd . She's a middle school science teacher! Also, ❤️

Noel Dietz

So happy for your good outcome! Hugs to you.

Jeri Webb

So thankful you’re back and bouncing. What would we do without you?! 🥰🥰🥰

Rachel Guthrie

Thank you for sharing this!! Hope you heal quickly! ❤️

Lizzy Martinez

My heart goes out to you and Momward having to go through this experience! I was crying with you when you were crying the night before your surgery. My husband had bicep surgery on both arms at the same time and I remember him telling me about walking to the OR and confirming that yes, it is both arms lol!

Joy Kotheimer

Love ya DadWard ❤️ thank you for sharing your experiences and hope you have a speedy recovery!

Emleeeeeeeeeeee

Oh my gosh this episode made me bawl. I’m so glad everything went well and that Dad Ward is cancer free ❤️ sending big hugs!!!

KineticKyle

Dad, you’re a GEM! So glad you are on the mend and in good health 💎✨

SheilaMarie

Big Hugs. I no longer have my uterus either. I am a nerd, so I asked if there was any way I could have it back after they did all their tests. My doc told me no, but asked me why on earth I would want it. I told her I grew all 4 of my kids inside me, inside it. It feels weird not to do something awesome with it, like plant a tree or something along those lines. It just feels wrong to throw it away. But, again, I’m a weirdo. Happy healing! ❤️

Eli

💕💕💕💕 All the love and hugs to you!❤️❤️❤️❤️

Stephanie Broertjes

I had a laparoscopic tube yeeting. My belly button was SO itchy during recovery. It was somehow an even weirder sensation than when I got my stomach tattooed and my artist was doing around said belly button lol. Thankful your surgery went well!

Craig Minami

Sending hugs and best thoughts

Anna Thompson

So many hugs! Thank you for doing your part to make the process less scary for future patients! Also I relate to the "do I tell people I might have cancer but it's not for sure". It's such a sticky spot while you're in the in-between!

Alan Gross

I'm so glad you're doing well! By half-way through your narrative, I was thinking that you should have been comparing notes with Dr. Cara, and then you said you were! I'm a supporter of the SGU, too.

Georgia Claire

Dad! So glad you're okay. I had to have a lady type procedure recently and I totally agree with the description that afterwards it feels like something in you trying to get out. It hurt like fuck. I also had a bad time with the anaesthetic so I got to deal with nausea simultaneously. You have every one of my sympathies.

Wandering Wyatt

Thank you so much for the update! I was concerned and so glad you’re ok! As someone on Menopausal Hormone Therapy - I feel you on the shit show that is hormone stuff. Big but gentle hugs.

Georgia Claire

Some years ago I did some work experience in a hospital pathology lab and they brought in someone's cancerous uterus. I feel you are the type of person who will be fascinated to know it had nine tumours, was twice the size it should be, and they brought it into pathology in a PVC bucket. It was gnarly.

Misty Bentz

Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us. I have had a long and sometimes scary journey with my boobs (family history, etc) and I don’t talk about it much with anyone. Lady health stuff is such a mess in our society. Thank you for not holding back. I felt seen and I also see you and I’m so glad everything worked out well in the end. From one anxious bunny to another, 🩷

Shawn Hebrank

Thanks for doing this episode, you’re very brave and a badass as well. And “juicy turducken” made me choke on my dinner. You’re the best. 🖤

H Magario

Omg thank you for this episode. You seemed worried about it being an overshare and it's important that you know IT IS NOT THAT. So much info. So much advocacy. And still humor. Always humor.

John Worster

I'm so glad that you got the good news, and are on the mend. Would you be able to record a video, and share it? If not I understand. Rest, get up early and watch the sun rise,and enjoy yourself.

Celiaxolotl

Thanks for sharing! I understand some of the pain and anxiety you felt, as I had a hysterectomy (though mine was a laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy) back in 2020, due to adenomyosis. And funny enough, I had a similar moment about telling someone I had a hysterectomy, except in my case, I got to tell it at the male TSA agent who told me to throw my ice packs away when I was 3 days post-op and finally ready to fly home. It’s a pretty good trump card to throw! Anyway, I’m so glad to hear that you don’t have cancer, and that you’re recovering well!! I hope the rest of your recovery goes well, and I’m sending you the best vibes ❤️

Lillian Rolfe

I am Only halfway through the episode but boy do I identify with the thinking that if things are too good than something bad is about to happen. Once I was about to get on a plane and my husband called to give me some really great financial news (a large windfall, essentially). I was actually frightened that the plane was going to crash now. But then he called a few minutes later to tell me the upstairs AC had gone out so the universe had righted itself and I nearly cried with relief. And I seriously felt like a plane full of lives were saved. Our anxious brains do very weird things to us. ❤️❤️. All the love to you!

Nancy Gleason

So educational! I have never heard the actual description of a hysterectomy procedure. At “might as well use the loading dock that you’ve got rather than just Koolaid man through your abs…” I LOLed the hardest I have ever LOLed in any Ologies episode, which is really saying a lot. I had to rewind, then pause until I could stop LOLing, then replay several times. I so deeply appreciate all the people who are brave enough to share anything medical, and especially the lady parts. Thank you so much for this. I am new among the Patreon people, so here is a shy/awkward new girl hug for speedy recovery and support for sharing.

Staci Pinkowitz

I’m overdue for a breast cancer screening - I have the BRCA1 gene mutation so I get yearly breast MRIs as a proactive measure. It costs a lot even with my insurance so I have been putting it off but this has definitely pushed me to follow up with the doctors a little harder. My mom had a proactive oophorectomy when I was a tween bc of BRCA1 and has been a fantastic role model in being on top of this kind of care. Thank you for being open and honest because it does and it will help people!!! Not to sound cliche but it was very brave of you to share - it takes guts!!! Despite your fresh lack of em! I plan on getting all my bits removed before I turn 40 due to my personal cancer risk so I really really relate to what you’re going through. It’s in my future!!! Can’t wait to get gutted for my health too 💖

Abby Sellers

I hope your recovery continues to go well!!

Laura Wood

Thank you for this episode!! It’s so hard to talk about uterine issues and get solid medical answers. I’m glad you are doing well!

Heather & Kate

I was coming to say this! A perfect share, no over or under, just the goldilocks zone xx

hanareadsalot

Thank you so much for this! And for being so vulnerable with us. I'm halfway through and crying along with you. I went through something similar a few years ago and there's just something about feeling seen, even after the fact. ❤️

Amber McIntyre

So happy you had a good outcome. Anesthesia is a bitch. After two difficult pregnancies, I’ve had a lot of necessary “renovations” to multiple organs. Each time after anesthesia, I couldn’t pee! I had to self cath for about 4 days after one surgery and most recently, i had to leave with a Foley catheter for 5 days. It was no bueno - so it made me feel a little more normal to know I’m not the only one who struggles with this weird side effect! Heal and rest up!!!

Jim

Saw the email about this thread and hopped right over to listen to the episode. Thanks for not making this a cliffhanger 2-parter, and best wishes for all of your recovery.

Caro Young

Thank you so much for this episode and I’m so glad it all worked out! I work in the oncology area, so I’m stoked that you took matters into your hands and got a second opinion. Much much much better to be safe than sorry. I send you lots of good healing vibes from down under, we have extremely interesting (and deadly!!) critters down here should you ever contemplate a field trip to Australia!!!

Megan Pursell

You are a BAD ASS! Sharing your experience with us, and sharing your anxiety with us. Love you DadWard! ❤️🎉 Heal quickly!

Carole Gjertson

Thank you so much for sharing. And healing thoughts and love your way!

Alie Ward

Oh my WORD! I hope it was only in situ and not mets <3

Alie Ward

Aw fuck, thank you so much, really

Alie Ward

That's a great idea! I shall! Any requests? Questions? Maybe I'll do a call for questions

Alie Ward

Ooooh, FLYING three days after?! What a champ! I hope that TSA agent still feels kinda bad.

Alie Ward

WHY MUST OUR BRAINS DO THIS? Were you raised Catholic by chance? I was, and I am always trying to root out the etiology of these things

Alie Ward

Thank you for being here, and for this lovely note

Melissa Berger

Thank you for sharing, it really helps keep the conversation about these things open, which is so needed for education and self advocacy. Really glad you’re doing ok, and relieved for you!

Alie Ward

"fresh lack of them" ahahah! Please, tomorrow, call to make your screenings. You have my permission to get a boba or go pet the neighbor's cat as a treat. Catchings everything early is the best insurance. <3

Alie Ward

NOOOOOOO! I am so so sorry you went through that! I do NOT like that for you.

Alie Ward

Ahaha, that would have just been mean

K Prest

I loved this so much, and I too would’ve asked for the photo of the innards!!!! You rock!! Taking charge of the whoohaa! So happy for that good news ending ❤️ we love you Dadward! And three cheers for Jared!!

Bumblebeevie 🐝

Thank you for sharing this! Definitely not an over share, not at all. You being open to putting your experience out there will help others. Especially when it comes to advocating for themselves. I felt white hot rage when you were describing the brush off you got from so many different doctors about your pain, your concern. But I’m so glad that you were finally listened to, believed, and taken seriously. And even more so, I’m so happy for the good news ending. Thank you again for sharing this with us and the world. You truly are incredible.

Kinkaid Designs

💕 I'm so glad it's all over now. Thank you for sharing.

Allison Holloway

Thank you for you. 🫂🫂🫂 Recover swiftly!

Doxx

I’m glad your surgery went well! I was thinking of the metabolism episode and was secretly wondering if you’d gotten a BBL despite the risks of diaper booty. And death.

Tea Danilović

Thank you so so much for sharing this Alie! All the time while listening I was baffled by the enthusiasm you were able to show about the topic while in the middle of dealing with it. It also meant a lot to hear you share your troubles and fears on the day before—I always have similar fears before big appointments and I always feel a little irrational for having those thoughts, so thank you for sharing this very important part of the whole process ❤️

Kevin Tiemeyer

This was amazing! So glad it's over and everything turned out for the best. The roller coaster of tone you managed to keep throughout the whole episode was insane. I feel like it had to be very cathartic to have to go back thru all of the recordings and do the asides.

Dorit

Thank you for this! These sorts of things shouldn't be so much of a mystery or secret. I really appreciate you sharing so we all can learn.

Naomi Jane

Thank you Alie for sharing this episode with the world, it feels like a real privilege to listen to. I hope recording it was cathartic for you & that you're continuing to heal well 🩷

Megan M

Oooh, I get it. So you are Kate Middleton. Explains everything

Zoe Litton

I was literally sitting in my bath tub crying for 45 min. Thank you for sharing this with us ❤️

John Worster

Maybe a sneak peek at episodes you are working on? Just to see how you are feeling, and doing would be great. Take care.

Lindsay Mixer

I think we got our hysterectomies like a month or so apart—mine wasn’t a cancer scare, but I had horrible periods & couldn’t take birth control thanks to a clot history. I’m so glad we both found doctors who were willing to do that for us ❤️

Renee Wanger

I have always wondered how the historectomy thing happens and this was much much much more interesting than a quick google (and somehow less gross too). I'm thrilled that all's good in the "hood" and that you excellent doc too a picture for you - feels like the most Alie thing to ask for haha 💜💜

The Bag Lady

Holy Frick Alie, you are stronger than most, that is for sure.

Rachael Lemont

So glad you’re ok! I teared up when you said the pathology report was clear, that had to have been such a relief. It’s the big moments that make us realize the small ones are not so small. Your voice is so soothing when I’m feeling anxious and that’s why I love the Ologies. Plus I learn a lot too. Sending love and good vibes!!

Anna Thompson

It was when I was 5 and had some wonky blood work. They ran a bunch of tests including for blood cancer and my dad didn't tell my mom until they got the negative results. His wording "only one of us [my parents] needed to lose sleep over it". Now I'm fine and dandy. Bodies are weird!

Robin C Pike

I'm so happy you're on your way to health again! Best wishes for a quick recovery!

Roxanna McLaughlin

Alie, you are the one that carries the light into the cavern of unknowns, and we, your listeners, are the ones gathered around the village fire who learn from you as you share your stories. Thank you for this deep, honest tale of your experience. Thank you for all the knowledge and advice and especially the idea of bringing your friends into this time to say good-bye to your uterus and celebrate the new space to come. And the heads up to us all to make a living will…..YES! Five Wishes is one easy way to do this. And remember to register it with your state

Spencer Parks

This is why Alie is the best. Giving the people the medical and scientific info that we need to make our lives better even in some tiny way and making it funny as hell along the way. She's willing to talk about whatever she needs to, to make that happen, like "who's going to look at my butthole? Please make sure they don't look at my butthole too much." Also, I love that mini "rant" about your grandma. Thanks Dad. I have no uterus to excise, but I'll recommend this episode to anyone who needs/wants to get theirs excised.

Kieran H

I’m glad it all came out okay Alie 💖 (pun both intended and not intended)

Lillian Rolfe

Good heavens…YES. Yes I was. I also have adult diagnosed ADHD and cPTSD and didn’t learn until I was 42 that I was diagnosed with a mild form of dyslexia as a child and just never told so…perfect storm.

Miranda Garniss

I had a breast cancer scare in the summer of 2022 and discovered heart problems this last year, and my God, if stuff like that doesn't completely rob you of all your energy to do anything other than act like a rabid possum. I'm so impressed that throughout this you managed to record an episode during this time in your life. I hope you are healing well, and doted upon by your loved ones. We love you dad Ward

Cynthia Cohen

I had a hysterectomy 1.5 years ago and hands down might be the best thing that ever happened to me, feels like I’m on a second life now. Welcome to the secretly best most underrated club, hystersister

granitestateofmind

My mom had a hysterectomy after four kids and one late term miscarriage; she passed away just 2 weeks ago at nearly 90, with her 3 living offspring present. It's given me a lot to think about: I don't have a uterus, but without them I wouldn't be here - my mom's life experience, including a hysterectomy that I'd never deeply considered...are all still alive in me, regardless. I haven't even listened to the episode yet and I have two daughters of my own, so I expect I'll need some tissues on hand. I'm SO looking forward to hearing your singular take on such a significant life and life-changing experience. Please continue being you - no apologies necessary. Few teachers in my life have caused me tears from laughing and to laugh through tears in the same 60 minute "lesson".

Erin R.

Thank you for taking the time to care for yourself and put it out there for others to learn from. It takes a lot of strength to do both of those! I'm glad you're on the mend! I wish you the beat of lick!! (This one made me laugh and I remembered it made you laugh too. Hopefully it sill will. Ok now I'm rambling, bye👋. )

Megan Younce

You're such an inspiration, Dad <3

Hailey

We don’t talk about health, especially for people with uteruses, as much as we should. Thank you for sharing the scary moments and the funny ones, and sending good vibes on your recovery ❤️

GhoulNextDoor

Thank you thank you for sharing this! As someone with a uterus and the associated bits the transparency and honesty is incredibly refreshing. I am SO relieved to hear it was good news and I hope your recovery continues smoothly!

Rosa

This was such a good episode! Thanks for sharing your journey, and I am so happy for your positive results. I both cried and cried from laughing. I think you brilliantly described the indignity that many people – particularly those of us with uteruses – experience at the hands of the healthcare system. Listening to you talk about something like having your guts scooped out with a melon baller or something of the sort made me cringe – and laugh – and reminds me of the historical and present-day misogyny in public health. I recently found out that I probably have endometriosis and have been seeing a lot of doctors about it. Even though I’m not experiencing the same thing as you, there are certainly parallels. For one, I feel like I need to get over any squeamishness I have at talking about my own body quickly so that I can get to the bottom of things. I also feel like I’m grieving something that I don’t quite understand, and I could relate to a lot of your emotions from the night before your surgery. Anyway, thank you for another brilliant episode. You are a gift!

Emily Krieger

I love that you shared this with us, because KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!! Thank you! Rest up!

Therese Enders

Having had my own uterus-related abdominal surgery last year, this episode was All the Feels. Alie, you did not need to invite us into this part of your life and also I'm so grateful you did. It's truly a gift. And I'm so glad you're okay!

Therese Enders

Rabid possum is an excellent description of what that does to you. I hope your heart problems are under control!

Allison Holloway

Also, can I just say as an Allison who has struggled with getting the medical assistance I needed (I spent 2 years being nauseated literally all the time - having been diagnosed but not treated halfway through that period - I understand the frustration and fear you've been through. The uncertainty sucks more than anything else, and I *deeply get it.*

Marie Kluge

Thank you so much for this episode! Such an amazing and important thing to talk about. You are really brave to go through this and we all hope you rest and get well soon! <3

Miranda Garniss

Thank you! My heart is doing much better! Had a follow up with my cardiologist last week and no sign of the funky heartbeats! Now to find an adhd med that works and doesn't stress my heart

James Nance

So glad you're ok and on the road to recovery! Sending you lots of love and good vibes.

Debbie Daymoon

thank you so much for sharing this. i've been secretly living my own uterus/hormone hell for years and finally have a consultation with a surgeon next week. so grateful for your perspective and brave inspiration. and so thrilled you’re ok. hallelujah!

Camille L

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and dedicating an episode to this super important topic!! I’ve struggled with endometriosis symptoms and reproductive health scares/questions for quite a while now. And one of my best friends almost died recently, from complications of an undiagnosed endometriosis. From a very young age, people with a uterus are unfortunately told that it’s normal to suffer.. so thank you for reminding us to advocate for ourselves! It takes a lot of courage so also thanks for sharing some of yours with me today. This episode felt like a big hug. I cried and I laughed, like, how do you do it?! You’re the absolute best pod dad anyone could wish for. Lots of hugs and lots of love your way 💖

Megan M

Wishing you a speedy recovery and so glad all is ok (relatively speaking) ❤️

Patricia Evans

What a great episode. You are a hero for sharing so much information and for being open to use this vulnerable time to help others. Here's to a speedy recovery and a less anxious future!

Kevin Parichan

Thanks for sharing. Making sure you're around longer is always a good thing.

Allie

I also recently learned at a pre op for my mom that they ask about religion because people have religious reasons for not wanting blood transfusions. You probably already knew that. Very interesting

K8 Rouse

I just listened to this episode while dealing with some scary health challenges of my own and this episode made me feel so much less alone in what I'm going through. Thank you PodDad Alie for being so vulnerable and sharing what you're going through in detail so others can learn from it. Sample size of 1, but it helped me a lot personally. Also, THANK YOU SO MUCH for the very detailed aside about endometriosis. I have endo and there's so much misinformation out there (including from my own doctors), it's BONKERS. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 26, after suffering 10 out of 10 pain every month for 12 years, and having the severity of my pain brushed off by doctor after doctor. If I hadn't learned about endo from a friend who had it, I don't know how many more years I would have suffered without knowing how to advocate for myself and the treatment I needed, so thank you so much for raising awareness of what it is. I'm sure this episode was a really difficult one to make, but I'm so grateful you did. You and your work (including this podcast and the TV shows you produce - my first intro to you was Brain Child, which my kids watch on repeat), has had such a positive impact on my life and the lives of so many people. Thank you for the work you do and I'm so glad that your pathology report came back with good news! Please stick around for many, many more years. The world needs you.

Hope J 🏳️‍🌈

Very happy that everything turned out okay and glad that the surgery was also a preventative measure for the future!

JENN 'Benthopelagic squirrel' ALVAREZ

Omg Alie this episode was a roller-coaster! I'm so glad you didn't have cancer! My mother died from uterine cancer so I keep up with my gyn appointments yearly!

Rik

Thank you for sharing this! It has given me fuel to help someone I care for so much

Sophia A

As someone who has battled with my own uterus and hormones, and also as a nursing student, I really appreciated this episode. Thank you so so much for so bravely sharing your journey.

Dianna Smith

I had uterine cancer, diagnosed just before lockdown. Tumor the size of a softball. I had the robotic surgery and had very little pain with a very quick recovery. What kicked my ass was the radiation and the 4 weeks of severe burns on my hoohah that hurt worse than the surgery. Your journey brought me back to those days. If my oncologist hadn’t been so agressive about the surgery, I would have been caught in the lockdowns - I left the hospital just a few days before everything was shut down. I hadn’t told my mother about the bleeding and other issues I had because as they were starting, I had quit my job and moved to be near my parents to be available to them. As a result, I had no health insurance so treatment had to wait until benefits kicked in at new job. I hadn’t told my mother, a little bit to protect her but mostly because I knew she would panic and I couldn’t carry her emotional response and keep my own balance. She was mad but I never told her the real reason. It’s all very confusing and complex in the midst of something like this. I’m so happy you’re okay. It’s kind of weird but I don’t really like to say I had cancer because mine was treated so decisively and without chemo and the profound impact chemo has on people going through it. I feel like my suffering was insignificant compared to people with so many other types of cancer and I don’t want to diminish what they go through with the relative simplicity of what I went through. Mine wasn’t nothing but it was so much less. I would love for you to do a program talking to Hank Green who just went through his battle with cancer as I think his profound thoughts about the experience and his understanding of the science of what he went through combined with your insights would be fantastic. Thanks for sharing your story and letting me share mine with you.

Emilie Shely

Unexplainable has a couple really cool episodes they just did on scientific research of menstrual fluids and healing properties. They discuss endometriosis. It was pretty interesting. Glad you're good Dadward.

Emilie Shely

Same for me!! I had a neuroendocrine tumor on my pancreas. Got a surprise diagnosis in the ER one night, 6 weeks later surgery, and cancer free. No chemo or radiation. I definitely have never called myself a cancer survivor...

Heidi M.

So grateful for your courage to share such personal info with us! You will undoubtedly improve or save lives by having recorded this episode. Thanks for being such a REAL person! Continued positive vibes for your recovery and for your journey!

Lisa N

Thank you for sharing your experience- so glad you are healing and going to be ok…you have already helped so many! Today my husband and I will go to a fundraiser for a cancer charity in his daughter’s memory. She died at the age of 28 of cervical cancer. I never met her but she was a beautiful kind young woman who was the light of her dad’s life. From what he has explained to me, she never went for annual GYN/ PAP and by the time she had symptoms, the cancer had spread. Your impact in sharing your story can not be underestimated! Love you and your show so much. Thank you

Jessica Rudd

Thank you for sharing this! I am glad to hear that everything is okay ❤️

Reiley Allison

Heya there Alie! Enjoyed the share of your experience of the "elusive" abdominal surgery ;). Hit a tad close. Mid twenties and just had mine done a few days before you---I too had a mild cry fest the night before and morning of. Only if I heard this before would definitely have put my mind ease :/ Surgery went well, anesthesia hit hard with some surprise vision impairment (go figure)--maybe future episode on anesthesiology? Presently in the midst of graduate school and was not at all expecting this sudden curveball--but a necessity and a major sigh of relief after surgery. Too be honest it has given me a "second chance" in life and gotten me back into thinking of going to Med school again--bit of a transition from soil science, so I guess a silver lining. Thanks and take care!

Margaret Downs

Thank you so much for sharing! I've got some Reproductive Organ Stuff in my family history (and a little bit of my own) and some other people I love likely have similar procedures in their future. Despite all of that, I knew *so* little about the different options, I always just sort of assumed the only way to do it was to get sliced open. I'm so glad you're okay and healing.

Ja Jo: Art & Craft

Very timely episode for me. Big hugs! Thank you for sharing your journey so some of us don’t feel so alone in our struggles.

Tricia Griffith

Thank you for sharing your story. I agree that it's important that we normalize talking about all aspects of women's reproductive health.

Kpelliss

I’m glad you are on the mend, but really I hope that is YOUR knitting….that would complete my hero worship of you as I am obsessed with knitting….need some house socks??

Connor they them

This was a great episode. Thank you for sharing and I'm glad you're healthy. Also 'it's harder to cross stitch' is officially my new favorite reason to not take opioids.

Darrah

Thank you for sharing your life with us. My sister (36) just had a full hysterectomy BC she has suffered from undiagnosed endometriosis for a very long time and was told several times by many doctors it's totally normal to have excruciating pain. I've seen more and more stories about women and their stories and still finding it horrifying that women's health is still apparently such a misunderstood area that affects half of the population sometimes with sore consequence. I hope you are feeling better and adjusting to any new medications you may have been put on (my sister has had some challenges not with pain, which has completely disappeared, but some discomfort related to getting the hormone levels right) and already getting happily on with your life.

Tim Litzinger

Did you have a Whipple? I had IPMN, so also not a cancer survivor though not known for sure until after the surgery. In my case, my appendix saved my life or the ct scan would have never happened until it was symptomatic and thus advanced cancer.

Sarah Prestie

Alie I so appreciate how you share not only your journey but also your feelings along the way! It must take such courage to share these intimate details, but I hope it comforts you to know how much it helps others. I had a laparoscopy to diagnose my endometriosis at 17 and I had that same fear that it could be the end/beginning point in my life. I couldn’t explain that fear to anyone at that time but it is amazing to hear someone else put that feeling into words! Thank you!!!

theo (nastygardenrat)

sending you so much love Alie! my friend recently got a cyst and a lot of endometriosis removed and had a whole wild surgery experience. i sent him this episode in hopes it would be cathartic and he really appreciated it 💛

Jamie Alexander

Hey, Speaking as a person who is in treatment for breast cancer. I had a bilateral mastectomy, chemo and radiation, just completed radiation 6 days ago, you have every right to express your suffering and as one of your peers who did chemo I give you my full support and blessing to talk about your experience. I like to tell people that my being in cancer treatment doesn’t negate your problems, or my having one more kind of treatment. Maybe it’s a case by case thing. We all have to just feel out what we have energy to process. And also be open to allowing people to decide if they can or can’t process something with us. I recently heard about spoons. Having spoons for something. I can’t explain it well. If anyone is interested they can search up spoons and disability. I also wanted to let you know that I have also struggled with my Mom and trying to manage her emotions pertaining to my diagnosis and her needs as an older adult. All this to say you are not alone.

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2026-09-06 05:00 Hey Alie! Sending much love on your road to recovery. I'm getting a yeeterus this year too for similar reasons (and also gender affirming reasons, not the main reason but it's a neat bonus LOL) Here's to a uter-less life for us both. 🥂
2024-03-24 21:01

Jamie Alexander

Hi Alie, Firstly, thank you for sharing your experience, I’m glad you are recovering. ❤️ Would you cover the inequity of healthcare treatments, research and coverage for women’s endocrine health? I’m a 46 y/o hormone positive breast cancer patient looking at 5 years of ovarian suppression and aromatase inhibitor treatment. I’m not ready to say goodbye to healthy bone mass and cardiovascular health, to have bone pain, weight gain and loss of muscle mass, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, frequent urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, vaginal atrophy and loss of libido and worsening anxiety and depression. In the course of obsessive research I found out all these sh#%^ things that come with blocking estrogen and shutting down the ovaries. I also found research that shows bio identical testosterone with aromatase inhibitors in the form of subcutaneous pellets might be a safe treatment to help these symptoms. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/andro.2021.0003 I can’t get my med oncologist to do the treatment and I don’t know how I will afford to pay for it out of pocket. It’s not covered by Medicare (my insurance) and is not fda approved for women. I am learning that quality of life for women doesn’t seem to be a priority in the field of medicine. I think the topic of women’s healthcare equity needs some open critical discussion. ❤️

Aurora Arriaga

Thank you for sharing this and I am happy you had a good result. My mom is an OBGYN and the number of patients she has had who were not taken seriously or diagnosed correctly has always astounded me. I am a big proponent of second opinions and reminding people that doctors are just people it’s ok to question them. So happy you are ok pod dad!

Between Dumplings

You can’t know how many people you helped by sharing this very personal story. I had a very scary weekend after a big test. I felt so much empathy for you hearing you articulate so much of what I felt, too. Almost stopped listening, worried about your outcome and my ability to handle it in my state. Grateful for you, your podcast and your generosity.

EmmaB

Alie, Thank you for continuing to share your passions and your stories with the world. Going through my own medical woes this past year I was so moved by this episode. This kind of vulnerable and open content is what will change our world for the better. It opens doors for hard conversations and is truly inspiring. Please keep being you

ChickenChomper

Alie you are wonderful! We all love you! Thank you so much for sharing this incredibly difficult and personal experience with us! I too get anxiety and think that things are just too good to be true and that something terrible must be coming, so it was very relieving to hear that you think this as well (that I am not alone). And yes, I agree, we all just need to appreciate what we have while we have it and realise that we can't control the future and just deal with life's hurdles as they come. Thank you for sharing about your lady parts because this did help me as I am starting to enter the perimenopause phase. I think these lady topics need to be discussed more in order to make known what needs to be helped/fixed. Glad you are ok and thank you again for all that you do! <3 Hugs from New Zealand!

Ashley Marrs

Thank you so much for this episode Alie : ) I think we are about the same age. I had some pretty intense health stuff a couple years ago and the "near miss" feeling still takes my breath away. I also totally get waiting for the other shoe to drop or like I cheated death. Brene Brown calls it "foreboding joy." I'm so glad you had a good outcome. Thank you for being vulnerable and funny as hell while educating the masses : ) You are an inspiration and a warrior princess : )

Chelsey Hinrichsen

This is so niche, but thank you for asking the redhead question! So important and so easy to miss. It’s for real folks. We mutants among you need more juice. I’m so glad for my internet dad 💜

Allison P

Wishing you all the best in your recovery! This is really important for folks with a uterus (and folks who love folks with a uterus) to hear, thank you for sharing with us.

Emmett M Wald

Got me a hysto in July and it was truly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! I went from debilitating back pain and bleeding way too often to…suddenly being a person without chronic back pain?? Hope your recovery goes as smoothly as mine did. Gonna go listen to the rest of the episode now!

LeighAnn Oettinger

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. You're a beautiful person.

Florence Yuan

Thank you for this episode, Alie. I'm a family doctor, and I frequently tell my patients that they always deserve a second opinion. No one doctor is the "authority" on anything, and it never hurts to get more brains thinking about what might be going on. I'm glad that you were able to get the care and reassurance that you needed!

Lee Tatum

Thank you for this episode! And all the others--been meaning to get on Patreon to join up for ages. Just you & brilliant author Ursula Vernon (aka T Kingfisher), baby! I cried listening to you narrate your journey from age 35 on, partly because I'd love to give you a long hug, too, & because a similar thing happened to me in my 40s. (After losing my left ovary at 19, I had just one sad, lonely ovary remaining in an empty house. It died alone & the EMTs didn't find the body for months, because I avoided going to the doctor.) Now on my 50s, I've got many of the unpleasant things going on that you mentioned, and I've been doing it again, not going to my doctor. (And she's the best, this is all on me. I work a lot, but also use that as my excuse.) You gave me both the knowledge & motivation I needed, Alie, thank you! I made an appt yesterday, being a martyr without a cause is pretty silly. Also, thanks for mentioning the cookies--I do stuff like that, too, & thought I was the only one. You make me feel less alone, then again, everyone should show gratitude to others with as much ease (or more) as they complain about others. Hope you feel tons better!

Jani Rounds

Thank you for this episode! I am in the process of scheduling a surgery (my first ever! For removing a pre-cancerous lesion) and it is so reassuring to hear about surgeries mostly going right, and not being too terrible.

Rob Worman

What an amazing episode. Thank you for sharing Alie. Heal quickly and easily.

Rob Worman

"getting a yeeterus" needs some special recognition here. Coffee on keyboard!

Jaedin Guldenstern

Alie, thank you for this episode <3 Really means a lot to listen to your process, fears, and understandings (especially as someone with a lot of medical uneasiness/distrust). I can feel a shift and challenge to stigma happening here in this episode which feels powerful. The knowledge and experience you let us into so vulnerably is so needed for our world, and more specifically medically. So glad to hear you are doing okay. Was sending good energy your way on March 1st <3

Sharon

Thank you so much for this. I went through primary ovarian insufficiency and menopause at 36, and I don't know of anyone but you who has talked about personal experience with it, which feels so lonely. I appreciate this episode so much. Best wishes for recovery!

Lyette LeBlanc

You are one of my favourite people on the planet! Thank you for being so open and vulnerable ❤️

Gordon Haas

You're a brave woman, Alie Ward. It was a difficult decision to make uncomfortable to go through, and will be unfamiliar and challenging to live with. I and A LOT of good people are here to support you, cheer for you, listen to you and help however we can. Please do not be shy or feel silly about asking for anything.

Jim Ottaviani

If it was anyone else, I'd find it harder to believe that you were able to record all this and share it with us. But it's you, so it's not truly surprising. It is a gift to all your listeners, though. I hope you continue to feel better and better, and thank you for making the world better and better.

Jeanette-o-saur

Feeling all of the feels. I'm so hecking grateful that everything has come out ok for you

Alyssa Erika

We love you!!!! Sending lots of good thoughts your way

Shannon Amiot

I resonated with this episode word for word, especially the clarification around dadward. I never identified with motherhood and, for many more reasons, had a laproscopic salpingectomy Nov, 2022. I woke up from surgery and was so thankful to have this part of me recognized and acknowledged in such an affirming way that I began to cry very happy tears... The night before dread and fear are REAL. YOU ARE NOT ALONE ALIE. You are incredible and even moreso for recording this episode. This is actually the one that inspired me to finally join Patreon after listening since 2018.

Shannon Amiot

O also! There is (what is now) a very old episode of Unladylike! (a phenomenal podcast which began in 2018) called How to Tie the Knot... and no, it is very much not about marriage - although they do have an episode that discusses it at length. How to Tie the Knot is speaking with another human who got laproscopic surgery and several others who attempted the process to do the same. It is incredible and has lots more perspective about it that would add to your own context. K, loveubye :)

Emilie Shely

I'm thinking you were replying to me, yes? If so, I did not have the whipple procedure. They removed nearly half of my pancreas, the tumor was on the tail of my pancreas, and they removed my spleen. I am a cancer survivor technically... it just doesn't feel like it. It happened so fast and I wasn't sick or anything. Getting the diagnosis was SO unexpected and really wouldn't have happened, had my daughter not convinced me to go back into the ER for the second night in a row for some moderate flank pain I was having, that made me think I had kidney stones. No stones. Just a surprise mass on my CT scan that they wouldn't have had any reason to look for or see, until it was past the point of a good prognosis.

Lyssa Mercier

Alie, I am so happy your surgery went well and you finally got the care you needed. It is horrifying how many doctors are so dismissive, especially of women's health, thank you for encouraging everyone to advocate for themselves. I know a very young woman who is facing the decision to have a hysterectomy, now I feel I have a better understanding of the procedure and hope I can better support her through the coming months. You are amazing Dad Ward💖

Scott Hanley

I like when you reflected on our responsibilities to our loved ones to make plans for after death and you said, “if you own a hoem,” like a pome. ❤️

Jasra

Just listened to this one. I'm so glad you don't have cancer! Thank goodness you went for a second opinion! I yeeted my uterus for the crime of making fibroids for 15+ years. I did want to ask though! I was driving so didn't catch the name of the herbal menopause supplement you'd mentioned. Nor the vitamins, and I'm sad. I just tried to listen again and it seems like completely different ads! (Must be me.) Anyway, if you have a place where you share info about sponsors, I'd <3 know where to look.

Alyson Ward

Hey, Alyson Ward (yes) here. I just got around to listening to this episode. I want to wrap my wrinkly 74-year-old arms around you and tell you how grateful I am that you exist.

LJ

Finally listened to this a couple of weeks ago. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I have suffered from endometriosis since puberty. I finally had it excised a couple of years ago and it made a huge difference. Absolutely improved my QoL. But adenomyosis remains and I'm once again having a lot of issues with it. I've been considering a hysterectomy for awhile, but had lots of FEELS about it, even though I have *always* known I didn't want to have biological kids. Anyway, I was really excited to learn about vNotes and how well it went for you. I have a consultation for the end of July. You've really helped me make this decisions. 🫶🏻 Thank you. Sending you so much love!!