Pain Free & Enjoying Life

By Carrie Anna Strange

As a teacher and mother of two, Tabitha Merkel of Sumter stays on the go and enjoys a very active lifestyle, including exercising, yard work and cycling. Over time, she began to notice some pain with these activities but simply pushed through the pain. 

However, after riding her bike ten miles a day for four consecutive days, Tabitha suffered debilitating abdominal pain that rendered her unable to walk.

Desperate for relief, Tabitha consulted her primary care provider, and after six hours of testing, an ultrasound revealed a growth on her uterus. Her provider advised her to make an appointment with her OB/GYN. Tabitha did not have an OB/GYN, so she was referred to Dr. Monica Ploetzke of McLeod Women’s Care Clarendon.

“While I was extremely apprehensive prior to my appointment, from the minute I met Dr. Ploetzke, her calming spirit put my mind at ease,” said Tabitha.

Further evaluation and tests by Dr. Ploetzke revealed a uterine fibroid that was causing abdominal pain due to its size and location.

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus which occur in about 25 percent of all women and are the most common pelvic tumor in women. They can happen at any age but are less common later in life. Fibroids are more prevalent prior to menopause and tend to shrink after menopause. The position of the fibroids dictates a woman’s symptoms. The more common presentation is the submucosal, also called the intrauterine kind, which causes heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle. However, fibroids can develop anywhere in the uterus and be any size.

After discussing treatment options with Dr. Ploetzke and talking with her husband, Tabitha did not want to prolong her symptoms and chose to undergo a laparoscopic hysterectomy at McLeod Health Clarendon.

“No one wants to be sick or have surgery, but my experience was wonderful because of Dr. Ploetzke’s genuine love for what she does,” said Tabitha. 

“She is one of the best doctors that I have ever met. I cannot say enough about her professionalism, character, bedside manner, expertise and desire to help her patients. She was so personable, and I was impressed with her attentiveness to all my questions.”

“Most women experience symptoms related to pelvic health issues at some point in their lifetime. These conditions range from urinary incontinence (overactive bladder and urine leakage), uterine fibroids and endometriosis, to chronic pelvic pain,” said Dr. Ploetzke.

Treatment can range from simple exercises, medication, or physical therapy to non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures, and depend on a woman’s current stage of life. For women who desire fertility, medications can be taken to shrink the fibroid, or they can be surgically removed.

“Standing after surgery, I instantly felt better. That immediate relief is a testament to Dr. Ploetzke and her skill level. I only spent one night in the hospital before being discharged home,” recalled Tabitha. 

“Choosing to have surgery has been the best choice for me and my family. My husband is glad to finally have his happy and energetic wife back. Looking back, I didn’t realize how the pain had limited the things I was able to enjoy prior to surgery. I brushed off the initial signs. After six weeks of recovery, I was able to resume all my favorite activities and enjoy life to the fullest.”