Tubal Ligation Reversal at 46: Patricia’s Story
At Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center we perform over 800 tubal ligation reversals a year. We have patients who travel from across the United States and from around the world for tubal ligation reversal. Our patients come from many walks of life. Our current blog is about Patricia, a nearby patient from Mooresville, North Carolina (NC). She is a 46 year old mother of three older children. Her determination to succeed provides inspiration for readers who are struggling with some of life’s ordeals.
Reasons for Tubal Ligation
Patricia had complications during her last pregnancy. She had a placenta previa (low lying placenta) and delivered the baby six weeks prematurely by c-section. She had her tubes tied during her c-section because of her difficult pregnancy, pressure from her ex-husband, and the advice of her doctor. At the time she was only twenty-four years old. She has regretted her decision ever since.
Patricia’s marriage did not work out and she divorced her husband. She was a single parent of three children for twelve years. She worked hard, put herself through school, and pursued a degree in psychology. When she was 39 years old, she met her current partner and love – Charles. Charles is two years younger than Patricia, has never been married, and does not have children. After dating for two years, Patricia remarried at age 41and began to think about having her tubal ligation reversed.
Tubal Ligation Reversal Delayed
Patricia and Charles are a very interesting couple. Patricia has many different interests. Charles is an electrical engineer and a private pilot. While Patricia was raising her children and going to school, she noticed how different each of her children were in their skills and ability. She wanted to promote their health, confidence, and physical fitness. One day she had an idea of a new sports ball that would nurture the abilities of each of her children. Together, Patricia and Charles combined their efforts to design, manufacture, and create a new sports ball called the “Yackle Ball“.
The Yackle Ball caused their lives to take a temporary detour. The creation and marketing of this new product caused tubal ligation reversal and pregnancy to take a back seat for a few years.
Desire for Parenthood
Patricia’s involvement with the Yackle Ball was one of the reasons that she didn’t have her tubal reversal surgery sooner. But there were also other reasons for the delay in getting her tubes untied. She was uncertain if her new marriage with Charles would survive. She and Charles both have strong personalities that often clashed during the first few months of their marriage. Charles was uncertain about becoming a father. Patricia had some fears about being an older mother and whether she would be able physically and emotionally to meet the needs of a newborn. Both of them had fears about the possibility of having a child with special needs.
Recently, during a grueling week promoting their new invention at trade shows, Patricia and Charles noticed how many parents and children came to their trade show table to see their Yackle Ball. Later that night, Charles had a disturbing dream in which he saw himself childless. The next day he asked Patricia, “Do you really think you are not too old for this?”
Patricia had hesitated about tubal ligation reversal for five years. She did not waste any more time. She immediately stopped cigarette smoking, drinking alcohol, and called Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center for the next available appointment. There was a last minute cancellation by another patient and Patricia took that appointment without hesitation. Within four days of making her decision, Patricia was at her appointment with Dr. Monteith for her preoperative consultation for tubal reversal surgery. Patricia will be having her surgery next week immediately after her QVC channel appearance (read below).
To be continued…
This is part one of a three part blog series. Part two of this series is Tubal Ligation Reversal at 46: Patricia’s story (part 2). Part three will be published soon and will be a report of how Patricia’s tubal reversal surgery went.
Readers can see Patricia on the QVC channel
Patrica will be demonstrating her new product on a segment of the QVC Channel called ‘Nifty Gifts’. This will be a live broadcast on December 10th, 2008 between the hours of 9-11AM. Patricia will be having her reversal surgery the day after her live broadcast- so wish her well.
We also welcome readers to leave comments for Patricia and Charles on this blog or on the Tubal Reversal Message Board.
Comment by Dr. Monteith
I continue to be impressed by the lives and stories of our tubal reversal patients. Patricia, while being a single parent, decided to create something to improve her life and the lives of other people. Not only did she have an idea, but also she went the extra distance to develop her idea into a marketable invention. Patricia’s story can be an inspiration to all us who struggle to overcome life’s obstacles and to pursue our dreams and aspirations.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Thank you Patricia and Charles, I am inspired by your story. I am 44 years old and about to be married. I am considering tubal reversal but was scared to death until i read your story. Now I am about to call chapel hill. You will be in my prayers and please pray for me also. YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL I CAN FEEL IT!!!
December 7th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Let me tell you. I wanted 12 children. I truly did! And I know I would have been of great mother to ever single one of them! My favorite show growing up was the Walton’s. When my ex-husband talked me into having my tubes tied, I wanted to die! I thought I was through. And then he went off with his next wife and had 2 more children. The depression I have felt over the last 20 years has been unbearable! I now have a relationship that I trust and want with my current husband. I know we will be great parents. I am scared that I waited too long but feel that God will help us. Money… Oh my God, I am so scared to be spending this much money on only a dream…but I believe and want this baby so much I have to. This money is put on a credit card that I am hoping to pay with the sales from QVC. But if not I will get a job, I don’t know, something? I just know I want to have this child! Believe in yourself and Chapel Hill… if anyone can help us it is Chapel Hill! Yes, I am nervous but so excited! PLEASE keep in touch with me and let me know you progress. Thank you for the kind words, please keep in touch!
December 7th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Hi Patricia! You have really inspired me to go ahead and get my tubes reversed. I’m 32 years old and my husband want children of his own. At this time we don’t have the money to get my tubes reversed. Ever since I had that ridiculous surgery I’ve been going through extreme depression. Please keep me in prayer. You have truly truly been an inspiration and I will keep you in my prayers.
December 5th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Patti, nice hearing from you. I am a surgical tech at CHTRC. I have been working at CHTRC since 1990. Sounds as though you have given this alot of thought and done your research. You have definitely made the right decision putting your trust in Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. You will be well taken care of. Please feel free to ask questions if needed and good luck with your 2 special days coming up.
Donna
December 5th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Hello Everyone….
Please let me say Thank you to Dr. Monteith! Yes I am a very strong and determined woman who has achieved everything in my life that I have ever wanted achieve so far……BUT this is the most important thing and it is beyond my control of succeeding on my own so I am relying on Dr. Monteith and my prayers to help me through my journey to have a baby! I look forward to talking with others and sharing my knowledge as well as learning from you!
Thank you Chapel Hill… I Love You!
Patti
December 5th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Christina Hobgood ST
I am just getting use to this whole new thing but here I go again…
Hello Christina Hobgood ST
Thank you for your kinds words of hope! What is your story and when is your TR or did you have one yet?
Your friend,
Patti
December 5th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Thank you for your kind words. I am excited and nervous at the same time as I know many of us are!!!!
But Dr. Monteith and my choosing Chapel Hill has set my mind at ease. Yes, I am a strong independent woman but I like to assure myself of success and you will help me with that by achieving my dreams!
Your friend,
Patti
December 5th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Thank you for your kind words. What is your situation? Are you waiting your TR or are you hoping to become Pregnant soon? Would love to chat and share stories and hopes!
Your friend,
Patti
December 5th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
You are absolutely correct with saying: Life can present us with twists and turns and be quite challenging at times. I thought I would become a Doctor and help families and children. But instead God had another path for me and gave me a wonderful Husband and now we will hopefully have a beautiful happy healthy baby very soon and YES work very hard to bring my invention to the market! Yes, I am a believer and make things happen. Please keep in touch through the emails here on Chapel Hill and my website as to what I am doing.
A Friend,
Patti
December 5th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
This is a great story and I look foward to reading more about your family. Patricia good luck with your tubal reversal and I look foward to meeting you.
Chris :logo:
December 5th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Thank you for sharing your story. I can’t wait to see how things turn out for you. We look forward to seeing you soon! Best wishes!!
December 5th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
You have many exciting adventures coming up. I look forward to following your tubal reversal and business success.
Best of luck with both.
December 5th, 2008 at 11:55 am
What an amazing story, Patricia and Charles. Life can present us with twists and turns and be quite challenging at times. I wish you the best in your tubal reversal journey and hope it takes you where you wish. Good luck with your “yackle ball” invention!