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Condoleeza Rice Has Fibroid Surgery
WebMD Medical News ^ | Nov. 19, 2004 | Michael Smith, M.D.

Posted on 11/19/2004 6:08:20 PM PST by JustaCowgirl

Nov. 19, 2004 - Secretary of State-designate Condoleeza Rice underwent a relatively new procedure today to relieve uterine fibroid symptoms, according to published reports.

Rice, 50, is "out of surgery and resting comfortably" at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, said deputy national security advisor Jim Wilkinson in a statement to CNN. The procedure took an hour and a half, he said. Rice was expected to return home tomorrow and go back to work on Monday.

Uterine fibroids are the most common, noncancerous tumors in women of childbearing age, according to the National Institutes of Health. Uterine fibroids affect about 25% of all women in the U.S., and more than 200,000 women have hysterectomies every year due to uterine fibroids.

Common symptoms of uterine fibroids include heavy periods, bleeding between periods, and pelvic pain. Some fibroids can affect a woman's ability to get pregnant.

Treatment is based on the severity of symptoms and whether a woman wishes to have children in the future. Treatment for uterine fibroids is not necessary if the woman is having no symptoms. For mild symptoms, such as mild irregular bleeding, treatment can include birth control pills to help shrink the uterine fibroids and make periods more regular. For more severe symptoms, such as severe, irregular bleeding and pelvic pain, surgery may be necessary. Surgery can include removal of the uterine fibroid itself (called a myomectomy), removal of the entire uterus (hysterectomy), or embolization of the fibroid.

What Is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

Uterine fibroid embolization is a relatively new method for treating fibroids. It is done to cut off the blood supply to the fibroid. This slows their growth and eventually causes them to shrink. The procedure takes from one to three hours, and the woman is awake but sedated.

During uterine fibroid embolization a small cut is made in the crease at the top of the leg to access the femoral artery. A small catheter is inserted into the artery. The arteries that supply the blood to the uterine fibroid are injected with small particles, which block blood supply to the fibroid.

The surgeon continues to add the particles until the blood supply to the uterine fibroid is cut off completely or nearly completely. Other uterine tissue remains unharmed by uterine fibroid embolization because it is supplied by other arteries.

Pelvic pain is common for six to 12 hours following this procedure. Pain medication is given to control this pain if needed. The woman can return to usual activities in seven to 10 days.

Uterine fibroid symptoms improve in about 85% of women following uterine artery embolization. However, uterine fibroids may eventually return.

There is little risk with uterine fibroid embolization. However, possible problems include infection, premature menopause, and formation of scar tissue that may cause pain. Because the effects on fertility are unknown, it is not recommended for women who wish to have children.


TOPICS: Front Page News; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: condoleezarice; condoleezzarice; medicalprocedure; secretaryofstate; uterinefibroids
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Best wishes to Dr. Rice. This was posted on WebMD and other places, so I assume she has no problem with it being posted.
1 posted on 11/19/2004 6:08:21 PM PST by JustaCowgirl
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To: JustaCowgirl
Condoleeza Rice Has Ribroid Surgery

It's ronery in here!

2 posted on 11/19/2004 6:10:48 PM PST by steve86
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To: BearWash

It certainry is!


3 posted on 11/19/2004 6:11:34 PM PST by JustaCowgirl (Terrorists will "global test" us right off the planet)
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To: JustaCowgirl

Ribroid surgery is what Astro the dog has. Dr. Rice has fibroid surgery. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can avoid it myself, despite docs pushing in that direction.


4 posted on 11/19/2004 6:12:02 PM PST by anniegetyourgun
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To: JustaCowgirl

As a menopausal-aged woman who's had no children and hasn't breastfed, she's at a much higher risk for various medical problems down the road.


5 posted on 11/19/2004 6:12:46 PM PST by Lizavetta (Modern liberalism: Where everyone must look different but think the same.)
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Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

To: JustaCowgirl

God bless her. Hope she gets well soon.


7 posted on 11/19/2004 6:13:08 PM PST by martin_fierro (Chat is my milieu)
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To: JustaCowgirl

One heck-of-a woman in more ways than one.


8 posted on 11/19/2004 6:13:16 PM PST by SisBoombah (a)
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To: JustaCowgirl

Ribroid????


9 posted on 11/19/2004 6:14:34 PM PST by Old Professer ( Unabashed advocate for the ignition and inhalation of bundled plant products in private)
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To: JustaCowgirl

The sheer imbecelic irony of a female named Rice receiving an injection of embolizing small particles makes me want to quit cooking.


10 posted on 11/19/2004 6:17:45 PM PST by Old Professer ( Unabashed advocate for the ignition and inhalation of bundled plant products in private)
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To: JustaCowgirl

Geez, why is this my business?


11 posted on 11/19/2004 6:18:49 PM PST by Republicanprofessor
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To: anniegetyourgun

Well, I wish Dr. Rice, Astro and you all well in your various procedures!


12 posted on 11/19/2004 6:21:19 PM PST by JustaCowgirl (Terrorists will "global test" us right off the planet)
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To: JustaCowgirl
"uterine fibroid symptoms"

That's what they all say. Don't be too surprised if we see her next with 42 double d's and a permanently surprised look on her face.

13 posted on 11/19/2004 6:21:34 PM PST by FreedomSurge
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To: FreedomSurge

That's just wrong!


14 posted on 11/19/2004 6:23:56 PM PST by anniegetyourgun
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To: JustaCowgirl

I hope she gets well soon, and the fibroids don't grow back.

Women of her age in Ireland (where I am) are normally referred for a hysterectomy if they have on-going fibroid problems.

Hope Ms. Rice doesn't require such invasive surgery.


15 posted on 11/19/2004 6:24:22 PM PST by Happygal (liberalism - a narrow tribal outlook largely founded on class prejudice)
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To: FreedomSurge

ROTFL! You mean like the 'San Fran Nan' Pelosi "Deer in the headlights" look?


16 posted on 11/19/2004 6:24:39 PM PST by SuziQ (W STILL the President)
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To: JustaCowgirl
One helluva fine lady!

My prayers are with her.

17 posted on 11/19/2004 6:27:29 PM PST by TexasCowboy (Texan by birth, citizen of Jesusland by the Grace of God)
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To: JustaCowgirl

Too much information, IMO. Started with Klintoon's bent you-know-what, and continues to this day. We don't need to know, mediots!


18 posted on 11/19/2004 6:27:40 PM PST by 7.62 x 51mm (• veni • vidi • vino • visa • "I came, I saw, I drank wine, I shopped")
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To: JustaCowgirl
So far, so good for me....things have settled down since a very bad bout with "female problems" like this several months ago. Hoping I don't have to undergo what Dr. Rice has faced (or hysterectomy), though they keep telling me it likely and ultimately to be my situation down the road.

Thanks for the well-wishes though!

19 posted on 11/19/2004 6:28:28 PM PST by anniegetyourgun
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To: Lizavetta

She's giving up more than just a family by not having kids. Lot's of more risks associated with not having kids. For women that is.

Of course she doesn't have those wicked creases in her forehead and around her mouth from making faces at misbehaving kiddies.


20 posted on 11/19/2004 6:32:30 PM PST by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (You can turn your head away from the Berg video and still hear Al Queda's calls to prayer.n)
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