S.V. was referred to me by her friend. She was a 35-year-old with what everyone thought were fibroids. These non-cancerous lumps grow in the uterus and can cause various symptoms. She had seen a doctor who wanted to remove the rapidly growing fibroids through laparoscopic surgery (surgery through tubes sticking into the belly). S.V. was a successful writer and had a busy schedule. There was something odd about her presentation and clinical findings. This was about 15 years ago, and laparoscopic resection surgeries of fibroids were just getting started as a first-line surgery. The surgeon she was going to for the operation was fine, but he had the reputation of being a little aggressive for his abilities. Needless to say, I suggested that she see another pelvic surgeon whom I had worked with in the past. This surgeon was also a gynecologic cancer surgeon. He was excellent in the operating …