New here - recurrence & ovary removal

BustersMom

Hi,

I'm new to this board - we just found a recurrence (looks like it came back right in my old biopsy scar!)   

The doctors are recommending Oophorectomy at this point - has anyone here also had this recommendation and/or surgery?     I'm 43 years old & interested in talking to other women in this situation.   

Sorry to have to meet under these circumstance, ladies     But I hope everyone had a good holiday, even while we are dealing with this crapola.

Juliet

TriciaK

Hi Juliet,

 I haven't had a recurrance as yet although currently going through a bone mets scare with scans pending.

I have had an ooph though, I had it after my initial treatment as I'm highly triple positive  so when I mentioned it to my onc he agreed it would be a good idea. I also wanted to take arimidex rather than tamox.

It was the easiest surgery I ever had, and I had none of the expected side effects from a sudden menopause.  I did have some hot flashes for a couple of months but they did subside in time.

I'm sorry about your recurrance but if you're considering the ooph I'd say go for it, my onc says that ovarian and breast cancer are closely linked and as I was 46 and in chemo pause it made sense.

Good luck!

Tricia x

Anonymous

I was just diagnosed with stage 4 IBC with mets to my bones.  I am 45 years old.  I have been plenty of doing research.  This site has been wonderful. 

From what I have read online and from other women's experiences who are ER+/PR+  that removing the ovaries cuts the estrogen out that feeds the tumors.  

I have my list of questions and one of them is going to be asking my ONC about having my ovaries removed/radiated versus just taking Tamoxifen.  I am probably 50 pounds heavier than I should be and I know being fat increases my estrogen levels too.  If estrogen feeds my tumors then I would like to take that food supply away.  If Tamoxifen works just as well, I have been on it since 11/8/09 with no ill affects... then I am fine with just taking it.

I am in an all out battle here given the spread to my bones.  I want to help my longevity as best I can.

MzJoy 

konakat

Hi Juliette,

I had a recurrance while on Tamox -- apparently it wasn't working (duh!).  And my ovaries were being suppressed with Zometa too.  So I got my ovaries out ASAP.  It was a very easy operation -- done laparascopically, in and out the same morning.   The plan is that I will eventually be able to go off chemo (I have had a few stubborn lesions) and go on an AI. Can't be soon enough for me.  Good luck with your surgery Juliette!

Elizabeth

lovinmomma

I had an ooph this summer at age 42. I was diagnosed stage 4 from the get go, so not a recurrence. If you have any questions, please pm me or ask!!! I am so happy that my ovaries aqre gone.

nene2059

Hey Juliet. I just wanted to jump in here and give you some support.  I have not had a reoccurrence or mets so I hope I am not jumping on anyone's toes here.  First let me say that I am sorry that this has happened to you again.  I see that a lot of ladies who have experienced this have logged on and given you the benefit of their wisdom so I will leave that to them but I did have an ooph because I came back a poor Tamoxifen metabolizer.  All in all it has not been that bad.  I was diagnosed early 2009 with BC in both breasts HR+ in both, at 36.  Am 37 now and was no where near meno so I expected horrific hot flashes and other se's but they did not come.  I was pretty upset that this meant I would never have a biological child for about a minute but then dh and I put it into perspective.  All of my doc's told me that it was the right thing to do.  BS said ovarian ablation is standard for premeno's in Europe and that it is just not done as much here.  Anyway, really easy surgery, very little scarring, starves those little hormone hungry cancer cells to death, and no PMS......I had to do it.  Am on Boniva now at age 37 because you do need estrogen for healthy bones but small price to pay.  Good luck with your decision I know it is personal for all of us.  Sending support and positive energy to you as you wade through the BC waters again.

KerryMac

Juliet - I have had an ooph too. I will just second all of the other great advice - the surgery was very easy to recover from, I didn't even have to use pain killers afterwards and I only have two tiny scars on my tummy. As for SE's - I am on Arimidex too, so don't know what causes what - but I get Hot flashes, and sore feet. But it is a small price to pay I think.

Good luck with everything. 

Padiddle

Hi Juliet:  I am in a similar boat.  Distant met to bone after 9 years of remission.  Having my ovaries out Jan 14th.  I am 50.  First diagnosed at 41.  This site is a wonderful place to learn and get support.  I will be getting Zometa in January. After the ovaries are removed, I'll start Arimidex.  Is your surgery scheduled yet?  Instant menopause....guess we'll see what that's like.  Good luck to you.  You'll find this site very helpful.  Good luck to you.  Jean     

BustersMom

You guys, thank you so much - your posts were all so helpful to me.  I'm really sorry that you are all going through all of this crap.    But we are tough & we just have to do whatever we have to do, I guess.

I'm actually at the hospital right now - just had my CT, and am awaiting the bone scan.  Just want to make sure that the cancer is localized.   

I'm considering having a total hysterectomy because I've had uterine polyps and fibroids - I'm seeing my ob/gyn on Thursday to evaluate my situation & hopefully we'll have a surgery date by the end of this week.

I'll probably be popping in as much as time allows - hope you all have a good day & I wish you all the very best. - Juliet