Hello, Goodby, Ovaries

I just had my ovaries removed the same day as my mastectomy. Seems to me like female parts cause problem, and I didn't want to get broke down any time soon......AGAIN!!

Good Luck!!!

Montana,

I was just shy of 40 at diagnosis, and I have not done ovarian suppression or taking them out.  I don't know if I've made the right decision or not, and I do think about it often.  You can see that I'm well over 3.5 years out, and I'm doing well that I know of.  I do take my Tamoxifen religiously, but I'm still at almost 44 still getting the dreaded period.  I don't know what to say to you, except that the choice has to be well thought out.  One thing my Oncologist told me was that there was a study done of women on Tamoxifen that showed there was NOT a higher recurrence rate in those who still had their periods vs. those who didn't.  I've had friends who've recurred even though they've had their ovaries out.  I've also had friends who had oopherectomies who said it was a breeze and are doing well.  I've also had friends who had oopherectomies and wish they didn't because of the side effects (hot flashes, bone pain). 

I did try to research as much as possible, and even though it seems the right thing to do to get an ooph if you are ER+, I couldn't find any substantial studies to support it.  If anyone out there knows of any, I'd love to read them. 

This is a tough one!

I was just thinking of you. When you posted I got scared something happen to you. You were one of the first women to write to me and offer support. I still read your email from time to time still. Glad to hear your doing ok!

Do you do the shots? You could do those but I am doing the ovarys. I will do them on June 15th. The reason I am doing it is:

1) I am an immediate metabolizer of tamoxfin so I want to be given an AIL. asap

2) Five years of AILS shows better outcomes then 5 years to tamoxofin

3) There is one study that shows ovary suppresion shows a 16% decrease in reoccuerence

4) Some studies show that in younger women their homonal surges can overcome the shots suppresion

5) I am scared sh_ _ less of the shot-apprently it is as big as a straw.

KerryMac:  How exactly did they do the removal of ovaries.  Is is through a tiny incision in the abdomen?  Just curious.  I'm officially in menopause due to the chemo, so not sure I want to or need to remove ovaries. 

 montana7p - What does your family history for bc and ovarian cancer look like?  You're so young to have bc I always wonder if there might be a genetic component.  I was BRAC neg but due to family history it is recommended that have my ovaries removed.  It's an easy decision for me since I was going into perimenopause prior to dx.  I can see how it's much harder when you're so young.  I'm sure the other ladies can give you some advice and hope you can reach a decision that feels right for you.

Hey Kerry - I assume you had lacroscopic.  I'm debating whether to go north to Anchorage for my surgery or to Seattle where my onc said it could be performed by robots.  Apparently an advantage, but I haven't done any research.  How was yours done?

I am skeptical about someone whose first posts are all about a clothing company. I am not going to that site.

Sheila the skeptical

I haven't gotten that far in my journey but the Dr. hinted at it yesterday.  He is leaning towards me having a hysterectomy.  I have no problems with doing it.  I haven't had a period in a year now.  I have been having hot flashes and missed months of periods for a few years now.  Hey that reminds me the one good side effect of chemo is I am now cold natured.  Wonder how long it will last living in the south.

I hope you find comfort in the decision you make.

montana7p - I'm right there with you in hating the idea but knowing I need to do something (and also 39 at dx - just turned 40 a couple weeks ago).  My onc is recommending the shot to suppress ovaries with Tamoxifen when I finish rads in a few weeks.  I'm going that route for now.  At first I just wanted the ooph, but I've decided the shot does the same thing and leaves my options open.  It gives me more time to fully understand the consequences for me.  All of this stuff affects everyone so differently.

KittyDog - I'm loving the lowered body temp in our SC heat as well!  If my body temp is going to return to normal, I hope it's not until October.....

i had an oopherectomy on june 15 (hi pure!) and it was super easy for me. the recovery was a piece of cake and 2 months later, i really don't feel different, except relieved..my cancer was 97% er and pr positive so it just made sense to me. my onc kept saying it was unecessary since chemo would shut them down, but i kept hearing about women who started menstruating after chemo,,,, where there are periods, there is estrogen......so i just wanted them OUT. plus, i wanted to take arimidex, and you have to be post menopausal. i have hot flashes but i'd be having them anyway on arimidex or tamoxifen. like kerrymac said, i have zero regrets.

Something instinctually tells me that having my ovaries out was EXACTLY what I needed to do. And to be really honest, I feel so even now emotionally. I sort of luag about it and say had I know this I would have skipped all those years of PMS and being a bitch and skipped straight to the ovaries coming out. I will say that I am only an immediate metabolizer or tamoxifi so it was very important I get on an AI as well.