Hysterectomy questions following ER+ BC

I also had a complete abdominal HX 6 years ago. I can't remember having too much trouble except, as Special K said, at first it is kind of awkward getting up from a seated or laying position. I also remember sneezing without bracing myself and was really scared that I had ripped something loose. That wasn't fun! I was back to work 4-5 or five weeks after the surgery. I was ready to go back sooner but had to wait for my post op visit to be released. Since yours is laparoscopic, I would think that you would be up and around pretty quickly. As far as driving, I was told it was ok to drive as soon as I quit taking prescription pain medication. I did purchase (and used frequently for the first week or two) one of the grabber things (got mine at Walmart). They come in handy when a remote, book, etc. is just out of reach or if you're not ready to bend over and pick something up off the floor.

I also live with the hot flashes. Due to family history of breast cancer (mother and sister - I wasn't diagnosed until 6 years later), I couldn't do HRT. I was thrown into menopause and immediately started having hot flashes. I keep a fan on my desk, turn it on when I need it and go about my day. Mine are not horrible, just uncomfortable for a few minutes several times a day.

Also, I am scheduled to have a laparoscopic hernia repair next week and my surgeon told me he usually tells patients to plan on being off for 2 weeks. I talked him in to letting me go back after one week (as long as everything goes as planned). Thankfully, I have a desk job and don't have to do any lifting.

Due to sudden and extreme heavy bleeding after no period for 14 months, my OBGYN also recommended a hysterectomy.  I had 7 uterine fibroids, some were sub-mucosal.  Because of my recent BC diagnosis, it was recommended to remove my uterus, cervix, tubes and ovaries.  They didn't see anything suspicious during the surgery and it went pretty well.  I have been taking it easy so as not to undo anything.  My surgery was done laparoscopically and my cervix and uterus removal were vaginal assisted.  I have3 small incisions, one on either side and one in my belly button.  Other than a bowel movement earlier today that felt like childbirth, it hasn't been too bad.  The soreness is tolerable.  I'm supposed to be out of work for 6 weeks but at this point feel like I can go back after my 2 week checkup.  

I'm 42 and had been in chemopause since Feb. of 2012 so have been experiencing hot flashes.  I'm not sure what to expect going forward.  I know what I've read but guess we will wait and see. Hopefully it will not be too bad.  

They send off all of the tissue and fibroids for biopsy.  I was told it takes 5 days to two weeks for the final reading.  I'm a bit nervous about the wait but most likely it will all be fine.  Still, I want to see and hear its 100% benign.  

PS.  My husband has been helping out too.  It's not as good as we would do it, but bless his heart he tries!

lala - my menopause was surgical - I was 45 and not experiencing any menopausal symptoms yet.  My only issue after the hyst/ooph was, and continues to be, hot flashes.  I did not gain weight, have mood swings, or any other problems.  Throughout chemo and AIs the flashes have remained unchanged.  The only thing that has made a difference in them is adopting an anti-inflammatory diet - it also made a serious dent in my AI induced joint pain.  I am not sure that you can surmise that your symptoms will be worse, or better, it is hard to say until you do it.

Hysterectomy scheduled for Sept 29th.  My uterus is the size of a 14 week pregnancy due to the fibroids,, but since fibroids are heavier than a fetus,, it's the weight of a 5 month pregnancy.  No wonder I feel so bloated all the time. And I do have an ovarian cyst.  I knew that pain I had last week felt familiar.

I understand Greenpeace.  Been there myself.  My fibroids are the type that only a hysterectomy will take care of, and yet for the last 5 years, I've been putting it off, hoping to go into menopause. I'm 55 now. Diagnosed with Estrogen pos. BC last year.  Right after my MX, my estrogen levels starting declining,, so I thought,, finally I'm going into menopause. GYN and MO said OK,, no tamoxifen or surgery needed as I'm going into menopause. Well. apparently my body isn't ready for that yet,, as my estrogen levels popped up to over 500 last month. So I'm having the HX next month.  Everything is coming out as they want my estrogen levels to come down.  Do you know what your levels are?   It's rough to be tossed into menopause at your age, since you are not having any signs of it. At least I'm having the ups and down of peri-menopause.  

If you leave the ovaries,, you won't be thrown into immediate menopause.But you will still be at risk for future ovarian cancer. And you will still be making estrogen, which could have effect on your BC.  I would continue to question your BS, MO and your GYN and consider what they all have to say.

sounds like peri-menopause to me.  I had no period for 6 months, then it came back!  Before that,, it was very sporadic.

Let me know what your GYN says! 

mcgis - I feel for you. I haven't had the hx, but if doc says to do it I'm all in. I have worried about incontinence with the hx. Thoughts anyone? Did you see that recent study that said Effexor is just as/ almost as effective as HRT?  Hanging in there with you . . . 

Ok - So the ultrasound showed the lining to be 12 mm thicker, so she did another biopsy. So far I don't think she is that concerned. She said she would be if I was NOT on tamoxifen and had similar thickening. They'll call with results in a couple days. Here's my logic 1 in 8 women get BC, 1 in a 1000 get endometrial cancer, increased to 2 in 1000 with tamoxifen. So my odds are really low for that and more than likely tamoxifen is up to it's old tricks. I'm not going there until and if I get there. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

The biopsy does hurt but it is over quickly. It is like several really hard pinches. You cramp and spot a little afterward. But after all we've been through it is doable. You got this!

I had a complete hysterectomy, on Jan 29 of this year.  I had uterine cancer.  It was done through 5 small incisions and I spent one night in the hospital.  I was out of the recovery room at 10 pm and walked out of the hospital and four blocks at 2 pm.  

l. Make sure they don't use that thing that chops up the uterus.  I forget what it's called but just in case there is some cancer, you want it taken out whole.

2. I had very little pain.  Inf act I was on the treadmill right away.  But you shouldn't push too hard.  I did and the dr told me that the incisions are small but the operation is big so you have to take it easy.  It's confusing because they keep telling you to walk!

3. Make sure you don't take any pills on an empty stomach.  I did and my stomach got very upset and I think its what contributed to my developing an ulcer.

4. I had the surgery in New York and flew home to Chicago 6 days later, walked through the airport and everything.  

5. Relax, it's not a bad surgery and it's a relief to get all of it out of me!

the chopping up of the uterus is call morcellation. Yeah,, you don't want that.  Google it and you will find out very bad things. I talked to my GYN about it, and she does not do it.  *whew*

Timbuktu, Thanks for the advice!!  Much appreciated. Hope you are doing well now.

That is great news that everything is back to normal for now. Also very interesting about strengthening the bladder. I'm def gonna try it. Still waiting for my biopsy report. I talked to the nurse at my onco's office and she'd had similar bleeding issues to me - and she's never been on Tamoxifen, so I'm guessing much of the problem is simply perimenopause. Lala my SIL had ooph last year at 49. She was quite concerned about not being able to do HRT, but she had no problems at all.