Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

Loving grouches,  I had to make a similar decision last year.  I am 54 so a little older than you.  As my cancer is ER/PR+, my BS and MO had both mentioned considering an oophorectomy after the BC was taken care of.  My mother passed away from Ovarian cancer, so that has long been a concern.  There isn't a whole lot of cancer in my family but there is a whole branch of our family that we don't know.  My brother had prostate cancer in his 50's.  I had genetic testing and came back with a VUS in the Lynch Syndrome group which increases risk of ovarian, endometrial, colon, and a few other cancers.  When I met with the gynecological oncologist, I was a bit shocked that she recommended a complete hysterectomy.  As there was no rush, I did take my time to think it through.  I finally decided to go ahead knowing that I would regret it if I got a cancer that I could have prevented.  I had laproscopic surgery with vaginal assist.  I stayed one night in the hospital then a second after I had a reaction to opiod pain meds.  I really only felt off for a few days but did have to restrict activities for six weeks.  The better I felt the harder it was to have the restrictions.  I had a short-term increase in hot flashes but after a few weeks went back to a mild level.  I am on Tamoxifen now, so hard to say what is due to hysterectomy, normal menopause, or tamoxifen.  My SE's are mild hot-flashes, short-term memory is a bit eratic, and vaginal dryness.  But I had all those before.  I don't regret my decision at all.  The SE's are easily manageable.  Also, I had met my max out of pocket, so it didn't cost me anything.  Good Luck with your decision.  MJS

LG, I am glad you are making the decision that works best for you. Talk to your gyn about if you can do a supracervical hysterectomy so you can keep your cervix unless you have the risk of cervical cancer as well. Otherwise I had laprascopic vaginal assisted hysterectomy as well. It's not a bad surgery to recover from but surgical menopause is living hell. As long as they are OK with you being on Tamoxifen instead of AI's you will get some bone density protection. I highly recommend Hystersisters dot Com for reading and support for hysterectomy. It's an amazing forum with lots of good information and support like bco.

LovingGrouches, a hard decision. But I'm sure you are feeling better now that you are almost ready to make that decision. We support you no matter what you decide!

HUGS!

the nice thing about making up your mind is the peace that comes with it

LovingGrouches, I can see why you are concerned. Is there an option of draining the cyst prior to surgery? I don't know about such things but I know I had one in my breast that was drained and disappeared. Maybe yours could be made smaller. While 10 weeks is a very long time, years of peace of mind probably outweigh it (in the long run). Ask your surgeon!

HUGS!

So, completed last Herceptin treatment today. YAY! It has been a year of treatment and so now, the invasive parts are over. Am on Arimidex for 10 years. Will have first diagnostic mammo in 2 weeks and followup with BS end of month. Check in with the MO every 4 months. Now to find my "new normal" and to work harder on eating well and exercising well. Heading to see what's up with the exercise threads.

Woo-hoo for me Hugs to all of you! Your support has helped me tremendously!

Thanks, Peggy! Hugs to YOU.

That's amazing Happy Hammer! Congratulations!

HH, congratulations!! LG, I had a very large uterus thanks to fibroids and adenomyosis and it was no problem doing a LAVH. They will usually tell you that there's a chance of converting to TAH but they try to be less invasive these days. Honestly though unless you keep your cervix the recovery time is the same. You have a vaginal cuff replacing the cervix which is the biggest reason for restrictions during recovery. Feel free to PM if you want to talk.

Grazy, I think the bug is mostly gone. Cough is hanging on - probably because the allergies are so bad. Argh!

Sandy, I love dark chocolate but right now it is not agreeing with me Luckily, I am not having that problem with wine!! That would be terrible.

TGIF, Ladies!

HUGS!

Thanks for the hotel info, HH and happy no more herceptin to you!

Dear Loving Grouches. I am 61, and I had a total hysterectomy at 43. I had severe fibroids and it was emergency surgery, because I was bleeding out. I had to receive 2 pints of blood, etc. It's a long time ago now, but I am so happy that I did the whole thing. Yes the surgery was rough, but I was very low on blood, so I'm sure that played a part in it. My OB/GYN put me immediately on premarin, and anti depressants, Now of course, having had BC 18 years later, I question the part the hormone replacement therapy played in it. Who knows? I was so sick and I just went along with what she recommended. I am older, wiser, and do a lot of research now. It sounds like you are educating yourself and will make the right decision. My main point to you is, I am so happy that I decided to have a total hysterectomy. No birth control, no uterine or ovary cancer fears, etc. I did not want any more children, and I have never missed the ovaries. My surgical menopause was not extreme. I did stop taking the premarin and antidepressants when I was about 50, and never looked back. I think I could have stopped taking them sooner, but hindsight is 20/20. Anyway, good luck to you and I am sure that you'll make the right decision.

Congratulations HH!

LG glad you got a good biopsy report!

3 weeks after surgery, finally feeling like my old self. I've between going to excercise class for about a week & half & yesterday was first day I felt like I didn't have to force energy. Not back to full speed, but getting there. Trying not to remember that in less than 2 weeks have to go through it all again. Wasn't painful, just ready to be done with this part. Have a good weekend! Trish

Grazy, you don't sound selfish at all! You HAVE to take care of yourself. If you don't, then you won't be able to help your mother or anyone else down the road. I think this is the hardest part of our BC journey. We always give rather than caring for ourselves. You've been under tremendous stress so it isn't surprising you crashed. It was exactly what you needed. Now just lounge around all weekend and do a lot of nothing. I'm glad your mother is improving. That has to be a huge relief.

Trish, keeping you in my thoughts and in your pocket!!

HUGS!

Grazy (blushing), aw gee, thanks! Definitely take care of yourself! Keep in mind that you cannot care for everyone all the time. Sometimes you have to turn that care over to others. I found that out the hard way. I had to put DH in a nursing home since his care had come beyond what I could do after my dx and tx. Not only did I not have the stamina but I realized I was killing myself. I believe if I had not put him in a home, I'd have been dead in 6 months. Exhaustion can be deadly. End lecture.

HUGS!