Terrified about salpingo-oophorectomy - help!

I completely understand your feelings, particularly the fear that they’ll find more cancer lurking. I felt the same way, even though on one level I knew it wasn’t totally rational. I knew the surgery was to reduce my risk, and to go on an AI, not because anyone was concerned that there was already an issue.

I had a total hysterectomy done vaginally and, honestly, it was a breeze. I took maybe two days off work? And took it easy for a couple weeks after that, like no heaving lifting and such. It was easy peasy. Yours will probably be a little more to recover from (I didn’t have any abdominal incisions at all), but still not a difficult recovery.

I went for a follow up with the surgeon about a week after the procedure and he had the pathology report. Seeing the word “benign” all over it was an incredible relief, and such a welcome sight after everything that had come before it. I broke down in tears in the car afterward, reading it over and over, even though I knew going in that it was probably all fine down there.

After a cancer diagnosis and treatment, anything like this can bring on real anxiety. It’s completely understandable. Good luck next week!

Very easy and I wish I had done it sooner. I detail my thoughts leading up to it, my recovery, etc. on the thread Uplifting and Lively Messages on the Hormonal Forum.

Blingiton,

Oh I can TOTALLY relate to that feeling.

I just had a salpingo oophorectomy- laparoscopic. I was so anxious prior to this surgery, I remarked to my husband “was I even this crazy before BMX?"

My surgery was less than an hour. I left the hospital that evening. The recovery was a complete nonevent. I was out shopping two days after the surgery and only taking Tylenol for pain. Which honestly, I probably didn't even need.

The big thing on this surgery is to move and get the gas out of your system. I would recommend grabbing some carbonated beverage ready for your home arrival to move the gas. But honestly that was not even a big deal.

It's so natural to feel like you are, and being concerned about “what they might find". Just like TizzyLish my pathology report was totally benign and I broke down in the car as well! Please feel free to reach out with any further questions!!!

YOU are going to do great!!

I get a lupron shot every three months to suppress my ovaries but I am considering asking my MO about surgery instead. What were the deciding factors for those that went the surgical route and also if you don’t kind how old are you?

I just turned 48, I was not in menopause prior to my diagnosis.

Mquara, I had a full hyst because of family history and gene mutations. Although PALB2 and Chek2 don't seem to cause ovarian and uterine cancers, there are sooo many women in my family who have had breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer. My doctor felt it was wise to get all that stuff out before they caused any trouble. I was 60, so had gone through menoause.

JenRuns— boy do I understand your comment, “....I could have ovarian cancer. Or maybe the breast cancer has metastasized...”. I finished rads 11/30/17, then started Anastrozole and Zoladex shots in January. Mid February I had a robotic laparoscopic full hysterectomy plus lymph node (1 each side) removed. I was ok with the surgery until surgeon told me she was taking lymph nodes. Hmmm. Does she think I have cancer there, too? DH said it is probably just to be sure all is ok (back history here— PET last March lit up the uterus area and D&C revealed complex a-typical hyperplasia so a hysterectomy was ordered once done with BC treatments). When awaiting being taken back for surgery, the nurse was goIng over the procedure with me: hysterectomy, tubes removed, ovaries removed for staging. For STAGING? Sounded like they expected cancer. Once I got home from surgery, I checked my patient portal daily to get pathology report. First posted was surgeon’s report. She mentioned that she did a pelvic wash and looked around but didn’t see signs of mets. First pathology report said no cancer cells found in pelvic wash! Many days later was full pathology— benign, no cancer, no hyperplasia, nothing abnormal!!!

Surgery was easy, recovery was easy (until I did too much yesterday... paying for that now with pains in my belly).

Hoping all goes well for you, too!!

I think any surgery is scary— I completely understand your feelings. If it helps my BSO was completely uneventful. Outpatient surgery, no pain afterward, no bleeding, nothing . Took a couple,of,the pain meds after, but dont think I really needed them.

Pathology came back clear.

The bonus is that everyone around me felt bad for me so they were really really nice. I liked that part!

Good luck to you- hoping all goes well

Bling, glad that it went well for you. I am thrilled no longer worry about reproductive issues and can take Tamoxifen without worry.