HysterSisters.com is a massive online community with over 475,000 members and over 5 million posts.
Our community is filled with women who have been through the
Hysterectomy experience providing both advice and support from our active members and moderators.
HysterSisters.com is located at 111 Peter St, Toronto, Canada, M5V2H1 and is part of the VerticalScope network of websites.
With free registration, you can ask and answer questions in our HYSTERECTOMY forum community, get our FREE BOOKLET, access Hysterectomy Checkpoints and more.
You are not alone. The HysterSisters are here for you. Join us today!
|
|
having second, third, and fourth thoughts....
|
01-10-2004, 01:13 PM
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 605
Hysterectomy: January 19th, 2004
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Undecided
|
|
having second, third, and fourth thoughts....
Hi, all--
First, before I launch into my tale of woe, let me say how grateful I am to have found this website.
I am kinda in the dazed and confused mode here--have had truly awful pap smears off and on for about 8 years, often requiring colposcopy and biopsy, sometimes reversing themselves...have had LEEP 6 years ago, followed by a couple years of normal Paps. Most recent pap came back with high grade lesions and biopsy confirmed high grade lesions in the endocervical canal. I should also mention I have problems with generous sized fibroids, extreme pain during my periods, heavy bleeding, and just to add a cherry to this particular sundae, I am DES-exposed. (Yay! Thanks, Mom's obstetrician!) My doc, whom I respect and trust, told me that either cone or TAH was an appropriate choice, and she wouldn't push for either, but felt that with my history if I opted for cone, we'd be having the same conversation 3 years from now about hysterectomy. My second-opinion doc said she'd do cone biopsy, but thought it very bad that my pap went from normal to LSIL in 3 months, that I had endocervical lesions, and that HPV and DES were thrown into the alphabet soup.
It seems to me that everything here is in shades of grey. If I had actual cervical cancer, the choice would be simpler. I have been vacillating for weeks here.........I do have an appt. for TAH on January 19th, and seemed to be finally OK with the whole thing, but these second thoughts keep creeping into my head. (Some of these thoughts were aided by visiting the HERS website....gotta remember to stay away!) I fear that the HPV will recur vaginally--and THEN what do the doctors slice out?
I wish I were more comfortable with this decision.....can someone tell me, are you ever totally sure? Does everyone waver like this? Am I being ruled by fear, and not by common sense? Aaarrrggghhhh! Any response will be welcomed. After the kind of weepy second-guessing I've been doing, hormone hell might even be a relief.
|
Sponsored Links
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
01-10-2004, 08:45 PM
|
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 1,999
Hysterectomy: December 10th, 2001
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
|
|
having second, third, and fourth thoughts....
HIya Stella ... I am so sorry you are faced with this difficult decision.
I don't know if everyone wavers, but I know I certainly did. It was a very difficult decision for me and although my surgery was scheduled 2 months ahead, I did not decide on a TAH until 4 days before when I met with my Doctor for the preop with him.
It was a very emotional decision for me, and I felt very alone. New to this site, someone directed me to the aching hearts forum and well that just made me cry my eyes out more.
All I can say is take as much time as you need. To proceed with this surgery you must be 100% prepared for it mentally.
My circumstances were different than yours as my surgery was because of recurring fibroids, that grew back within 3 months so they were becoming "of concern" While I had a difficult time deciding to do it, I have not regretted my decision one bit. Every now n then there are still some things I get a bit emotional about, but in all, it's all's well.
All the best to you,
BSQ
|
|
01-11-2004, 11:41 AM
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 7,120
Hysterectomy: July 11th, 2003
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
|
|
having second, third, and fourth thoughts....
Dear Stellablue,
You are facing a difficult decision - no doubt about it.
I am not qualified to answer your questions about "what if" in regards to the medical issues you've written about, but I would like to address the fact that you don't feel comfortable with having the surgery.
When surgery is not because of life threatening situations, there is time to stop and do more research, or even just stop to think about how you feel a bit more.
In your case you have medical questions you want answered, plus you just aren't sure.
With any major surgery there are risks, and that of course includes this surgery. If - and I don't say this to scare you , but to be realistic -- if something should go wrong, you have to know that you did all your homework and research and that you KNEW in your heart and mind that this surgery was the right decision for you. Even if it all goes A-1, the recovery can be rough - and the knowledge that it was the right choice helps get us through it.
YOu mentioned hormone hell --- Are you sure that it is absolutely necessary to have your ovaries removed? Sorting out hormones can be another difficult challenge to deal with - certainly not impossible, but it can be challening.
So... My suggestion is that if you aren't sure--- why not think about putting it off and getting more information, plus a better handle on your feelings -which are hugely important.
best wishes
|
Sponsored Links
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
01-12-2004, 05:35 PM
|
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 4,498
Hysterectomy: February 9th, 2001
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
|
|
having second, third, and fourth thoughts....
(((Stella)))
You're right. If you had actual cervical cancer, the choice would be simpler whether or not to have the hysterectomy-- the choice would already be made for you. But then again, you'd probably be looking at additional treatments with radiation and/or chemo, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to be in those shoes either.
I was given the choice, but decided to go forward because my cervix had a lot of scar tissue from previous procedures, and my doc was very direct in telling me that he couldn't guarantee he could get a good sampling of cells at my PAP to detect any cancer that might be there in the future. I cried for days. I didn't want to have it done, but I knew it was in my best interest and in the best interest of my family. I was terrified: terrified to have the hysterectomy, terrified to not have the hysterectomy. I went ahead with it, and I know that I did the best thing for me. And I am comfortable with that now (but I wasn't then). I was afraid that my life would change, that I'd fall into a depression, that I'd never have an orgasm again (assuming that I survived the surgery), that I'd gain a ton of weight, that I'd turn into a grumpy old woman. Well, none of those things came to pass. I kept my ovaries, my hormones are just fine, I feel great. It doesn't go that way for everyone, but I think most women have neutral to positive outcomes.
I knew I had vaginal dysplasia before my hysterectomy (it was found at the time of my LEEP when I asked my doc to repair a chronic vaginal tear). I had that area of my vaginal wall removed. Vaginal dysplasia and cancer are pretty rare. If detected early, it can be treated by surgical or laser removal. If it's widespread, they have an internal/topical chemo that can be used. It's absolutely vital that you have regular PAP's of your vaginal cuff (my doc also does a yearly colposcopy) to see if anything has recurred.
Now, having the hysterectomy will not decrease your risk of vaginal cancer from the DES. That is also quite rare. That particular vaginal cancer is called clear cell carcinoma. There is no link between HPV and vaginal clear cell carcinoma that I am aware of. Vaginal cancer is very rare, but close follow-up with your physician will help make sure it is caught early when it is most treatable.
Have you seen a gynecologic oncologist? If not, you might like to request a referral to see one. They are the experts when it comes to female cancers and precancers, and they know all the current treatment and surgical procedures.
Good luck, Stella! Please let us know how things are going and what you decide to do.
|
|
Similar Threads
|
From This Forum |
From Other Forums |
2 Replies, Last Reply 11-28-2010, Started By Cripies37 5 Replies, Last Reply 03-04-2010, Started By Connie1968 9 Replies, Last Reply 06-20-2009, Started By faithful44 5 Replies, Last Reply 11-14-2008, Started By trishd6 3 Replies, Last Reply 02-05-2007, Started By WannaBPainFree 5 Replies, Last Reply 01-18-2007, Started By Apositivespin 5 Replies, Last Reply 09-28-2006, Started By mezmerized 10 Replies, Last Reply 09-26-2005, Started By kokomo316 6 Replies, Last Reply 04-29-2002, Started By rdinvt 3 Replies, Last Reply 06-22-2000, Started By MaryT.C. |
1 Reply, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) 2 Replies, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) 8 Replies, Preparing for Hysterectomy (pre hysterectomy) 5 Replies, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) 4 Replies, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) 11 Replies, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) 15 Replies, B.E.S.T.-(Better Eaters Support Team) 7 Replies, The Road Less Traveled 3 Replies, Preparing for Hysterectomy (pre hysterectomy) 3 Replies, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) |
|
Advertisement
Hysterectomy News
TODAY'S EVENTS
Calendar -
Hysterectomies -
Birthdays
Request Information
I am a HysterSister
Your Hysterectomy Date
$vbulletin->featuredvideos is not an array!
Advertisement
Advertisement
|