1 year post-op

Just got home from seeing my gyn/onc in Houston on Wednesday (8/27). I'm sure glad I only have to go see her every 6 months.. that 4 hour drive is a doozy.

She said everything looks good. She did a pap smear, which I'm hoping to hear back that it's completely, absolutely, uninterestingly Normal. I forgot to ask how long it will take them to get the results. If I don't hear from them in 2 weeks, I'll be calling.

We also discussed my lack of libido again and my choices on how to treat this.. after discussing the fact that estratest is oral and systemic and also could have some hepatoxicity ( possible liver damage ), she's going to release me to a regular gyn to do any HRT. I'll still see her every 6 months. Next time in Feb. of 09.

I'm still only thinking about hrt.. I know there are some dangers, but thinking that if I use topical that the dangers might be reduced. And I'm wondering if I can make it the first two years (when the danger of recurrence is the highest) without hrt, that that might reduce the dangers even more. I think I really need to find a gyn who specializes in menopause.

But I sure miss my sex drive, I miss other things too, but don't want to whine when others are having a much tougher time.

I'm just pleased to have it over with.. no more fingers in the rear for awhile.

I do have to find someone to order a colonoscopy for me. I should've had it done at the time of surgery when I was already cleaned out.. but was too discombobulated to think about it at the time.

Anyhow, just wanted to report a very normal checkup.

Lisa:
That is great that you had a good checkup... Hoping for an excellent report back.
My gyn/onc will not allow me any HRT and I understand your lack of drive.
I know there are many women that have been given estrogen cream as a suppository... maybe they will let you do that... I have heard it is negligible that way, but mine said absolutely no way.. Don't know why they differ so in opinions. Best of luck to you and keep us posted.

Hi Lisa,

Congratulations on your good news! Good luck with the HRT issue--I hope you find some solution.

As to the colonoscopy, I had one about 5 months post surgery, being age 50 at that point. It was a breeze--really--after what I went through with 2 surgeries, HDR, and a lymphocyst infection!

Hi Lisa,
Congrats on a good first year check-up.
My doctor who is extremely cautious chose to wait until I reached the 2 year mark before prescribing a estrogen vaginal cream but I was post- menopausal and mainly needed it for dryness. Doctors vary re prescibing estrogen oral or topical mainly based on one's dx, etc. Hope you can work something out with the gyn.

Thanks everyone.

Vaginal dryness is an issue here too. If there was something non hormonal to use (herbal perhaps?) I'd be open to that.

I'm not narrowly focused on hormones.. that just seems to be the remedy that pops to the physicians minds when I mention my concerns.

I'm also worried about my hair thinning rapidly (I've lost at least 1/2 the volume) and dry facial skin.

I asked about having hormone levels drawn while I was there, but she didn't want to do that since I'm not taking hormones. I guess something else to ask the menopause specialist about.

Maybe I should've lobbied to keep 1 ovary.. but speculating on that is a waste of time.. water under the bridge.

I understand about some gyn/onc's not being supportive of any hrt for their patients. The first gyn/onc I saw in Dallas (Dr. Doom&Gloom) didn't agree with it either. One of many reasons I didn't let him do my surgery. I did like his office staff a lot better.. lol.. but they weren't providing my care.

Ya'll have a great holiday weekend.

Got the phone call today.. my pap smear (of the vaginal cuff) was absolutely NORMAL. Yessssssss!!!!

Time to break out the chocolate and celebrate!!!

Can I hear a Now go out and
WONDERFUL NEWS