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Trying to Make a decision
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08-14-2005, 05:37 PM
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Guest
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Trying to Make a decision
Hi! I am new to this website, but have been reading the posts and trying to make a decision. Here is my story:
For the last several years, I have had periods basically every two weeks, or sometimes will have a period start after I have intercourse occasionally. Not much intermittent pain, but occasionally I do have some. Also, occasionally pain with intercourse. My Gyne and I have been discussing doing an ablation, but I was warned that it could have only a 50% chance of doing away with the bleeding. I have had some abdominal pain off and on and in the course of making the decision to do the ablation, we did some tests to make sure nothing else was going on. Basically, we did (3) seperate vaginal ultrasounds over the last 2 years and have discovered on the last two the definite signs of a pedunculated cyst on my right ovary. CA 125 came back normal. However, most of my ovulation pain is on my left side. (maybe because this one is functioning more than the right?) Apparantly,the type of pedunculated cyst I have could be hard to simply remove from the ovary, which means most likely that this ovary will need to be removed. I am 48 years old. My mother and my sister both had TAHs and honestly, began having emotional problems soon after.
My decision is multiple. My Dr. has suggested that since I will need this ovary removed, that we go ahead and do a hysterectomy since there is no obsolute guarantee that the ablation will help. Also, why go through the ablation when in a few years, I might end up needing a hysterectomy anyway? Especially since I am not that many years away from total menopause. (I am experiencing hot flashes and night sweats already, as well as mood swings).
My main concern is whether I should keep my left ovary. I have read the posts and have an appointment set to speak to another physician, but I just would like some feedback from those on this site who have had the same dilemma. There is a history of cancer on my father's side of the family, which my Dr. assured me was not as critical a history factor than it would be if it was on my maternal side. My dr. is concerned, however, that if I keep the left ovary, then I will run the chance later in life of dealing with a problem later on with this ovary, since the right one has the cyst. BTW, I have experienced having benign cysts in the past in my breasts and around my bra area, so I may be one of those people pre-disposed to cysts.
We are looking at the laproscopic procedure, which I am told is much easier to recover from. My doctor also said that most likely I will have only a one night stay in the hospital with the laproscopic prodedure. Does this sound right to you? She said that I will need to definitely schedule 4 weeks off of work and can then think about returning to work, if I feel up to it, part-time for 2 additional weeks.
Anyway, I would just appreciate some feedback. Thanks for a great website that is helping so many women!
humnbrd777
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08-14-2005, 07:07 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 273
Hysterectomy: May 26th, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Trying to Make a decision
humnbrd777,
I can't offer you any perspectives regarding choice as I had none - both ovaries had to be removed. But, when you said that your left side was where the pain is...but that's not the side with the cyst, I sat up a bit straighter. I had pain on my right side - cysts were on the left - and the ultrasounds didn't show anything. Not one of them. Well, when the doc got in, she found the cause of the pain...the ovary was securely adhesed to the bowel and the fallopian tube was folded over and adhesed to itself. Again, none of this showed up on ultrasounds. All of that is to say, don't be surprised if the doc finds something odd like that when he gets in there.
I'm 41. I can't take HRT so I went into surgical menopause immediately. Knock on wood, I have not had any ill effects from it.
One definite word of advice, if you have the surgery, please, please, please take the time to heal correctly. Don't push it to get back to work. My surgery was a TAH/BSO so I can't speak to the recovery from the laproscopic procedure but I can tell you that even though I felt good after a couple weeks, there is no way I could have returned to work before the doc said (6 weeks for me). You only have one chance to heal correctly - take the time to do it.
Best wishes in your decision and your procedure, whichever one it is.
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08-14-2005, 08:17 PM
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Guest
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Trying to Make a decision
Thanks so much for the encouraging words and the information you shared. Strangely, this has been a recurring thought of mine, that perhaps something is wrong with the left ovary that is not showing up on the Ultrasound.
Luckily, I work for an small accounting firm which has told me to not worry about anything. I have about 6 weeks sick time coming that I have saved up, so if I need the extra time, I will take it.
Thanks again!
humnbrd777
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08-14-2005, 10:05 PM
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Posts: 4,793
Hysterectomy: April 22nd, 2004
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Trying to Make a decision
Hi Humnbrd777,
I agree with just continuing your research on the ovaries. Possibly, you could talk with your Dr. and if the left ovary looks healthy during surgery, possibly leave it. If it is not healthy, he could remove it.
With one ovary, you cut your chance of ovarian cancer by 50% and you will not go into immediate surgical menopause. if you opt for/or need surgical menopause, I could suggest you check out the HRT-No HRT forum boards for more information.
On the laparoscopic hyst...I had one also. I had my surgery as an outpatient and went home at 6 PM the same day. I had the option to spend the night if my Dr. had wanted me to. Sounds like you are having a LAVH?? I actually went back to work slowly at 2 weeks with my Dr's okay with my LSH so to me, 4 weeks does sound reasonable.
I agree with Luvhouse about taking it easy. The first 6 weeks are the most important for healing. Get lots of R & R, drink lots of fluids and get a little exercise, like walking. Say "no" if something sounds too much.
Best wishes,
Mary
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