Research is IMPORTANT!

hI hYSTERSISTERS!
I have really researched this site and have found a wealth of valuable information. It is important that each one of us finds out everything we can before we havea procedure done.
If you recall, I am still trying to decide what to do with my ovaries, due to the incidence of blood clots in my legs. My gyn. is leaning towards keeping the ovaries as they both appear to be healthy. However, according to my research I am at a high risk of developing ovarian cancer. One, I had my period early in life. Two, I never had children, Three, I know nothing about my family history, ?????????. I have read that the hormone level can be tested to see if the ovaries are producing hormones. It is a simple blood test. I called the doctor's office to see if that was included in the pre-op testing and I was told that it was not included because of the insurance EXPENSE! I told the nurse I wanted it tested because that may determine whether or not I decide to keep the ovaries. If they are not producing hormones at this time, why would I keep them and take the chance of developing ovarian cancer? She said when I come in to see the doctor on JUne 5th, she would gave me a slip for the lab to have it tested as she can understand my concern.
If I didn't aski, or didn't know about this, Noone would have told me, and because the insurance doesn't include it as part of the regular pre-admission testing it could not be included.
We need to be our own advocates. Hopefully we are making the right decisions as it is affecting our bodies.
I am quite nervous, as my surgery is scheduled for June 15th. I am having a LAVH, removal of uterus and cervix with possible ovaries. I am unable to sleep through the night. I am constantly preoccupied with thinking about the surgery, and the anxiety level is quite unbearable. I am already taking Buspar to take the edge off. Any ideas to work on this would be of great help!
I just wish the day was here already. Too bad it needs to be scheduled so far in advance. It is the waiting that is terrible.
Thank-you so much for listening. Most of all thank-you for being there for me. I really need you right now..

hope

I was a wreck, though I had a very short wait. One thing that helped me was to spend time planning ways to make my recovery actually ENJOYABLE. I borrowed videos from friends, pestered librarian friends to recommend absorbing books that wouldn't be too challenging for the , decided what treats I would eat, etcetera. I printed the "Caring for a Punctured Princess" list for my husband, who was a sweetie-boo.

I have no control over the surgery (though I did pester every living person I met related to the hospital or doctor to make sure I would have good pain control). I had some control over what would happen in my house after the surgery and how I would handle my recovery. Try to focus on your lovely little recovery nest and see if that helps. Imagine yourself dreaming away the days in a pleasant haze, calling all your friends to tell them how great your pain drugs are and eating sorbet out of a fine china bowl and use that image to replace whatever anxious image is in your head now.

With all that said, it's very, very, very normal to freak out before surgery.