2nd Opinion is scheduled, so relieved!

I know some type of surgery is inevitable for me, but I can’t help but feel completely relieved that I am scheduled to get a 2nd opinion…so glad I am moving forward with it, and I have THIS SITE to thank!

After discovering a 9 cm Transmural Fibroid tumor (inside and outside) of my uterus, my OB/GYN automatically said I needed a full hysterectomy (due to the size and location of the tumor, no other options were viable for me, she said). Because of a strong family history we also discussed removing my ovaries. That is still on the table as we await my mom and sister’s BRCA1, BRCA2 and BART results in a few weeks (their insurance would pay for it, mine wouldn’t. Both have had breast and cervical cancer).

We discussed the daVinci method, but I am a recovered Heart Failure patient and my Cardiologist wasn’t thrilled with the surgery time or the position of the body during the surgery, so we were back to square 1 - - abdominal hysterectomy.

Terrified about everything, I found this site and started reading up on what was about to happen to me, and I gotta tell you I became EVEN MORE terrified! I also started to question why my Dr. hadn’t talked to me about any of these other things that I probably needed consultation on…bladder slings, is my cervix coming out or not, recovery complications, sexual dysfunction, etc…the list goes on and on…I didn’t have any clue! Not that I will have all of those things, but it would be good to know what to possibly expect!

So, I compiled 2 pages worth of questions and my husband and I went to see her last week. At the end of the appointment I was sure of two things…1) I definitely needed surgery, and 2) I definitely wanted a 2nd opinion.

I love my Dr., but she is an OB/GYN who does surgery maybe 6 times a year. She could tell we were desperate for more information about potential “less invasive” options, so she referred me to a gynecologic surgeon who “specializes” in the field. I see him next Monday, August 27th.

I thought it would be uncomfortable and awkward asking all of those questions, and especially asking for a 2nd opinion, but it wasn’t. I realized I needed to be my own health advocate, and this was too major to screw around with. My Dr. was understanding, too, and in some way I think it gave her some second thoughts on jumping straight to hysterectomy for her patients….maybe….

I will keep everyone updated. Like I said, I am sure surgery will happen, and it could end up being the TAH, but at least I will know I did my due diligence, and whatever the outcome is, I will know I looked out for myself.

I feel a huge burden lifted off my shoulders right now.

Good for you! It can be difficult to take charge as you have done but you're doing good things to ensure you find the right treatment. Good luck!

I just had a laprascopic myomectomy 6 weeks ago for 8 very large fibroids. So it can be done its just finding a doctor who is comfortable doing it. My uterus was a huge size of a 5 month preg. but they could still do it by just removing the fibroids and I've kept my uterus.

Thanks for the replies...and for the hope cleo! I am well past child bearing years, I just don't want to have major abdominal surgery. I am glad to hear your surgery worked out well for you

	Quote:
Originally Posted by KakiChi Thanks for the replies...and for the hope cleo! I am well past child bearing years, I just don't want to have major abdominal surgery. I am glad to hear your surgery worked out well for you

I am too past child bearing years ... I'm 45 years old and don't want to have anymore children but I still opted to keep my uterus and just have the myomectomy. I've done a lot of research on hysterectomies and even if you keep your ovaries I guess the blood supply to them is decreased so in some women they have failed altogether or within 2 or 3 years .... and I never knew this but I guess even when you go through menopause your ovaries still produce a small amount of estrogen throughout your whole life to protect you from heart disease, dementia, stroke and a whole lot of other health issues. So I didn't want to chance loosing complete ovary function and having a lot of other health issues on top of it. I'm not a fan of hormone replacement either and have read it helps only with the hot flashes and stuff but doesn't give you the same protection against heart disease as having that estrogen produced by your ovaries. I've also heard of a lot of other awful health issues like bladder prolapse ... my mom has had a hysterectomy and she hasn't been the same since. She has constant bladder problems ended up with two huge hernia's and now has to go in for hernia operations. It seems like she swapped one health issue for a whole bunch of others she now has because of it. Now that's not saying you can't have a hysterectomy and have it come out great with never no other problems and a lot of women seem to be happy with their decision but with the research I've done I opted to keep my uterus thinking it would be more harm than good to have the hysterectomy ..... just do your research and make the best decision for you. There are a lot of women who say they regret it and there are a lot that are happy with it. For me I just had fibroids and I always had normal periods with them, no pain just frequent urination and a growing belly ...... other women have cancer or endo. and lots of really heavy bleeding to the point of hemorrhaging so I can understand the need for the hysterectomy. But for me I just had the large fibroids in there and the best choice for me that I was comfortable with was the myomectomy. Some doctors will assume right away if you don't want anymore children lets just take out your uterus. That's not a good doctor. I've actually come across doctors who have actually tried to talk you into keep your uterus because of how important an organ it is to a womens health. So do your homework and make the best decision for you. Be comfortable with your doctor so the trust is there and if you don't like what they are telling you move on get 3 or 4th opinions if you have to. Hysterectomy is a major operation and a big decision give it lots of thought because once it's done there is no turning back.
Good luck

cleo619

	Quote:
Originally Posted by cleo619 I am too past child bearing years ... I'm 45 years old and don't want to have anymore children but I still opted to keep my uterus and just have the myomectomy. I've done a lot of research on hysterectomies and even if you keep your ovaries I guess the blood supply to them is decreased so in some women they have failed altogether or within 2 or 3 years .... and I never knew this but I guess even when you go through menopause your ovaries still produce a small amount of estrogen throughout your whole life to protect you from heart disease, dementia, stroke and a whole lot of other health issues. So I didn't want to chance loosing complete ovary function and having a lot of other health issues on top of it. I'm not a fan of hormone replacement either and have read it helps only with the hot flashes and stuff but doesn't give you the same protection against heart disease as having that estrogen produced by your ovaries. I've also heard of a lot of other awful health issues like bladder prolapse ... my mom has had a hysterectomy and she hasn't been the same since. She has constant bladder problems ended up with two huge hernia's and now has to go in for hernia operations. It seems like she swapped one health issue for a whole bunch of others she now has because of it. Now that's not saying you can't have a hysterectomy and have it come out great with never no other problems and a lot of women seem to be happy with their decision but with the research I've done I opted to keep my uterus thinking it would be more harm than good to have the hysterectomy ..... just do your research and make the best decision for you. There are a lot of women who say they regret it and there are a lot that are happy with it. For me I just had fibroids and I always had normal periods with them, no pain just frequent urination and a growing belly ...... other women have cancer or endo. and lots of really heavy bleeding to the point of hemorrhaging so I can understand the need for the hysterectomy. But for me I just had the large fibroids in there and the best choice for me that I was comfortable with was the myomectomy. Some doctors will assume right away if you don't want anymore children lets just take out your uterus. That's not a good doctor. I've actually come across doctors who have actually tried to talk you into keep your uterus because of how important an organ it is to a womens health. So do your homework and make the best decision for you. Be comfortable with your doctor so the trust is there and if you don't like what they are telling you move on get 3 or 4th opinions if you have to. Hysterectomy is a major operation and a big decision give it lots of thought because once it's done there is no turning back. Good luck cleo619

Again Cleo...lots of great info to ponder! Thanks so much for your reply.