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Trying To Make A Decision
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11-14-2003, 02:04 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 5
Hysterectomy: December 2nd, 2003
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Trying To Make A Decision
My name is Yvette and this is my second time joining this group. I had joined a while back and somehow my registration was lost and the manager asked me to rejoin so here I am! When I posted the last time I had just been told I had a baseball-size fibroid. I have had lots of pain from it and my hysterectomy is scheduled in a few weeks: Dec. 2. I have to make a decision whether I want to keep my ovaries or not. I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. I am overweight with extreme insulin resistance. I am diabetic. I have battled with hormone imbalances most of my life after my teen years. I have no idea what to do in regards to keeping my ovaries or not. I know this is a decision I have to make, but I was wondering if anyone out there had similar problems as me and what choice they made, etc... I am not sure if I am supposed to post this kind of question here or on the post-op message board. I have adhesions from previous surgeries and my uterus is very large. My doctor told me there is a chance he may have to leave the cervix if he cannot get to it. I really need some advice, support, etc... I am dreading this so much, yet I know it has to be done. Thank you so much to anyone who can offer support, encouragement or advice. May the Lord bless you!
Yvette
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11-14-2003, 07:45 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 23,014
Hysterectomy: July 26th, 2002
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Trying To Make A Decision
((( Yvette )))
I'm glad that you did reregister, we lost a lot of new members when the server crashed.
I didn't have the same problems that you're having but I wanted to give you some hugs. I love hugs, they make me feel better.
Your decision about whether or not to keep your ovaries is a difficult one. My advice is to talk to your dr, ask questions, get advice and try to make the decision that seems to be the best for you. You might want to visit our "Hormone Jungle " here.The ladies there have lots of info and experiences to share.
Would you please go to your profile and add your surgery date so that you'll be included in that day's best wishes list?
s
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11-14-2003, 12:09 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 5
Hysterectomy: December 2nd, 2003
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Thanks Jean
Dear Jean,
Thanks so much! I really LOVE this group! I spent two hours last night just reading and getting information. You are correct in your advise. My doctor spent one hour yesterday with my husband and I just explaining the pros and cons of everything. I was quite impressed!
Since I had gotten the "facts" from the doctor I wrote here to get the actual "experiences" from others. I thought that would help me in my decision.
I did go to my profile and put the surgery date. I had done that when I registered, but somehow it did not show I did. I typed it in again a few minutes ago.
Thank you so much for the hugs and support. I am hurting and have bloating and indigestion since the day before yesterday and I am not sure if this is nerves or part of the fibroid mess.
I appreciate your care and concern. May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Hugs,
Yvette
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11-14-2003, 03:45 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 1,049
Hysterectomy: December 4th, 2003
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Trying To Make A Decision
Hi and welcome back!
My surgery is two days after yours, so I don't have any post-op hormone stories to share (yet). I don't have PCOS, but do have a long history of developing "functional" ovarian cysts. These are egg follicles that are supposed to drop into the tube and and get washed away during the monthly cycle. However, they just stay on the ovary and grow over the next 2-3 cycles. Sometimes they shrink on their own and occasionally rupture in some people. (I think I had one rupture when I was at the movies watching "Panic Room". It was an appropriate title for the situation and I had to be driven home during the movie. As the cyst was gone on ultrasound, there was no way to prove that it ruptured, but doc agreed it probably did). Anyway, when doc and I first discussed the hyst, it was for my fibroids, abnormal bleeding and uterine enlargement. I told him I wanted to keep my ovaries and he tentatively agreed. When he called me a few days later to confirm he'd scheduled the surgery he said, "I hope you'll re-consider the ovary issue. You've had a lot of painful cysts and that may very well continue regardless of whether you have a uterus." He also said that women who have had a lot of ovarian cysts have a statistically higher than average chance of developing ovarian cancer. Yikes!
After researching my HRT options over the next few days, I decided to let him remove them. Don't know yet whether that will turn out to be the right decision, but I've thought and prayed about it, and done my research. Therefore, I'm at peace with my decision.
It's a toughee. There's tons of resources both on this site and the internet in general. Best wishes in reaching a decision that you will be comfortable with.
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11-14-2003, 05:17 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 5
Hysterectomy: December 2nd, 2003
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Trying To Make A Decision
Hello Jay-Jay,
Thanks for sharing! I am leaning more towards having it all taken out; ovaries and all. I have Polycystic Ovaries and have battled hormone problems since I was a teenager. I have had extreme PMS and my hormones stayed unbalanced. I have been taking Lupron injections for the last 3 months to shrink the tumor. I have felt the best ever on Lupron! My doctor told me the Lupron shuts your ovaries off and puts you in menopause. So I have some idea of what happens so far when my hormones are shut off. I feel great! But.... my doctor says it is also because I am overweight. Women who are overweight produce more estrogen through their body fat so that is why I don't have the hot flashes. He said if I lose weight things could change for me.
The only thing I am experiencing is occasional insomnia and stomach pain. I am not sure if the stomach pain I am having is from the fibroid, ovaries, or something else. I wonder if any other women have experienced abdominal bloating and pain as well?
Thanks so much for your input. I come to these boards here and spend hours trying to do research and gain some insight through other women's testimonies.
May God Bless You!
Yvette
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11-14-2003, 08:12 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 9
Hysterectomy: January 16th, 2004
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Trying To Make A Decision
I have a very similiar story...I also have PCOS and am scheduled for surgery in January. My problem is I have been recommended by 2 doctors to have my ovaries go too but the ob doing the surgery is against it. I am 36 and because of other medical problems can not be on hormones post op. What do I do????? The ob said my chances of having ovarian cancer are 1 in 70. But emnopause at my age will be hell. I am trying to do research and so is my ob, so reading your post really sounds like my story. Let me know what you decide. Sandj
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11-14-2003, 08:26 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 107
Hysterectomy: October 23rd, 2003
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Trying To Make A Decision
Hi Livin4God,
My story has some similarities as yours. I was once dx with PCOS, but when we changed ins companies and I had to find a Dr. with our HMO he said that I didn't have it. Anyway I am a 50 year old diabetic, who has been carrying around 30 extra lbs since my early 30's. I also am insulin resistant. In the last year I started to gain weight extremely fast, and was always tired. I'd not had control of my blood sugars since we moved to Memphis, nearly 2 years ago. I finally went to see an Internist, who in turn sent me to the Gyn and to a encronologist and to a gastro Dr. My first visit to the Gyn and it hurt when he examined me . He took a look right then with an ultrasound and found ovarian masses and enlarged uterus. I had hoped to hold on to all my female parts since I was so close to menopause, but since there was a concern that the masses could be cancerous, I decided I'd go ahead with surgery.
When I woke up from surgery, I couldn't believe how good I felt, even though I was sore. For the first time in 2 years, my blood sugars have returned to normal (also I'm trying really hard to eat better), but I have a feeling that my ovaries weren't really doing their job anyway, since I feel so wonderful on the hrt. I had my gallbladder removed at the same surgery as the hysterectomy, so that I'd only have to be put asleep once, and everyone, myself included is shocked that I am healing so quickly.
I hope you listen to your Dr.'s and your heart and do what is right for you.
Btw 2 or 3 weeks before I had the surgeries, I heard God tell me in a small voice in my head, "not to worry - that I didn't have cancer". He was right!
Blessings,
Mary
PS: He couldn't get to my cervix either, but took everything else.
Mary
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11-15-2003, 12:37 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 5
Hysterectomy: December 2nd, 2003
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Trying To Make A Decision
Dear Sandj,
I know your decision is as difficult as mine is and I will pray for God to help you make the right one. You are a little bit younger than me so I guess it may be harder on you. I had my last child at the age of 37. I am now 42. It is hard for me when I think how just 5 years ago I was doing great and had a beautiful baby girl of which I had prayed for. Now I have to close that part of my life and it is hard for me.
I know the fact that you cannot take the hormones makes your decision harder. My mother-in-law had a hysterectomy and never took any hormones. She never had any problems whatsoever. Oh, if only it could be that easy for all of us!
My mother had a hysterectomy in her 30's and took hormones. She did well. I have heard that some do not take hormones and they do great.
You said menopause at your age will be hell? Maybe it won't be. Maybe since you have the PCOS it would be more of relief for you. That is where I am at now.
So far I am leaning more toward just taking it all out, ovaries and all. Of course, I see no reason I cannot take hormones. But, that can change and I may be in the same predicament as you.
I conclude that I will continue to seek the Lord in this matter and I know HE will give me peace and direction. I can either trust Him or worry myself to death! LOL!
I will pray for you. Let me know what you decide. God Bless!
Yvette
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11-15-2003, 12:42 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 5
Hysterectomy: December 2nd, 2003
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Trying To Make A Decision
Dear Mary,
Your post is so encouraging! I am so glad things turned out so well for you. Isn't it awesome how the Lord speaks to us sometimes and gives us that reassurance through HIS still small voice? He is the God of ALL comfort as the Bible says.
My doctor told me he may not be able to get to my cervix, but will, of course, try. Thanks for sharing and encouraging me. God Bless!
Yvette
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11-15-2003, 05:55 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 65
Hysterectomy: September 24th, 2003
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Trying To Make A Decision
Hi
Just wanted to say thankyou for the info written here.
I will be referring my daughter to this as she was diagnosed at 18 with PCOS and unfortunatley has done very little about managing the condition.
When diagnosed the dr did list a host of complications one being possible infertility and I definately recall the diabetic issue.
Being void of mensturation for some years it came as a shock to her to learn she was pregnant at 20. But not to me because Id been on her case the absence doesnt mean you are not ovulating - and fertile. !!
Nevermind we have a beautiful Grandaughter... but I do worry sick about what the future holds if this goes unmanaged.
She developed male like muscle tones and her weight gained considerably but is only now kept at bay as she plays a high level of competition sport.
Shes a moody - cranky - depressed little thing at times - hard to cope with !!!
Any ideas or information on this - alternative web sites ?? of use -would be appreciated.
Regards
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