It's official, hysterectomy date 10/11

I had previously posted in the ovarian cancer section. I've had my ultrasound results viewed by the surgeon and she agrees with the other surgeon and my gyn. The ovary is too big to leave, thankfully it is very unlikely to be cancerous.

Quick history, I've had many gyn problems and auto immune issues. I had a gallbladder attack in August and a CT scan showed a 6cm mass on my ovary. Had the gallbladder removed and the ovary observed, it didn't look abnormal, other than being big. Then I had an ultrasound to confirm size and see if it was solid and possibly cancerous. It's a simple cyst, 6.9cm across, 9cm at the widest (she said it's oblong, might mean it tried to deflate, but failed. And thankfully didn't burst)

So! My date is October 11. She could have done it sooner but she will not do surgery until I've been off of aspirin for two full weeks. Seems overly cautious, but I won't argue, it gives me two more weeks to recover from the gallbladder surgery.

I will be having that ovary, my uterus and both tubes removed. Before today, I was unaware that it is likely that ovarian cancer starts in the fallopian tubes.

I am not a candidate for hormone therapy, so I'm crossing my fingers that the other ovary will look good and then keep on doing what it does to keep my hormone levels somewhat normal. I'm 52, but still have cycles. I know it won't work for much longer, but I'll take whatever it's willing to give!

Aspirin thins the blood, which could make bleeding worse, which is why you have to be off of it for 2 weeks before surgery. Also make sure you check on any supplements you take - I had to stop taking one because it contains ginseng.

Glad to see this will be done for you soon, a cyst that size must be painful!

-Lisa

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa21476 Aspirin thins the blood, which could make bleeding worse, which is why you have to be off of it for 2 weeks before surgery. Also make sure you check on any supplements you take - I had to stop taking one because it contains ginseng. Glad to see this will be done for you soon, a cyst that size must be painful! -Lisa

It is quite uncomfortable. She poked at it today and I wanted to poke her back with my foot haha

I had the gallbladder surgery (not emergent) while on aspirin and he gave me a shot of heparin beforehand. I have a clotting disorder, she will give me a shot immediately after the surgery and I go home on lovenox. But it's her call.

It can be frustrating when two doctors have such different ways of doing things, you know? But in this situation, I am going to use the time wisely and build up my stamina. It will help me recover faster. As long as the ovary doesn't twist or get bigger, I'll be fine with waiting.

I'm on a list of other drugs, all cleared except the aspirin. But thanks, I know that some people don't realize how many herbs and supplements can interfere with surgery!

I understand that frustration, see it here often... Some doctors require bowel prep, some don't, others even put physical intimacy restrictions before surgery too.

My husband is a heart patient and also diabetic, so I understand the frustration of having to hold out on the meds. I feared when he had another heart cath after his heart attack and couldn't take his Plavix for a bit.Glad to hear your GYN is on top of this.