Scheduled but thinking of cancelling

Hello to all of you brave women out there. I am scheduled on 5/21/2007 for a LAVH and RSO as I already had a LSO, due to an undiagnosed ectopic 19 years ago and a severe tubal-ovarian abcess 13 years ago. I know that I have adhesions, scarring, cysts on an enlarged ovary. This is painful from ovulation to my period. I don't bleed much thanks to a thermal ablation. So my only known reasons for having this surgery are severe mittelschmerz pain, post ovulation pain for two weeks and uterine prolapse. After 10 years of four doctors telling me that this would be an answer to the problem, I scheduled it. I am worried that hormonely, I'll never be okay again. I know that I can't take synthetic hormones, so I would be going the bioidentical route from day one. I am 42 years old. I am wondering if I should just wait for menopause and cancel the surgery. I welcome all wisdon and suggestions from you. (DH and BFF said they will drag me to the hospital.)

I can't give wisdom on this particular topic because I haven't gone through it...but I did want to poke my head in here and say "Good Luck." Take some quiet time, clear your head, think about what you have going on, and try to make a clear decision that way. Forget that the surgery is scary. If none of us had the surgery because it was scary, half of us would be dead, the other half lying on beds all over the country, in pain and bleeding to death. So fear can't be a consideration right now.

How much is this situation impacting your life? I mean the bleeding and the pain? And is there any threat to your health with all those issues?

I'm sure women who've gone through something similar will be along to give you their experiences. I wish you peace with whatever you decide to do. You deserve to feel better. And if you decide to go the hysterectomy route, please know it's not as terrible as you think it will be. There are so many of us on the other side of it now, amazed that the worst parts were minor annoyances or just our major freakouts right before the surgery. We all made it, we're all recovering each day. And we'd all love to hold your hand if we could.

Good luck, hon. Let us know.

Hi there........
I am 10 days post op and certainly felt the same way you did. Even while I layed on that gurney I thought of getting up and disconnecting the IV and running out of the hospitol !! I didnt though !!
My problems were different than yours but stilla "problem" fibroids huge !!
I wen thru with it and it wasnt so bad. The pre-surgery waiting is the worst. Go and get it over with and you will feel soooooooooooo much better. I doooooooo !!!!!!!!
My pain has subsided a lot the past few days and I am almost good as new !!
Hang in there.......
Be informed and prepared for when you come home onthings you will need.

Westside66,

Nobody can tell you what to do - this is a decision only you and your doctor can make - I can tell you - that for me - it was the best thing I have ever done for myself
I was told for years to wait it out, that I was premenopausal and things would settle down eventually on their own, etc. But a positive endo Bx forced the issue and I had an "urgent" TAH/BSO 3 months ago.
Yes, the surgery is scary. Yes, there was some pain. Yes, the recovery seems long and slow. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. I feel so much better - and I have my life back.
I did not realize just how bad I felt, until I started to feel better. It's like a fog has lifted. I don't have to worry about making plans and then canceling them. I can wear my panties more than once I can wear white pants! I have more energy and no PMS.

I am not taking any hormores - the hot flashes and night seats were bad for a few days, a few weeks ago - but my BP was very high and I think that had something to do with that. I now only have one or two a day and they are more like a "flush" than a flash. My doctor said they will continue to get better until one day they are gone.

At your age - you could continue to have "female problems" for several years. The question for you is do you really want to live like this for 5 to 8 more years? Wouldn't a few months of recovery be better?

I wish you peace as you come to the decision that is right for you. I will hold you in my thoughts and prayers.

Keep us posted,

Mary Beth

You have a few weeks to prepare. I would not cancel until the last minute if I did at all. Also don't do anything rash in the moment. My experience is the moment passes and I'm left with a mess on my hands. I did not have to make a decision on my ovaries. I knew there was a small chance they would be removed but I just trusted God and my dr. with that decision. What I can tell you is that it is so nice not to suffer with pain on a daily basis. Even little things that I didn't consider pain have disappeared.

It was also recommended 4 years ago that I have a hysterectomy. I was not ready at that time. In hind sight I wish I would have. My pain totally reduced my quality of life. My turning point was in November. My daughter was in a professional production of the Nutcracker. This was a great moment in her life as well as my families. Opening week I was in and out of the dr.s office, ER and radiology offices. The pain had never been so bad before. I actually thought it was a kidney stone. I don't know how I made it through but I decided that was enough. It was time to claim my life back.

Good luck

Sherri

What are the other options for treatment of your prolapsed uterus? To me, that seems to be the most serious of your concerns at this time.

No matter what, though -- if you're having doubts, I would not have surgery at this time. Unless the situation is life-threatening, you have time to make this decision.

I was scheduled for surgery August 2006. I wasn't 100% sure that I was ready for it, so I cancelled it. I am now scheduled for May 23 and I am 100% sure this time. It is your body, do what you feel is best for yourself. Hormone wise, I am going to try and keep the ovaries because I cannot tolerate synthetic hormones either.

I am going with the others here. DON"T cancel it yet. Take some time and think about what things you are missing because of the pain.
Are there other treatment options for your uterus?
I am in surgical menopause as I can't take hormones either due to the cancer. My symptoms are very mild, I know others are not but your could be like mine.
I am 46 and according to my gyn it could have been another 10 yrs before I went thru menopause. Do you want to live with the pain you are going thru now for another 10 yrs?

I am very glad that I posted my question. My husband was afraid that there would be lots of responses telling me to wait longer, so he was frustrated. He appreciated all of the responses and concluded that very smart women are using this website. I agree with him.

I have a question about swelling and fluid retention. I have that going on and swear that I hear sloshing when I walk. Does the swelling in your legs get worse after a hysterectomy? I don't know if it is hormonal or something else.

It would be very helpful to have a crystal ball! I do have one good week a month...it is over as of today. I was really doubting surgery when I felt good, but I know what's coming...so we'll see how the next two weeks play out.

I have another consult with a vascular surgeon for a pelvic varicosity that might be a problem. Also, I have an appt with another GYN. He does not do second opinions, but he is specializing in BHRT. I have really had a benefit from using some bioidentical progesterone and testosterone over the past two years. I joined this website over 2 years ago. I certainly don't rush into surgery. Having a bunch of GYN surgeries will do that to you.

I am now wondering about signing a consent for LOA..lysis of adhesions and an exploratory laparoscopy. I would consent to the planned LAVH with RSO if she saw that there was a clear need for it when she was in there.

How long do they tell you to stay out of the pool after a hysterectomy? I hate that summer is nearly here and I'll be swollen and beached...sounds like a whale.

I know it is odd to think of advice from Chrissy Snow...but some of Suzanne Somers book makes very good sense. If you need hormones, try a compounding pharmacy. I know for sure it makes life better to be balanced.