postmenopausal ovarian cyst and family history of ovarian cancer

Two years ago I began to have heavy bleeding and painful clots. I was 60 and post menopausal.
I had been taking hormone replacement drugs for about 10 years.

My gynocologisst said I had large fibroids and needed a hysterectomy. He said that the fibroids were too large for a labroscopic hysterectomy.

I scheduled the surgery,but chickened out on the opperating table. I told him to just do a D&C and if the labs did not show cancer send me home.

I went home that day and was happy with the decision. I have not had any more bleeding or pain.

I did go off the hormone replacement drugs and the fibroids shrunk.

My only complaint is that I now have miserable hot flashes which are still going on.

On my last visit to the doctor he said that I had a 3cm cyst on my left ovary. This was the same ovary that my maternal grandmother had her cancer start.

If I were younger he said that this would not be a problem,but it is unusual and not a good sign in my 60s to have this cyst.

I am having a LSH in three weeks. I am glad since now that the fibroids have shrunk I can have an LSH. The doctor will also give me an estrogen patch which I am hoping will help my hot flashes.

I want to keep my cervix for various reasons. My doctor says that this is fine for the chances are very small of gettting cervical cancer since I have never had an abnormal pap test.

My question is,"How long will it take for me to recover?" I have a sister with cancer,and I plan to take her to New York three weeks post op. I also need to take her for chemo(2hrs drive) one week post op.

I hate to put this hysterectomy off. My Grandmother was told to have a hysterectomy at around my age. She never went back to the doctor,and died at 65.

I hate to say it but I am a little like her. I am great at taking care of everyone but myself.

In one way I just want to get it over with. I have no pain,but I worry about getting ovarian cancer.

My doctor does not want to do a CA test as he says it is non conclusive.

I hope I am doing the right thing!
Will I be able to take care of my sister,and take her to the New York specialist?

I hope someone is able to answer your recovery questions as I had a TAH BSO so my recovery time is different. I am not even allowed to drive for 2 weeks.
Best wishes on your surgery and recovery. Many prayers to your sister also.

If you are having laparascopic surgery I think your chances are pretty good of being able to drive after three weeks. I had Da Vinci surgery (total hysterectomy) and was feeling very good at three weeks. I think the lack of a large incision definitely helps.

hot mimi:

I had LSH about 17 days ago, and I'm just now able to drive though it's still not very comfortable.

The procedure itself was a breeze, but I can't imagine you driving 2 hours or more only a week out. I was still taking pain meds and having difficulty bending at the waist (belly button incision) at 7 days.

I had the same concerns as you do--my maternal grandmother died at 57 of advanced ovarian cancer. I'm only 31, though, so I guess that changes some concerns. I did have terrible fibroids and bleeding due to congestion syndrome, but my nasty ovary was a benign tumor. Yay! I, too, had a D&C two months pre-op, but that did not rectify the ovary concern; it only stopped the bleeding.

I'm so happy to have had the surgery. I know you won't regret it. You'll likely be able to do the trip at 3 weeks, but my only warning is the one-week driving. It will all be worth it in the end, however. Your quality of life will improve vastly!

MJ