Now I am having doubts!

I am scheduled for my TAH this coming Friday, 6-15-12. I considered the alternatives as well. Went for 2nd opinion to the best regarded GYN Oncologist at Yale-New Haven. He shut me down right away when I even mentioned biopsy. He said that if it turns out that i have cancer - the fact that i did a biopsy will spread those cells & will basically mean the end. For the same reason he said that a laprascopic surgey is not an option either - he says it's important to keep uterus + fibroids intact when taken out in case if it's cancer.
I have several large fibroids and uterus that grew twice it's size to over 800 ml in under a year. He said that my rapidly growing uterus makes me a candidate for abdominal TAH asap.
Does this make sense? I've been reading a lot here on this site. And even though I am very confident in my gyn/oncologyst - now I am having doubts!

Hi April.

I can't say if it makes sense at all, but I can tell you that I too had doubts about my hysterectomy a week prior. I am 8 days post hysterectomy now. I realized the pain, discomfort, lack luster for life, lack of energy, etc. And the memory of passing clots the size of television remotes and 30-40 day long periods would all be long behind me. That the only alternative after the operation is better health and better quality of life.

The other thing I pondered a week prior was if I should get yet another opinion. I was referred to several for multiple opinions until going to the best of the best. I sat back and thought about it for a minute...
Was this an elected surgery? No.
Has anyone told me having a hysterectomy was the wrong choice? No. And quite the opposite.

I don't know if this will help you, but I sure hope it does.

Take care! And many happy hopeful blessings to you

	Quote:
Originally Posted by april06902 I am scheduled for my TAH this coming Friday, 6-15-12. I considered the alternatives as well. Went for 2nd opinion to the best regarded GYN Oncologist at Yale-New Haven. He shut me down right away when I even mentioned biopsy. He said that if it turns out that i have cancer - the fact that i did a biopsy will spread those cells & will basically mean the end. For the same reason he said that a laprascopic surgey is not an option either - he says it's important to keep uterus + fibroids intact when taken out in case if it's cancer. I have several large fibroids and uterus that grew twice it's size to over 800 ml in under a year. He said that my rapidly growing uterus makes me a candidate for abdominal TAH asap. Does this make sense? I've been reading a lot here on this site. And even though I am very confident in my gyn/oncologyst - now I am having doubts!

Many sisters second guess themselves and their decision just before surgery. I think it must be part of the process. I knew I needed my hyst, yet still second guessed myself right up until they put me out. You said you went to the best regarded GYN.Oncologist. You had a 2nd opinion. It sounds like you covered all your bases and are in good hands. If they suspect cancer I think you should trust their opinions. My doctor opted to do a DaVinci, but removed my over sized uterus vaginally. She said it was not wise , in my case, to cut it up into pieces and remove trough the abdominal incisions as some surgeons are able to do. She said something similar to what your doc tried to explain to you. If it was cancerous and she cut it up the cancer could spread throughout my abdominal cavity. She also said cutting it up could cause a small piece to be left behind and the cancer could spread later. My post op pathology report showed no cancer, but I was still very grateful that my doctor took extra measures to keep me safe just in case. A year before my hyster she did take about 8 samples and did biopsies , she went up through my vagina. I'm not certain what sites she took them from, but all were negative. She still suspected cancer and also did a laparoscopic surgery with D&C and hysterscopy 8 weeks prior to my hyster. Once she was inside me she knew she needed to schedule a hyster as soon as I recovered from the lap. Adenomyosis and fibroids were the main causes of my needing a hyster.I had some cervical issues as well.I am 9 weeks post op and do not regret my hyster at all. I had a a rough recovery, but all that horrible pre op bleeding and pain is gone.Good luck to you!!

April

You have been wise to seek out a second opinon and get more answers before a major surgery. I am sorry you are preplexed/confused about your gyn/onc; it would seem his outstanding credentials make him a very qualified specialist. May I ask what type of cancer is suspect - endometrial or cervical or? I have not heard a biopsy for endometrial cancer can spread cancer nor that lap surgery generally may sread/spill cancer but I am not in the medical field so perhaps there may be cases where this is true. OTOH I have heard that some research indicates that an ablation or a D&C might spread cells.

Re surgery types: there can be special cirumstances were abdominal surgery may be better for an individual patient and perhaps, for example, in your case the uterine size could be playing a role. I had an abdominal surgery as I have another illness involving an internal organ and the doctors concluded an abdominal incision would offer clearer visualization of the other issue n none gyn related in my case.

As you have doubts re the surgical method and perhaps need for surgery too(?) why not consider talking further with the gyn/onc and express them to him and perhap he will clear these up. If not, you could even see another gyn/onc if one can be found in timely manner. With suspect cancer it often is OK for a short delay and perhaps you can ask your doctors re this if you decide you need another opinion.

Good luck as you attempt to get further answers to your doubts/confusion. Pls keep us posted.

Your doctor sounds very wise to me. I, too, have heard of cancer being spread (rarely) by lap surgery or by a D & C. Mine was spread by either the D & C/Hysteroscopy or maybe during the surgery (DaVinci) we may never know for sure.

I know you're must be feeling very anxious with your surgery coming up tomorrow. We'll all be thinking of you and hope and pray that all goes well and you recover quickly!

april

What are you having doubts about? Needing the surgery? Or how the surgery is done?

Who referred you to a gyn/onc and why? They must know or strongly suspect cancer.