Scared to death about surgery and cancer risk

I'm new and not real good with tech. I am terrified. I found a mass about a month ago and it looks like I have multiple fibroids with one outside my uterus. I have had terrible (murder scene type) bleeding for years but have just dealt with it. I have read about fibroids and cancer and death statistics for hysterectomy and am really scared. I am scheduled for Aug. 1 for a Da Vinci supracervical - my doctor tried to talk me into a full but my mom has had terrible problems with a full. I am not crazy but am now taking meds. for anxiety. My blood pressure has always been good but it was out of control when I went into to gyno. Any support or experience would be greatly appreciated.

HI there. I also understand the anxiety issues. My blood pressure always goes up when I have to see the gyno. She once told me joking why do you get so nervous I said I have no idea then she said I ve never lost anyone to a pap . I will be praying for you My surgery is the 13 and can totally understand all the worries but we are strong and with support can get though this. Let me know how your surgery goes. Best to you

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. My prayers are also with you. I am so grateful for this forum. It is nice to be able to be honest with others who understand. I'm trying not to let my family -especially my kids - see how terrified I am. I know that I'm overreacting to the 'what ifs' but logic isn't exactly controlling my mind or body at this time. It is hard to talk to my family because I don't want to upset them with my fears.

FreakingOut

First let me send you some hugs.

Seond, if your anxiety is that bad please let your Dr. know. They may be able to prescribe something like xanax or atvian to help reduce your it.

Stop reading, I know easier said than done. However, if you can't control it all you are doing is increasing your fear and stress.

If you are thinking a total hysterectomy includes the tubes and ovaries it does not. A total hysterectomy is the uterus and cervix (which is part of the uterus). As I understand it if you leave the cervix since it is endometrial tissue you could have fibroids that would grow from the cervix. Also some women experience mini-periods when they keep their cervix. I'm not saying you should keep it or have it removed but you need to know what you may deal with afterward.

The ovaries and tubes are covered under a separate surgery called a salpingo oopherectomy. If both sides are removed it is is a BSO or bi-lateral salpingo oopherectomy.

to help calm you.

Hi I am having a TAH/BSO on the 23rd Aug and like you my blood pressure has gone up to 142 over 85 border line my doc said however I have had low blood pressure all my life so it is high for me. Doc says it is stress. I am just like you afriad of the operation and as I have two very large cysts one 10cm and the other 15cm I am having two cuts so they can get at the cyst one down from the navel, I am worried if they find cancer also. We are both thinking to much about what if and not thinking another about the positive side, how good we will feel after the operation when we get the all clear and our life back.

Hi! First, I'm really sorry about your stress levels. I know how hard it is to cope with that.

I'm wondering though, what you've read exactly about "fibroids and cancer." Not that both could not exist, but they're not related to each other. I think the chances of a fibroid being cancerous are 1 in 1000.

In fact, I lived with an undiagnosed "large mass" in my abdomen for years because I did not have insurance. Cancer was always a concern and I actually did live in fear of that. But reading about my symptoms, and searching things like "look pregnant but not," I had pretty much convinced myself it was a gigantic fibroid, and prayed that I was right. When I finally got insurance, and my diagnosis, I was so relieved to find it was indeed fibroids. Even before my ultrasound, my doctor said, "If that was cancer, you'd be dead by now. Stop worrying, you do not have cancer." Then half-jokingly, he said, "Well, you could have some kind of cancer... but THIS is not cancer."

I've been a little nerve-wracked with my mammogram (at 50, I'd never had one), and pap smear results, because it had been so many years--just afraid of the what-ifs and unknowns. But really, my fibroid diagnosis was such a relief!

Maybe you need to read more on fibroids from trusted sources, like the Mayo Clinic or Web MD, in the information section on this site, or even Wikipedia (I know, not always trustworthy, but it's hardly a controversial subject.) I think that could relieve your fears.

Also, I don't think hysterectomies have any higher death incidents than any other common major surgeries. It is the second most common surgery among women next to c-sections. It's probably not a lot more dangerous than getting on the freeway.

There are certainly some women on this site dealing with hysterectomies due to cancer, and other multiple problems. I feel that we, with the fibroids, are in a sense, the lucky ones.

It's normal to be nervous, but arm yourself with facts, and you are going to be okay.

((Hug))

Hi! My surgery is on August 22nd. I too am just freaking out, having never so much as ever been in thehospital before. I do take xanax as I have anxiety anyway. Pls call your dr and they will give you a low dose it does take the edge off so you dont jump in your car and run away. My Dr is having a Onocologist stand in with him for my surgery. I too have large mass on one side 14.5. They are doing total hysto. I am not a good candidate for the divanci as I have back issues and my dr who specializes in it said you are at such a position it puts more pressure on your back. Another to thing to think about those with back issues tell your dr!
I will pray for you everyday
HOLD MYHAND AND WE SHALL GET THROUGH THIS!

Vicki

Thank you to all who have shared their personal fears and hope with me. It is really helping. My uterine biopsy came back ok as well as my pap today so that is some relief. About 36 hours to go. It is really good to hear from others that the wait is far worse than the surgery for most women. My mother had a grapefruit sized fibroid removed with a hysterectomy after menopause because she started bleeding again and my great aunt had one the size of an infants head, so the odds are, it is just fibroids. Another family gift to go with fibrocystic breast I thank you for your thoughts and prayers and will keep all of you in mine as well.

I'm an August 1st surgery also. I hope your stress level goes down...this time next week we will be feeling much better!

You sound like you are going through exactly the same thing. My blood pressure has always been about 90/60 or 110/70, it was 145/80. My doctor put me on valium to take the edge off and it seems to be helping. I don't feel like I'm going to stroke out before the surgery. Let's keep in touch, pray for each other and keep telling ourselves that we will be fine.