Hysterectomy Choices

Hi,

New to list, found list on a search and seems that I am in the right place. Quick facts. I am 52 year old menopausal women, no period in over a year. I have had 2 c-sections deliveries in the 80's (can it be that long ago?)

Routine GYN exam, with new GYN, showed enlarged Uterus. Ultra sound showed "Ovarian Cyst" large (13.6 mm). Gynecologic Oncologist recommends total abdominal hysterectomy. C-125 (I think that was what it was called) was 18 and internal exam are both counter indicative of cancer. No history of cancer in family.

If cancer is found, there are no decisions, all that needs removing will be. However..............

The decision is made to have surgery and take both ovaries. The recommendation is to go with a total hysterectomy.

I am somewhat in a state of shock, all started on Tuesday and today is just Friday. Looking for any thoughts on keeping uterus and now having read a bit of the board, cervix or what ever I don't even know to think about.

Hopefully I have posted this to the correct place and have followed the list rules. If not please forgive me and direct me to the correct place.


What a gift to find this list and sisters who can share their experiences and feelings.

Thanks way in advance for all you help.

Dmack9185

DMack, I know just how you feel. I'm 50 this year; have a very enlarged uterus due to massive fibroids. I have been debating whether to ride it out a year or so or go ahead. My gyno was leaving it up to me; but another doctor who is doing a colonoscopy on Monday felt the mass; ordered a cat scan just to make sure what was going on in there. He said it needed to come out due to pressure on other organs in my body. I've had two c-sections and breast reduction surgery; so the actual abdominal surgery doesn't worry me as much as how I am going to feel afterwards, like hot flashes, depression, etc. I am reading as much as I can to educate myself and if needed, will do as natural hormone replacement therapy as I can. I've used compounded progesterone cream in the past with success for estrogen dominance. It has a calming effect on me.

Just knowing I have such a large fibroid and problems with anemia for the last four years has helped me make up my mind to proceed with surgery. I will have to have abdominal hysterectomy and am considering removal of the ovaries also; especially if they have cysts on them. My sister and mother have both had hysterectomies along with several friends. All of them are happy they went through with the procedure. Good luck!

Hi Dmack

You're in the right place! Have you had a second opinion? That might be your first step. There is a lot of information on these message boards. If you go to the top of the page and click on the *Search* function, you can do a search that might help you get the information you need more quickly.

I hope this helps!

z

's DMack!

Welcome to Hystersisters! None of these decisions are ever easy, are they? OK--so you went to your gyn, who sent you to a gyn/onc who is suggesting a total hysterectomy--is that the situation?

Your CA125 reading is very good--normal is considered to be 0-30, I believe. However, I assume your gyn/onc is suspicious of the ovarian cyst because of it's size and your age and thinks the ovaries should go, then. What did he say about your enlarged uterus? Is it possible that that might need to be removed at a later time, or is he not concerned about that? What does he say the benefits are of keeping your uterus?

You might like to consider going to get even another opinion from a different gyn/onc--preferably from a different practice or hospital. The more information you have, the better decision you can make.

Once you decide about your uterus, then you can think about your cervix. There is a lot of discussion about keeping or not keeping the cervix on the pre-op boards. I do not have my cervix (it was not a choice for me) and I honestly don't miss it. I'm not having any problems, and everything seems to have stayed in it's proper place. If you keep your cervix, you will need to continue to have regular PAP's because you still need to be screened for cervical cancer.

You might like to consider posting over on the Cancer Concerns Forum as well. Some of the ladies there may have some additional insights for you on things to consider. Just Click Here for Cancer Concerns.

Good luck, DMack! Please feel comfortable asking your gyn/onc more questions and/or finding another gyn/onc for their opinion as well. Come back and let us know what you decide!

Dmack,
This is just my opinion but if I were in your position I would beg them to take the ovaries out and all the rest too. You don't need any of it now and that's just one more area of your body where cancer can invade. My mother-in-law died of ovarian cancer 5 years ago and it was a terrifying thing. She didn't tell us or the doctor that she was having pain until it was too late. She was very old timey and didn't want the doctor messing with her "down there". She was already stage IV and only lived 3 horrible months. I am just so paranoid about it that I wish MY insurance co. had approved the hyster instead of the ablation. I'm sorry if this post sounds negative but please think about your situation long and hard. Please let us know what you decide.

Darlene in VA