Radical Hysterectomy Scheduled

Im 51. Doctors discovered a mass where my left ovary use to be. It was taken out years ago because it was mangled from the endo. 30 days ago the mass was size of large lemon and Im told now its grown. Now they tell me my right ovary is showing a mass now too. Then they tell me my pap came back abnormal...again. I havent had a period in many years..one day they just stopped. Im thankful this was all discovered while in hospital for kidney stone removal of a 10mm stone. The growths showed up on a MRI. Two doctors have told me a radical hysterectomy needs to be done could be possible ovarian cancer. The delay to do the surgery is due to not having insurance. A possible surgery date is scheduled for November 7th, 2011. That day can not come too soon for me! I hurt all the time. Im tired, having trouble holding food down and yes...Im scared. Im blessed to have my family around since my bf decided to bail since he didnt see himself taking care of a sick person the rest of his life. His loss. I believe Im going to be ok and its going to be alright. Would help to know how I can prepare for this surgery. What to take to hospital, what i will need when I get released etc. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

PepsiBlue -

I am glad that you found us. You'll find a lot of information here.

You can check out the Hysterectomy Checkpoints and that gives you some ideas on preparation items as well as what to expect in the initial recovery week.

If it does turn out to be cancer or ifyou have cancer related questions please stop by the Cancer Concerns forum. There are many knowledgeable and supportive women there who have walked and are walking the cancer journey.

I am also having my surgery 11/7 and like you, it cant come soon enough. I have been waiting since August. I have a count down on my phone. My DH is a truck driver so I had to coordinate my schedule, his schedule and the surgeons schedule. It was like aligning the sun, moon and stars. I have read a lot of useful information on this sight and lots of suggestions of what to take to the "castle" and what to have when you get home. This site is amazing. Today I bought a pillow pet ( I got the giraffe as I am a zoo volunteer) and a couple of reusable ice packs. I am diabetic so i will be getting my medications set up for a few weeks. I have lots of friends who said they will come stay with me when DH has to go back out on the road. So now I am just waiting for the uterus to be evicted. I have multiple large fibroids and am having a radical removal. Just think, we are only 3 weeks away at this point.

Yes. Three weeks to go! I have been waiting since August too. Thinking of ordering the stomach binder for after surgery. Going to try and stay busy until surgery in hopes the days will pass quickly. Im just nervous they will cancel because of the no insurance issue. I pray everyday the surgery will still happen on November 7th. Still putting together a list of what I think I will need for the hospital and after. Trying not to think of the "C" word...will cross that bridge when I get to it.

Hi Laides. I had a TAH the 20th. I read on here to buy a body pillow, an that was a life saver when I got home from the hospital. I bought the memory foam one (CVS - $25.00) The most comfortable place for me the first two weeks was the couch.

Also, I soooooo wish I had bought the stomach binder off here. I think even at this phase (4 weeks Tuesday) it would be helpful. I am still icing an the support would be great.

Good Luck ladies! The waiting is the hardest part!

Im wondering which stomach binder to purchase? The one with the cool packs looks thick and Im wondering if it would be better to get the other one to wear under clothes? Any suggestions and advice would be helpful.

Im having second thoughts. Thinking maybe I should go see a ob gyn/oncolgist and have my surgery done instead of a ob gyn doctor. With my history, endo, and now that two doctors already suspect ovarian cancer....maybe I should change doctors. If would delay the surgery alittle but wonder if i would be better off in the end. Any thoughts???

If cancer is suspected I vote yes on talking to a gyn-onc or having one present.

With cancer and endometriosis removal you want the best you can get. I would go with an endometriosis specialist and a gyn-onc if i could.

Had the preop appt with doctor today. Surgery scheduled for Nov 7th and Im going to cancel it. Doctor wasnt happy when I explained that my gut feeling was to talk to a obgyn oncologist first and maybe have him do the surgery. I meant no disrespect to him but his specialty is delivering babies and I want a doctor that will be more focused on what needs to be done and I think it will give me more peace of mind afterwards. Ive done alot of reading on the internet and on this site and it just makes sense. When this is overwith I dont want to wonder if he really looked around and checked everything or did he just go in and remove some parts....
It sucks that I will have to wait longer now for the surgery but for once Im going to listen to my gut and wait to have it done right.
Does this makes sense or am I just over thinking it???

I have the BRCA2 gene and a cyst ( it may be cancer) on my left overy. My gyn immediately referred me to an gyn/oncologist. He is great. I highly recommend going to one. They know much more about cancer-I was told he would biopsy my ovarian cyst during surgery and have my results by the time I woke up! What a gyn/oncologist deals with everyday is cancer and if you suspect it that dr is your best bet . Good luck to you! I hope it's not cancer- but if it is you will be in better hands with a gyn/ oncologist. Hugs!