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healingme4me
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Default Jul 01, 2013 at 06:30 PM
  #21
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Originally Posted by hamster-bamster View Post
I think you will still need the BRCA testing, because of the breast cancer/ovarian cancer risk association. I cannot believe an insurance would not fund BRCA testing for you given your family history. My mom had breast cancer and died of metastases 12 years post diagnosis. I had BRCA testing done five years ago back when I had insurance; they paid for it without issues. A blessing - the test came out negative, but was about 99% accurate. It was explained to me that to resolve the 1% of doubt, I needed a more complex test of each gene and that would not have been covered. I did not do the expensive test.

Oh, I am still have the BRCA done, but AFTER the hyst. Remove the trouble spot now, because IF the BRCA comes back negative, they won't be able to do the hyst with ovary removal.
The BRCA will cost me a hefty Co-Pay of $375 with my insurance, on top of meeting my $500 deductible.
Taking care of the Ovarian Cancer issue, now, worry about the breast cancer risk, after. Seriously, there is a 2cm growth there!!! It is a tumor, just what kind, won't be determined until that thing lands in a little petri dish.
Mammograms from here on out. With the BRCA
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healingme4me
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Default Jul 01, 2013 at 06:36 PM
  #22
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I had a hysterectomy two years ago because of very heavy bleeding (later diagnosed as having adenomyosis). I had been having benign cysts repeatedly on one ovary so I let them take that one out. I refused to give up the other ovary.

If you have both ovaries removed you will be thrown right into menopause and of course your sex drive will be diminished and you will have to go on some kind of hormone replacement. Most MDs want to prescribe Premarin. Read about Premarin carefully before you agree to that. I won't touch the stuff.

I have never regretted the hysterectomy. I only wish I had agreed to it earlier. I felt like a new person after my iron levels were able to recover and the pain and cramps were gone. Sex has been better for me since. Probably because I just plain feel better. They took my cervix out which they do in most cases. I don't notice it's gone.

Oh and hystersisters.com is a great resource. I bought a wrap for my tummy for after the surgery from hystersisters and that was a big help. I had the surgery with the davinci robot. Don't let them fool you - robot or no robot it is major surgery and you will need time to heal. I was back exercising after two months and took it slowly until I felt 100%.
Yeah, both ovaries will be removed. I do have to discuss if hormone replacement will be given and I am wondering, if on top of it all, an AD could also help?! I see my Pdoc, a couple days after my GYN. I will look into that med, and do my research on HRT's. I don't want my cervix, out, if we can help it. I didn't realize it was taken, in most cases, thought that was only taken when there were other risks involved.

Will look into the pads you mentioned. Thanks

I do yoga, so, I can take it nice and slow, when I get back to exercising. That's what I love most about yoga.
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Default Jul 01, 2013 at 06:46 PM
  #23
I have had normal Pap Smears, all these years. He didn't mention the cervix. The uterus isn't the problem, it's the ovaries, but the uterus will come out, too.

Who else, here, had the cervix out, as part of the hyst?!
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Default Jul 01, 2013 at 10:23 PM
  #24
I kept my cervix. I didn't realize they took them out routinely. How old are you? I am sure you said somewhere in here. that might determine if they put you on hrt or not. I would try to go with something natural if you can though.

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Default Jul 01, 2013 at 11:27 PM
  #25
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I kept my cervix. I didn't realize they took them out routinely. How old are you? I am sure you said somewhere in here. that might determine if they put you on hrt or not. I would try to go with something natural if you can though.
I didn't think they were routine, either, and I am certain my obgyn would have mentioned it, he's not the type to leave out important details.

I am 38. Just found the hystersysters site, and wow!! Women, just like myself!! Not just the hyst, but also the ovarian cancer/borderline cancer talk.
I will discuss hrt options with my OBGYN, and ask if even something like a Wellbutrin could help? As far as the depression symptoms listed that I noticed on the site over there. With anything natural, I'll need to communicate with all my doctors to ensure there aren't any adverse reactions, etc.
Now, if I could also find a hystersister that has MS. If it's not one thing, it's another.
Does feel like this is fast moving, but with this family history of mine, this is the best course of action for me and my family. I'm sure, my boys can handle me in tank tops and short shorts. Similar to beach wear anyhow.

I need to formulate a diet, rich in calcium, magnesium and potassium, along with vitamins C & E. I'm sure I can find something, don't need that osteoporosis effect nor the heart troubles, either. Good thing, I am already being treated for anxiety and insomnia.
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Default Jul 01, 2013 at 11:37 PM
  #26
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I need to formulate a diet, rich in calcium, magnesium and potassium, along with vitamins C & E. I'm sure I can find something, don't need that osteoporosis effect nor the heart troubles, either. Good thing, I am already being treated for anxiety and insomnia.
You also need weight bearing exercise. I know I should not be saying that, as all my exercise is swimming, which is not weight bearing, but you should, please.
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Default Jul 02, 2013 at 06:55 AM
  #27
I already do, Yoga

Great point!! Weight-Bearing Exercise: 8 Workouts for Strong Bones
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Default Jul 02, 2013 at 09:40 AM
  #28
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Default Jul 02, 2013 at 03:40 PM
  #29
I didn't have any depression at all when I had mine. I just felt a huge relief when it was all over. I think it all depends on your state of mind.

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Default Jul 02, 2013 at 07:45 PM
  #30
Thanks, I do have Depression and Anxiety, already, and have been under the care of a pdoc for four years now, so I am confident, if it's troublesome, that's something that can be treated. And if it's not troublesome, then even better

Have a positive note, on this journey. As suspected by my obgyn, the CA-125 came back negative.
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Default Jul 09, 2013 at 06:52 PM
  #31
UPDATE:

Well, then.

Had my second ultra sound today. Had a nice conversation with the u/s technician. She told me, that she didn't find anything unusual 2 weeks ago. She even, in front of my showed me everything she typed up today on her report.

She brought up both series and compared and contrasted for me, my right ovary from 2 weeks ago, to today. Today, there's nothing there.

You see, the little 'growth' she showed me, well, that shows up in some women every month, and it alternates sides. So next month, most likely, in two weeks, I will have something like that on my left ovary.

If you'd like artistic expression, think of it like that was the point of release for my egg to head off to my fallopian tube. Us, women, we sure do have something special going on inside of us, don't we?

By the time, my doctor came into the exam room, just for a discussion, this time. My ultra sounds were beautiful. And wow, there's nothing there now. So, I can just wait until next year, for another ultra sound with my annual exam. No mention of what my intentions were for having more kids.

I was offered to take the BRCA test. Wow, who knew, it's not a blood test? And it can be done, in office, to be sent off to a laboratory? Just make sure you've had nothing to eat or drink for at least 30 minutes to an hour prior. Considering I'd been in that office from 145pm and it was now 315pm, that really wasn't an issue.

You take a small travel sized bottle of Scope, two little cups, that you fill up with the mouthwash. And then there is this big sealed tube. Swish for at least 30 seconds and spit it into the tube, repeat and just make sure that you fill the vile to the #20. Which is precisely two of those little cups, provided you spit it out with precision, which for me, no problem.

Yes, it will tap into your deductible, but like anything, you can make monthly payment arrangements. Even if you had to pay the full amount, hey, the price of knowing your risk factor for developing breast or ovarian cancer, 3K, spaced out with good faith payments could give even those on tighter budgets peace of mind.

I cannot believe, all that I needed to consider, etc, over the past two weeks! I have certainly learned a lot!

I would have preferred, that two weeks ago, he didn't mention cancer, that he just said there's a growth, and it could be just the cyst or the techs photography skills and let's see. Hey, even look at date of last period and calculate, that I could have very well been ovulating. And, had today, there'd been something, then ask me, my intentions for more children.

Yes, it's good news, and a relief, in that regards! But for a woman who has an anxiety disorder and is prone to heart palpitations, can't wait to tell this one to my pdoc, who needed to prescribe me Xanax through a phone consult, when I see him next week.

I just want to thank all you lovely ladies for helping me out, thinking about such a procedure. After all, I was under the impression, especially after talking to him on the phone, 4 days after that first u/s, that I was going to be bracing myself for a preventative measure and educating myself on what hysterectomies are all about. I worried about the children that I have, and grieved for the one(s) I would never have the chance of having.

My ex and I were talking about that final aspect today. He went with the V because the thought tying my tubes, I had said, years ago with him, that I didn't want to live with that regret. SO, yeah, this was a lot for me to deal with emotionally as far as a hysterectomy.

I cannot express enough the appreciation I feel, over all of you 'being there' for me, through this.
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Default Jul 09, 2013 at 07:10 PM
  #32
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I worried about the children that I have, and grieved for the one(s) I would never have the chance of having.
but of course; very understandable that you would worry and grieve.

Please update us when the spit test results come back. It was relieving to read this update from you.

Just to share my experience - I was called in for an appointment to learn that I tested negative for BRCA. When I was called and the results were not given over the phone, I feared the worst. But, it turned out, they have their protocol and the results could only be released via a face-to-face meeting with the doctor. Informing you since you are prone to anxiety.
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Default Jul 10, 2013 at 06:09 AM
  #33
Thanks, at this point, I am in a mood to care less about the BRCA!! Apparently, however, this test, if positive, can even indicate the approximate age on onset!

More nervous about insurance covering it, because the lab won't test if it's not, they'll call me for that, the lab will. I will worry about that, if it's a problem, then I will resolve it.

Grieving not having more children, was just a small part of all of this for me. There's no guarantees I actually would have more. 4 C-sections is high risk, over 35 is high risk...and then there's the whole part of I am single right now, how the heck would I actually create a baby before actual menopause hits?

The main point of why a hyst was brought up in the first place?! Because my dr told me what he saw could be CANCER!

And the high risk, that I am having lost my mom, 3 years ago, to Ovarian Cancer! Well, a hyst discussion wasn't so far fetched, was it?!

So I am GLAD to NOT have CANCER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, thanks for the heads up with my anxiety and all, mine physiological, meaning it's not about worry, its actually quite PHYSICAL. Could also have something to do with the lesions that do exist on my brain, causing neurons to misfire

Last edited by healingme4me; Jul 10, 2013 at 06:20 AM.. Reason: typo
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