Hysterectomy, Anyone?

Was thinking about this 'homework assignment', my ob/gyn gave me, about thinking long and hard about what my decisions are on having more kids.

Findings:

--Have already decided that if I don't have a baby by the year 2015, that I don't want to have a pregnancy that goes past that one year. That would bring me into my 40th year.

--Mom said to me once, that she really regretted not having the entire female reproductive organ pulled, instead she had just ovaries pulled to begin with. 'Kiko,' she said, 'if you are ever faced with that choice, just have a hyst.' (Kiko, is my nickname by my mom, and rarely used by anyone, but her and just a few people close to her.)

--Knowing what I know about cancer, it can mastacisize. Seen it happen with others.

--Knowing what I know about this mark protruding from my cyst, there's no blood flow, no oxygen, it's not being 'fed', at the moment. Looks like a little stem. Asking myself, is this the point of origin?

--Thinking about women with breast cancer, and how full blown mastectomies can save lives. If it wasn't for being in the high risk category, I wouldn't have had this ultra-sound. Some spotting, in between can also be systemic of the pill. Which I've been on for prevention.

--Women, can achieve clitoral and vaginal orgasms, after hysterectomies. Clitoral, are my strongest ones, and usual ones, with or without a man. Some claim that orgasms can be greater after a hyst. And doing some research, it's the removal of the ovaries that can decrease sex drive, perhaps when I see my pdoc, I can make a case for Wellbutrin.

--In making the case for Wellbutrin, I feel that an anti-depressant, not only could help me deal with the emotions that are to follow, especially with pre-mature menopause, and help maintain a libido, but also, it can help me out physically, so that I have some energy, this thing, after all, coming down with it, could be what's draining me. And people with MS complain about menopause doing something to them. I'm making a case for a med, that I believe can really help me out.

--Granted, my next gyn appointment is the 9th, pdoc, the 15th. Pdoc, I can wait. Gyn, I am calling in the morning because these are the facts.

--Recovery period for a hysterectomy are 6-8 weeks. My last day of work for the school year, is this Friday, June 28. I have to report, back to work on August 28th or 29th. If I can get in, next week, the sooner, the better. I cannot afford to miss work, literally cannot 'afford' to miss work.

--I do heavy lifting, at work, not in the home. I can have a 'light duty/no duty' summer. My exh, though never, ever getting back together, is the type of man to help me out with housework and the kids. He also has three various weeks, this summer of vacation, the benefit of longevity with his employer.

--My ex and I have been trying to devise a solution to my father and his wife coming up on the 4th of July, this could do it.

--Another reason, no go on children, that would create a 4th C-section for me. My oldest was born, sunny-side up, and with a full head of hair and a fair amount of time in labor, my gyn, felt I could push all day, and nothing would happen, and he couldn't see past the hair to get a clear understanding what was going on. C-section and voila, guess what your son was doing, he was turned the wrong way. 4 C-sections scare me.

--My friend/back up sitter/fellow church goer, posted something on her FB, last night, while I was thinking about this 'assignment.' "Sometimes, what you are most afraid of doing, is the very thing that will set you free." ((one of those, need to, um, pray, and ask from that side of life, too....))

--if this thing is borderline or benign, won't need chemo.

--If I were a gambling woman, my money is down on the borderline one.

=======================

Assignment, completed. Any stories on the after effects of a hysterectomy, less about recovery and more about that aspect, if you don't mind sharing. What's true and what's myth??

Hello.
I am 46 yrs old. I had three children by the time I was 26. Always had problems with fibroid's. At 36 after having one procedure after another including having my tubes tied during the last of the third C-section. I finally decided to have my uterus removed and part of my cervix. I read all types of things on line about losing bladder function, lose of sex drive, loss of ability to climax, and ever foul odor coming from the vagina. My option was live with the constant pain and bleeding, which was affecting my sex life as is or having it done and living without pain and always having to carry sanitary pad, or tampons with me because it would just gush.. I talked to my gyno for over an hour with my concerns and she reassured me. I had it done and I feel great. I have no sexual dysfunction at all not problems reaching organism, no smell and I can hold my urine for hours. Most people will tell you horror stories because misery loves company. And I find most people look for problems and create them. I do have some ovary problems but I have a vaginal sonogram every year to monitor them. I began menopause naturally at 37 and now in full blow menapaus no sugar coating here, menopause sucks...for me. A friend of mine. Just stopped getting her period one day and had no symptoms complaints just easy. I do recommend HRT if you do have your ovaries out as you will go into full blow menopause quickly and that can be very hard on your body as well as your state of mind.. My sister is 10 yrs older than me and went on a light HRT and she said it helped her a great deal. I opted out for HRT even though we have no cancer in our family and without a uterus the risks are low...I am on an oral gel that I used at night but not finding any help with it. I am new to the sight and am new to therapy, but eager to start my program and will be seeing someone Friday to start on antidepressants which they say will help with the menopause symptoms as well.. My life has been going through stressful times the past few years and combining it with this wonderful ***** called menopause has taken me to a point I never thought I would be. But I'm determined to gain my life back.. Please give yourself all the education you can on the subject talk to your doctor get a second third opinion and make a decision that is right for you. I know the pain of a c-section I had three and the recovery. I also had my muscles tied back together when I was 30 because the weekend abdominal wall causes multipal hernias and my muscles were actually on the sides of my waist. That was more painful then the C's. The hysterectomy was so much easier to recover from. I just had three more hernia's removed last week. The Carbon Dioxide they filled me with to go in laproscopically was worse than the sight of entries...5 of them. You will be surprised at how bad it really isn't. As I said before, everyone loves a great horror story. Put it in your head that it's going to be just fine and it will. Good luck to you.

It seems like you have given it serious thought and researched why you should go through with it. Have you ever considered the IUD? My yearbook teacher had her first child in her early forties and she had a healthy baby with no problems. I don't know a whole lot about cancer or c-sections and this procedure, but it seems like you have done your research. Also realize that this procedure is a surgery, and with every surgery there can be complications including death from the anesthesia. With my hospital I had to take a mandatory class if I was considering sterilization, I suggest you take a long-term contraception class as well to get all of the facts. They said that the recovery time was only a few days, but I guess I missed what they said about heavy lifting. Even if it took a few weeks, your school should understand that you are recovering from a surgery. Schools can easily get a substitute and they should be able to pay for your medical leave.

I am worried about this crunch-time you are having. You seemed to be rushing yourself to make this decision which is never a good thing when it is permanent. I don't see why you absolutely HAVE to get this procedure now with so little time to recover when you can wait till 2015 and continue using the birth control you are currently on, then you can decided whether you still want to have children by that time. There is always adoption as well. Best of luck.

I have never considered hysterectomy and do not know why it would be useful for cancer prevention, but I am not a carrier of breast cancer genes. My late mom had breast cancer, so I was given genetic testing and tested negative. So I won't be doing preventive mastectomies. What is the point of hysterectomy for you?

Oh, because of a cyst! That is why.

"Any stories on the after effects of a hysterectomy, less about recovery and more about that aspect, if you don't mind sharing. What's true and what's myth??"

Sure...! I had a half a hysterectomy r/t endometriosis which was strangling my Left ovary, fallopian tubes, intestines and, when they got in therethey found my colon was turning gangrene!!!--they were necrotic when removed (fallopian tubes and left ovary) Half a hysterectomy==a Left (get a loada this word!) Salpingooophrectomy.

I was in pain for over a year, pain killers made it worse--constipated me further!...the pain presented as abdominal. Everytime I ate, I screamed into a pillow from the pain of eating. I wound up emaciated and; finally the gastroenterologist palpated a mass, and had me see a GYN. I was in hell...I limped to work, and to school...I was in pain all the time for over a year.

Surgery...was not supposed to occur. But it did....

Only a Laparoscopy (through the belly button) and removal of whatever was strangling my colon was supposed to occur. I actually annoyed the Doc...crossed out the part on the consent form--"And anything else....?" I wrote "Left Side! Only the Left Side!"...easier to do a TAH..lol, and docs get more money for it too!

I also knew that, at 38 years old, I was peri-menopausal; I wanted to go through my changes naturally. (keep at least one ovary!) So, the doc was annoyed

After two Natural Childbirths, in my early 20's--16 months apart?...difficult ones too! My pelvis was too small...but both babies weighed in at 6.8 lbs! (There is a God! --an ounce more, and they'd have been C-sections)

They gave me the bikini cut for frippin endometriosis when I was 38...

Doc came in after---"I've been a surgeon for over 45 years, and I never saw such a mess!
How were you walking around like that? Oh and I want to do an IVP on you" LOL... (wanted to say: "You've never had a period, have you Mister Doctor?")

Okay...I managed to go through my change of life with no hormones, nothing, and I felt none of the usual...not psychological, or physical repercussions of Menopause: I Was all done at 40! Blood tests proved it, too! I have been Post Menopausal for 18 years.

~~~~~~~~~lol..."Mission accomplished"--I like that! I also love your username! thank you,((( healingmeforme)))!!!!...I shared my story.

hug?

virago

I had a complete hysterectomy at the ripe old age of 24. I can tell you I never had a decrease in my sexual drive..I think it increased lol nor did I suffer from dryness. I have not had any bad side effects except I now have osteoporosis but heck I am 56 now. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have 2 children but yes I wanted one more but I have the 2 I am blessed with. If you are at high risk my advise would be do it. Do it before it turns to more and you have to end up with chemo as well.

I had a complete hysterectomy 3 years ago due to adenomyosis. So, I was 38 or 39 years old. They left my ovaries in, to prevent early menopause from striking, but took everything else.

It wasn't real easy, but it wasn't as difficult as I'd anticipated either. I'd already had my 2 girls, due to a myomectomy (to remove a large accumulation of dead tissue) in my uterus, which allowed me to get pregnant. Due to the myomectomy, my uterus wasn't strong enough to go through labor so I had both via c-section. My second pregnancy was very difficult on me physically and I knew that I couldn't take another so I had my tubes tied & cauterized right after my c-section. By then, sex was becoming very painful and difficult for me yet again.

I was ready for a hysterectomy a couple of years later, but my (now ex) husband wasn't real keen on the idea. My menstruation was very heavy and lasted for a month or so at a time! I'd get a few days to a week off, and then it would come back again. It was horrible!! Sex was painful regardless. So, surgery really called out to me.

A couple of years after my divorce, I finally got the hysterectomy. The cervix had to be removed as well, since that was also in a lot of pain. My OB was kind of a jerk about it, the last time I saw him, as I have occasional bouts of pain in my ovaries. He got all dramatic and said, "You have had A LOT of surgeries! You have nothing left down there to cause you any pain!" Aaargh! Jerk I know that I've had a lot of surgeries, but I also know that I shouldn't have this kind of pain. So, whatever. I'll stick with my female internal medicine doctor and let her help me figure things out.

Anyway....Sorry about going off in a tangent there. I believe that we know our bodies a heck of a lot better than others. You know what's right for YOU. I think that you should have the surgery, and prevent this long bumpy road from occurring. But that's simply my opinion. Sometimes, the bumps are worth it. I did have some vaginal dryness, and orgasm is tougher to achieve than before. But k-y jelly works very well and my bf doesn't mind working hard to bring me pleasure.

You may want to check out a favorite site that deals with these kinds of dilemmas every day, and discusses all sides & options.

http://www.hysteristers.com

Gentle hugs to you.

Because my mom had ovarian cancer, and there is a growth on my cyst and my doctor mentioned that it could be cancer, borderline cancer or benign. That's why.

Thanks for the replies. Got together with some of the women, I used to work with at my other location. Had blood drawn today, for the CA-125. And my bandage is a bit stuck on my arm, and it created a discussion.

Their words?! "Go for the Night Sweats!!"

No, my ultra sounds are routine, since my mom passed. Monday, was a routine pap smear, breast exam, pelvic exam, with the ultra sound right before seeing my doctor. He has a tech, in his office, and is able to view the sonograms on the spot.

This, protruding line, wasn't there, last year. Yes, I also, have a cyst.

Yes, I am scheduled for another ultra sound, in two weeks.

Yes, he wants me to really educate myself, on whether I want more children, then the ones I already have, that he delivered.

Yes, I want to have this done, sooner than later, because sitting on something like this, doesn't seem like the thing to do. Yes, I have a little vacation time, and yes, I could have 'unpaid leave' from work, but who is going to put a roof over my head?

What's the difference between this week, or the next? Knowledge is Power. I am not impulsive. This is serious.

I had a hysterectomy when I was 43 or 44, I'm now 57. The worst part was dealing with the night sweats and multiple daily hot flashes when the doc took me off those lovely pills that kept me cool, calm and collected...LOL.

My Gyn was awesome and we had tried a number of different things over a 4 year period (no pun intended) to relieve my pain, but nothing worked. She also believed that in leaving my cervix, I would continue to have and want sex. Little did she know at the time that I wasn't having sex and I didn't want it with my then husband.

I ended up going back to work after 2 weeks of being home and going nuts. Since part of my job was behind a desk and the other part was very physical, I had to be on light duty. Doc was very surprised that I wanted to go back to work so soon as it was May and she figured I would enjoy the summer off. I healed very quickly from the surgery.

Fast forward a couple of years, I met and married another man and had the most awesome sex with him. I was never dry, I was always willing and able and up for it, anytime! Even though we have divorced (long distance relationships are hard!), I still feel the same way about sex.

Bottom line for me was that it was the best thing I ever did for myself. The pain I had been experiencing 25 days out of each month was horrendous. To not have that anymore was a God-send. I don't mind still having my cervix, I just have to have pap smears every year as normal. So far, so good with those.

I wish you well either way you decide.

Thanks, I just spoke to another co-worker, this morning. She said she'd had the 'radical hyst', and no regrets. Told me to brace myself for some irritable moods.

Though my next appointment is a week and a half away, I am waiting on his call back. Realized, if anything, I would need to do this after the 17th of July, when my son's day camp ends, as I'll be driving him to and from the city.

If I must return to work, within this 8 week 'recovery' time, good thing, is that since I won't be requesting time off from work, technically won't need a doctors note to return.

This would be my 10th surgery in my lifetime. I recovered quickly from C-sections, and physically, there's something about the way I move, that won't tug that area. My gyn's wife is, I just found out from another co-worker(she and I share the same gyn, and he was also my mom's), a nutritionist. All talk says that to get through the early hyst, to take care of nutrition now, deal with AD's, too, to help with the moods and just pace myself, the best I can.

Of course, these women, are much like myself.....rocks and just go for it! Don't like life making us stand still. Guess that's why we all do the work that we do

My doctor and I were able to talk on the phone this morning. I asked, if the hyst was on the table, and I explained, that, yes, I am done having children. Going to see if it's still there in a week and a half, regardless of whether the cyst clears up or not.

He'd like the BRCA test, too, but here's the situation. It's the entire insurance coverage point. Now, I am high risk, and a Laparoscopic surgery is possible. It's a matter of the test first or second. Which we will talk more about at after the ultra sound. Usually, 2 weeks is not the normal follow up to a concerning spot. Thing is, to play the wait and see, and if that 'specific cancer cell' were to form, it's always stage 3. My mom was gone in 15 months from stage 3.

This can be considered preventative, and covered due to the spot and my high risk status. (spot being the mark that isn't the cyst) Then the BRCA test can go on to see if I have the gene and then I'll be on a breast cancer watch.

Waiting and seeing, isn't the solution. But getting back into the office, early in the week following next weeks lack of office hours due to the American holiday, is! BRCA is expensive and if it were to be a negative, this option may not be covered by insurance. But, if it's possible to have it done afterwards.

Had a brief discussion about Gilda Radner and Angelina Jolie. I was reading that to have this done before menopause, could actually decrease my chances with breast cancer. And in the back of my mind, I had a breast reduction back in '97 and 30 cysts were discovered, removed and tested as benign---(maybe, that, god willing, is as close to reconstruction??)
I'd have to start mammograms about 1.5 years earlier than usual, but I'll accept that.

15 months, isn't a long time to get to spend with ones mom. And my children...if this is bravery or fear based....WHO CARES!!! (for those of you who may have seen Melissa etheridges comments about jolie)(I may not need to do that....just ovarian cancer is no joke!! it's one of the deadliest and frankly.....I just want to at least see my youngest turn 18!!! without worrying about him developing into an independent well adjusted adult)

And if I can special request my anesthesiologist..I know exactly who I want there!!! He was there for two of my three babies and performed my spinal tap and frankly he's part of the wrestling family in my town!!! *crossing fingers, he's available!*

Spoke with my grandmother today. She'd already spoken to her 'baby' sister. Everyone, in my family feels that getting a hyst would be the best solution---and that's before I even mentioned a hyst to my grandmother!!!

Gram said, that maybe, if I am anything like her, the menopausal symptoms won't be so bad for me. As they weren't for her....

I diagramed, to show the boys' father what was going on with my ultrasound. The top drawing, was to circle the mark of concern; it's right ovary, cyst is the round bump on it, the line coming off the cyst is what was shown to me, by my doctor. There is no blood nor oxygen flow, at this point. But Cancer, Borderline Cancer or Benign growth were mentioned as possible. 2cm. He said most women who arrive with complications are seen at 5cm. Because my mom had Ovarian Cancer is why this ultra sound was done, and this is early detection of something concerning, hence the talk of a full hysterectomy is on the table.
Went in for a routine Pap Smear on Monday 6/24/13, go back 7/9/13.

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.

I agree with Shebut, you know your own body better than anyone else. Also hystersisters is a great place for research and resources, helped me alot. I had hysto and would do it again in a heartbeat. I no longer get anemia, cramps and...my pms psycho symptoms have been lessened immensely (still have ovaries, even though they were cystic). I save a fortune every month as well No negative sexual side effects at all.

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%.