Losing my mind, choice made for me.
 

A few weeks ago I asked about if I should have my ovaries removed or not. Well after an ultra sound they decided to do a D&C. That was Thursday. After surgery gyn said we need to do a total hysterectomy. OK fine, let's do it and be done with it. But after visiting a hyst. site and some of the threads here I'm losing my mind. First I will be in recovering for 6 weeks, So I will miss more work. I only took 5 weeks off during chemo but still. They are great but how much can an employer take. Then, I'm still doing herceptin everythree weeks and that is reaking havoc on my bones and joints. More pain. I will have my first mamo. one week after the surgery and that scares me too. Not to mention 43 and not able to take hormones. Dear ladies, I need guidance, calm advice, stories and anything you can share. I just feel like it is a daily fight not to mention doctors visit. Thanks, Kriss

Kriss
Sorry you are confronted with decisions. If you haven't joined the HysterList please do. It will help you with the decision you have to make. Everyone heals differently. If your docs are considering a vaginal hysterectomy, you will feel better, sooner, though it still takes your insides time to heal. You may be able to return to work sooner. If they aren't, make sure you ask why. Sometimes it is because the doctor is not good or experienced at doing them so doesn't recommend it. Other times, it is because they want to open you up to take a look around. Make sure you know your options.
Wishing you the best.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HysterList/

Help is on the way... Here's my contribution...
 

Kriss,

So sorry you have so much to deal with. Stinks. But you sound strong and vibrant and feisty and I love that in a person. A real Warrior Woman. Good for you. You should be proud of yourself.

I just wanted to put my 2 cents in re Herceptin, as I've been on it since '98. I have no joint pain. I do take OMEGA 3 EPA 800 AND DHA 400 TWICE A DAY. I take CALCIUM 600 w/D 400 TWICE A DAY. AND I take D3 1000. These supplements may explain my lack of joint pain. I am 62 and am aware that in gen'l pp my age have this issue, without chemo. These supplements were recommended by my NY oncological nutritionist. Other supplements I take are in my 6/30 thread TO "SUPLLEMENT" OR WAIT, if you are interested.

Wishing you health and happiness. I know many ladies on this board can advise you re hyster. Love your pretty picture, your attitude and your shining Spirit! Sending healing energy your way...

Andi http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201e05fca/06

Thank you ladies
You may call it fiesty but I feel b*@#%^. Unfortunatley I don't have much of a choice. They must go abdominal. Both gyn docs I have consulted say due to never having children and suspect of cancer. So more info on this would be great.

Oh Kriss

I hear you loud and clear. I only had an ooph but the shutting down of estrogen is the more difficult aspect. Your pathology is much like mine (ER 50% and my actual PR is deemed negative but was less than 5% (some specialist say less than 5% is negative and some say less than 10% is negative)) None the less, with such a small PR %, Tamoxifen would probably not work well for you and an AI would work better. Secondly, getting the hysterectomy while still getting herceptin is a great choice as "theory" says that surgery causes secretion of the growth hormones (ie: Her pathway) for healing and you will be protected.

You cannot take oral hormone therapy but if you have problems with the urinary tract or too dry a vagina to be able to have sex without problems, you can get an estring (a ring that gives a local small dose of estrogen in your vagina). I use this and so do many on this site. It is very safe. You will just have to wait awhile to even see if you need this - many on this site don't as well. You just never know.

Also - I did not gain any weight at all with the ooph. Being an avid walker and runner, I actually lost about 7 lbs since. It is age that causes more of the slowing of the metabolism and it happens to coincide with the natural age of menopause.

As far as work - with an ooph I only missed 2 weeks vs 6 weeks but oh well! It is a small price to pay and it is a temporary thing. I felt the same way though. It means you are a responsible person and that's a good thing.

If you have any questions, ask away. If any seem too private for you, contact me privately. If you want to talk, email me your phone number. It is doable - even if you get some lack of estrogen problems - there are safe ways to get around them.

For joint pain, I take Iceland Health Joint Relief which can be purchased online.

Love and hugs,

Kriss,

I don't have as much of the factual information as many others on this site have so abley provided, but I do understand your difficulty with this decision. So many other decisions seem to be 'slam-dunk' decisions...surgery, rads, chemo. I think this part of the decision making process is so much more difficult. There seems to be a lot less clearly defined information out there. I am right behind you in making this decision, so I am axiously watching your thought process and getting lots of good info from the responses to your post (no pressure :-)! )

I know I am experiecing some battle fatigue and maybe that is what you are going thorough as well...."will this NEVER end?" I will keep you in my thoughts - you will make the right decision for you.