what do you think about...

gerddy

Hi, I'm 41, just finished chemo and start radiation on the 20th. After 6 weeks of that I plan on having a heserectomy with ovaries out. I have a strong family history of B/C with menapause starting in the late 50's. Tomifin is only good for 5 years and I'll probably revert to my cycle. I think this is a good way to help prevent spread. What do you all think?

Gerddy

tlmac

Hi Gerddy, Having a hysterectomy is major. I was diagnosed with nonhomogenous hyperplasia (irregular thickening of the lining of the uterus) a year after my breast cancer battle and was advised a hysterectomy was my safest option. If I'd been younger or wanted more children, they would have done a D&C then monitored me. An oophorectomy (removal of ovaries & tubes) will have the same effect on estrogen without the down time. It will, however, also produce the same menopausal side effects. You should also know that the ovaries are not our only source of estrogen. That's why they give ER+ postmenopausal women Arimidex or Femara. They both stop one of the hormones produced by the adrenal gland from being converted to a form of estrogen by an enzyme called aromatase. Even with the ovaries gone, your body still has a source of estrogen. Lots to think about, I know. In the end, we collect our facts and make very personal choices. Good luck with your decision.
terri

inkblot

tlmac said:

Hi Gerddy, Having a hysterectomy is major. I was diagnosed with nonhomogenous hyperplasia (irregular thickening of the lining of the uterus) a year after my breast cancer battle and was advised a hysterectomy was my safest option. If I'd been younger or wanted more children, they would have done a D&C then monitored me. An oophorectomy (removal of ovaries & tubes) will have the same effect on estrogen without the down time. It will, however, also produce the same menopausal side effects. You should also know that the ovaries are not our only source of estrogen. That's why they give ER+ postmenopausal women Arimidex or Femara. They both stop one of the hormones produced by the adrenal gland from being converted to a form of estrogen by an enzyme called aromatase. Even with the ovaries gone, your body still has a source of estrogen. Lots to think about, I know. In the end, we collect our facts and make very personal choices. Good luck with your decision.
terri

Hi Gerddy:

Ditto Terri's advice. In addition to our adrenal glands being a source of estrogen, much of our food is another source to consider. It's almost impossible to live in our world with zero exposure to estrogen.

Hysterectomy is a serious procedure, not to be taken lightly. While some physician's may make it seem not much of a deal, well, it's not them on the table and it's not them who must deal with any negative consequences. Of course, there are potential negative side effects with many of the meds as well. That's why it's SO important to carefully weigh all the available options.

I'd suggest seeing at least one other doc for another opinion, (ideally 2) before having surgery. You need to know and be able to consider ALL your options in order to make the choice which is best for your particular situation. Wishing you well with the rads and please let us know how it's going.

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

Sharon345

It's doubtful that the Tamoxifen will keep you from having your periods. The chemo you had stopped it. You might start again anytime or it might take a while. I've heard of the chemo stopping your period completely. Anyway, if that's the reason for your hysterectomy you should wait until you know your period is back. There is also the option of taking monthly shots of Zolardex for two years if your cancer was hormone postive. You would get the shots at your oncologist office every 28 days. There is also a Zoladex you have every 3 months. I had the 28 day kind. This shuts down your ovaries so you don't make estogen. This would give you more time to think about a hysterectomy. I only got as far as 1 1/2 years of the Zoladex and had to have a complete histerectomy. My problems might have been caused by the Tamoxifen or it might have happened anyway. Anyway, now that I have no ovaries, more estrogen is made with fat cells than it was before the hysterectomy. If you're overweight this is something you should think about. I think it's harder to loose weight now than it was before the hysterectomy. Also, the Zoladex is very expensive but was covered by my insurance just like the chemo is but you should check on it.

epgnyc

I agree with the others here. I'd perhaps rethink the total hysterectomy or at least seek another opinion. During my treatment for breast cancer I had a bilateral oopherectomy, but it was done to remove tumors rather than to suppress estrogen. It was done via laparoscopy and really wasn't bad at all and it had a quick recovery. If after getting a second opinion you decide you definitely don't want your ovaries, I think oopherectomy only is a good way to go. Whatever you decide, don't rush into anything. And good luck.

hummingbyrd

epgnyc said:

I agree with the others here. I'd perhaps rethink the total hysterectomy or at least seek another opinion. During my treatment for breast cancer I had a bilateral oopherectomy, but it was done to remove tumors rather than to suppress estrogen. It was done via laparoscopy and really wasn't bad at all and it had a quick recovery. If after getting a second opinion you decide you definitely don't want your ovaries, I think oopherectomy only is a good way to go. Whatever you decide, don't rush into anything. And good luck.

OK, finally we are going to disagree on something ladies, I was about to get bored! LOL Teasing!
Actually, I did have a hys at age 39, per my request. Tamoxifen has a 5% (I think that's the #)
risk factor with it for uterine cancer. I had no periods the year I was on chemo and rad, diagnosed June 2000, periods came back August 2001. Now I only had one ovary as other was removed at age 21 because of large cyst. I've had my appendix out and 2 C-sections and now the hys. I had surgery, abdominal hysterectomy, on a Wednesday and was back in church on Sunday. Hey, we had a REALLY GOOD Bible study going and I didn't want to miss! Teasing again, for what ever reason I had a miraculous recovery. It was sooo funny; that Sunday during church the Elder was praying and he asked for prayer for me, said I was really sick, mentioned me by name and said he normally would not do that, but didn't think I would mind. Well I'm sitting there trying not to giggle, the people on each side of me are turning, with heads down, to look at me. My General Surgeon is one of them and he has the funniest what is going on look on his face, by this time I'm shaking with giggles, tears coming down my face and all I can think is I wonder what they would do if I just jumped up and shouted,
"Hallelujah, praise the Lord, I've been healed!"
LOL
The hys, for me, was one of the best things I ever did. Hope this helps and doesn't just confuse.
(((HUGS))) hummingbyrd

24242

There are many other risk factors other than ovarian cancer that we must be aware of also. I think that we always have to do what we need to to carry on in our lives the best we know how. If having this would help to lesson worry I think that is an important thing.
Like deciding to have lump ectomies and how many mastectomies it comes down to what we are going to be able to live with or without depending on how you look at it.
Be good to yourself always,
Tara

JKAlley

24242 said:

There are many other risk factors other than ovarian cancer that we must be aware of also. I think that we always have to do what we need to to carry on in our lives the best we know how. If having this would help to lesson worry I think that is an important thing.
Like deciding to have lump ectomies and how many mastectomies it comes down to what we are going to be able to live with or without depending on how you look at it.
Be good to yourself always,
Tara

I agree with Hummer (hi Hummer!!), I had a very easy time with my hysterectomy. This was done long before breast cancer was in my life, so was for completely different reasons. By the time they finnally did the surgery, I was soooo ready. Not to go into detail, but I said if any one had stock in any kotex or tampex companies then sell now, because their profits were about to decline drasticly! But anyway, I had abdominal surgery with both overies and uterus out & found recovery to be very quick. Then again, I was so glad to not be dealing with what I was dealing with, I probably would have put up with a lot worse. So much of it, like anything else, is the attitude you approach it with. Just my 2 cents worth, JK