Advice on Surgery

S.-

Have you already been tested for the BRCA1/2 genes? If not, I'd recommend checking out the website for Myriad Genetics, the company that manufactures these diagnostic tests to see if you're at higher risk because of your mother's battle with Ovarian cancer.

I would strongly advise you to seek other opinions before you make a decision.

My own story includes my personal battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2008 - when I had to make a decision on receiving radiation or extra chemo treatments, I got opinions from 2 other Lymphoma experts. In the end, I went against my own Oncologist's advice because of the risks of secondary cancers down the road.

Other opinions may help determine if you want to have your ovaries removed and if so, by which means. Ovarian cancer is a very insidious disease, so I completely understand your desire to protect yourself and your family as much as possible. There are a lot of advances in Genetics & Oncology that may help paint a very clear path forward for you.

Hi Shiela. I have two children and we are done having children too. My hubby got a Vasectomy 5 months after our 2nd child. I had NovaSure Surgery 2 years ago and that was wonderful. I'm sorry I can't tell you about the surgery your considering. I know some of my friends has this done and they agreed it was worth it. Good luck! Hope you get your answers.

I had my gallbladder out laproscopically and was back at work a couple of days later. I find it to be much easier than traditional style surgery.

I don't know about the cancer history part, but I had a hysterectomy with oophorectomy (ovary removed) laproscopically due to a large cysts and heavy bleeding. My surgery was last summer and it was relatively easy. I was sore of course, but I recovered pretty quickly. I was totally out of commission about a week, and had to take it easy after that a few weeks. By six weeks was feeling pretty good. I'd had one ovary removed a few years prior, due to a cyst, also laproscopic, and had the same results. Only 3 little incisions, one on either side of my tummy and one in my belly button. The biggest one is about an inch long , but the others are only about a 1/2 inch long. My biggest issues are dealing with the estrogen replacement and getting evened back out... I'm only 38, so I essentially have gone throught the "change." Occasional hot flashes and skin dryness.... Some sleep trouble. I see that as a definate improvement to the problems I was having. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.