Has anyone had a complete hysterectomy? Does the skin dry out and age? I am considering.
Louisa

Louisa:

Why are you thinking about having a complete hyster? What happened at the doctor's anyways?

I am still waiting on the results. Well I am just wondering about it. After my friend died on Tuesday from Ovarian cancer it has been on my mind. Mt Dr. said removing th ovaries greatly decreases the risk. Just on my mind I guess. She went to Dr 3 months ago. said she was tires and had some abdominal swelling. He told gave her IRON PILLS. She found a mass on her side 2 weeks ago and died Tuesday. I cannot believe this happened so suddenly and she had no real indications and was able to carry on as usual. My health anxiety will ebb and flow...
Louisa

Louisa,

That is so sad...and very scary! I would still think carefully about ripping out your parts! I mean what are the chances that this would happen to two people who knew each other? Strange things happen out there, no doubt about it.

My stepfather works with a women who is dying from mad cow disease. She was fine after new years, then got sick....now it is just the countdown to the end. How creepy is that? Getting too close to home for me!!

Living is a risk....try not to dwell on the "what ifs" as it will drive you totally insane. Try and enjoy each day, and consider it a gift...we are offered no guarantees in life, and nobody ever said life was fair or easy.

Kathie

Oh Louisa what a horrible thing about your friend. I think you might just need a little time and give yourself a break to grieve your loss before you take healthy parts out of yourself
In the long run you will be so much better off with yourself intact!
Floater has given you wonderful advice!

Hugs and Best Wishes!

Sharon

Kathie, You are such a calming, reasonable person. You are right of course. We are not guarenteed anything on earth but death and taxes but your advise will be well taken. Just got the blues I guess. On another note- MAD COW DISEASE? Did she get this from eating beef? I know there was a scare her in the states and then again something in Canada some time ago. Really big flap between the two countries about what came form where and all that I am so sorry to hear that. What a horrible and obscure thing to come down with. I will count my blessings. On a happier note, How are you?
Louisa

I practically begged for a hysterectomy ten years ago and was basically told to stop complaining. I went through all kinds of hell since then. Yes, some of my issues were resolved, but I've had two pre-cancer scars, uncontrollable bleeding, pms that nearly destroyed my family, and now I'm waiting to find out about a cyst on my ovary. Don't get me wrong--I'm not pro-yank it out if it scars you, but the stress of worrying about all this ain't no picnic either. I think I understand how you feel, Louisa. I'm scared too. There's got to be a better way to live and I intend to find it. NOW. I hope you do to.

Crap, I can't even type anymore. "Scares," not scars. Really, lately my fingers seem to have a life of their own when I'm at a keyboard, as if they aren't even connected to my brain. Or maybe they are and that's the problem...

My fingers do the same. I can spell I promise. It is not just this friend, my housekeeper has ovarian cancer that started witha swelling belly and has now spread to her liver. She is on chemo now and this was diagnosed 1 year ago. My Gyno's mother in law dies 3 months ago from ovarian cancer(you would hope he would be all over this). the tellar at my nbank died from ovarian cancer and my little sister's friend has it in Stage I. Found durring an ultasound at Fertility specialist. 1 in 67 women will be diagnosed. It is my peri health anxiety of the moment. Guess I will go take a nerve pill and get over it. Thsi waxes and wanes so my hormones must be raging. Many, many women have cysts on their ovaries. They found one on mine 2 years ago durring an ultra sound for fertility reasons. I have given up on the pregnancy thing as I amexperiencing missed periods and what not. Too late but I have CATS! You will be fine I know. Thanks so much for your response, it is comforting to me and others I am sure.. I love all the women out here, especially the nocturnal Kathie. Keep me posted on what your Dr. says. I still think you are a big, beautiful African American beauty! LOL

Ovarian cancer is often deadly. It should be scary! However, you should always talk frankly with your doctor about what is going on and what the choices are.

I had a complete hysterectomy due to fibroids on my tube on one side. This was giving me a bit of problem, but was discovered to be more problematic when I went in to get my tubes "tied". They also discovered endometriosis, which I was unaware of. My doc "removed" the endo during the tubal procedure, and we talked for a few months about options. Once I decided to have the fibroid out via hysterectomy (I was 47), the decision about the ovaries was still problematic. Once she got inside, she discovered the endo had over taken my left ovary badly, and she removed both of them. I had no idea I had endo to this degree, and studies show that this is possibly a pre-curser to cancer? At least that is what I understand. I am not sorry that she did the total, and I still worry that the endo will return, even without my uterus.

Everyone's experience with hysterectomy will be different. I have not had many difficulties, but there are a few things I would like to change. I am also on an estridiol patch, which helps. I also wonder how long I will use it, and if it might not be better to just "get through" menopause and be done....

Good luck with your decision. Don't take it lightly, but certainly make sure YOU decide and not someone else...