Hi everyone,

My surgery is 3 days away and I'm getting nervous - both about the surgery and about what they might find. They're doing a biopsy of a uterine nodule - D&C if it's nothing serious; hysterectomy if it is serious. Also doing biopsy of ovaries and taking them out - by laparoscopy if nothing serious is found in the biopsy; by hysterectomy if something serious is found. (OK - serious means the "C" word. Just can't bring myself to type it).

The gyn onc says she didn't have any red flags going up after she looked at the test results and did the exam. She said the CA125 could be elevated for all kinds of reasons. I keep telling myself that if something were wrong with the ovaries, surely it would have shown up on the 4 transvaginal ultrasounds I've had over the last year. Does that make sense to you or am I clinging to false hope here?

Had my pre-surgery testing Fri. I was upset to find out my husband wouldn't be allowed in the recovery room. On the gyn surgery wing, they don't let in spouses due to "privacy issues and the nature of the type of surgeries performed." Honestly, I couldn't care less about anyone else's husbands being there. They always have curtains between the beds anyway. But now I'll have to wait over an hour to find out what happened in the surgery. My doctor said she would brief my husband right after the surgery. I'm sure I'll be laying in the recovery room freaking out, wanting to know what they found.

Sorry for the meltdown. This waiting has been really difficult. Any words of wisdom/comfort would be most appreciated!!

Pam

I can understand your fear, so no need to apologize! I think anyone would feel the way you are feeling.

I hope they find nothing serious, but if not, at least you are doing the right thing. At this point in your life, you don't need those girlie parts anymore so having them removed isn't a big deal. It is a bummer they won't allow your DH in the recovery room, but you probably won't freak out wondering what happened. Probably you will be too sleepy to care.

I wish you all the best, and the best possible outcome!! Make sure you let us know how things go.

((HUGS))

Gatsby54

I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, dear. Wishing you the best outcome for your surgery.

(((HUGS)))

Bella

Hi Gatsby,

I just read this, sorry I'm late posting,missed reading this earlier or I would have posted sooner. I been so busy, my family and I are in the process of moving so I haven't had any time in awhile to read here hardly.

I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this! I had a hysterectomy a few mths. ago. I was so nervous too but you will get through this and be okay. Stay strong and you are in alot of our thoughts and prayers. Alot of women have hysterectomies , it's a routine operation. Yes like Floater said you will be too sleepy in the recovery room to care. I remember I was so sleepy in the recovery room, did not really know what was going on, was in a slow daze like when I did wake up f then I'd nod back on and off again. I was that way too for awhile when I got to my hospital room.

Please be positve, I know it's hard as you have more serious of what you're going through with the biopsy of a uterine nodule but you are in our prayers and with modern medicine /surgery, Drs. can do alot to treat people back to health again. Keep the faith and I wish you all the best for a successful surgery, and recovery. I am thinking of you and you are in my prayers Gatsby. God Bless you.

Hugss,

Noreen

I meant to say in my last post also I hope/pray that you just have to have the D & C, Gatsby that the biopsies will turn out to be okay ,nothing serious so you won't have to have a hysterectomy.

Hugss,

Noreen

And no need to apologize like Floater said,Gatsby, it's understandable you're in the state of a meltdown!

Hugss,

Noreen

Hi Pam....

Wishing you all the best with your surgery today. Praying for a good outcome and that you see hubby as quickly as possible afterwards. Please let us know how you're doing.

Hugs,
Karen

Floater, Bella, Noreen, Karen -

Thanks so much for the words of encouragement. They really helped calm my nerves before the surgery. Sometimes it just takes an objective observer to make comments that help one see how irrational one’s reasoning has become.

Sorry for not posting an update sooner. Our home computer was having problems and I didn’t have access to the message boards until now.

Anyway – Great News!! The surgery went well. All biopsies (uterine mass and cysts in ovaries) came back as benign. They left the uterus in (did a D&C), but took out the ovaries and fallopian tubes. So I guess I’m now officially in menopause. Only mild hot flashes so far. Nothing like the really bad ones I had every 20 minutes for 6 weeks this past summer. After no periods for 3 months, I had 3 regular-as-clockwork periods Sep – Nov. So I have no idea where I was in the menopause process. I'm 54, so hopefully I was well along, which would mean my body was already adjusting to lower estrogen levels and maybe I won’t have any severe problems now.

But, to be honest, I’m so relieved that everything was benign, I’m vowing to keep a positive attitude whatever meno symptoms come along. (Please remind me of how grateful I am if I complain about hot flashes, insomnia (my biggest problems in the past), in the future).

Anyway, thanks to all of you for caring. It means so much knowing you’re out there.
Have a blessed Christmas and a healthy, symptom-free, happy New Year!
Pam

Gatsby,

I am so glad to hear all went well!! No big C!! Awesome, you couldn't have gotten a better Christmas gift!! I am so happy for you!! Now you can relax, recover and enjoy the holiday!!

Dear'Gatsby
Only just saw this Post but want to congratulate you on the grear outcome.What a marvellous present for the holidays.

Stay well and enjoy the festive season
Best Wishes
Elizabeth