Opted for surgery

[slipnslide]

Hi all,

I've been laying low on posting lately and I've been mostly reading the posts. I had my follow-up appt. with my OB/GYN today with a repeat ultrasound. The recommendation was to remove the left ovary and leave the right one in to maintain hormone production. It's not an emergency situation, nor does he believe the mass to be cancer, but because of the size and the pain it's causing, I agree that it should come out. I have to take copies of my pelvic & abdominal CT's to him so that he might be able to figure out where the mesh is from my previous hernia surgery. The mesh may hinder his approach to remove the left ovary since the mesh was placed and stapled to my lower left abdomen. My OB/GYN said he will review the CT to see what he can do about doing the procedure with his normal approach or if he will have to take a different approach so to not disturb the mesh, then he will discuss his decision with me next week. This may sound crazy, but I will be glad once the surgery is over with and this "thing" is out of me!:eek:;)

Kim

[Nana4&cntn]

Kim, I don't think you sound crazy at all for wanting that thing out of you! I would too, especially with it causing you so much pain! There comes a time when IMHO that all the baby making equipment should come out, just because. I am glad you will still have the other ovary for hormones. HRT is the pits.

I have been wondering how and where you have been. Whats been going on with the hip pain? Could this surgery help that or is it a seperate situation?

I wish you all the best and hope to see you more!:)

Take care

[slipnslide]

Kim, I don't think you sound crazy at all for wanting that thing out of you! I would too, especially with it causing you so much pain! There comes a time when IMHO that all the baby making equipment should come out, just because. I am glad you will still have the other ovary for hormones. HRT is the pits.

I have been wondering how and where you have been. Whats been going on with the hip pain? Could this surgery help that or is it a seperate situation?

I wish you all the best and hope to see you more!:)

Take care
Kathy,

I've been in limbo with waiting on my follow-up appointments with my PM (following the cervical ESI) and with the OB/GYN (for a repeat ultrasound). The stabbing pain in my lower abdomen is just left of center, and started when I wound up in the ER with the ruptured hemorrhagic cyst. It's in a different location from my usual iliac crest donor site pain, and the pain that stabs in the far left groin area and down into my inner thigh....but....I can still hope that some how or some way it eliminates those pains too.;):D

[Kathi49]

Kim,

I agree. I don't blame you at all! And glad to hear the doc wants to preserve one ovary. :) Kathy is right, HRT can be the pits so the docs usually try to let you hang onto at least one IF they can. ;) I wish I could have but my situation was different. In any case it would be great if the majority of pain could be eliminated; you have gone through more than enough. Keep us posted...I would like to hear what the plan/procedure is.

Kathy, you crack me up about removing the baby making equipment...just because. I laughed out loud when I read that. No doubt!! But you know as well as I do that the docs will try to preserve everything. At least my own RE did. I read so many times that hysterectomies were being done so often. But I ran into the opposite LOL! My RE tried for years and years to treat the endo BEFORE doing anything drastic. I am glad she did...otherwise I would have been on HRT for a LONG time.

Oh, and Kim, I have been lying low too. But mainly due to all the commotion around my house. I think I have been on the phone almost daily scheduling things and so much so that I think I irritated a nerve in my neck...left arm is hurting this time around and just happened yesterday. So, I am blaming it on being on the phone LOL!

[slipnslide]

Kim,

I agree. I don't blame you at all! And glad to hear the doc wants to preserve one ovary. :) Kathy is right, HRT can be the pits so the docs usually try to let you hang onto at least one IF they can. ;) I wish I could have but my situation was different. In any case it would be great if the majority of pain could be eliminated; you have gone through more than enough. Keep us posted...I would like to hear what the plan/procedure is.

Kathy, you crack me up about removing the baby making equipment...just because. I laughed out loud when I read that. No doubt!! But you know as well as I do that the docs will try to preserve everything. At least my own RE did. I read so many times that hysterectomies were being done so often. But I ran into the opposite LOL! My RE tried for years and years to treat the endo BEFORE doing anything drastic. I am glad she did...otherwise I would have been on HRT for a LONG time.

Oh, and Kim, I have been lying low too. But mainly due to all the commotion around my house. I think I have been on the phone almost daily scheduling things and so much so that I think I irritated a nerve in my neck...left arm is hurting this time around and just happened yesterday. So, I am blaming it on being on the phone LOL!

Kathi,

How's the kitchen coming along? It must be so exciting! I'd love to at least get new counter tops in mine just to give it a face-lift:) (even though I hardly ever cook any more:rolleyes:) Kathy, I know what you mean abut the phone. Any more, the minute I pick up the phone, I hit the "speaker phone' button so that I don't have to hold it up to my ear. For some reason, the phone just destroys my neck, shoulders, and arms if I'm on it for too long.

As for the "baby making equipment", the only thing I'll have left is that lone right ovary:D. I'm so glad I can keep it and avoid HRT.

[Jo6]

lol @ kathy :D Yeah, that baby making thingy left this old gal a long long time ago and I was thrilled to get it done. It took care of the GYN problems as well as the baby maker.

Kim, I don't blame you for having the surgery. I'm sure you've thought of every thing and then some. Just my opinion, I would do it,but Drs. don't always get things right.

just know you have so many friends here thinking and praying for you. Do keep in touch, we are a worrying bunch too;)
my love, Jo

[Mark N]

Kim, good luck with the surgery and I hope it takes care of the pain.

[slipnslide]

Jo & Mark,

Thank you so much for the good wishes and support. I have not scheduled the surgery yet, nor have I spoken with my OB/GYN about what approach he will use, but I'm already getting nervous just thinking about having surgery again:o. I am thankful that it should be same day surgery, so no lengthy hospital stay (whew!:D) but my doc warned me that it's still about a week of doing absolutley nothing. My daughters start back to school Aug.11th so I'm under the gun to make a decision as to when to get the surgery. I guess I'll discuss that with my OB/GYN when he calls with his decision on the surgical approach. I'm pretty sure it won't be as hard of a recovery as was the ACDF and hernia surgeries, so I'm thinking that I won't need too much help once I'm back home.:)

[Kathi49]

Kim,

Let's us know what the plan is...I know you are nervous. I was just thinking with your daughters still around that it might be a good time since they could help you. Did the doc happen to mention how he might try to approach this? I just don't know enough about the mesh and the hernia but I lean towards thinking the same way you are...if it is outpatient, I don't THINK it will be too bad. Guess I am thinking of some kind of laparoscopy type of approach but then again, I don't know how large this thing is and as I said, based on the mesh and everything else...just don't know. Hang in there though. :)

My kitchen is coming along great. But in wait mode again. Once the countertops go in on August 4th (they are cutting/designing them now), then comes the rest of the cabinets, microwave, the lights, adjustments, and painting. But both the kitchen and the family have to be painted since they open onto each other. To just paint the kitchen would be stupid LOL! You would definitely see a start/stop point if both weren't done. But it does look good at this point. Anyway, I had to laugh because a very good friend of mine said, "Yeah, like you need a bigger island...guess you need alot of space to line up those McDonald's bags!" LOL He was just teasing but I am telling you what I originally had very little counterspace and very little storage. Now, I will have a lot more. It still the same design pretty much but utilizing more empty space and a couple of false fronts.

Today the pool goes in LOL! I really want to watch them do this because I find all this stuff interesting. But there will be some yard damage. I had a bit of a go round with Watson's yesterday but not too bad. So, here goes. When we purchased the pool, we were told that if the pool water arrives on time (which it will), then the installers will go ahead and backfill around the pool. Yet, the package or packet we received AFTER buying it says WE are responsible for backfilling it. Honestly, we didn't have a problem with that because we thought my husband would be in town. But he is in DC this week and next week in St. Louis. Well, I certainly can't lift a shovel and heave ho. Sooo....I called the main guy and explained all of this to him. He was nice though...said just to tell them that HE said to go ahead and backfill it anyway for me.

So, that's where it all stands right now and sorry for rambling.

Let us know what you find out and decide to do. :)

[Mark N]

Kim, It is understandable that you are nervous about this surgery. I hope your doctor can give you the date and procedure soon so you can feel comfortable about the upcoming surgery. I hope you get the surgery when it works best for you.

[slipnslide]

I have not heard back from my OB/GYN yet. He had taken my cell number so he could call me, so I'm hoping to hear from him soon. I hate the waiting :o;).