Advice/support/experiences please-ovarian cysts?

Ask at your pre-surgical assessment. Let the surgeon know if you wish to retain your uterus. Often, if there is no uterus to close the monthly loop with a cycle the remaining ovary can shut down.

I don't mean to complicate things but just want to be sure you understand and are comfortable with the surgical plan. You have waited SO long for this and they never seem to inform you of the side effects. I've never been a fan of "while we're in there let's do this or that, just in case".

The plan for me at the moment is just to remove my cysts...they haven't mentioned removing my uterus and it has been normal in all my tests but they have said that they may remove everything if my cysts aren't actually cysts. My cysts have lobes and are septated and are part solid part fluid but they are still expecting them to be most likely benign. However they say they won't know for sure until they do the surgery. I think I am having an open cesarean because of this and because one of them was 17cm at the MRI and it has been months since then. I would definitely rather keep everything intact, but if they find anything more dastardly than cysts then I would want it all removed surgically anyway. 

Sorry for my comments being out of sync. Not sure what's happening with the messaging.

Anyway, sounds like a solid plan and you're good with it. Hope your holiday was wonderful and you are rested up.

I am saying a prayer for you that you find calm and peace while you wait. I am so sorry for all you have gone through until now. The medical industry in the U.S. is going through great upheaval but the referral system in tbe UK seems very restrictive and bogged down with so much idle time torturing patients with senseless pain and anguish. The suffering you've endured is awful but I commend you for keeping it together and handling your daily routine. Good for you! You are such a strong woman! Your recovery will be a piece of cake compared to what you've already been through.

I look forward to reading the final chapter of this saga and know you will go on stronger and in good health FINALLY!

Thank you, that's really kind. I hope I can write a positive end to all this sometime soon. I fear I am not too strong... but I am trying!

I have no idea why they take forever... I guess it is the state of the NHS

Thank you I will keep that in mind. I would really like to keep everything except the cysts! If not then at least my uterus.

Fingers crossed another posting said even with NHS you should ask for the LEAD CLINICIAN, best surgeon. No guarantees but does not hurt to request. This surgeon does NHS patients as well as private insurance patients.

Oh how frustrating for you Mary.I wish they'd just leave messages or at least call back.If it's important then they will get hold of you!

Hang in there.

Thanks for your reply to my message yesterday.Im doing better this evening and 2 of my daughters came to visit,which was wonderful.They work so hard and such long hours.Im home alone for the next 2 days and a bit nervous,mainly because I know I do to much when no one's around.Overall I'm feeling ok

Chin up and take care x x

Oh I am so glad you had visitors to boost your spirits!

How are you doing now you're home alone? I hope you have a good book or two or some games to keep you busy and yet sedentary. What do you like to do?

We travelled back home today and I have done all the washing I could manage! I am going to work the weekend just setting myself up for work to start proper again on Monday. I have to get my printer working properly too and bust out our ironing! 

It was a lovely holiday really. Really enjoyed our daytrip to Canterbury Cathedral, it was nice to look around in good weather. We had always missed out the herb garden and chapter house before, we'd missed out a great deal!

Remember you shouldn't be trying to do too much housework....slowly slowly... rest all you can! 

How are you feeling?

Hi Mary,

I'm glad you had a nice time away and enjoyed it.Ive never been to Canterbury Cathedral,I may visit one day when I am in the uk.It does us so good to have a change of scenery and almost get away from ourselves,if you get what I mean.How are you feeling in general now?

Did you manage to plow through the washing and ironing?There's always so much to do.I hope you're not doing too much though.

I'm on day 5 and I slept pretty well for the first time in a week and I feel a bit more like myself today!I changed the dressings again and I'm terribly bruised and swollen but everything looks healthy and no signs of infection so I'm obviously most happy about that.The hot flushes have kicked in big time and until my post Op check I'll have to put up with them.Krill oil was recommend to me by a doctor for hot flushes so I got a friend to pick some up for me.I will start taking them soon.I need professional advice on whether to persevere with the flushes (bearing in mind I've had them for 4 years since my last surgery) or go on HRT.As my remaining Ovary was so damaged I imagined I was almost through Menopause! Time will tell.

I've been reading "The Lake House" book and flicking through magazines and recording True Crime films to watch.I have been doing house work but do know my limits, my stomach hurts a lot when I'm mobile,so I am resting alot! My sister in law and my beautiful little Neices (2 &3 ) just came round for a visit.I just love them to bits and it has really been a boost to my mood.

Will you have help with your little one when you have surgery?Do you have help near by or friends who can pop in.At least my babies are all grown up,even my son (17) who I tried to keep 3 years old forever,lol,is away all weekend at a music festival! The time just goes by so quickly.And we have to count our blessings that our demented Ovary's were able to function and give us beautiful children before they malfunctioned!

You asked me "what do you like to do" well normally I love gardening and painting and fixing and cleaning and pampering my little dogs (Shihtzu) As each of my 3 daughters left home they seemed to be replaced by a little dog I've 2 and also had to take on my daughters Collie who is blind and an insulin dependent Diabetic!I kid you not..I seem to like being needed by someone or something and have a very kind heart 💖

Anyway I am waffling,blame the pain med's.I hope works ok and you don't find it too stressful.

Did you ever find out who rang you?

Take care and have a nice weekend.

Deb x

Deb,

One herbal that works for hot flashes is Black Cohosh. You may want to give that a whirl before HRT. Hot flashes kicked in for me the day I got home from hospital. Thought I it was a fever. LOL. If only, they go away. I reduced frequency and intensity for me. Still get them once in a awhile but very infrequent. It won't stave off the other symptoms but thought you may want to give it a go. Glad you're getting on so well. It's wonderful when the surgery removes the beasty and the healing begins. :-)

Thankyou for that helpful suggestion.I shall get some when I can get out again.Its good to hear of something that's actually helped someone.

I'll do anything to avoid HRT unless I really have too.I know what you mean re feeling like a fever though.Even though I've had them for 4 years it feels different since surgery!

Thankyou for your help

Deb,

Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better despite bruising and swelling. As far as HRT, an over-the-counter menopausal supplement may be helpful but surgical menopause can be debilitating. At least it has been for me. Hot flashes were minimal and mild but otherwise had many severe symptoms while on too low of a dose of HRT. Severe depression and loss of memory and concentration were at the top of the list but the others were close behind. I wish I had realized that HRT is very individual and can take some trial and error. It may have saved me from such severe symptoms for so long. Some women don't suffer as badly but I know of women who had already gone through menopause and had severe symptoms after having their ovaries removed.

I just wanted to give you a heads-up so you can get proper and speedy treatment if you end up with debilitating symptoms and OTC products aren't enough. Of course, since you still have your uterus, you would need a combination HRT versus estrogen only.

Blessings for a quick recovery!

Bless you,you do seem like you've been through a lot. I went back over some of your previous replies to Maryvee.

It's all the unknown I guess and we react differently to the same things.

I would've preferred that the surgeon took out anything that isn't needed,Appendix,Uterus,cervix etc so that I'd never have to have abdominal surgery again! Obviously it doesn't work like that and these organs are needed to keep everything in balance.Having said that I've 2 friends that have had to have full hysterectomy ' s in 30 ' s and 40 ' s and haven't had any ongoing problems.That gives me a bit of hope.Again some lucky women just sail through it all and barely notice.

I'd be happy to just feel 'normal ' for a while Thankyou

Aw Deb what a lovely response. I hope you aren't feeling too down what with all of this you're going through. 

I have got up to date with all my washing but there is still a big pile of ironing left. It is mostly hubby's shirts etc, so I am putting it off till tomorrow now! I have been doing interviews today and paperwork to get myself up to speed with work, I have to do the same tomorrow. I am making sure everyone knows I may be having surgery...if only the hospital would hurry up and find me an appointment! 

I will have hubby home to help after the surgery, the hospital said that I won't be able to look after my daughter at first so I will have his company while I am recovering, which is something I know you are missing out on at the moment. I hope us ladies here help you at least somewhat. At least we are all going through the same/similar things though in different stages of it.

I am not feeling too many problems due to my cysts at the moment (touch wood) I am feeling more pain on my left hand side rather than the big one on my right, but I have awful heartburn still. I don't know how they cause heartburn but they do!! I was able to walk lots whilst away which was nice and I think having two regular (ish) periods lately has helped my comfort levels. 

I am smiling at the thought of your girls being replaced by little Shihtzu's as they left home, us women so need little things to love don't we! It must take a great deal of your time to look after the Collie with her injections and everything!

I am starting to pressure hubby (as gently as I can) about the bedroom being done before my surgery... he wants to lay carpets before painting....something tells me this isn't going to be an easy process of persuasion lol I can't be too forceful with my argument though or he will stick firm and refuse to do it at all if it isn't done his way!

I am so glad you got a good sleep last night and are comfortable pottering around doing a little housework despite the bruises, don't you dare touch a hoover though young lady remember and take plenty of rest breaks! 

Do give us frequent updates on your recovery... I am trying to judge how long I will need off work to recover.... It can't be too long for me due to us needing every penny I earn but I will still have to be fully healed. 

When will they do a post op check? You haven't seen a nurse at all since leaving hospital have you? You seem to be changing your dressings all by yourself even too! You are doing so well x

Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad they at least didn't take your uterus so you don't have to suffer those negative effects! I do know women who haven't had as debilitating effects. But then there were some who indicated they were "fine" only to reveal otherwise after my surgery. I guess they didn't want to scare me? I'm sure women's experiences also depend on the severity and duration of problems that led up to surgery. Some are just so relieved to have their gyn issue(s) resolved.

Hi Mary,

How are you feeling today after a rough few days?I hope things have improved for you.

I've not been feeling the best and hot flushes are literally every half hour day and night,they don't last too long thankfully.Im feeling a bit low.My body looks awful and nothing fits.I know this will resolve in a few weeks but it's hard to wonder what I will be left looking like.Im a curvier lady and had lost 4 1/2 stone with a bit more to go.My Tum sagged with my 3rd pregnancy (I had 3 pregnancy's in under 4 years)and have very dry skin.The last 2 abdominal surgeries stretched my Tum so much,especially the Gallbladder and my liver leaking into me.I was just beginning to like and accept what I looked like and this has knocked my self confidence back.My hubby says that if I really want to have some sort of corrective surgery in future that he would support me (not that we could ever afford it) also I know 100% that it doesn't bother him and he loves me lumps/scars and all.

I'm still doing my own dressings.I was given enough for 3 changes,2 days apart.I have had phone calls to check on me but won't be seeing anyone until my post Op check in 4 weeks.All my options re HRT will be gone through.After what I've been reading up on Surgical Menopause and it's consequences I may have to take something as I'm 46 and have so many health/bone problems already.I would just like to feel well again.Its been 6 years of unfortunate ailments and 2 Cysts/Germ Cell? And malfunctioning Ovaries.

Anyway enough of my babble . I'm managing around the house fine.My doggies force me to pop out into the garden every few hours so that's good.My husband has been off yesterday and Today and is a good,but messy help He does feed me well and is capable of cooking,not so much cleaning,but hey Ho no one's perfect

So one week on I'm doing ok and trying to be patient with myself.

You take care and I hope you hear something very soon about your op date.

Deb x

How are you doing Deb? I hope your recovery is progressing smoothly.