Clarification on not having my ovaries out - another vent

Posted , 4 users are following.

When I met with the gynaecological oncologist, and decided that to be safe I should have a hysterectomy to get rid of the rapidly growing, funny looking (on MRI) fibroid, he said "we'll take out the ovaries, too." At the time, I didn't say anything.

However, after I went home, and I did a lot of research and found that it would be a bad idea because having my ovaries removed increase my risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, and my family has a strong history of both, but not of cancer (which I didn't think to mention at the consultation - finding out that there was a slight chance I might have cancer in my uterus put other thoughts out of my mind.) So I sent a very long, detailed email to the gyn/onc, explainging why I thougth removing my oviaires would be a bad idea but never got a response. So I called the gynaecological nurse, who was present at my consultation, and she reassured me that I didn't have to have my ovaries out; I have to consent to the surgery.

Well, I was all relieved until I had my presurgical assessment on Wednesday, when I was given the paperwork to fill out and on the top of the first page it said TAH/BSO (The BSO part means removal of Fallopian tubes and ovaries.) I wrote on the page that I did not consent to BSO and told the assessment nurse, who said she just go that from the doctor and it had nothing to do with her.

So when I returned home, I spoke to the gyn/onc's secretary, who said that she must have mistakenly wrote TAH/BSO on the form and not to worry, the doctor knows about it. I said that I wanted to make sure that he was aware of it prior to my surgery, which is this coming Wednesday, and she said she would speak to him on Friday (today) and would call me back.

Well, I never heard back so called around 4:50 and spoke to a woman (not sure if it was the same person) who, after I gave my name, immediately started reassuring me that my operation would go on as scheduled. I explained that wasn't why I was calling, I wanted to make sure that the doctor wasn't expecting to take out my ovaries when I didn't want him to. She then tried to reassure me that everything was as expected and something about an email being forwarded to him (not sure if she said she forwarded an email or my email). I think she also mentioned something about getting in touch on Monday.

I know that I don't have to consent to anything I don't want to, but I also don't want to have the doctor come in on the morning expecting to do one type of surgery and then being asked to do something else. If the gyn/onc thinks that even with my family history, I'm better off without ovaries, then I'm willing to listen and change my decision, but I don't like the idea of not knowing what is happening with me until the last minute and having to have these kind of conversations on the day of my operation.

 

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  • Posted

    What exactly happens the morning of your op? I want to get the hysterectomy done with, but I feel like I am just going to get a consent form that says TAO/BSO and I will be rushed to either sign or not sign. I thought I was going to be able to discuss my surgery at the preassessment, but that just seemed to be about reactions to anaesthesia, blood clots and allergies. When I told the pre-assessment nurse there was the wrong operation on the form, she didn't know anything about it.

    I'm also wondering why the gyn/onc just mentioned removing my ovaries very casually at our consultation but didn't mention any risks or ask me about my medical history in terms of heart disease. I'm the type of person who is always second guessing things and researching, but lots of people would just do whatever their doctor suggested.

    • Posted

      Your consultant will see on on the morning of the op.Once you are happy with what they are going to do you will be asked to sign the consent form.You will be asked to confirm it is your signature before you go to theatre.The problem is what is the right thing and what is the wrong thing to do.It is your decision and you hope that you make the right one

      xxx

    • Posted

      How much time do you get to speak to your consultant? I know that there will be a queue of patients waiting for surgery.

      Also, what about the anaesthetist? I have an allergy to local anaesthesia which I have told the consultant about and also mentioned at my pre-op assessment, but I need to make absolutely sure that it isn't given to me while I'm unconscious or sedated.

    • Posted

      You have only a few minutes to speak to each.Make sure all your questions are written done ready.

      xxx

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