I saw my oncologist today. She is pressuring me to have my ovaries removed. I have the bracken 2 gene. I agree but....I have just finished a year of treatment. I may be going on to a trial with Peter Mac. I have hurt my shoulder and will be healed in a couple of months. The neuropathy in my feet makes it hard to walk long distances The thought of another operation......Recovery time...no driving ...Ughhh...I am running out of energy. I want to be normal again for just a little while. Anyone had just their ovaries removed?

Hiya. I tested negative but below is a link of a discussion of women who tested positive and what they did. Hope this helps. I understand how hard all this is. I thought I was headed down the same path and was getting anxious not having my results as I figured I wanted to have the surgery sooner rather than getting well, being back at work etc and then being off again. That was how I was thinking anyway. Ovary and fallopian tube removal is a much smaller procedure than a hysterectomy, but can ubderstand hiw it feels to much. Take care. Kath xhttp://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/90111#Comment_90111

I had mine out just before Christmas. Wasn't a big deal. Well, the last step into menopause is a doozy, but the operation itself didn't knock me around. I had a bit of pain in my shoulder for a day (from the gas they use to inflate your abdomen during surgery) and the stitches in my navel gave me the irrits until we pulled them out but apart from that it was fine. I was driving in a couple of days. I'm 53 BTW..

I'm with @Zoffiel - I had both ovaries and fallopian tubes removed about a month ago (3 weeks before my DIEP Reconstruction). It was called a bilateral salpingo, oopherectomy, D&C and polypectomy! Kept my uterus....It was a day procedure, done laparoscopically (as described above) and I was fine within a week. I was up and walking around within a couple of hours. I also got an album of very unusual photos of my insides from the surgeon! She took my statement that "I like to stay as informed as I can" to the limit :) Funnily enough, I didn't get the sore shoulder - just felt like I'd been literally kicked in the guts while doing 1000 sit-ups! I had lots of bruising but it subsided within 2 weeks. TBH today I don't feel any different than I have whilst being on Tamoxifen.....so it's not been a big deal for me physically.(Whilst I don't have the gene, I had to have one ovary and tube removed anyway because of a hydrosalpinx - a strange fluid build up. The gynaecologist was brilliant but urged me to think about having both sides removed because of the link between ovaries and BC and the fact that I could then take that cancer off the list of worries. It also meant that I don't have to check that ovary each year from now on. Seeing as my days of having kids are over, I agreed.)Nikki

Thanks@ primeck..@Zoffitel@nikkid......It cheered me up. I am more upset that it is another reminder I need to take steps to prevent cancer coming back. I just want to escape anywhere. My oncologist recommended rehab program . Great I cannot drive at the moment. I asked about plane travel and said probably a compression sleeve would be good for me as due to lympth node removal I am prone to lymphodea....huh? I have yet to find out about the trial at Peter Mac. Then oncologist follow up appt....radiation appt follow up...breast surgeon follow up appt. Peter mac trial grrrrrrrrr .I am grateful for such a great team but I would love a year of no appointments. I know there are lovely ladies out there who are doing far worse then me. I send you my love and best wishes

So true @fairydust - going from someone who hardly ever had to see her GP (except for needles when going overseas or the regular smear tests) to having monthly GP visits...and then all the specialists! It's a different world these days isn't it?!

When to have your ovaries removed

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Member
9 years ago
Hi there all - thought I would share my experience.
After early bc diagnosis in 2003 (partial mastectomy; chemo + rads), I had a recurrence in 2007 & had a full mastectomy.
For a couple of years prior, I had some occasional generalised pain so went to my ob/gyn who advised that it was possibly a good idea to have the ovaries removed given the recurrence. Again, as said previously, 1 less area for it to spread to.
In 2008, I had the same procedure as @Nikkid but also had my uterus removed so recovery a little bit longer but all laparoscopically & in hospital a few days. Was unable to drive for a few weeks and the "referred pain" in the shoulder was horrendous (from the gas). Also felt like I had been in a "smash-up derby" truck expo !
The follow up visit proved it was a wise move - just like @nikkid I also got some graphic photos which looked like the crater of the moon ! In the words of the ob/gyn "they were a bit "lumpy", glad I took them out & pathology all good".
Prior to this I was peri-menopausal for several years following chemo + I was taking Tamoxifen. Post surgery, full on into menopause with all the delightful symptoms + on Arimidex.
Fast forward to 2015 and secondary bc in the bones. Well, the little blighter did show up somewhere else.
I have not been tested although my Mum was diagnosed with bc after me.
@fairydust I wish you the best of luck with whatever choice you make.
Sometimes you simply need your body to heal and recuperate & take a temporary break from the endless doctor's appointments.
Best wishes, Sheryl :)
Ne
Member
9 years ago
I was tested and positive for BRCA2 and my surgeon also immediately recommended the surgery to have a hysterectomy.
I did it straight away as I felt my ovaries and tubes were a ticking time bomb that i did not want to risk. My gynae-oncologist suggested taking everything and that is what I did. I had the full hysterectomy. Surgery was key hole and recovery was not bad.
LMK74
Member
9 years ago
@Cate64 , it's something i definitely want to think about, but being a public patient maybe they won't do it unless necessary, ldk.
Cate64
Member
9 years ago
@LMK74 if you want them removed insist on it. Thats what I did...
LMK74
Member
9 years ago
I asked my onc about having my ovaries removed as I'm er positive and she said no need. I'm on zoladex injections monthly while doing chemo and after surgery will be on tamoxifen. Why is this not an option for me?. Any idea ladies.
Cate64
Member
9 years ago
@fairydust its a keyhole day procedure nothing to it. I had mine out last June, had 2 days off work & was back to it. No pain after & must say was bored out of my brain at home the day after surgery.

Sitting on my behind watching tele all day is not for me...
Anne94
Member
9 years ago
Hi @fairydust
having the ovaries removed is a relatively simple op. Side effects are you will be in permanent menopause. I'm having a full hysterectomy next week. Simply because my ovaries still want to be active & removing the uterus reduce the risk of cancer going there as well.
Yes totally get the appointment schedule! I feel like every other day I'm at the clinic being seen by a different specialist team!! But then I think thank god they are all over this like a bad rash!
The compression sleeve is a good investment.
Best of luck with your decision making.
Kind regards
anne
Pammy46
Member
9 years ago
I am having mine removed on June 2nd not looking forward to the instant menopause though! I'm on tamoxifen and still getting my period
i am having genetic testing on the 29th may either way I'm having them out I need to rid my body of as much oestrogen as I can
adean
Member
9 years ago
When my onco said lets take the works l jumped at it one less place for c to go. I enjoyed the time of and actualy rested. Unlike my bc journey where l thought l was superwoman.and never stopped. Be kind to yourself us girls gotta do what we do. Xxcc
primek
Member
9 years ago
I was measured up and wear a light compression sleeve when travelling just to reduce risks.

We all understand the being fed up feeling. You'll start regaining strength soon once chemo well over. X

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When to have your ovaries removed

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