Oophorectomy

Thank you lovely ladies @Zoffiel @KarynJ @JulieVT11. I really appreciate you sharing your experiences. I certainly feel less in the dark and will see what the next couple of weeks bring. Best wishes x

I got rid of mine three years ago when I had a recurrence. It's not so bad, though the last step into total menopause was a doozy.  Mind you I had the op two weeks before chemo started, so everything was all fucked up anyway.
Like Karenj I didn't want to faff about with zolodex before  AI treatment while my ovaries wound down on their own and since my cancer is hormone hungry, it was a sensible thing to do.
I've adjusted to the instant old woman thing. Id have prefered not to, but needs must and it's one less thing to worry about.

Hi @eightdays. I was actually planning on having an elective hysterectomy when I was diagnosed with cancer. Er+ pr+ HER2-.
I was 45 yrs old at the time and peri menopausal. 
After lumpectomy and radiation I ended up having an oophorectomy. The oncologist said if I was intending to have the op anyway then take everything. Then I could start straight away on AIs instead of tamoxifen. 
Menopause hasn't been too bad. Compared to some women I think I'm doing ok. It has stopped the night sweats and cold flashes. But I do have hot flushes. They are more intense when I'm on medication.  
Recovery for me was more difficult after the op because I had a 2nd op at the same time so it was open abdominal cut. Pain control the first 3-4 days was quite an issue. After that things went more smoothly. 

For all the issues and side effects, having the op was the best thing ever. I had been suffering with menstrual issues for such a long time I was just so glad for it all to be gone.

Good luck with your decision. 

hi @eightdays so sorry to read your posts that you are once again back with bad news.  I have had both ovaries removed but 10 years apart due to cysts which were benign.  I had key-hole surgery both times and recovery time was very quick so that part of it was relatively easy.  After the second op (48yo) I went into instant menopause which wasn’t much fun but was put on HRT. Fast forward 4 years to BC diagnosis so they weren’t connected at all.  Hopefully yours are just cysts and nothing suspicious.  Good luck with your treatment.

Thanks very much @iserbrown
Much appreciated. Good advice not to get too far ahead of myself! Knickers need not be in a knot at this stage!
xx

Hi! @eightdays
I have read your intro post along with this post. You must be feeling a little ripped off being back on the roller coaster.

No doubt your profession will be an advantage however you are the patient who needs to keep away from Dr Google! 

The source that should prove helpful is the BCNA website.  Here's a link which also has a link within to understand the pathology

https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/what-is-breast-cancer/

And another on the Hormone side of it

https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-therapy/

As to the ovaries that's a question for the Oncologist. I had zoladex injections and eventually the ovaries shrunk! Yay! But we are all different so try not to get too ahead of yourself, knickers in a knot!  

Take care