My Christmas Eve oophorectomy surgery went well. I was in and out of the surgical suite in 1.5hrs, had a short observation time afterward, and then home. I took it easy that day – laid in bed most of the afternoon, watched the kids Christmas pageant via FaceTime, and then went to my sister-and-brother-in-law’s home for dinner. I even managed to stay up late enough to help out with last min Christmas “things.”
Today I am sore. It’s not entirely debilitatingly, but sore and tender. I have three incisions: belly button, and one on each hip. I was sealed up with surgical glue, so no bandages to see; It looks pretty good so far. While in this surgery the surgical team pumped my abdomen full of air to make sure they had lots of room to see. I have been trying to move more today to get some of the air out. The air makes me feel puffy and uncomfortable.
All in all, I really can’t complain. The pain is tolerable, and I am confident this surgery was the right thing for me to do. Removing my ovaries removes the biggest producer of estrogen in my body. That means less food for my estrogen hungry cancer. It also means I am no longer in need of a monthly Lupron shot to shut down my ovaries. Now I am in permanent, surgically induced menopause. Yay for being 60! No, but seriously, yay for hopefully more time on this earth.
There is one more thing that everyone is curious about, which is my emotional state before and after surgery. With confidence, I can say I have been conflicted, and it’s complicated. Andrew can attest that I cried a lot of tears before surgery, in the car ride down to Boston. I was quite anxious but kept telling myself this was right. The morning of the surgery I was trying so hard not to let that anxiety creep in. Andrew showed me pictures of our kids, which definitely helped me stay focused on my goal.
Anesthesia makes me sick if not given other meds to keep nausea and vomiting at bay. If you know me at all, you know I hate throwing up. It’s the shittiest feeling. I was given a few different drugs during the procedure, and they worked. I didn’t get sick. That was a huge relief!
Post-operatively I am hanging in there. I don’t feel like less of a woman or anything. More than anything losing any part of my body to this disease is maddening. I have a lopsided breast from a lumpectomy in 2016 and now no ovaries or Fallopian tubes. I will keep doing whatever I need to do to be here as long as I can, but is it really fair that a 34-year-old woman has to deal with this? This is not a woe is me statement. It’s just my reality. And really, things could be worse!
I’ll keep healing every day. Hopefully no major surgeries for a long while!!
Hannah in CancerLand 
Oh Hannah, I feel you. I had my full hystorechtomy a year after my mastectomy. Port placement and removal…All at the Holidays, of course. When you want to be the best mom you can be.
Although I was certain we didn’t want anymore children, I felt like… what more is cancer going to take from me? Really? WTF? You are an inspiration to us “cancer ladies”and such a good mom! That port has nothing on you, you are the boss and that’s only a means to get the meds in!!! I’m sending you empowered vibes and wishing that this new year brings patients and strength to you❤️
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I can relate to early menopause, though mine is coming through tamoxifen. I’ve discovered I feel a little better if I let out my frustrations in primal screams and sobs when no one is around. Seriously – that has helped me. I hope I don’t sound super weird lol ;-)~
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Hi Ellie, it’s a common misconception that tamoxifen causes menopause. It doesn’t. It is an estrogen uptake inhibitor, but it doesn’t cause your body to stop making estrogen. I was on tamoxifen for 1.5 years. I had some wicked hot flashes in the beginning and I had a hard time losing weight while on the drug but all in all I tolerated tamoxifen pretty well. How long have you been on it?
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Also screaming doesn’t sound weird at all! Totally natural to get in sync with your primal self. Glad you found a technique that works for you!
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