Having had a second breast cancer the oncologist decided to put me on Zolodex injections for 5 years. This injection stops the ovaries from working and put me into a false menopause.
I tried the 3 monthly injection but being a small person it hurt and I began to get panic attacks. I opted for the monthly injection and the thought of having that every month for the next five years really upset me. I felt as though I was still having cancer treatment which, in effect, I was! I felt as though my life was on hold, yet again and I couldn't move on. Bearing this in mind I pushed for the Oophorectomy.
I must say that the doctors and consultants were very obstructive. They seemed to stress the severity of such surgery, they were quick to point out the pit falls and even on the actual day of my surgery the consultant interrogated me, I felt as though I was on trial!!!!
I think they didn't want to make the decision easy for me because given my age, it is huge thing to decide and its permanent - no going back.
Hey, I have two gorgeous boys and I am the wrong side of 40 to be considering more babies indeed, another pregnancy could trigger off a third cancer and I am not going to risk that for anything.
Another thing I couldn't face the thought of was having the injections for 5 years, being in a menopausal state for 5 years then starting again..... the possibility of another cancer with that start then going through the menopause naturally - far too much for me to deal with given the 2 years of treatment for my first cancer.
I had the procedure on Tuesday 23rd October.
I went into surgery at 11.30 and was coming out of it at about 1pm.
I had a nebulizer before going in for the op because of my asthma and this opened my airways.
Before they put you under they check all of your details and ask you what op you are going in for - I suppose mistakes have been made in the past!
When I was taken to Bonny Ward in Wrexham Hospital I was surprised at the pain level of the op site.
Having had two big operations for breast cancer and been in alot of pain with them, I thought that with this being invasive surgery in my tummy and all the fuss the doctors made that I was going to be in agony. What a pleasant surprise it was to have pain similar to child birth really but not griping and grabbing like contractions. Not anywhere near as painful as the breast surgery.
I am on day 2 post op now and I am feeling fine. The pain is easing and I can move about albeit at a slower pace.
I am resting as much as I can because I am so so tired and am hoping that by the weekend I will be out and about almost as normal.
As for all of the horrible side effects the doctors were telling me about, well..... just the same as being on Zolodex! Bearable, you just have to plan things differently..... Fans, water sprays, layers of clothes etc etc etc
I feel as though a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
When I recover from this surgery I will have my life back, its like a fresh start.