Pt.4 Oophorectomy

OOPHORECTOMY  SALPINGO: THE FINAL CHAPTER (Hopefully)

After all my tests came back, I learned that my cancer was hormone-positive, which means it thrived on estrogen. Because of this, hormone therapy became a key part of my treatment plan, even when I was first diagnosed at stage 0. After my very first round of chemo, I stopped getting my period, which was actually a good sign! My oncologist was hopeful that, due to my age, my body would stay in menopause even after finishing chemo.

I’ll never forget the day Will and I took the kids to a vintage toy flea market. Everything was going great until I started feeling a bit off. I rushed to the bathroom and was reminded of what it felt like to be a young girl getting her period for the first time. I gasped, and a wave of sadness washed over me. My poor body, after all it had been through, was trying to kickstart its engines (aka ovaries) again. It was definitely a bittersweet moment. 💔

I quickly reached out to my oncologist, who scheduled me for a Zoladex shot. This shot is designed to shut down the ovaries pretty quickly. My doctor was hopeful this would signal my body that it was time to turn off those engines for good. Ironically, my first shot took place in the same room where I had my first chemo session, stirring up so many bottled-up emotions. It was during this time that I faced one of my first real struggles with depression. The experience of the shot was tough, and the hormone changes made me feel just as sick and fatigued as during chemo.

Unfortunately, that first shot didn’t do the trick, so I needed monthly shots for the next couple of years—or until I naturally went into menopause. After five months, the mental toll was heavy, and I started seeing a psychologist and psychiatrist. I realized I couldn’t keep going down that path.

Once again, I dove into research. Thanks to supportive forums and my amazing journey sisters sharing their stories, I discovered that many women opted for a full hysterectomy or an oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes) instead of the monthly shots. After chatting with my oncologist, she gave me the green light for surgery, which meant I wouldn’t have to deal with those shots anymore!

At first, I thought a full hysterectomy was the way to go, but after hearing so many experiences, I decided on an oophorectomy instead. In January 2024, I had my ovaries and fallopian tube removed (I only had one due to an ectopic pregnancy years ago). Fingers crossed, this will close the chapter on surgeries or treatments that have been emotionally tough. 🤞💖

Advice for Others

If you are contemplating on either getting a hysterectomy or an oophorectomy salpingo, please do your research, like A LOT of research. I was originally scheduled for a full hysterectomy. It wasn’t until 2 weeks before my surgery that I was so lucky to randomly talk to other women who had chosen a hysterectomy and they shared all the complications they experienced. I prefer not to type the things they mentioned, but please feel free to email me and I’m more than happy to offer you more details. I also highly suggest looking up support groups on Facebook. The women there offer a lot of advice and can also answer questions you may have.

Day of Surgery Must-Haves:

1. Comfortable, easy-to-wear clothes
2. Slip-on shoes like slides.
3. Phone charger.
4. Glasses if you wear contacts.

Recovery Checklist:

1. Granny panties lol
2. Have big pads handy