Friday 3/23 post No longer waiting, now nervous.

Gyn Onc visit went well on Weds. Dr. F. does not like the idea of supracervical lap hyst. Does not like the idea of morselization in the abdomen of the uterus, even though it should not contain any cancer. Does recommend a DaVinci robotic total laparoscopic hyst with bso(bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy), if I want my uterus out. He is supportive of my feeling that it leaves more options open for HRT, or tamixifen etc. if needed later.

This procedure uses the new DaVinci machine to provide better visualization of the abdomen, and does the procedure through the abdomen, then 'delivers' the uterus, ovaries, tubes through the vagina. (I am assuming possible transvag morselization if vag too small and uterus too large )

He says 23 hour observation in hospital then home and off work for 10 days, (but not 100% then) Sounds good to me. He is compassionate, kind, willing to disagree with me and explain why.

Went to therapist appt on Thurs. Praised for trying to take good care of myself.

Then got the call with OR date. April 9th. Lousy date , as it is the first day back after spring break. But the surgeon's time and the DaVinci machines are tightly scheduled. Might be mid or end of April otherwise. I am too superstitious and too nervous about that 10% risk of ovca (ovarian CA)already being present to pass up a surgical date.

Trying to praise myself for making 2 good, hard decisions about risk reduction surgeries. Trying to let myself off the hook for other things such as contradictory religious beliefs, etc.
Trying to let the good surgeon who I trust keep track of which surgery is right for me.
Hopefully the breast surgeon will make that as easy as Dr. F.

Warm enough for a good bike ride. Enjoying the emergence of spring.
Margaret, with a lot of work to do, but really wanting a nap
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There is controversy about whether to do a hysterectomy with the oophorectomy for risk reduction in BRCA. There is a slight risk of fallopian tube cancer at the attachment to the uterus. The surgery is more intensive with a harder recovery time and more risk of complications. The absence of uterus, allows estrogen only hormone therapy. The absence of uterus means no risk of uterine cancer from tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors.

The DaVinci total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo oophorectomy, is a new procedure, with reports of less recovery time. Risk with a new procedure is the "learning curve" meaning that it takes a doc a certain number of times to do a procedure before s/he is as proficient at it as s/he should be to minimize risks. One person on the FORCE site quoted 50 cases, for a laparoscopic procedure.