Back when my expander-implant exchange surgery was delayed, I was absolutely devastated. The thought of having to keep living with the discomfort of expanders indefinitely was almost more than I could bear, and I cried a good many tears over it. I was so happy when Dr. T took over and was able to get me in for December 2.
As luck would have it, that was the day I was supposed to have my consult with Dr. C regarding my oophorectomy. We had to reschedule for early January. After that appointment, I found out that they were looking at January 23 for my surgery date but of course that was the day we were traveling back from Phoenix. The scheduler told me it would likely be in March.
I've been waiting to hear back and in the meantime today I had my four month review with Dr. S, my oncologist. It turns out that a new clinical trial has just been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. (The ink is basically still drying on the pages, that's how recent it is.) The clinical trial found that for women in my situation - early stage, chemotherapy not required - the benefits of ovary suppression are not significant enough to warrant the risk of additional surgery. It really doesn't change the numbers very much. So...while I can still have the surgery if I want, there is no medical evidence to support it and it would not give me a better prognosis. As I can't imagine why anyone would want to have this surgery, I will most certainly decline a surgery date if offered.
I have to admit I'm a little overwhelmed and having a hard time taking it in. I've felt like I've had my life on hold for so long waiting for this last step, and dreading all the changes it might make in my health and general well being. I can't quite believe it really.
It's one of those times when I feel like God truly does work in mysterious ways. If my other surgery hadn't been delayed, there is a good chance I would have had the oophorectomy and gone through all that for no medical benefit. It's hard to fathom and I will admit that I'm still processing. It almost felt anti-climactic. I sort of feel like I need a big celebration to say "I'm done!" Maybe I should plan something for myself. Maybe something around my upcoming "cancer-versary" from when I was first diagnosed.
As luck would have it, that was the day I was supposed to have my consult with Dr. C regarding my oophorectomy. We had to reschedule for early January. After that appointment, I found out that they were looking at January 23 for my surgery date but of course that was the day we were traveling back from Phoenix. The scheduler told me it would likely be in March.
I've been waiting to hear back and in the meantime today I had my four month review with Dr. S, my oncologist. It turns out that a new clinical trial has just been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. (The ink is basically still drying on the pages, that's how recent it is.) The clinical trial found that for women in my situation - early stage, chemotherapy not required - the benefits of ovary suppression are not significant enough to warrant the risk of additional surgery. It really doesn't change the numbers very much. So...while I can still have the surgery if I want, there is no medical evidence to support it and it would not give me a better prognosis. As I can't imagine why anyone would want to have this surgery, I will most certainly decline a surgery date if offered.
I have to admit I'm a little overwhelmed and having a hard time taking it in. I've felt like I've had my life on hold for so long waiting for this last step, and dreading all the changes it might make in my health and general well being. I can't quite believe it really.
It's one of those times when I feel like God truly does work in mysterious ways. If my other surgery hadn't been delayed, there is a good chance I would have had the oophorectomy and gone through all that for no medical benefit. It's hard to fathom and I will admit that I'm still processing. It almost felt anti-climactic. I sort of feel like I need a big celebration to say "I'm done!" Maybe I should plan something for myself. Maybe something around my upcoming "cancer-versary" from when I was first diagnosed.