In one week, my surgery journey officially begins.  A quick 7 days from now, the proactive steps will finally be put into motion.  My research, my prayers, my difficult decisions, all will be put into the first step towards my life saving actions as a BRCA2 positive gal.  This day came too quick, yet not fast enough.  I’m excited, yet anxious, worried, yet relieved.  Either way, it’s game time…

I have decided to do something a bit more radical, a bit more hopeful, a bit more daring, if you will.  This decision came with quite a bit of resistance, as you will soon learn why.  Resistance from a loving husband that does not want his wife to succumb to ovarian cancer, resistance from a skilled doctor that does not have 100% proof that my preferred surgical method will save my life.  That resistance came at me like a ton of bricks and I wasn’t prepared mentally for how many emotions and facts I had to sort through to make the very best decision for myself and for my family.

You may remember from my previous post describing the new research behind a two step surgical approach – removing fallopian tubes now and ovaries closer to 40 to buy some more “natural hormone” time to prevent and delay the early menopausal symptoms described earlier.  Some “two steppers” will be so bold as to say that they will have their fallopian tubes out now, let their body go into menopause naturally and then take their ovaries out (normally past age 50).  One has to put ALL of their belief that ovarian cancer does for 100% fact start in the tubes to go with the second approach I just described.  I myself am going to go with the first option, a Salpingectomy  – the surgical removal of the fallopian tubes with the goal being to remove my ovaries closer to age 40.

While yes, this is all new research... While yes, like my gyno oncologist says, this is all too new to put our full trust in just yet… While ye,s this is NOT an easy call to make… I am happy with my decision.  The suggested timing for ovary removal for gals like me with the BRCA2 mutation is between ages 35-40, so I am comfortable waiting until the older end of this suggested time frame.  I’m prayerful that in the next nine years the research will prove that ovarian cancer does indeed start in the fallopian tubes, which may allow me to actually keep my ovaries altogether.

Here is one of many articles I read to help me navigate through my decisions…

Bilateral salpingectomy, the removal of both fallopian tubes while preserving the ovaries, is considered a safe way of potentially reducing the development of ovarian serous carcinoma, the most common type of ovarian cancer. Increasing evidence points toward the fallopian tubes as the origin of this type of cancer. Removing the fallopian tubes does not cause the onset of menopause, as does removal of the ovaries.

And another…

Surprisingly, in the past few years, it has become clear that the most aggressive types of “ovarian” cancer don’t start in the ovaries at all.  Most “ovarian cancer” actually starts in the fallopian tube and some of these cancers start in the uterine lining cells that are shed and pass out the ends of the tubes during a normal menstrual period.

I’m so thankful I took the time to slow down and really do the research I needed to come to this decision.  My doctor was rather intimidating and naturally concerned about my plan from day one.  She really pushed to have me consider ovary removal but did acknowledge the major risks associated with early menopause.  When I called back to tell her I just wasn’t ready for that, but that I was comfortable taking a different proactive step, I inquired if she would support me with my decision.  Within minutes, my Salpingectomy surgery was scheduled.  She switched gears quickly and I think she was thankful that I decided to do something instead of waiting to do anything until I was 40.

I have absolute faith in God that this is the right move, the right time and the best next step along my BRCA journey path.  The next hurdle I have to get through is surgery and even more important, a clean pathology report.   During surgery, doctors will remove both of my fallopian tubes.  Saline will be injected around my ovaries, cervix, etc. and then quickly collected to test for any suspicious cellular changes in both the saline and in the tubes.  If there have been any changes, I’m sure the doctors will have a good plan in mind for me and I will cross that bridge if I need to but am doing my best not to worry about the “what if” on that report.

The healthy report is in His hands.  I have given Him all of my worry and am now into planning mode.  I will have a 4-6 week lifting restriction which is a HUGE deal in my house.  Having to depend on someone else around the clock to pick one of my three kids up out of their crib, put them into their high chair or car seat, lift them up for a big hug…all will be so hard for me.  I’m learning quickly that the risk for hernia and/or internal damage is high after a surgery like this because my insides won’t be done healing for quite some time.  However, I’m blessed to have the best nurse, husband and dad available to take care of everything.

I am keeping my mind on the game – on the end goal.  This will be a tiny piece of my surgery journey and the recovery will always come with it.  I’m hopeful my kids will adapt okay to me not picking them up for a big hug or putting my twins to bed like I have every day for the past 14 months.  I’m prayerful that my doctor will call me as soon as she can to tell me my pathology report is clean so that I can continue to pray for guidance with my next surgery step.  I feel good, empowered, and ready to take action.

Alright Courage Clinic, it’s game time…

See you next week.

xox,

Carey