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Hosp letter says i may lose both ovaries..

13 replies

DiscoFever · 21/11/2007 20:53

and i am trying so hard to hold myself together. i was diagnosed with a dermoid cyst on each ovary recently and have an operation booked for 18 december. today i had a letter from hosp confirming all the details stating that there is a possibility i may lose both ovaries. i am devastated.

OP posts:
anorak · 21/11/2007 21:00

Sorry to hear that. It is only a possibility and I do hope that it turns out you don't lose both. Perhaps they are just covering all eventualities with their wording.

ladymac · 21/11/2007 21:00

I thought the ovary would only be removed if the dermoid cyst proves to be very large.

DiscoFever · 21/11/2007 21:03

one cyst is 7cm the other 9cm

OP posts:
ladymac · 21/11/2007 21:04

You must talk to the consultant about this. I am sure they are just mentioning the worst case scenario. But you need to go armed with a list of questions before your next appointment. Do as much research as you can.

Good luck.

saralou · 21/11/2007 21:05

sorry to hear this it is only a possibility though. your dr has to explain all possible outcomes in order to gain your informed consent. they won't remove both ovaries unless they absolutely have to.

saralou · 21/11/2007 21:07

do you have an appointment with a consultant to discuss this?? if not phone his secretay and arrange one!

beansprout · 21/11/2007 21:08

So sorry to hear this. Hope you get an appointment very soon to discuss this in full.

DiscoFever · 21/11/2007 21:08

when i was at the hospital last they kept asking me if i had completed my family and i wouldnt answer as i do not honestly know, well i do, i would like another child but i couldnt see the relevance of the question. now i do. this has all come out of the blue and i am a wreck.

OP posts:
saralou · 21/11/2007 21:12

then you definitely need to talk to someone at the hospital!

MrsJohnCusack · 21/11/2007 21:18

I lost one ovary to a v.large borderline malignant tumour in 2001 (I have since, rather miraculously and despite a knackered tube, had 2 children). I am pretty sure I had to sign something saying that there was a possibility I would lose both ovaries/tubes, so as to cover all eventualities. But they do try VERY HARD to keep as much intact as possible, they can also remove only part of an ovary, it doesn't have to be the whole lot.

The consultant did tell me that should I need a hysterectomy they wouldn't do it there and then, but in another operation with further consent. Which was a great comfort to someone of 27 who wanted children

I would ring the hospital to confirm it all. It's very easy NOT to ask enough questions - I know I made that mistake - and I do find that they tend to forget just how awful anything to do with your fertility is, and they are used to dealing with (and no offence meant here) so many people, and ones with worse problems, so you can get the brush off all too easily. I remember being reduced to hysterics by one doctor who told me to stop making such a fuss (I'd simply asked for some straight answers re what had actually been done) when the lady next to me had had to have a hysterectomy. I'd just had major gynaecological surgery, much more extensive than what I was expecting

I only found out a lot of specifics to do with my tumour a year or so later by pinning down a more helpful doctor.

It's horrible, I know, please try to get hold of someone and check what they're actually confirming. Don't worry about making a nuisance of yourself (like I did), get some answers, it's IMPORTANT.

Sorry to go on but this is very close to the bone for me (can you tell?)

Ozymandius · 21/11/2007 21:27

They have no 'right' to remove any part of your body whatsoever. If you tell them and put in writing that you do not give permission to remove your ovaries, only the cysts then they are not allowed to remove your ovaries. Make sure you write 'do not remove ovaries' on your consent form.
Then they will have to think of something else. These cyts aren't malignant.

vole3 · 23/11/2007 06:46

Consent can be modified or withdrawn at any time.

I agree with Ozymandius and if you have already signed your consent form, ask to amend it to include 'do not remove ovaries'. If they have put 'and whatever other measures may be necessary' or words to that effect, this is their get-out clause, so make sure that there is a big arrow pointing to the 'do not remove ovaries' part.

It may mean that they do not proceed and wake you up, but if they have had a look at the situation they will be in a better position to explain to you why it turns out to be necessary.

Julezboo · 23/11/2007 12:45

Please dont panic, it is worse case senario. I had a 22cm cyst removed off my right ovary when i was 15 weeks pregnant with my first DS, they told me the same. I still have half an ovary so its good that yours are only 7cm and 9cm.

I have gone on to get pregnant 5 times (resulting in one full term preg but thats due to clotting disorder not ovaries!)

Hope this helps xxx

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