Oh, Sister Sunnie, I’m so sorry to hear that you lost your mom, and so quickly. I’m glad you had the genetic testing, but I’m sure you will be checked regularly all the same. Your doctors sound like they are on watch for you.

I had a complete hysterectomy. It felt like the best decision for me, after an ovarian cancer scare of my own.

However I'd already gone through menopause, so that made it easier for me in some ways too.

I agree, it's a scary one. It often goes undiagnosed for so long because the early symptoms are so vague and can be attributed to almost anything. It just wasn't worth the potential risk to me and I've never once regretted my decision.

It's an invisible disease, only showing when too late.

With your history I certainly would be proactive.

I gave a close friend fighting for the past few years. I remain hopeful she will beat the odds.

I’m so sorry for your loss, Sister Sunnie. ❤️

I'm so sorry you find yourself in this situation and for the loss of your mother. I had a TAH BSO for a different kind of cancer - also post menopause. It all went well - recovery was pretty easy even though it was an open abdominal surgery. If I were you I would go ahead with the surgery assuming you don't have some other significant risks for surgery. I just wouldn't want to have to worry about it. You could probably have a laparoscopic surgery which is easier to recover from. If you do have it, make sure they take everything out intact and don't morcellate or cut anything up. On the off chance there were cancer cells present that you don't know about that would spread them around your abdomen/pelvis - not good.

I am sorry for the loss of your mother.

I also had a TH-BSO by DaVinci method 11yrs ago. It was performed by a GYN Oncologist and a fairly easy recovery.

I am glad you are being proactive.

Great advice 2katz. :) I was treating with a phenomenal gynecologic cancer center at a university med school - and I had forgotten they had mentioned to me what you just said above as being so important...

I know every woman has a different experience. For me, knowing it was ALL GONE, I was given the all clear, and I didn't have to worry about it anymore was a huge relief.

I'm sorry for your loss, Sister Sunnie. And I'm glad you're being proactive.

I am so sorry that you have to face this. You seem to be doing all the right things. It must be a relief that the genetic testing has cleared you, but your doctor is recommending surgery. At least there is no hurry and you have time to consider the option, research doctors, and get a second opinion.

I’ve had second opinion, same. Am post menopausal,so not anticipating a huge impact there. They are recommending a BSO laparoscopic in the next few months.

You are doing everything right. You face a difficult decision.

My mom died of ovarian cancer — 2 weeks after finally being diagnosed after months of seeing doctors who dismissed her symptoms — at age 55. This was 25 years ago when ovarian cancer symptoms were not as well known. My paternal grandmother also died of OC at age 65. Even though I tested negative for all the genetic testing, I had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed a few years ago. Even though it threw me into menopause abruptly, I’d do it again. The surgeon did find what she called ”pre-pre-cancerous cells” so I definitely did the right thing.

PS my mom had had a complete hysterectomy 10 years before her diagnosis, so you can still get OC without having actual ovaries. Rare but it can happen, so you still need to pay attention even after the pesky buggers are removed.

I'm so sorry for your loss Sister Sunnie and the decision that you now face. My mother (a very young 77) was diagnosed with OC at the end of March. She was so proactive, running from dr to dr for almost 1 year, with many of the symptoms of the disease but imaging showed nothing. At the end of March, she had a bowel obstruction which finally led to her diagnosis. She's just completing chemo after surgery to remove the bulk of the disease.

A full panel of genetic testing showed no mutations. Interestingly, at the age of 50 she underwent a mastectomy for BC, and at 50 I too was diagnosed. This leads me to say no known mutations. Genetics is still an evolving science.

I'm still trying to get my mom through treatment, but I know that I have a decision to make, too. My mom's gyn surgeon says no mutation, do nothing. I definitely need to seek out additonal opinions. Losing the tubes & ovaries seem a very small price to pay.

I wish you the best.