Aa
Seems very radical
I am 46 years old, and have been diagnosed with a 2cm complex ovarian cyst, I had a HP4 blood test which was 106. I was then referred to a gyn who has said that I need to have a total hysterectomy with effected ovary removed and both fallopian tubes as well.
This seems like a huge opertion for a query of ovarian cancer, given that my health is good and that I have no symptoms of ovarian cancer. I have thickening of the uterine walls and also calcification of part of uterus. My last pap smear was clear, and have been clear for 20 years.
My question is: is he taking this too far ? I feel he should perform a biopsy whilst I am on the table BEFORE going ahead and performing a total hysterectomy. I can understand if he wants to take the one ovary and the top part of my uterus, but not why he wants to remove the entire uterus and cervix.
This seems like a huge opertion for a query of ovarian cancer, given that my health is good and that I have no symptoms of ovarian cancer. I have thickening of the uterine walls and also calcification of part of uterus. My last pap smear was clear, and have been clear for 20 years.
My question is: is he taking this too far ? I feel he should perform a biopsy whilst I am on the table BEFORE going ahead and performing a total hysterectomy. I can understand if he wants to take the one ovary and the top part of my uterus, but not why he wants to remove the entire uterus and cervix.
Sorry you need more laptop repairs :( Fishy indeed for both GP and specialist! I have a big file of evidence too and although it did not do me any good, I am holding onto it for now!
The whole thing was fishy from the get go, and got more so as time went by. As far as I'm concerned my GP was in on it, he was not happy about my insistence for a referral to another specialist.
I've kept all the paperwork regarding the proposed surgery, I don't know how it will come in handy, but keeping it as 'evidence' of how one specialist wanted to perform unnecessary and life changing surgery on a completely healthy person.
I've kept all the paperwork regarding the proposed surgery, I don't know how it will come in handy, but keeping it as 'evidence' of how one specialist wanted to perform unnecessary and life changing surgery on a completely healthy person.
Very disturbing that they get away with this crap! Thankfully, you had some glaring red flags - not being rushed into surgery but instead subjected to a 3 month wait, your doctor calling his colleague to also "cash in" on the surgical opportunity, doctor's new found knowledge of the HP4 test. My red flags were not as obvious plus I had 20 years of respect for my gynecologist that allowed me to silence the little bit of intuition I had. I really think had I known the hospital had a residency program, that would have been the "show stopper" even if I had not discovered that each resident must do at least 70 hysterectomies. Ugh - It still haunts me after 9 years!
Because the medical profession has made hysterectomies and oophorectomies pretty much "routine", it is next to impossible to bring a malpractice case much less to win one. I am aware of a few hysterectomy malpractice cases found in favor of the plaintiff by settlement or trial. Of course, we rarely hear about the settled cases because the plaintiff typically has to sign a non-disclosure agreement. But trial outcomes are not typically in the news either. Lawyers do not even want cases unless the premise is inability to have (more) children or there are severe damages that are easily proven. And the more common damages such as bladder or bowel perforations or damage to ureters don't even seem to warrant a case. Nerve damage is also common but difficult to prove. And the "normal" adverse effects of losing the life long functions of the uterus and/or ovaries, I have never seen a case premised on this (informed consent)!
A recent case was for removal of healthy ovaries (during hysterectomy) despite a normal CA-125 (ovarian cancer blood test) in a 48 YO woman and no evidence of cancer during surgery. But the CA-125 test result did not come to light until trial (somehow the defendant/doctor kept it hidden during discovery). Based on that, the judge dismissed the jury and found in favor of the plaintiff and then I believe the jury assessed the award. Per testimony, the plaintiff was under the impression that no organs would be removed unless cancer was found during surgery.
Because the medical profession has made hysterectomies and oophorectomies pretty much "routine", it is next to impossible to bring a malpractice case much less to win one. I am aware of a few hysterectomy malpractice cases found in favor of the plaintiff by settlement or trial. Of course, we rarely hear about the settled cases because the plaintiff typically has to sign a non-disclosure agreement. But trial outcomes are not typically in the news either. Lawyers do not even want cases unless the premise is inability to have (more) children or there are severe damages that are easily proven. And the more common damages such as bladder or bowel perforations or damage to ureters don't even seem to warrant a case. Nerve damage is also common but difficult to prove. And the "normal" adverse effects of losing the life long functions of the uterus and/or ovaries, I have never seen a case premised on this (informed consent)!
A recent case was for removal of healthy ovaries (during hysterectomy) despite a normal CA-125 (ovarian cancer blood test) in a 48 YO woman and no evidence of cancer during surgery. But the CA-125 test result did not come to light until trial (somehow the defendant/doctor kept it hidden during discovery). Based on that, the judge dismissed the jury and found in favor of the plaintiff and then I believe the jury assessed the award. Per testimony, the plaintiff was under the impression that no organs would be removed unless cancer was found during surgery.
Education on this is so incredibly important, Gyns are using the fear factor associated with ovarian cancer to get women onto the operating table, it is DELIBERATE they do this on purpose:- my first visit to the gyn I asked if he could just do a biopsy his reply was that IF I had cancer a delay would mean that it would have spread (instilling in me a fear that I would die IF I didn't get the surgery), I was suspicious then because if he REALLY thought it was cancer he would have rushed me straight into surgery - not put me on the public hospital waiting list - which meant a wait of 3 months, but wait - there's more, he had rung a colleague of his to see if he wanted to run further tests on me to see if needed my lymphs node removed as well - it was like he was ringing his mates to see if they wanted to make money out of it, the other specialist said 'no'. Being completely honest I was suspicious from the moment my doctor referred to me, he was telling me how he had just met this doctor and that this doctor had told him about the HP4 blood test, and voila - what do you know - I get referred to him and told I MUST have a hysterectomy or I will die....... I never went back to that GP because I didn't trust him, when I wanted a referral to another specialist and when i wanted an ultrasound I saw his intern because I could see my GP NOT wanting to do it
I can understand wanting to go back to your surgeon and ripping him a new one - you were co-oerced through fear mongering and misinformation into have an operation AND losing organs that were needed.
Tell me has there ever been a successful case of a woman suing a gyn/surgeon for medical malpractice in cases such as these ? That's what it is blatant disregard for a patients well being in the name of making money.
I hope that your 2015mis going fantastically and that you have a wonderful year. xo
I can understand wanting to go back to your surgeon and ripping him a new one - you were co-oerced through fear mongering and misinformation into have an operation AND losing organs that were needed.
Tell me has there ever been a successful case of a woman suing a gyn/surgeon for medical malpractice in cases such as these ? That's what it is blatant disregard for a patients well being in the name of making money.
I hope that your 2015mis going fantastically and that you have a wonderful year. xo
Yes, spread the word "far and wide." I know a number of benign conditions can cause a false positive CA125 (including ovarian cysts) so that may very well be the case with the HP4 too. Unbelievable that they can get away with just not telling women these important facts.
I see many women who have had organs needlessly removed by female gyns as well as male. I believe this gross over-treatment and harm is even more prevalent in the U.S. I mean how can 1 in 3 women by age 60 and 1 in 2 by age 72 "need" a hysterectomy?? And 78% of them need their ovaries removed??
My surgery was also done at a teaching hospital but I did not know until the day of surgery (as sedation was started in pre-op) because the hospital is not affiliated with any university. Had I known this beforehand, that would have been a red flag since I had questioned some things beforehand but dismissed them. So that may be why you were going to lose your organs too - to train residents. In the U.S. gyn residents have to do 70 hysterectomies in accredited Graduate Medical Education programs.
I am 9 years post-op and for years I envisioned going back to my surgeon (who was my gynecologist for 20 years) and reading him the riot act. But I do not have the courage to do that plus I would probably be escorted out very quickly! I did however write him a letter and did not hold anything back!
Education is key but a law would be better to prevent this over-treatment and harm.
Best wishes for a happy, healthy 2015!
I see many women who have had organs needlessly removed by female gyns as well as male. I believe this gross over-treatment and harm is even more prevalent in the U.S. I mean how can 1 in 3 women by age 60 and 1 in 2 by age 72 "need" a hysterectomy?? And 78% of them need their ovaries removed??
My surgery was also done at a teaching hospital but I did not know until the day of surgery (as sedation was started in pre-op) because the hospital is not affiliated with any university. Had I known this beforehand, that would have been a red flag since I had questioned some things beforehand but dismissed them. So that may be why you were going to lose your organs too - to train residents. In the U.S. gyn residents have to do 70 hysterectomies in accredited Graduate Medical Education programs.
I am 9 years post-op and for years I envisioned going back to my surgeon (who was my gynecologist for 20 years) and reading him the riot act. But I do not have the courage to do that plus I would probably be escorted out very quickly! I did however write him a letter and did not hold anything back!
Education is key but a law would be better to prevent this over-treatment and harm.
Best wishes for a happy, healthy 2015!
Yes, everything happened all at once, I got the go ahead for my new home the day after my op, then i was busy packing, then I moved, then xmas, then my laptop up and died.
I owe thanks to many, yourself included for making me get over the shock (of being told i may have ovarian cancer and that I MUST have a hysterectomy) and go and get more testing. I was one week away from surgery when I got had the ultrasound that saved my organs AND the problems that can ad do occur form their removal.
My family and friends are all appalled that this almost happened to me, and all of us together are doing what we can to educate those around us. I was offended by the surgeon/speciaists attitude of 'oh yes well endo can cause that' !!! REALLY ???? do you TELL your patients that, OH I was hopping mad, and to be honest I felt like he owed me a major apology for all the trauma I went through emotionally. There is such a fear of ovarian cancer - and they know this and use it to scare women into having unnecessary surgery, really its quite disgusting. I hope that the young women interns who were in that operating room that day, and who knew that I HAD been scheduled for a hysterectomy were shocked at what had almost happened to me, and that they, through their place within the hospital and gyn/ob industry take it as lesson learnt as go how MALE specialists don't care about the long term effects that unnecessary removals of the ovaries/uterus have on a womans body and life.
I hope that you had a safe and happy xmas and new year, and that you are well and happy.
I owe thanks to many, yourself included for making me get over the shock (of being told i may have ovarian cancer and that I MUST have a hysterectomy) and go and get more testing. I was one week away from surgery when I got had the ultrasound that saved my organs AND the problems that can ad do occur form their removal.
My family and friends are all appalled that this almost happened to me, and all of us together are doing what we can to educate those around us. I was offended by the surgeon/speciaists attitude of 'oh yes well endo can cause that' !!! REALLY ???? do you TELL your patients that, OH I was hopping mad, and to be honest I felt like he owed me a major apology for all the trauma I went through emotionally. There is such a fear of ovarian cancer - and they know this and use it to scare women into having unnecessary surgery, really its quite disgusting. I hope that the young women interns who were in that operating room that day, and who knew that I HAD been scheduled for a hysterectomy were shocked at what had almost happened to me, and that they, through their place within the hospital and gyn/ob industry take it as lesson learnt as go how MALE specialists don't care about the long term effects that unnecessary removals of the ovaries/uterus have on a womans body and life.
I hope that you had a safe and happy xmas and new year, and that you are well and happy.
I had been wondering and watching for your post on biopsy results. You have been busy! Moving is a big enough pain and then to have your laptop die too... I hope your life is settling down.
So many test results have false positives and false negatives so we really have to educate ourselves. We seldom get "full disclosure" from medical professionals whether it be for lack of knowledge or lack of desire to disclose (as is the case in the profitable hysterectomy industry).
I am so thankful you were saved from losing your organ(s)!! I hope you can make a difference by educating others on the shortcomings of testing as well as the life long functions of the uterus and ovaries and the many adverse effects caused by their removal. It really is appalling that so many women fall victim and no one seems to care.
So many test results have false positives and false negatives so we really have to educate ourselves. We seldom get "full disclosure" from medical professionals whether it be for lack of knowledge or lack of desire to disclose (as is the case in the profitable hysterectomy industry).
I am so thankful you were saved from losing your organ(s)!! I hope you can make a difference by educating others on the shortcomings of testing as well as the life long functions of the uterus and ovaries and the many adverse effects caused by their removal. It really is appalling that so many women fall victim and no one seems to care.
Sorry about the late reply, I moved house just before xmas and THEN my laptop died :,(.
Biopsies were all normal, no cancer, no pre cancer, no cell changes, nothing, nada, zilch. I asked him WHY my blood test gave the result it did, his answer was that endometrious can cause a high HP4. I've just got my laptop back, so I'm going to start researching 'that'.
Biopsies were all normal, no cancer, no pre cancer, no cell changes, nothing, nada, zilch. I asked him WHY my blood test gave the result it did, his answer was that endometrious can cause a high HP4. I've just got my laptop back, so I'm going to start researching 'that'.
How did your appointment go and was the final pathology negative? I hope so!
OH MY LORD !!!! that is just horrendous AND scary, they sound (almost ) misogynistic in their decision - GOOD GOD - I'm just speechless.
Sadly, you are probably right...it is highly doubtful he is ashamed and may be angry you "pulled one over" on HIM! I read the other day of a 15 YO whose sex organs were removed for extreme PMS!! Three doctors told her it was the only solution...to remove her uterus, ovaries, tubes!! How appalling is that!?? I have heard it all since my unwarranted hysterectomy 8 years ago so it takes a lot for me to be shocked.
I am so glad your recovery was uneventful. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and good health in the new year! xo
I am so glad your recovery was uneventful. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and good health in the new year! xo
I'm feeling really good thanks, I've made a full recovery, my 'bits' seem none the worse for wear and happily the bleeding stopped within 2 weeks.
Yes, I'm very interested to see the specialist, lol, I hope he's feeling ashamed of himself for almost taking my healthy organs - I doubt it though...... I want the OFFICIAL diagnosis still - so that I can take this further.
Hope you have a Merry Xmas and a very happy new year xoxo
Yes, I'm very interested to see the specialist, lol, I hope he's feeling ashamed of himself for almost taking my healthy organs - I doubt it though...... I want the OFFICIAL diagnosis still - so that I can take this further.
Hope you have a Merry Xmas and a very happy new year xoxo
Yes, it would seem you would have heard by now. Will be interesting to hear what the specialist says on January 8. How are you feeling?
So far nothing back from pathology - so assuming all clear. Not seeing specialist till January 8, so i'll get the full story then.
I plan on it making a difference.
The reaction of the hospital staff to my change in surgery was very telling, they were shocked that I was scheduled for hysterectomy etc and was now just getting biopsies, my gyn. team apart from surgeon was all female, so I hope it had an effect on them and makes them question what they've been taught, as women I imagine it would have had a big impact on them.
The reaction of the hospital staff to my change in surgery was very telling, they were shocked that I was scheduled for hysterectomy etc and was now just getting biopsies, my gyn. team apart from surgeon was all female, so I hope it had an effect on them and makes them question what they've been taught, as women I imagine it would have had a big impact on them.
Oh I guess the ovarian tissue they took to biopsy shouldn't require much of a recovery. Nor should the D&C so that is good.
I am glad I was able to make a difference. I know people tend to trust their doctors but medical care is big business especially when it comes to hysterectomy and oophorectomy (castration).
I hope your education of other women and agencies about the overuse of hysterectomy and oophorectomy there in Australia makes a difference!
I am glad I was able to make a difference. I know people tend to trust their doctors but medical care is big business especially when it comes to hysterectomy and oophorectomy (castration).
I hope your education of other women and agencies about the overuse of hysterectomy and oophorectomy there in Australia makes a difference!
I'm back home and taking it easy, I've only got external stitches and mild cramping from D & C which is under control with good ole paracetemol/
The on duty doctor showed me pics from the surgery - everything looks pink and healthy, only dark spot was from endo - and that was removed.
I figure the pathology will be back next week.
Thank you not only for your concern, but for sharing your story and giving my the necessary food for thought to make me get out there and seek answers.
The on duty doctor showed me pics from the surgery - everything looks pink and healthy, only dark spot was from endo - and that was removed.
I figure the pathology will be back next week.
Thank you not only for your concern, but for sharing your story and giving my the necessary food for thought to make me get out there and seek answers.
I am glad all looked AOK...hope the pathology confirms! Let me know. Be sure to follow the recovery instructions and take it easy for the recommended time (6 weeks or so?) so that all those internal and external sutures heal properly. I hope you are not in too much pain (thankfully, pain was not an issue for me).
All true and yet none of this was mentioned to you when you were told to have your parts removed - same thing that happens here in the U.S. So glad you discovered the truth!
I'm ringing the hospital on Monday to get the surgery update and I'll be discussing it then - I won't be going anywhere near the hospital until I get confirmation about the actual surgery I'm having.
Removal of the ovaries is female castration, really when you get down to it, no man would agree to it without wanting to make damn sure he needed it, I think if more people were aware - as I have just become aware, then there'd be a lot mot kicking and screaming about it.
My BIG problem with having my uterus being removed was the risk of prolapse. I had researched and decided that I wasn't willing to take the risk of prolapse based on 'maybe/could be' cancer.
Removal of the ovaries is female castration, really when you get down to it, no man would agree to it without wanting to make damn sure he needed it, I think if more people were aware - as I have just become aware, then there'd be a lot mot kicking and screaming about it.
My BIG problem with having my uterus being removed was the risk of prolapse. I had researched and decided that I wasn't willing to take the risk of prolapse based on 'maybe/could be' cancer.
Unfortunately, "surgical menopause" is a misnomer since it is nothing like menopause. The ovaries of intact women in natural menopause produce hormones into their 80's, mostly testosterone which the body converts to estrogen on an "as needed" basis. To add insult to "injury" there is no FDA approved testosterone "replacement" for women in the U.S. However, hormone "replacement" is also a misnomer since no drug can adequately replace the organs that were removed. And organ removal can disrupt the functioning of the other endocrine glands since the endocrine "system" has been "short circuited."
And then there are all the anatomical and skeletal changes brought on by the removal of the uterus that causes a whole other set of permanent, progressive health and quality of life issues.
As far as lawsuits, it is next to impossible to find lawyers to take these cases and even when they do, it is hard to win. I think the main reason is that female organ removal is so prevalent and most people including lawyers aren't aware of all the harm it causes. And "informed consent" cases are difficult to prove. The most recent win was only because the plaintiff's lawyer discovered some medical records that the doctor had tried to hide.
Just make sure your consent forms clearly state your wishes before you go into pre-op for sedation. Hope all goes well and I will be waiting to hear how you are doing.
And then there are all the anatomical and skeletal changes brought on by the removal of the uterus that causes a whole other set of permanent, progressive health and quality of life issues.
As far as lawsuits, it is next to impossible to find lawyers to take these cases and even when they do, it is hard to win. I think the main reason is that female organ removal is so prevalent and most people including lawyers aren't aware of all the harm it causes. And "informed consent" cases are difficult to prove. The most recent win was only because the plaintiff's lawyer discovered some medical records that the doctor had tried to hide.
Just make sure your consent forms clearly state your wishes before you go into pre-op for sedation. Hope all goes well and I will be waiting to hear how you are doing.
Thank you xo
I have no idea what the stats are, but I will be researching and finding out. I am reeling with horror thinking of how close I came to having unnecessary surgery to remove what could well be healthy organs - based on nothing more than an imperfect blood test, and an ultrasound, really it's shocking to think about it.
78% GOOD LORD that's appalling, those poor women going through menopause simply because someone thought it would be a good idea to remove them (ovaries). Damn right men would be suing and honestly - women should start threatening the same, this may be what's needed to make surgeons step back and realise that a womans ovaries are her BALLS and she doesn't want to lose them !
Thank you so much, I'm feeling in very good health and am feeling very positive about my surgery - which is next Thursday.
I have no idea what the stats are, but I will be researching and finding out. I am reeling with horror thinking of how close I came to having unnecessary surgery to remove what could well be healthy organs - based on nothing more than an imperfect blood test, and an ultrasound, really it's shocking to think about it.
78% GOOD LORD that's appalling, those poor women going through menopause simply because someone thought it would be a good idea to remove them (ovaries). Damn right men would be suing and honestly - women should start threatening the same, this may be what's needed to make surgeons step back and realise that a womans ovaries are her BALLS and she doesn't want to lose them !
Thank you so much, I'm feeling in very good health and am feeling very positive about my surgery - which is next Thursday.
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