I’m Just Too Much Woman, Hairy Legs Notwithstanding
Because I was 39 when I started chemotherapy, the “chemopause” (chemically induced menopause) was assumed to be permanent. Both my oncologist and my gynecologist told me the chances of me having another period were very slim.
Last March while the kids and I were visiting Todd over spring break, I started menstruating. The presence of a period meant my ovaries had started producing estrogen again. This is totally unacceptable because my cancer was highly estrogen positive – meaning the tumor was fed by estrogen. So I underwent six monthly injections of a hormone suppressor (Zoladex). The purpose of this injection was to make my ovaries “shrivel and die”.
Hot flashes, night sweats and the lack of Aunt Flow indicated the mission had been accomplished. Until yesterday. Apparently I’m just so much woman that the only way to stop the madness is to yank those puppies out.
Todd had observed just the other day that I hadn’t had a hot flash in a few weeks, but I just attributed it to surgery and blessed narcotics. I’m not much of a crier, however, I’ve been incredibly weepy of late. I even got all choked up during a “Dream Girls” commercial. Why? There was nothing terribly moving about the commercial. Maybe I was crying because I want to look like Beyonce. I don’t know.
What I do know is this means a hysterectomy at some point in the very near future. Yup. Another surgery. How lucky can a girl get??
READING
I started reading The Book of Seven Delights by Betina Krahn yesterday. I’m intrigued by the fact that it takes place in Morocco at the turn of the 20th century – not an oft written about time period or place. I also love her style. Her Test series is among my favorites and the one other BK book I’ve read, The Perfect Mistress, was just so funny. I have the next book in this series, The Book of True Desires, and I understand from Tara that it’s an unusual setting and great read as well.
I understand (and am laughing) about being “too much of a woman”. I had a hysterectomy in May, but they left one ovary and my cervix (my cancer had nothing to do with estrogen so they thought this would be best). I am still getting my period even though they swore they cauterized it all and I wouldn’t get it anymore. It is just one day of a tiny bit of spotting, but more than I expected after a hysterectomy! Good luck with all of this!
Yikes, I’m sorry that the chemo didn’t actually throw you into menopause. Hope everything works out OK.I really enjoyed The Book of True Desires, a jungle adventure, quite fun.
I always suspected that you were a whole-lotta-woman, but this is proof! Surgery is no fun, but us women are strong and we do what we gotta do. We will all be her for you. 🙂
Oh sweetie, I hope you’re doing okay. You sure are going through a lot of it lately, huh? I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers…Surgery isn’t a walk in the park and on top of everything else you’ve got, you’ve got to get a period too?Ugh. Sorry hon…warm and happy thoughts coming your way from Torrance.HUGS!
Sorry I’m late commenting. I think you kinda deserve a break from the surgery. Too bad the ovaries think otherwise. :(What does your dr. say?
I like to say things twice (see above) it makes me feel important. lol
Good grief! Hang in there girl! I will keep you in my prayers.
radioactive girl – That’s awful! To go through the surgery and still have spotting?? I’ll be getting everything yanked so I don’t think I’ll have that problem.Tara – have you read Book of the Seven Delights? I’m looking forward to The Book of True Desires.Jodi – yeah, we do what we need to, don’t we. How long ago did you have your car accident and subsequent surgeries? You’re a tough one, aren’t you? Also, your comment actually posted three times (lol) so I deleted two of them. :o)Rowena – Thanks for the prayers and thoughts. Especially since they’re coming from Torrance! Amanda – as you probably know by now, the dr. says injections until I can have a hysterctomy. So hopefully that will be before I have to have the second injection. :o(Jen – Thanks. :o)