Now that my implants are out (Novemebr 2023), it was time to focus on the remaining lurking bomb. The ovaries.

A part of my previous surgeries was removal of the fallopian tubes. 💡 Did you know? They believe that the ovarian cancer associated with BRCA 2 starts on the fallopian tubes and then “falls” on to the ovary where it attaches and grows? Due to this belief they removed the fallopian tubes in 2020 since I was finished having kids.

Since we have no idea how long it takes to develop ovarian cancer after the mutated cell falls and attaches and there is no real test for ovarian cancer… the best solution is to remove them.

This was actually a harder surgery to agree to than the breast removal. After all the breast tissue doesn’t muck with my bodily function or with my hormones. But once I started getting the crazy periods and they didn’t settle after the implants were removed (hormone damage done) I decided it was time. After all 40 was the original age in which we planned to remove them and in January 2024… I turned the big four-o.

With extensive conversations with my surgeon and OBGYN I decided it was time and I was ready. I asked every question I could think of and some had answers and some were left for me to discover (I’ll get to all these good questions in time). I have a race (1/2 marathon supporting the John Wayne Cancer Foundation) in October this year (2024) so I wanted the surgery done ASAP. I needed to recover and train after all.

I was put on a “call me any time for surgery list”. On a Wednesday I got the call… for that Saturday! The day before Mother’s Day. I mean what other way to ensure I got a Mother’s Day COMPLETELY waited on! Done and Done!

I rushed through pre-op tests and planned carpool and pick ups with my friends. They ALWAYS pull through. I love my support system. With my husband at the helm, this group is truly capable of anything.

Another crushed pre-op system and another chance to perfect my post-op routine. I’m not gonna say this recovery was easy, although for me it was, but it wasn’t as bad as it has been in the past. It’s all laparoscopic, three small holes and they pulled the uterus out through my vagina and then stitched it up! WHAT? How is all this possible?

The hard part of this recovery was holding myself back in the weight room. I was rip roaring and ready to go after a week. But following orders I waited the two weeks and started back at it. I was allowed to walk ASAP. Thank heavens. Sitting makes me crazy!

I was started on hormone replacement day after surgery so I had ZERO hot flashes and ZERO menopause symptoms. Being in the best shape I had been in a while (longest stretch without surgery) made for an easier recovery.

Biggest tip: Get and stay in shape; lift weights, heavy weights. The better shape you are in BEFORE surgery the easier after surgery is. The easier and faster you recover. I cannot stress that enough. That goes for ANY surgery.

This surgery, the last of my “lady parts” made me a little sad. Not gonna lie. I needed a quick slap in the face to wake me up. The reassurance from my friends (both female and male) that I was not a dude now. Missing boobs and uterus/ovaries did not make me a dude.

Lady all the way.

Healthy lady. Strong lady. Smart lady. Athletic lady. Funny lady. Kind lady. All the things I was before. Only difference: I now have a 1% chance of getting ovarian cancer instead of 30%. In my family it appears to be a near 100% with those who carry the gene, so 1% sounds pretty damn good.

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