Surgery 2000: Removal of Ovarian Teratoma

Women often ask me what symptoms I had with my ovarian teratoma -- how did I know something was wrong? Ovarian problems tend to cause few symptoms, but I am blessed with an ovary that is not "quiet" when it's hurting. Basically, beginning in early 2000, I had constant cramping and a frequent urge to use the bathroom (and cramping when doing so).

I saw an ob/gyn in mid-May, who diagnosed a cyst about 4 cm in diameter on the left ovary. In June 2000, the growth on my ovary was resting hard against my colon and "whined" every time it was pushed on. I looked down at my abdomen and said, "Honeybun, you're just going to get hurt if you stay there!" From that day on, the growth had a non-medical name, Honeybun.

The "cyst" was still there in July and another one appeared on the right ovary. The doc's long-term plan was to do nothing. My goal was to be in less discomfort! I switched to a new doctor, and my story changed dramatically.

September 22, 2000

This date (and the events of that day) will be one that sticks in my memory for a long, long time. My new ob/gyn did the same kind of ultrasound that the old doctor did, but with different findings. The cyst had a lesion (see ultrasound photo) that was probably always there, just not noticed before. It could be malignant. We could wait another month, but I'd most likely need surgery then. Sigh…

I spent the next few days in a daze, wondering what I would tell my professors, classmates, bosses, and other people who were counting on my presence and work in the fall. I felt like I was going to let everyone down. But, as I began to tell people, I received so much support! People were very concerned and wanted to help any way they could. My co-workers covered my hours. My professors said they'd work with me by phone and e-mail, and they all offered to let me take incompletes in their courses if necessary. Everyone was wonderful.

Surgery on Nov 6th

By late October, Honeybun had tried to twist 4 times, causing severe pain and potentially requiring emergency surgery at some point. A second ultrasound with the new ob/gyn showed no improvement. Honeybun was about the size of a tennis ball by this point. And, I was in a lot of pain -- the worst being a sense that something was gnawing on my tailbone. So, I had invasive surgery (5.5 inch incision) to remove Honeybun and some other abnormal tissue. I stayed in the hospital for three days, two nights. I had hospital personnel coming to look at my incision, check my IV bags, and give me medicine around the clock. A very tiring experience! I was glad to go home.

One day after I got home, I received the greatest phone call from my ob/gyn. Everything was benign!! The growth on my left ovary was a teratoma (a kind of dermoid tumor -- partially solid, partially cystic). The other tissue included a ruptured endometrioma removed from the other ovary and some other endometrial tissue removed from various spots.

Recovery

I've had a lot of ups and downs with recovery. I'm not especially kind to myself, so I tried to do a little too much too soon. I tried to go back to school after two weeks, but I only lasted 30 minutes! I did eventually make it back to school nearly full-time at three weeks, finished two of my classes, and recovered more fully over winter break. I could finally wear jeans again at 5 months post-op.

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Update in December 2001: My incision is still a bit lumpy and a bit tender at 13 months post-op, but I'm doing very well overall with recovery. Hard to believe it's been a year since all this happened.

Update in December 2003: My incision is no longer lumpy. :-) In fact, I just noticed today that it's barely visible anymore -- kind of remarkable given how it looked a year after surgery. Today, it looks like a faint brownish line on my skin, and it's not tender at all! I've had some ovarian cysts since my surgery, but nothing that shows any signs of being a recurring teratoma.

Update in March 2006: My incision is still a bit visible and I suppose it always will be. I have absolutely no other evidence of surgery though -- no residual pain or tenderness. I haven't had many ovarian problems since then either.

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