Hi Barbara,
Hey, you're in the UK too! Yes, I had a morphine pump for my hysterectomy 6 years ago ... ah, happy days we had! I'm on the 'enhanced recovery programme' this time though, so no morphine for me, just an epidural and a few paracetomal then I'm out on my ear! (or my a**e ... or a** if you're American )
I haven't actually had the test for Lynch Syndrome but it's a no brainer really. My brother was diagnosed with colon cancer 14 years ago when he was 33 (he's been fine ever since). 2 of my cousins have also had it at a young age and one of them has also had endometrial cancer (both are fine). My mother died of endometrial cancer last year. She refused any kind of medical intervention and survived for 7 years with the cancer. My uncle has had colon, prostate and kidney cancer, but all over the age of 70. And my grandfather had colon cancer in his 50's (he lived for another 20 years and died of heart failure).
I myself had both endometrial and ovarian cancer at the same time. I was 33 when I first had symptoms and 34 at diagnosis. I had an aggressive form of the cancer but in both cases it was still a stage 1. I had chemo anyway as extra insurance!
Every last detail is fairly typical of Lynch, particularly the 'right sided' characteristic. The pesky polyp I have in my ceacum is sessile and tubulo villous, also typical characteristics of Lynch. I decided not to have genetic testing because ... well ... I couldn't really be bothered!!! I knew that whatever the results my medical care would be the same regardless and the rest of my family is aware enough of the situation to be able to take care of themselves and make their own decisions. I just try to put it out of my head mostly, except when I'm due for a colonoscopy urgh!
My consultant is comfortable with my decision not to have a subtotal colectomy and providing I keep up with the yearly scopes, I believe it is the right thing for me. If I hadn't already had a hysterectomy I would probably get one as a preventative measure. I don't miss those bits in any way at all. Infact, not having periods is wonderfully liberating! I do take HRT, oestrogen only, and I have no issues whatsoever. There are other cancers to watch out for. Kidney, bladder etc, but according to my consultant these are rarer even in Lynchers and if they do occur they tend to occur at an older age (70+) Certainly in my family this has so far proved to be true.
So, I figure, okay ... I've had the womb and the ovaries out and lived to tell the tale and feel absolutely fine. Hopefully if I can get through the right-hemi in a similar way then life is there for the taking. Having Lynch is a pain in the butt (literally!) and I sure get peeved about having bits of me removed from my otherwise perfectly healthy body, but as so many people find in these situations, it's incredible how resilient we can be. Yes, I'm very nervous about this surgery, but talking to you guys has really helped hugely, massively. Fingers crossed I'll be back up to fighting speed in double quick time! (And I'll be sure to take my ipod with me while I'm roaming the hospital corridors!)
Cheers all, Lisa