Angry, Confused, Scared, Help!

I was scheduled to have a dermoid on or in my left ovary removed this morning. Obviously, that isn’t happening.

Six weeks ago, I had severe cramps and 102 fever one day during my period. I’ve had normal periods all my life so I was concerned. I went to my GP the next day and a CT scan indicated diverticulli and a mass on my left ovary. He said it’s probably a dermoid that needs to come out. Two weeks later I saw my OB/GYN and an ultrasound indicated a 4-5cm mass on or in my left ovary. She said she would remove it by making a small bikini incision with the aid of laparoscopy. We scheduled surgery for June 12.

They also ran the CA125 blood test. The results came back two days later. It was slightly elevated at 59. My OB/GYN was not concerned as “almost anything can elevate it, especially in pre-menopausal women” like me. I’m 44 years old. She said she wasn’t worried since 59 is very low and she felt comfortable going on with the planned surgery.

Yesterday, June 11, I went in for my PREOP visit. My OB/GYN had decided that a vertical incision from navel to pubic bone would be best—exploratory laparotomy. NOT what I had signed up for. She said since my CA125 test was out of the normal range, she wanted to open me up and if she saw ANYTHING that looked suspicious, EVERYTHING would come out.

Wow…how can a blood test, that is so unreliable, change my life so drastically? A “simple” surgery with a 2-3 week recovery time has turned into major surgery with 2-3 month recovery time and could possibly change my life forever. I asked her how many times is everything taken out and it the path report comes back negative. She said most of the time. “Better safe than sorry,” was her reply. But the women, who have lost everything, unnecessarily, are they sorry now that they have to deal with the lengthy healing process and the consequences that come with losing everything?

I have two more appointments scheduled with two different doctors. One, an OB/GYN, and the other is a GYN/OC. Is there anyway to find out before everything is gone?

While the CA-125 can be unreliable, your doctor is probably taking into consideration your symptoms and the fact that you do have a mass on your ovary. It sounds like your doctor is wanting to check things out carefully based on your symptoms and test results.

I think it is very wise to have a second opinion and to see a GYN/oncologist. If there is a possibilty of cancer being an issue, the GYN/oncologist would be the most skilled to do any surgery and would also know of the best treatment options. The GYN/oncologist may also have a better idea of whether or not it is cancer, prior to surgery, but there are times when there is no way to know for sure what is going on until after pathology gets through with all the tissue, post hyst.

Ask all of your questions at your next two appointments and hopefully you will receive a lot of helpful information to help you with your decision! s

Not to scare you but my mother in law's doctor did the bikini cut and she had ovca. This was a subsequent issue and we asked, "why the heck if there was even a small chance didn't they do the vertical incision."

If she thinks a vertical cut is necessary, go to a GYN/onc. Have it done even if they think there is a minute chance. Most likely it won't be cancer but if it is, you will be assured that they saw everything.

The CA125 can be elevated for many reasons. Best of luck.

A Gyn/onc is an excellent idea. Please do get that second opinion as well. I did end up having pre-cancer, and although it was scary, it was caught early, and I didn't have to end up having chemo, or radiation. In my case, however, the tumors had migrated to all of my reproductive organs, so I really DID need to have everything out.

Thank goodness you are taking a proactive stance on this! If it should end up being something other than a cyst, you've undoubtedly caught it in time.

God bless you and your doctors. Please let us know how things turn out. I will pray for you that all will be well.