5 yr. Hysterversary - and now this...

I'm 3 or 4 days past my 5th hysterversary. Removed the uterus and tubes - left ovaries. Uteran Cancer was found (didn't suspect it prior) but no treatments were necessary - nice little mortality check. Helped me to learn how to "live" a little more. A tattoo on my 40th b-day, a master's degree, another tattoo (to celebrate the masters) and now a motorcycle! (Lots of fun since I'd never driven anything with a clutch!)

...and now this!...

Have been having issues with a little ovarian pain, but gyn had said it was usually ovulation related. Didn't worry - pain was bearable and didn't last long. Except, the pain woke me up a couple of weeks ago - felt like FIRE! Stayed with me over the weekend - called for my general practitioners appointment. Didn't/hasn't totally gone away. ...CT scan later - doc said I had an enlarged cyst - but didn't go into detail and referred me back to my gyn.

Report shows "right ovary overall measures 9.2 X 5.6 cm, which is enlarged. There are multiple cystic physiologic cysts, the larges of which measures 6.4 X 5.2 cm. Although this may represent multiple physiologic cysts, a cystic ovarian neoplasm is suspected." My gyn shared it with me and gave me a couple of options. All includes a visit to the oncologist and removal of the ovary and cyst(s) with him present during surgery!

I feel like I'm on a roller-coaster (I don't like them at all)- when I'm on a real one I usually feel like I'm going to throw-up!!!! I'm trying to not be scared - trying to refuse to feel pitiful - or at least wait until the results from the CA-125 are back (even though gyn doc says those can't really be trusted)...going to have that done the 18th. Surgery - we hope - can be scheduled on the 20th or 22nd. Gyn wants the oncologist to be there during the surgery. Scheduling is a b****!

...now, not only am I concerned about the possibility of cancer...again.... I'm also pretty sure that I want the gyn to take both ovaries this time, so the possibility of the cyst thing happening again (at least on the ovary) will disappear. ...NOW, the horrormoan (yes, I spelled it correctly!) replacement scares me too! Regulating such, when I will maintain that I will probably be on anti-depressants the rest of my life - I'm afraid what trying to regulate them will do to me. The last time I had to take birth control pills to stop abnormal heavy bleeding (3 a day), I went from one emotional extreme to another in seconds - I felt as if I had NO control and I wanted to hurt myself or someone else in between crying like a hysterical baby!

I'm told you "ain't" gonna get any more than you can handle, and I maintain that I'm a pretty strong character - but I'm not feeling very strong right now!

I'm a teacher, and this dang shore aint the way I wanted to spend my summer!!!! I just bought an "automatic" motorcycle (Ridley) - on memorial day... I was planning on a lot of riding! So much for plans... (do you detect a little anger too?)

holdin' on.... janah

Oh, Janah! I am so sorry that you are going through this. I don't have any knowledge about ovarian cancer but just want to remind you. Don't waste a good panic! It is so much easier to say that than to practice it!!!!!

sending you lots of positive energy and prayers.



Lyn

s janah

Why not make an appointment with a gynecologic oncologist for a consultation before surgery. They are the true experts with any suspected ovarian cancer situations.
That way you will know this person and not just have a stranger stop in the OR to help your gyn if necessary. Or to tell the truth, I would schedule the surgery with a gynecologic oncologist. Let the expert run this show. If ovarian cancer is found, your best chance at surviving is to have a complete and thorough debulking by this specialist.
Glad to hear you are checking a ca 125. Although not a perfect diagnostic tool by any means, it can be another indication. If your ca 125 is elevated, you should also have a CT scan done before surgery.
Wishing you the best.

oxoxox karenann

Janah,
Karenann gave some great advice. I second the idea of having a consult with the gyn/onc before surgery. They are the experts and know exactly what to look for and how to perform the surgery with the best outcome should it be cancer.

s and let us know what you do.
Jane

First, Lyn, Karenann & Jane, thank you for such a quick response! I really need(ed) that support and knowing that someone is sending thought and energy my way - especially during the time I was lacking in it! Hystersisters was wonderful during my hysterectomy - I came immediately here when I got home from the doc today!. The roller coaster has ceased with a little xanax help, and my "get in gear" mode has kicked in.

Sorry, if I didn't explain well.... this all started with the CT Scan (general practitioner thought it might be appendix or diverticulitus) based on that "fire" I had felt and the pain he found that I didn't even know I had!

I have an appointment with the oncologist on the 18th. He's doing the CA125 and an ultrasound during the consult. As for my ob/gyn, she is phenominal - she's down to earth, very knowledgable, and I have and will trust her with my life...(again). She did my hysterectomy and caught the uteran cancer before we had proof it was there! (a joint decision to the hysterectomy - after my initial suggestion to do it.)

I feel pretty sure that she's done her research on the oncologist...she was very specific about using him and no other. I'm a "researcher" and will find my way around all the information I can get my hands on between now and the oncologist appointment/consultation. I'll also find out more about the oncologist and his reputation in the field. (Not sure if he is considered a "gynelocogical oncologist" or not, but I'll find out asap!)

The good news from today - the gyn said in doing the pelvic today that the cyst did not "feel" like cancer, but wants to take every precaution if it is - (Don't know if she said that to make me feel better, but she usually doesn't do that!) In discussing the "how the surgery would be done she said that it wouldn't be the same bikini cut from the c-section or hyster, but up and down. I figured that if an incision was made in a different place that the recovery wouldn't be as difficult and followed the comment with "right?" - she immediately let me know that it would actually be easier if it were the same incision location, as the nerves there have already been damaged....I laughed and told her what a wealth of positive news we have today! (At that point the tears hadn't come up).

The other bright note (besides you guys) was the lab folks retreaved piles of my blood with ONE stick... for me that's awesome!!

I know ovarian cancer is fairly rare, and this temporary insanity is probably a little "insane" - but aren't we entitled to such occassionally? ...BUT if it IS ovarian cancer - then by-golly I'm gonna have to kick up this livin' stuff another notch! I'm gonna have so much dang fun between now and the surgery date! ...anybody have any suggestions?

Well, it looks like you enjoy the bike, so a few rides to wherever might be helpful. If you want a way to relax and to pamper yourself, a day at a spa is great.

Love your attitude.

Jane

Hi Janah
It's great you're looking into the oncologist - hopefully he/she's a gyn-onc. I had to have 2 surgeries because my first one wasn't done by a gyn-onc...I didn't get proper debulking before chemo and my risk for recurrence is higher, as I'm told. I had to have the 2nd surgery after chemo. Was not fun.
Hope you have great weather for the bike - I would ride and ride and ride. Jmberg mentioned a spa - why not drive the bike to an overnight spa!! That would be my dream vacation I think!
Take Care!!

I did a little diggin' and feel better. I found the oncologist she's called in as a speaker at a cancer doctor's conference in April 2007...his topic was "Breakthroughs in Gynecological Cancer" - so he is a gyn-onc. If that says anything, at least he has been "keepin' up"! Feeling a little more releaved... didn't think my gyn would let me down there! Will continue to dig...I want to go in knowing options - so I can make some conscious choices... the upcoming surgery was surprise enough!!!