TAH path report: cancer cells on ovary

Hi Ladies - had my TAH on the 22nd March. Had my staples removed yesterday (Day 10 post op). Was in the hospital for a week after the surgery. The surgeon took everything but left my cervix - he said had he tried to remove it it would have been a more serious operation and so left well alone.

I did receive a call from him last night to say that they found cancer cells in one of my ovaries that they removed and now he wants to me to go and see an oncologist (as a precautionary means). Anyone else experience this?

(((vivalasmacken)))

We're so very sorry you find yourself here but are very glad you found us! There are lots of wonderful ladies who'll be glad to share their information and experiences with you.

Hopefully, the oncologist is a gyn/onc (gynecological oncologist). They are the experts for gyn cancer/pre-cancer, and you want the best where your health is concerned. It's also good to take someone with you, if you can. Another set of ears always helps. Also, write down any questions you have ahead of time, and don't be shy about asking anything.

Remember, we're here 24/7!


monami

I totally agree with Monami, very good advice. Hang in there and the best to you.

I am sorry you find youself with this unexpected DX and know this can be very scary to hear. There are others who learned post op that cancer cells were lurking and I hope they soon will come along. Please feel free to ask any question, come here to vent or for a hug when that may help; someone seems to be here 24/7. Please let us know what the oncologist says. We're here for you.

Thanks Ladies - it was a bank holiday here this weekend and so I am hoping to hear something back today / tomorrow. If I've not heard by tomorrow I think that I am going to give them a call. I am so scared now

I've had a niggly pain in my lower back for months now and I've been to them (consultants) a few times with this but they told me it would stay till I had the TAH. But it has re-appeared over the weekend - could this just be because I am worried and thinking about it too much?

Hey, sweetie!

Of course, you're scared (which is perfectly normal). Believe it or not, you will feel a little bit better once you have more specific information and a game plan. The unknown and waiting are indeed two of the most difficult things. I agree that I'd give the office a call if you haven't heard anything. It never hurts to be your own advocate!

As for the back pain, it could be due to many things. Worry and stress tend to aggravate everything as well, so I'm sure that's not helping matters. Try not to let your emotions and imagination get carried away with you, especially since you don't know for sure what your dealing with. One step at a time . . .

Don't forget, you've beaten cancer before, and you can darn well do it again. You're not alone in this. There are many prayers and positive thoughts coming your way!

Hang in there!
monami

I understand what you're going through. I had a daVinci hyst. on March 22. due to endo cancer. I was told the day after the surgery that they did a sample on an enlarged lymph node and found microscopic cancer cells. Today is my post-op appt and will find out the staging. The waiting time has been the worse and finally I will know today! I've already gone through cancer once before so the not knowing has to be the worse thing for me. I'm also very scared but I'm ready to fight this beast! Sending you hugs and positive thoughts and prayers. I will post my findings after I find out.

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Originally Posted by vivalasmacken Hi Ladies - had my TAH on the 22nd March. Had my staples removed yesterday (Day 10 post op). Was in the hospital for a week after the surgery. The surgeon took everything but left my cervix - he said had he tried to remove it it would have been a more serious operation and so left well alone. I did receive a call from him last night to say that they found cancer cells in one of my ovaries that they removed and now he wants to me to go and see an oncologist (as a precautionary means). Anyone else experience this?

i had a similar experience. during my first surgery, which was supposed to be a hysterectomy, a malignant mass was found on my ovary plus cancer in both ovaries and one fallopian tube. the mass was removed but my uterus was attached to my bowel so had to stop the surgery and was referred to a gyn/oncologist to perform the remainder of the surgery. the gyn/oncologist performed a "debulking" surgery, removing as much cancer as possible...there was also cancer on my peritoneum (lining of abdomen). he did not remove my cervix, but removed my omentum, which is a common place for the cancer to spread, so i've learned; also removed 4 lymph nodes, one of which was "suspicious" of cancer.

about a month after the 2nd abdominal surgery, i started on chemo, and 3 years later, i'm fine. make sure to ask for copies of the operative and pathology reports (you might have to pay for them) but they are worth having for reference. hopefully your cancer was found at an early stage. i'm so sorry you have to go thru this worry again and now the waiting. hang in there. let us know how it goes at your next appt. in the meantime, make sure to rest as much as you can as you heal from the surgery.
colleen.

Thanks Ladies - think that it's the fear of the unknown isn't it? Got my appt for the oncologist for next Tuesday (13th April). Hubby is going to take the afternoon off and come with me - need a 2nd set of ears. Hopefully, there is nothing wrong and it's just a pre-caution but there is always that niggling thought in the back of my head due to the fact that I had bowel cancer already. Found the same way - purely by accident. Had no symptons at all.