Just wondering and scared, what next ?

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rescuelady
rescuelady Member Posts: 7
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
All of you woman are so very strong and couragious, I read what you say and how you support one another and you are all amazing. I went to my GYN/onocologist on Monday 7/26 my sugery is scheduled for 8/24 to remove the volleyball size pelvic mass via a hystorectomy, (SP?) my chest x-ray clear, my ct didnt show "Much" (I wonder what that means). No fluid around the mass, CA-125 was 216. The surgeon said she will try to do the smallest incision possible but might need a larger incision due to the size of the mass. She said while I was in surgery she would send tissue to the pathologist and if the mass was cancerous she would stage it.

I am trying to prepare myself for the surgery but I just dont know what to expect it is troubling to me. I wont say Im a control freak but this all seems so out of control that I am very uncomfortable. I have never had an incision like this before. I have only have minor surgeries. Im trying to be positive yet at the same time being realistic. The doctor says she doesnt think I have much to worry about but the body always seems to give me a surprise. I feel a little lost and I haven 't even gone through anything like all of you have. I feel like a wimp and to be honest I'm scared. The waiting is hell.

Thanks for listening, I have tried to explain this to my husband but it is difficult for him to hear me feeling scared and he sees things in a different way.

Thanks, Cathy

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  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    #2
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    Hi Cathy I had my
    Hi Cathy I had my sugery june 15 of this year and we did not know there was cancer the dr was giving me a hysterectomy for recurring polops in the uterus. The waiting was hard before the surgery because I did think something else was going on. Well it turned out to be stage 3c ovarian cancer shocking my dr and family but not me. What ever happens with your sugery you and your dr will be able to handle it. Ask all the questions you need to even before the surgey.
    I had two prior c-sections so I already had a scar but they had to cut me vertically also to be able to remove as much of the cancer as possible. I am 56 and heal well and am looking at probably more surgery after some chemo. Don't worry about the scars as nowadays with plastic surgery they can be fixed. This is life saving surgery you are having, scar vs not taking care of your health is a no brainer.
    If you need to ask your dr for something to relax you during the waiting period just knowing you have something to take can be calming. But you will be fine you are in my thoughts
    Good Luck Colleen
  • vj1
    vj1 Member Posts: 150
    #3
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    Hi Cathy:
    A year ago my mass was seen when I was in the er for a kidney stone. It was a whirlwind from that point, having surgery and then dealing with the Dr involved with my primary surgery. My post op was awful and I could not bear to think I would endure anything if I continued with him. My GP was wonderful and helped my husband and me find another specialist and proceed with my treatments. We were harried but finally successful and I am now with a wonderful gyn/onc and staff. My chemo went well and I know so much of it was because of the attitude of the staff that dealt with me and my husband. I am sure your surgery with go well and you will be able to handle whatever may be ahead of you. My Dr said there is no doom and gloom in his office. This is so important. Gloom expends too much precious energy. None of us knows what is ahead of us; why worry about your illness and step off the curb and be hit by a car. Bad analogy but that is how I feel. You will be in touch with wonderful people, make the most of it. My prayers and positive thoughts are with you. Stay in touch.
    vji
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #4
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    Cathy....even a
    Cathy....even a non-cancerous mass can cause your CA125 to spike so don't go borrowing trouble just yet.

    You can ask for a copy of the report from your CT scan and find out exactly what "not much" means. Since you have 3 weeks to sit around and wonder/worry, I would probably do that, if I were you. Honestly, though, a CT scan will usually (not always, but usually) detect ovarian cancer,unless it is just very tiny seedings.

    I agree....the waiting IS hell. I finished my first line chemo treatments in late Feb and signed on for a year of Taxol maintenance. After that, the waiting begins in earnest, because most of us have a recurrence. It's the proverbial "other shoe" thing.

    Carlene
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #5
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    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Cathy....even a
    Cathy....even a non-cancerous mass can cause your CA125 to spike so don't go borrowing trouble just yet.

    You can ask for a copy of the report from your CT scan and find out exactly what "not much" means. Since you have 3 weeks to sit around and wonder/worry, I would probably do that, if I were you. Honestly, though, a CT scan will usually (not always, but usually) detect ovarian cancer,unless it is just very tiny seedings.

    I agree....the waiting IS hell. I finished my first line chemo treatments in late Feb and signed on for a year of Taxol maintenance. After that, the waiting begins in earnest, because most of us have a recurrence. It's the proverbial "other shoe" thing.

    Carlene

    Long Term Survivors
    I have now met TWO ladies with advanced stage OVCA who have survived 10+ years. The statistics say that shouldn't be possible. Here's hoping we all are able to share our stories 10 years from now on with women who are newly diagnosed--and maybe by then, 10 + year survivors will be commonplace!

    Hugs to all!

    Your resident Pollyanna... ;)

    Leesa
  • rockchicksurvivor
    rockchicksurvivor Member Posts: 45
    #6
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    leesag said:

    Long Term Survivors
    I have now met TWO ladies with advanced stage OVCA who have survived 10+ years. The statistics say that shouldn't be possible. Here's hoping we all are able to share our stories 10 years from now on with women who are newly diagnosed--and maybe by then, 10 + year survivors will be commonplace!

    Hugs to all!

    Your resident Pollyanna... ;)

    Leesa

    long term survivors
    That is wonderful and I hope for the best for all of us battling and survivng this awful dusease!! hugs to all

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