Whew, finally got my Gyno/Onc. referral and other tests being requisitioned

saundra

bluerose said:

Had the CA125 today
The lab tech came in to do my INR today as they do once a month and my GP had sent through the referral for the CA125 as I had asked her, in record time, so that is
done. Now the wait starts for the results. I couldn't believe the diff in cost for
this test - we aren't used to paying for blood tests here. Anywho the old gyno that
I let go was going to charge me $135 for it and I nearly fainted when my blood lab
who comes in to do my bloodwork monthy as I mentioned before told me it would be
$35. Yikes, glad I waited. What a difference. How long does it take to get that
test back - the results I mean? I thought I heard 10 days - does anyone know?

Thanks for all the support. Blessings, Bluerose

CA125
It takes me two days as they send my blood sample to Dallas (285 miles). Aren't you in Canada? May take you longer with the health system you have if the labs are very busy..... My daughter in Colorado pays for annual CA125 and it is about $29. I have heard them to be as high as $300+ so some are getting ripped off big time!!!! Saundra

bluerose

lindaprocopio said:

I usually got my CA-125 results in about 4 hours
I only had CA-125s on chemo-infusion days (no CA-125s since then yet), and they did lab work in house at Hematology/Oncology. So late in the afternoon, while I was still getting my chemo, my gyn/onc or one of the nurses would come back and bring me my CA-125 results. But I do think that when I had my pre and post-surgery CA-125s at Hershey Medical Center, that it took over a week for the results.

I have thrilling news to report. I had my post-treatment CT-scan yesterday (done by my dear DIL who is a CT-scan tech at the hospital where I go for treatment) and she pushed the doctor to read my scans right away. Although I must pretend surprise when my oncologist calls me with the results, as she is not allowed to report scan results herself, I already know that the report says "NED." No Evidence of Disease!! And next to the notation from my April CT-scan on the supposed 2.7 mm lung nodule, it now says "Nodule not visible". WOO WOO!!! I have upcoming post-treatment follow-up appointments with the gyn-onc for a pelvic exam/PAP and with by chemo-onc for a CA-125, and with the radiation onc to check on this ankle/foot swelling I keep having. But all in all, I can't see how any of this will change the fact that I am in full remission! Please let me be right! Because I am so happy, and my husband was so relieved that he immediately committed to an October trip to Athens/Rome that we have been talking about but were afraid to commit to in case I had to go back into chemo right away.



Answered prayers!

3 Beautiful letters: N E D - WOOHOOO LINDA
Oh what wonderful news - off to Athens you go, I just know it will happen. Greece is actually my favourite country in all of Europe but I actually never got to Athens - got swept up on the Island of Corfu instead. That was a million years ago in the late 70ties though (dating myself here, sigh) and at that time tourists coming back from Athens said that more Greek artifacts were in the London Museum in England than in Greece. Not long ago I heard something about Greek either close to getting some back or already had - can't remember which. I remember seeing so many Greek Artifacts in London when we were there but over all those years I am sure they got some back. I know that there was an issue with pollution in Athens too - I think from cars, check on that if you have respiratory issues - like I said I was in Greece years ago so hopefully all that cleared by now.

If you do get to Greece, I mean WHEN YOU DO, do try and get over to Corfu. We rented a little motobike and went all the way around the little island, stopping to see people picking olives off the trees and lunching at little seaside restaurants. The memories are amazing of Greece. There is also a place called Paleocristas(sp) that we went to, an island I think but could have been a town - so long ago I forget which. It had a big white pristine Monastery at the top of the hill/mountain and it was surrounded by the most gorgeous water you have ever seen. Torqouise oceans all around and the air there was so fresh and clean. You will both love Greece I am sure.

Well I am so pleased to hear of your NED and I just know that will continue and it will be clear sailing from here for you. Let's hear it for those prayers. Great news Linda, you deserve it and then some. Hugs, Bluerose

saundra

lindaprocopio said:

I usually got my CA-125 results in about 4 hours
I only had CA-125s on chemo-infusion days (no CA-125s since then yet), and they did lab work in house at Hematology/Oncology. So late in the afternoon, while I was still getting my chemo, my gyn/onc or one of the nurses would come back and bring me my CA-125 results. But I do think that when I had my pre and post-surgery CA-125s at Hershey Medical Center, that it took over a week for the results.

I have thrilling news to report. I had my post-treatment CT-scan yesterday (done by my dear DIL who is a CT-scan tech at the hospital where I go for treatment) and she pushed the doctor to read my scans right away. Although I must pretend surprise when my oncologist calls me with the results, as she is not allowed to report scan results herself, I already know that the report says "NED." No Evidence of Disease!! And next to the notation from my April CT-scan on the supposed 2.7 mm lung nodule, it now says "Nodule not visible". WOO WOO!!! I have upcoming post-treatment follow-up appointments with the gyn-onc for a pelvic exam/PAP and with by chemo-onc for a CA-125, and with the radiation onc to check on this ankle/foot swelling I keep having. But all in all, I can't see how any of this will change the fact that I am in full remission! Please let me be right! Because I am so happy, and my husband was so relieved that he immediately committed to an October trip to Athens/Rome that we have been talking about but were afraid to commit to in case I had to go back into chemo right away.



Answered prayers!

To Linda
GREAT NEWS!!!!!!! We always buy trip insurance because one of us could get sick or some other natural disaster. It is not very expensive considering not getting your money back for a long trip. Saundra

bluerose

Kgirl said:

wait time for CA-125
Bluerose,

I know how hard it is to wait for those results. I work for a hospital lab and we result it the same day since we do the test in our lab. If it is a sendout to a reference lab, it could very well take up to 10 days to get the results. You might ask your doctors office on Monday where they send their testing for this - that will give you an ideal of what the wait time is. Thinking good thoughts and hoping that you can get into the gyn/oncologist soon and that the results are negative!

Kathy

Hi Kgirl
Yup that sounds about right - 10 days but the blood lab comes to me and then takes it back directly to their labs for testing so thinking it could be sooner. It will go to my GP but I know she will call me with the results as soon as possible. I don't know about getting in to see the gyno/onc earlier but I will certainly try to get them to move up my appt. It's one of those referrals where the GP's office calls the specialist to put in the referral and then they get back to you but as soon as I know the referral is in I am on them like wet on paint. I also want to ask about their cancellation lists too, lots of doctors here in Canada aren't keeping them anymore though, sigh.

Thanks for the info Kathy, hope today finds you well and happy. Blessings, Bluerose

bluerose

saundra said:

CA125
It takes me two days as they send my blood sample to Dallas (285 miles). Aren't you in Canada? May take you longer with the health system you have if the labs are very busy..... My daughter in Colorado pays for annual CA125 and it is about $29. I have heard them to be as high as $300+ so some are getting ripped off big time!!!! Saundra

Disgusting to rip off potential cancer patients, grrrrr
Because I have the lab come in to do my bloodwork, mainly for my blood thinners for my heart conditioner, I add on other tests as I get referred to having them. As I mentioned to Kathy on the board here this is the lab that also analyzes the tests so my sample is taken right back there - no middlemen, so I am hoping this speeds it up. Now the wait for the results, sheeesh, still holding good thoughts though. Thanks Saundra for the info. Have a good weekend. Blessings, Bluerose

momspot

so much good news!
So much good news in one post! That makes me very happy indeed. Congratulations to everyone!!

Bluerose...I do know exactly where you stand! I also have the mural node on my cyst. Although the cyst itself is larger and not fluid filled. It grew a whole cm in a month and that was a month ago so no idea how big that guy is now! I will keep my fingers crossed that you get a quick appt date so that they can set you up for your surgery! I am anticipating and dreading mine in equal measure. I really hate surgery but the cyst is causing more and more pain as it goes on. So I'm anxious to be rid of it. I guess I am also anxious to get the biopsy reports back as this being in limbo is rather wearing as well.

momspot

JoanC

lindaprocopio said:

I usually got my CA-125 results in about 4 hours
I only had CA-125s on chemo-infusion days (no CA-125s since then yet), and they did lab work in house at Hematology/Oncology. So late in the afternoon, while I was still getting my chemo, my gyn/onc or one of the nurses would come back and bring me my CA-125 results. But I do think that when I had my pre and post-surgery CA-125s at Hershey Medical Center, that it took over a week for the results.

I have thrilling news to report. I had my post-treatment CT-scan yesterday (done by my dear DIL who is a CT-scan tech at the hospital where I go for treatment) and she pushed the doctor to read my scans right away. Although I must pretend surprise when my oncologist calls me with the results, as she is not allowed to report scan results herself, I already know that the report says "NED." No Evidence of Disease!! And next to the notation from my April CT-scan on the supposed 2.7 mm lung nodule, it now says "Nodule not visible". WOO WOO!!! I have upcoming post-treatment follow-up appointments with the gyn-onc for a pelvic exam/PAP and with by chemo-onc for a CA-125, and with the radiation onc to check on this ankle/foot swelling I keep having. But all in all, I can't see how any of this will change the fact that I am in full remission! Please let me be right! Because I am so happy, and my husband was so relieved that he immediately committed to an October trip to Athens/Rome that we have been talking about but were afraid to commit to in case I had to go back into chemo right away.



Answered prayers!

WOO HOO NED LINDA!!
I am so happy for you!!!! I am doing the happy dance with NED myself and for you also! You go girl! have fun in Athens/Rome.
(((HUGS))) Joan

bluerose

momspot said:

so much good news!
So much good news in one post! That makes me very happy indeed. Congratulations to everyone!!

Bluerose...I do know exactly where you stand! I also have the mural node on my cyst. Although the cyst itself is larger and not fluid filled. It grew a whole cm in a month and that was a month ago so no idea how big that guy is now! I will keep my fingers crossed that you get a quick appt date so that they can set you up for your surgery! I am anticipating and dreading mine in equal measure. I really hate surgery but the cyst is causing more and more pain as it goes on. So I'm anxious to be rid of it. I guess I am also anxious to get the biopsy reports back as this being in limbo is rather wearing as well.

momspot

Hi Momspot
I asked my GP for another pelvic ultrasound as that was the recommendation by the radiologist to have another ultrasound in 2 or 3 months after the first one and it's coming up on 2 months but haven't heard yet when it will be done. I am going to call them to see if the referral is in in case my doc forgot or something, on Monday. That will show growth or not. Ya the cyst I have is 1 inch by 1 inch by 1 and a half inches and is filled with clear fluid they said but the node is solid and 1cm. When I saw that tv show I was telling LInda about I was stunned at the exact same symptoms the woman had
even down to them thinking she had a kidney stone but none materialized - that happened to me too - pretty specific similarity. Anywho we shall see.

The waits are very difficult indeed, I am trying to take it a day at a time. Take care
Blessings, Bluerose