New here! Pretty nervous!!

TraumaMamma

I posted a very long post that somehow got lost.

I will try and post again.

I am a 911 operator who lost some weight, got healthy, ran a 5 k and got off her BP meds.

Then I got really tired, bloated and noticed I had pain in my LLQ. On 2-13-10.

My PCP thought it could be diverticulitus or an ovarian cyst, she downplayed my pain (as she stated I wasn't "writhing in pain") I do have a high pain tolerance, but by BP was thru the roof with the pain on that visit and she put me BACK on BP meds. 160/100 as a matter of fact when I was sitting pretty for the past year at 117/60's.

She didn't listen to anything else I really said, patted me on the head, told me to get a US in a few days. I overheard her complain that she had to do another pelvic (me) before she came in my room. She is since fired...I am on board with the Cleveland Clinic.

I kept going to work but work was hard. I cannot always pee when I want. I bloated up and gained 6 pounds in a week. I am very aware of my weight, I exercise and eat very clean. I attributed my fatigue to my thyroid issues.

So, I got my US and I was still in pain and went to the ER two days later as I couldn't wait for the results to come back.

CT was done. Two "abcesses" seen in LLQ. They thought it was diverticulitus, but I know better. My poop, aside from constipation, was normal. No blood, I eat alot of fiber, etc.

General surgery argued whether it was theirs or whether they should bring gyn on board. Repeat CT done. Two suspcious areas are bigger. Free fluid in abdomen.

I get a colonoscopy and I do NOT have abcesses or diverticulitus, which the gastro said would show up.

So, GYN is allowed on board. He takes me off hormones (4 days later) and repeats US.

And he sends me home.

Repeats US in office and cyst shrunk. He reccomends waiting to see if it just goes away and we deal with menopause. K, sounds good.

Last week, pain came back. Went to gyn who said I bought myself a surgery, and need to do a bowel prep in case they need to go deeper.

I had my appt with Cleveland Clinic Primary care doc and was mortified to read that there was more than just a simple cyst on my ovary.

There is moderate free fluid in my abdomen (and I know nothing ruptured) and an irregular mass inside my ovary that is solid as well as something attached to my ovary and a left adnexal mass.

I am scheduled for a laproscopic surgery on Monday. Scared to death. I am feeling this is not going to be routine.

Any tips, thoughts, humor?

leesag

Traumamama
Hi Trauma Mama,

I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this. First of all, it is good news that the cyst on the ovary has shrunk.

Tips: If you are concerned that it might be ovarian cancer, insist on a gynecologic oncologist for your surgery. Is there a reason they didn't do a CT scan?

Thoughts: Stay positive,even though it seems impossible. The next three days will probably be the among the most difficult for you. I know the days leading up to the surgery were the most stressful for me, once I knew for sure what I was dealing with, I knew there was a plan. It was the not knowing that was the hardest.

Humor: My husband and I got through the days prior to surgery by proposing outlandish "Dr. House-like" scenarios for my symptoms. My favorite was the rare Amazonian worm!

So, having said all of those, remember these positives:
Ovarian Cancer is rare, chances are very good that you have a benign condition.

The ultrasound shows that the cyst is smaller, this is also a very good sign.

The pain could have been caused by a rupture in the cyst, which could account for the fluid in your abdomen.

I can tell you this about my diagnosis-from my first ultrasound my doctor suspected cancer of some sort, so the fact that your gyn hasn't mentioned it, is also a good sign.

Finally, please know that I will be thinking about you and sending some prayers your way on Monday. I'm sure the other ladies on the board will add their recommendations to mine, I'm pretty new at this "cancer thing" and I have no medical background at all so my suggestions are pretty much the things I would be holding onto if I were in your position.

I hope this helped a little. I know how hard this must be for you, just stay positive and know that you will always find supportive ladies to talk to here! This forum has saved my sanity on more than one occasion!

HUGS!

Leesa

TraumaMamma

leesag said:

Traumamama
Hi Trauma Mama,

I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this. First of all, it is good news that the cyst on the ovary has shrunk.

Tips: If you are concerned that it might be ovarian cancer, insist on a gynecologic oncologist for your surgery. Is there a reason they didn't do a CT scan?

Thoughts: Stay positive,even though it seems impossible. The next three days will probably be the among the most difficult for you. I know the days leading up to the surgery were the most stressful for me, once I knew for sure what I was dealing with, I knew there was a plan. It was the not knowing that was the hardest.

Humor: My husband and I got through the days prior to surgery by proposing outlandish "Dr. House-like" scenarios for my symptoms. My favorite was the rare Amazonian worm!

So, having said all of those, remember these positives:
Ovarian Cancer is rare, chances are very good that you have a benign condition.

The ultrasound shows that the cyst is smaller, this is also a very good sign.

The pain could have been caused by a rupture in the cyst, which could account for the fluid in your abdomen.

I can tell you this about my diagnosis-from my first ultrasound my doctor suspected cancer of some sort, so the fact that your gyn hasn't mentioned it, is also a good sign.

Finally, please know that I will be thinking about you and sending some prayers your way on Monday. I'm sure the other ladies on the board will add their recommendations to mine, I'm pretty new at this "cancer thing" and I have no medical background at all so my suggestions are pretty much the things I would be holding onto if I were in your position.

I hope this helped a little. I know how hard this must be for you, just stay positive and know that you will always find supportive ladies to talk to here! This forum has saved my sanity on more than one occasion!

HUGS!

Leesa

Actually, it came back last
Actually, it came back last week. It shrunk, but returned. That is what bought me a ticket to surgeryland.

It shrunk and came back. The bad irregular one is still there, the hemmorragic/possible abcess one is still there and the one attached to the ovary is still there.

I did have two CT scans, which they thought was Diverticulitus, which was ruled out by the colonoscopy which was clean as a whistle. But I do have two areas of concern on the outside of the colon as well as the free fluid and some mesenteric stranding. (Whatever that means).

The fluid level went down, upon my DC from the hospital...I slid into a size 12 jean and then blewe up like a woman carrying twins last week. Again.

So, something is making fluid. Alot of fluid. Nothing ruptured....I had no sharp bad pains.

I am a paramedic and RN student, so of course, my imagination is running wild!

Tina Brown

TraumaMamma said:

Actually, it came back last
Actually, it came back last week. It shrunk, but returned. That is what bought me a ticket to surgeryland.

It shrunk and came back. The bad irregular one is still there, the hemmorragic/possible abcess one is still there and the one attached to the ovary is still there.

I did have two CT scans, which they thought was Diverticulitus, which was ruled out by the colonoscopy which was clean as a whistle. But I do have two areas of concern on the outside of the colon as well as the free fluid and some mesenteric stranding. (Whatever that means).

The fluid level went down, upon my DC from the hospital...I slid into a size 12 jean and then blewe up like a woman carrying twins last week. Again.

So, something is making fluid. Alot of fluid. Nothing ruptured....I had no sharp bad pains.

I am a paramedic and RN student, so of course, my imagination is running wild!

Fluid in your abdomen
The fact the fluid went down and came back is puzzling. It sounds like Asistes (spelling) I had fluid in my abdomen which made me so uncomfortable, but it did go on its own after I started with treatment. I do know they can remove the fluid with a drain which will make you feel so much better. You need to request they drain the fluid and get it checked out.

As a RN student I guess you know that cancer cells weep fluid which causes this fluid build up. I don't have ovarian cancer, mine is called Primary Peritoneal Cancer. This is where I have cancer cells attatched to the lining of my peritoneum. (It is the same histology as ova ca so it is treated the same) The cells weep fluid and also block the drainage. I am sorry to be telling you this and I hope I am wrong but when I went to the hospital my doctors were very concerned about what had caused the fluid build up and where it had come from. So after it had been drained I had a CT to find what had caused ita ll.

The very best to you and I really hope you get good news.

Tina xx

Cathy-Dog Lvr

I to am very nervous..And
I to am very nervous..And Hello 911 operator, retired police sergeant..THANKS for all the good work you do to help us every day!

I am scheduled for Wed surgery with a colonoscopy on Tues..Simular symptoms weight gain bloating etc...I am having my procudure by a Gyne/Onc, Ca-125 slightly elevated..Did you have one of thoes blood tests? I have two very large cysts, probably fibroids in my uterous and extreemly large mass on ovary, into left kidney and abdomen.

I will keep you on my prayer list..and thinking positive has helped me a bit but I will truly admitt this is weighing heavy..You very well know what we encounter every day..trust me I have seen it all..and training usually takes over and fear is not part of the job. But this HELL ya I'm scared.

Very good luck to you Monday...Blessings Cathy

TraumaMamma

Cathy-Dog Lvr said:

I to am very nervous..And
I to am very nervous..And Hello 911 operator, retired police sergeant..THANKS for all the good work you do to help us every day!

I am scheduled for Wed surgery with a colonoscopy on Tues..Simular symptoms weight gain bloating etc...I am having my procudure by a Gyne/Onc, Ca-125 slightly elevated..Did you have one of thoes blood tests? I have two very large cysts, probably fibroids in my uterous and extreemly large mass on ovary, into left kidney and abdomen.

I will keep you on my prayer list..and thinking positive has helped me a bit but I will truly admitt this is weighing heavy..You very well know what we encounter every day..trust me I have seen it all..and training usually takes over and fear is not part of the job. But this HELL ya I'm scared.

Very good luck to you Monday...Blessings Cathy

I believe my CA125 came back
I believe my CA125 came back normal....I want to say 20-30? But as I have already read, I know that means very little.

I have had annoying back pain (left side of course) for some time as well.

All of this is adding up for me.

Hubby and I have a little bet going to see who gets to see "I told you so" after surgery.

I hope HE is right and I do not get to say it.

That being said, my work has made it infinitely clear that we all have expiration dates. My work has already gifted me to enjoy the little things and appreciate life, hearing what I hear.

I will fight if I get the news I am expecting. I have too much left I want to do.

We lost an Officer a month ago. It was terrible. He was shot on a routine call and I worked alongside him as a paramedic.

Some of us get to know that our time is limited, to say what we want to say and do what we need to do....some people, like this officer, like some of my callers never do.

We may suffer, but to me...to squeeze a bit more out of life? I'll take it!

A week prior he rescued some children right behind our 911 building in a house fire....he got there before fire. A true Hero! You can see the pics!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E51_ldiN9p4&feature=related

leesag

TraumaMamma said:

I believe my CA125 came back
I believe my CA125 came back normal....I want to say 20-30? But as I have already read, I know that means very little.

I have had annoying back pain (left side of course) for some time as well.

All of this is adding up for me.

Hubby and I have a little bet going to see who gets to see "I told you so" after surgery.

I hope HE is right and I do not get to say it.

That being said, my work has made it infinitely clear that we all have expiration dates. My work has already gifted me to enjoy the little things and appreciate life, hearing what I hear.

I will fight if I get the news I am expecting. I have too much left I want to do.

We lost an Officer a month ago. It was terrible. He was shot on a routine call and I worked alongside him as a paramedic.

Some of us get to know that our time is limited, to say what we want to say and do what we need to do....some people, like this officer, like some of my callers never do.

We may suffer, but to me...to squeeze a bit more out of life? I'll take it!

A week prior he rescued some children right behind our 911 building in a house fire....he got there before fire. A true Hero! You can see the pics!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E51_ldiN9p4&feature=related

I hope your husband gets to
I hope your husband gets to be the one to say I told you so! That said, you certainly have a good attitude going into the surgery. Please know this, though, a diagnosis of OvCa doesn't mean that your time is all that limited. Every week, it seems, I learn about long term survivors of Stage IIIc and even Stage IV. This month alone saw many members of our group go NED on us! (No Evidence of Disease) After four more chemo sessions, I hope to join the NED dance as well. My oncologist uses the word "cure," so that's a good sign! (I'm at stage IIIC)


Regarding the "I told you so": Let your hubby know that this is a one time free "I told you so." He can tweak you about this one as much as he wants! Future "I told you so"s about the oil level in the car and such are exempt and will be limited to a one time use only!


HUGS

Leesa

Susan523

Sorry to meet you here....
Hello, TraumaMamma, and sorry to meet here,
but if, and I mean IF it is cancer, you are at the right place.

You are right to be aware of the changes in your body; but if the CT is clear, and your CA125 blood test is 'normal', then maybe your hubby WILL be the one to say "told you so".

I had never known the symptoms of ovarian cancer, so I had no idea what I was up against. I was immediately referred to a gynecologist/oncologist after my regular Gyn did an ultrasound and ordered a CA125. My CA was up to 285 when I was diagnosed. The fact that your CA is 'normal', is a GOOD sign!

We can tell you not to worry, but you will.

Get some baby wipes, as your system will be thoroughly cleansed by Monday morning from the stuff they'll have you drinking. (I LOVE baby wipes :-) They saved my ****. Literally.
(there's your humour!) ... and tell your hubby to have those ice chips ready when you wake up from surgery. I just know I was SO very thirsty~


Best of luck to you on Monday. You will be in our prayers, and please let us know how things are going, okay?? So glad you have your hubby with you for support & laughter. He sounds like a very supportive & caring man. That's wonderful.

All the best~
~Susan xoxo

TraumaMamma

Susan523 said:

Sorry to meet you here....
Hello, TraumaMamma, and sorry to meet here,
but if, and I mean IF it is cancer, you are at the right place.

You are right to be aware of the changes in your body; but if the CT is clear, and your CA125 blood test is 'normal', then maybe your hubby WILL be the one to say "told you so".

I had never known the symptoms of ovarian cancer, so I had no idea what I was up against. I was immediately referred to a gynecologist/oncologist after my regular Gyn did an ultrasound and ordered a CA125. My CA was up to 285 when I was diagnosed. The fact that your CA is 'normal', is a GOOD sign!

We can tell you not to worry, but you will.

Get some baby wipes, as your system will be thoroughly cleansed by Monday morning from the stuff they'll have you drinking. (I LOVE baby wipes :-) They saved my ****. Literally.
(there's your humour!) ... and tell your hubby to have those ice chips ready when you wake up from surgery. I just know I was SO very thirsty~


Best of luck to you on Monday. You will be in our prayers, and please let us know how things are going, okay?? So glad you have your hubby with you for support & laughter. He sounds like a very supportive & caring man. That's wonderful.

All the best~
~Susan xoxo

Poo
The colonoscopy I got in the hospital ruled out abcess and diverticulitus (which means the CT was NOT clean...we are going to find out what the two things they thought were abcesses were.)

My colon was squeaky clean inside. So whatever is on the CT is on the outside.

I did laugh though, because I did wake up during the night after drinking that garbage and was like...Hmmmm, the bed is wet.

I grabbed my butt (I brought me own pj's....I hate wearing hospital issued garb) and I was like "Awww Geez, I crapped the bed"

In my sleep.

Musta oozed out.

Which makes me wonder how sleeping arrangements should be on Sunday nite. Will hubby wanna sleep in ground zero??

I am kind of a nut job. I like to laugh and try not to take things so serious. I have already decided that if I get the news I am expecting (I am even more tired and short of breath and barely eat a meal a day now) Come Chemo time, I am going to draw all kinds of different eyebrows on.

I may even let my 12 yr old daughter do it.

Will I be "unibrow?" "Angry eyes" "surpised" or "The rock?"

I may even go to work like that. Let them try to keep a straight face when they look at me. I will have to try and work....honestly, if I sit at home and just think about things I will go nuts.

xoxxo Donna

leesag

TraumaMamma said:

Poo
The colonoscopy I got in the hospital ruled out abcess and diverticulitus (which means the CT was NOT clean...we are going to find out what the two things they thought were abcesses were.)

My colon was squeaky clean inside. So whatever is on the CT is on the outside.

I did laugh though, because I did wake up during the night after drinking that garbage and was like...Hmmmm, the bed is wet.

I grabbed my butt (I brought me own pj's....I hate wearing hospital issued garb) and I was like "Awww Geez, I crapped the bed"

In my sleep.

Musta oozed out.

Which makes me wonder how sleeping arrangements should be on Sunday nite. Will hubby wanna sleep in ground zero??

I am kind of a nut job. I like to laugh and try not to take things so serious. I have already decided that if I get the news I am expecting (I am even more tired and short of breath and barely eat a meal a day now) Come Chemo time, I am going to draw all kinds of different eyebrows on.

I may even let my 12 yr old daughter do it.

Will I be "unibrow?" "Angry eyes" "surpised" or "The rock?"

I may even go to work like that. Let them try to keep a straight face when they look at me. I will have to try and work....honestly, if I sit at home and just think about things I will go nuts.

xoxxo Donna

Donna,
I'm with you! You
Donna,

I'm with you! You should check out my Facebook page. I had a "Mohawk for a Minute" party about 10 days after my first chemo! We had wine, chocolate and lots of laughter as we played with my hair and shaved it all off! Leesa Green on Facebook--my profile pic is my husband and me kissing:)

Leesa

TraumaMamma

leesag said:

Donna,
I'm with you! You
Donna,

I'm with you! You should check out my Facebook page. I had a "Mohawk for a Minute" party about 10 days after my first chemo! We had wine, chocolate and lots of laughter as we played with my hair and shaved it all off! Leesa Green on Facebook--my profile pic is my husband and me kissing:)

Leesa

I don't see it!!!
Look for
I don't see it!!!

Look for Donna Dorn Chopcinski. There can be only one!

leesag

TraumaMamma said:

I don't see it!!!
Look for
I don't see it!!!

Look for Donna Dorn Chopcinski. There can be only one!

I think I found you as Donna
I think I found you as Donna Dorn, if it's not you, try my email: riana@comcast.net

msfanciful

Hi,
First I would suggest
Hi,

First I would suggest that you have a gynecological oncologist to exam you.

The swelling abdomen, back pain are very strong and possible indicators of ovarian cancer.

I am not trying to frighten you, but looking back I wish I had taken a more proactive approach to all of the symptoms you address.

Because now for me hind-sight is definitely 20-20 and that more likely than not, I will be battling stage 4 ovca for the rest of my life.

Listen to your body and your sixth sense along with information regarding your symptoms.

Sharon

TraumaMamma

msfanciful said:

Hi,
First I would suggest
Hi,

First I would suggest that you have a gynecological oncologist to exam you.

The swelling abdomen, back pain are very strong and possible indicators of ovarian cancer.

I am not trying to frighten you, but looking back I wish I had taken a more proactive approach to all of the symptoms you address.

Because now for me hind-sight is definitely 20-20 and that more likely than not, I will be battling stage 4 ovca for the rest of my life.

Listen to your body and your sixth sense along with information regarding your symptoms.

Sharon

My understanding is
That the cyst is going to be removed and sent out, Possibly the ovary as well. I saw him this week, it was schedule this fast and I took the time off work that fast. Appt on Wed, Pre admission testing Friday and Surgery Monday. It all happened very fast and because I wanted it to.

I have already used every bit of my vacation left to have this surgery done this week.

Mentally, I just don't think I can cancel my surgery at this point right now. I have been crying non stop since Wednesday and my husband and I have been very nervous.

groundeffect

Laporascopy
Hi,

First of all, I have to say good luck with your surgery on Monday! My husband's aunt (in her 70's) had her ovaries removed laporascopically a couple of years ago, and she left the day after her surgery for a car trip to North Carolina (from Pittsburgh), so I figure it can't be too bad to have that done.

Two of my support group friends are currently seeing a gyn/onc at the Cleveland Clinic, and they're both seeming to do very well with their care there.

I'll look you up on facebook - maybe you'll join the group "I've peed in Lake Erie", too!

nancy591

laproscopic surgery
Hi,

I think that just the fact there is nothing obvious after two ct scans and u/s is on your side. Also, they are doing laproscopic surgery, not exploratory laparotomy. They must feel confident there isn't much involved. Have you ever had a ca125 prior to this one? Are both ovaries involved?

I was misdiagnosed with IBS for about 4 months. My initial symptoms started with severe constipation. I went to a GI doctor, not my GYN. Finally, after progressing to a partial bowel obstruction, a CT was done which sealed my fate.

Hold on to hope. If it is ovca, maybe you will be at an earlier stage. Good luck with your RN studies. I am an RN too.

TraumaMamma

nancy591 said:

laproscopic surgery
Hi,

I think that just the fact there is nothing obvious after two ct scans and u/s is on your side. Also, they are doing laproscopic surgery, not exploratory laparotomy. They must feel confident there isn't much involved. Have you ever had a ca125 prior to this one? Are both ovaries involved?

I was misdiagnosed with IBS for about 4 months. My initial symptoms started with severe constipation. I went to a GI doctor, not my GYN. Finally, after progressing to a partial bowel obstruction, a CT was done which sealed my fate.

Hold on to hope. If it is ovca, maybe you will be at an earlier stage. Good luck with your RN studies. I am an RN too.

The right ovary is normal
The right ovary is normal in size and echotexture. It measures 2.1 x 1.7 x 1.1.

The left ovary measures 4.7 x 4.9 x 2.8. A complex cyst cyst of the left ovary measuring 2.7 x 2.9 2.5 is seen. The appearance of a hemmoragic cyst but it could also represent an infected cyst. A complex appearing cystic mass adjacent to the left ovarian the left adnexal region is also noted wth measure 4.9 x 4.7 x 4.7.

Moderate free fluid within the pelvis and left adnexa region is seen. A complex cyst in the left adnexal region is seen with may relfect a hemmoragic cyst or infected cyst. Adjacent to this a complex appearing solid cystic mass and somewhat thickened and irregular wall and is most supsicious for a possible abcess. This corresponds with a CT scan of 2.-24 (which came back negative for diverticulis.....my colonoscopy came back clean)

As my colonscopy came back clean inside, the stuff is on the outside.

I am also prepped for a laparotomy if need be. I am on clear liquids today and start the go lytely tommorrow.

I did get constipated on occasion, which is HIGHLY unusual for me. I eat lots of fiber and salads and no refined stuff. I eat a diabetic diet, pretty much. No sugars and whole grains, etc. So when I got what I thought was constipation (when before I seemed to have IBS my whole life and was forever on the commode until I cleaned my diet up and that is what gave me normal bowel movements) I bought laxatives for the first time in my life.

Susan523

TraumaMamma said:

The right ovary is normal
The right ovary is normal in size and echotexture. It measures 2.1 x 1.7 x 1.1.

The left ovary measures 4.7 x 4.9 x 2.8. A complex cyst cyst of the left ovary measuring 2.7 x 2.9 2.5 is seen. The appearance of a hemmoragic cyst but it could also represent an infected cyst. A complex appearing cystic mass adjacent to the left ovarian the left adnexal region is also noted wth measure 4.9 x 4.7 x 4.7.

Moderate free fluid within the pelvis and left adnexa region is seen. A complex cyst in the left adnexal region is seen with may relfect a hemmoragic cyst or infected cyst. Adjacent to this a complex appearing solid cystic mass and somewhat thickened and irregular wall and is most supsicious for a possible abcess. This corresponds with a CT scan of 2.-24 (which came back negative for diverticulis.....my colonoscopy came back clean)

As my colonscopy came back clean inside, the stuff is on the outside.

I am also prepped for a laparotomy if need be. I am on clear liquids today and start the go lytely tommorrow.

I did get constipated on occasion, which is HIGHLY unusual for me. I eat lots of fiber and salads and no refined stuff. I eat a diabetic diet, pretty much. No sugars and whole grains, etc. So when I got what I thought was constipation (when before I seemed to have IBS my whole life and was forever on the commode until I cleaned my diet up and that is what gave me normal bowel movements) I bought laxatives for the first time in my life.

Good luck tomorrow~
Just want to tell you I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.

Be sure to let us know how you're doing whenever you can~

Sending prayers, too xoxo

TraumaMamma

Susan523 said:

Good luck tomorrow~
Just want to tell you I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.

Be sure to let us know how you're doing whenever you can~

Sending prayers, too xoxo

Thank you!
Got the Go Lytely down, now just waiting for my insides to quiet before I try and go to sleep.

I may have hubby post for me if I am stuck in there for a few days. I doubt I am going to come home tommorrow, to be honest.

Right now, I am battling the pre-surgery jitters!!

xoxox Donna

TraumaMamma

Susan523 said:

Good luck tomorrow~
Just want to tell you I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.

Be sure to let us know how you're doing whenever you can~

Sending prayers, too xoxo

Thank you!
Yikes, double post!

leesag

TraumaMamma said:

Thank you!
Got the Go Lytely down, now just waiting for my insides to quiet before I try and go to sleep.

I may have hubby post for me if I am stuck in there for a few days. I doubt I am going to come home tommorrow, to be honest.

Right now, I am battling the pre-surgery jitters!!

xoxox Donna

Hi Donna,
Just wanted to let
Hi Donna,

Just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers today!

HUGS

Leesa