Pelvic Ultrasound

janh_in_ontario

I have had spotting every couple of months for the past 6 months. The Dr sent me for a pelvic ultrasound - which turned out to be an internal ultrasound. I have had these many times before - both in the US and in Canada (I am currently in Canada).
This time the technician did a bunch of pictures then went out to confer with the Doctor to see if he wanted more pictures. The Dr (Radiologist) then came in and drove himself and took more pictures.
That has never happened to me before.
Should I read anything into it? Has anyone have that happen?
My Dr has no idea why I am spotting and this ultrasound was really my insistence - he was just going to "see if it happens again" and would not accept that.
The Radiologist also kept asking me questions about my surgery, removal of ovaries, were they "clear" upon removal, etc. If he was looking inside - shouldn't he have seen no ovaries?
Kind of strange test and I am trying to keep my head on straight. But you know how it goes...
I appreciate any experiences - good or bad. At this point it can't be any worse than what my fears have been.
Thanks

Jan

jazzy1

Ultrasound
You were diagnosed in 2010 with uterine, correct? Did you have a total hysterectomy with ovaries out? I've no clue why the bleeding, but in my case if I have any symptoms like you're having, I must make a "b" line to my oncologists office for testing. Now that's not to say it's recurrence, but time to have further testing. I've heard of others having some spotting again as in your case and was discharge of some scar tissue due to radiation...could be in your case?

Prior to my "official" diagnosis of cancer, had a vaginal ultrasound which showed thickening of uterine wall, then to D&C and pathology which confirmed cancer. I don't really know what they see during the ultrasound procedure, but would assume see no ovaries and all the other parts gone. Sounds like they docs like to talk out loud prior to really have definitive results.

What are they doing next? What did they tell you after the ultrasound? Curious where you stand today.

Cancer will make our minds go to crazy places, so try and think positive that this is nothing....I know easier said then done.

Best to you,
Jan

janh_in_ontario

jazzy1 said:

Ultrasound
You were diagnosed in 2010 with uterine, correct? Did you have a total hysterectomy with ovaries out? I've no clue why the bleeding, but in my case if I have any symptoms like you're having, I must make a "b" line to my oncologists office for testing. Now that's not to say it's recurrence, but time to have further testing. I've heard of others having some spotting again as in your case and was discharge of some scar tissue due to radiation...could be in your case?

Prior to my "official" diagnosis of cancer, had a vaginal ultrasound which showed thickening of uterine wall, then to D&C and pathology which confirmed cancer. I don't really know what they see during the ultrasound procedure, but would assume see no ovaries and all the other parts gone. Sounds like they docs like to talk out loud prior to really have definitive results.

What are they doing next? What did they tell you after the ultrasound? Curious where you stand today.

Cancer will make our minds go to crazy places, so try and think positive that this is nothing....I know easier said then done.

Best to you,
Jan

Pelvic Ultrasound
I see the oncologist on Dec 14th. I have been seeing him since July and he has done "smears/swabs" and both came back negative. Supposedly ovaries were removed. I had no radiation or chemo - it was grade 2 but never given a stage. Based on what I have read and what the Dr said it sounds like it was 1B. There was no other treatment required.
I am just curious about the Dr coming in and doing the exam after the technician went out to consult with him. That has never happened to me before - and I have had at least 5 of them.
My Mom had ovarian cancer so I am starting to freak out a bit. I am trying to be positive and staying busy certainly helps - but those late nights of lying in bed are killers!
Thanks Jan,

Jan

daisy366

janh_in_ontario said:

Pelvic Ultrasound
I see the oncologist on Dec 14th. I have been seeing him since July and he has done "smears/swabs" and both came back negative. Supposedly ovaries were removed. I had no radiation or chemo - it was grade 2 but never given a stage. Based on what I have read and what the Dr said it sounds like it was 1B. There was no other treatment required.
I am just curious about the Dr coming in and doing the exam after the technician went out to consult with him. That has never happened to me before - and I have had at least 5 of them.
My Mom had ovarian cancer so I am starting to freak out a bit. I am trying to be positive and staying busy certainly helps - but those late nights of lying in bed are killers!
Thanks Jan,

Jan

Jan
My doc told me that I should contact him if I had any changes that last 2 weeks - change in frequency, intensity, pain, etc. - as these might signal recurrence. I was one who found the lump in my neck that signalled recurrence in lymph.

Good that you will see your doc soon. Hopefull he a gynecologic oncologist and will be checking your CA125 regularly.

Hang in there. Mary Ann

Double Whammy

daisy366 said:

Jan
My doc told me that I should contact him if I had any changes that last 2 weeks - change in frequency, intensity, pain, etc. - as these might signal recurrence. I was one who found the lump in my neck that signalled recurrence in lymph.

Good that you will see your doc soon. Hopefull he a gynecologic oncologist and will be checking your CA125 regularly.

Hang in there. Mary Ann

Dec 14
Is only 10 days from now, but there is nothing wrong with calling your gyn/onc's office to see if he has the results of your ultrasound yet and if any further testing should be done/ordered before you see him on the 14th. Perfectly ok to convey your worry about your experience.

What kind of uterine cancer did you have? I didn't know transvaginal ultrasounds were done after hysterectomies, but what do I know?

Good luck whether you wait until the 14th or not. Clinically, I doubt that the wait will make any difference, but emotionaly . . .

Suzanne

jazzy1

janh_in_ontario said:

Pelvic Ultrasound
I see the oncologist on Dec 14th. I have been seeing him since July and he has done "smears/swabs" and both came back negative. Supposedly ovaries were removed. I had no radiation or chemo - it was grade 2 but never given a stage. Based on what I have read and what the Dr said it sounds like it was 1B. There was no other treatment required.
I am just curious about the Dr coming in and doing the exam after the technician went out to consult with him. That has never happened to me before - and I have had at least 5 of them.
My Mom had ovarian cancer so I am starting to freak out a bit. I am trying to be positive and staying busy certainly helps - but those late nights of lying in bed are killers!
Thanks Jan,

Jan

Jan, You might want to get copies of all your pathology, surgery reports, etc. Sounds like some things you're not sure about, such as if ovaries were removed and or the stage of your cancer.

You pay for these with your insurance and they are required to give you them if asked. I always ask my oncologist for copies of all my blood work, CA125 numbers, etc. Have my file in office that keeps me updated on where I once was, and today.

If I were you, contact your docs office as Suzanne suggested for the results...why make yourself miserable by second guessing. I recently had a mammogram and usually get results (as they even told me after test) mailed from hospital in 4 days. After 2 weeks I got concerned and called my OB's office. They had to look it up on the computer as no one checked...good thing as I had to redo mine. Glad I did as it's now behind me and I'm not driving myself crazy with worry.

Good luck
Jan

janh_in_ontario

jazzy1 said:

Jan, You might want to get copies of all your pathology, surgery reports, etc. Sounds like some things you're not sure about, such as if ovaries were removed and or the stage of your cancer.

You pay for these with your insurance and they are required to give you them if asked. I always ask my oncologist for copies of all my blood work, CA125 numbers, etc. Have my file in office that keeps me updated on where I once was, and today.

If I were you, contact your docs office as Suzanne suggested for the results...why make yourself miserable by second guessing. I recently had a mammogram and usually get results (as they even told me after test) mailed from hospital in 4 days. After 2 weeks I got concerned and called my OB's office. They had to look it up on the computer as no one checked...good thing as I had to redo mine. Glad I did as it's now behind me and I'm not driving myself crazy with worry.

Good luck
Jan

Pelvic Ultrasound - Update
Well the Dr comes in to the room with a smile and says "everything is perfectly normal". That is good news! BUT there is obviously still something wrong - I have bled about 5 times since May. He says he took both ovaries - but I am not sure he really knows.
I am going to try to get an appointment with another gyno/onc - but in Canada that is probably going to be very difficult. They don't like to give second opinions - and getting a specialist is a feat - so getting two may prove impossible. But I am going to try!
In the meantime I am going to enjoy Christmas with my husband and son and put the "C word" out of my head.
Merry Christmas to everyone - may God bless all of us in the coming year!
Jan

carolenk

janh_in_ontario said:

Pelvic Ultrasound - Update
Well the Dr comes in to the room with a smile and says "everything is perfectly normal". That is good news! BUT there is obviously still something wrong - I have bled about 5 times since May. He says he took both ovaries - but I am not sure he really knows.
I am going to try to get an appointment with another gyno/onc - but in Canada that is probably going to be very difficult. They don't like to give second opinions - and getting a specialist is a feat - so getting two may prove impossible. But I am going to try!
In the meantime I am going to enjoy Christmas with my husband and son and put the "C word" out of my head.
Merry Christmas to everyone - may God bless all of us in the coming year!
Jan

I wouldn't be able to relax
I wouldn't be able to relax unless I had a clean PET/CT scan. I wonder if you were seeing a gyn/onc in the US, if you would be further tested. Of course, after cancer surgery, your insides never look "normal" and I am sure if your doctor said your ovaries are gone, they are gone.

I would ask for a copy of the ultrasound report at the very least. You deserve that much.

janh_in_ontario

carolenk said:

I wouldn't be able to relax
I wouldn't be able to relax unless I had a clean PET/CT scan. I wonder if you were seeing a gyn/onc in the US, if you would be further tested. Of course, after cancer surgery, your insides never look "normal" and I am sure if your doctor said your ovaries are gone, they are gone.

I would ask for a copy of the ultrasound report at the very least. You deserve that much.

You are right - I will never relax. I know getting a CT scan is difficult and PET scan is next to impossible I am not even sure how many PET scan machines are even in Canada. At one point there was only one!
I am going to insist on another doctor and see where that gets me.
Thanks
Jan