The Cancer Survivors Network (CSN) is a peer support community for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and friends! CSN is a safe place to connect with others who share your interests and experiences.

Thank you for being a part of the Cancer Survivor Network community. Survivors and caregivers like you have played a unique role in fostering an online environment that encourages connection among those needing support, community, and education. On May 28, the Network will be discontinued. More details are available here . If you have any questions, contact CSNSupportTeam@cancer.org. Thanks again for the support you’ve provided each other over the years. We remain committed to supporting you in other ways throughout your cancer journey.

Wandering mind!!

TracieK
TracieK CSN Member Posts: 45
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi everyone,
It has been a while since I have posted on this board. It will be 4 years since my stage 3B diagnosis on January 7th, 2012. I just had a stay in the hospital with some abdominal pain and of course they did a CT. I ended up with pancreatitis. My Ca-125 was 11, but the CT showed two soft tissue "nodules" in my pelvis, and some "hypodense lesions" in both kidneys. Needless to say, I am having a hard time not letting my mind get the better of me. I know this is the place to come for encouraging words, and I thank you in advance!!

Many prayers for all of you,
Tracie
Like Care

Comments

  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 CSN Member Posts: 1,383 Member
    #2
    Of Course
    Your mind is taking you to the worst possible scenerio. That seems to be human nature. If your CA-125 has been a good indicator for you in the past, the fact that it is only 11, with active pancreatitis, should be a good sign. Such a condition would likely raise your CA-125. Has your doctor given you any insight as to what s/he thinks is going on?

    In the meantime, try not to dwell on the CT scan results.
    Like Care
  • carolenk
    carolenk CSN Member Posts: 907 Member
    #3
    Tethys41 said:

    Of Course
    Your mind is taking you to the worst possible scenerio. That seems to be human nature. If your CA-125 has been a good indicator for you in the past, the fact that it is only 11, with active pancreatitis, should be a good sign. Such a condition would likely raise your CA-125. Has your doctor given you any insight as to what s/he thinks is going on?

    In the meantime, try not to dwell on the CT scan results.

    PET/CT scan needed
    You aren't going to know what going on until you get a PET/CT scan...I don't know why you are supposed to sit on these results without going to the next level which would tell you whether the nodules/lesions are cancer or not. You can be sure if you were the doctor's wife, you would be getting that PET/CT ASAP. I would be on the phone asking when the PET/CT scan was scheduled.

    Sorry, if I sound irritated but it really bothers me that so many survivors are treated like you are--and it is all about whether or not the insurance company wants to pay for the test...UGH!
    Like Care
  • TracieK
    TracieK CSN Member Posts: 45
    #4
    Thursday is the day!!
    I will be seeing the gyne-onc on Thursday. She has already said biopsies are necessary since the "nodules" are seen on CT. I will be taking my reports and CT disc with me to the visit. Saturday the 7th will be 4 years since diagnosis of stage 3B ovca. And I made it through all 6 rounds of peritoneal chemo, after surgery. I will be celebrating that for sure. I know a positive attitude is the most important part of this journey. Sometimes the focus just gets a bit muddled.
    Thanks for the responses!

    Prayers,
    Tracie
    Like Care
  • LaundryQueen
    LaundryQueen CSN Member Posts: 676
    #5
    TracieK said:

    Thursday is the day!!
    I will be seeing the gyne-onc on Thursday. She has already said biopsies are necessary since the "nodules" are seen on CT. I will be taking my reports and CT disc with me to the visit. Saturday the 7th will be 4 years since diagnosis of stage 3B ovca. And I made it through all 6 rounds of peritoneal chemo, after surgery. I will be celebrating that for sure. I know a positive attitude is the most important part of this journey. Sometimes the focus just gets a bit muddled.
    Thanks for the responses!

    Prayers,
    Tracie

    Tracie: it sounds like you
    Tracie: it sounds like you are a good candidate for "second look surgery" since you has a long remission (well, long by ovarian cancer standards).

    Why do a biopsy instead of a PET scan? Is it because of the pancreatitis? I would want a PET scan then surgery to remove the nodules if they were malignant--which I pray are not.

    Please keep us updated on your story.
    Like Care

Discussion Boards