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CrystalMichelle
CrystalMichelle Member Posts: 6
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello! I'm 31 years old, 7 years ago i was diagnosed with a brain tumor on my puitary gland and take medicine for that AND NOW I was just diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer on 02/20/2012. I was so shocked and angry. The obgyn called and told me on the phone, stating "he was shocked that I had this." I just collapsed into the floor. This Friday March 2 is my first oncology appointment and I don't know what to expect? Any info? The obgyn, has suggested a hysterectomy and I fully agree. I don't have kids, and this pains me, but my life is important. I have tons of nieces and nephews that I can love and adoptions is not off my list....so what happens now? How long do I wait for surgery ? Any info out there? I am the only one in my family that has had any of this. Thank you for your time...

Crystal

Comments

  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #2
    Sorry Crystal
    Sorry that you are going through this, Crystal. I'm not sure how your doctor knows it is ovarian cancer, that usually is determined during surgery or the subsequent pathology. First and foremost, you want a gyencological oncologist to do your surgery. You won't really know what stage you are until you have surgery. A gyn/onc has the know how your ob/gyn does not have when it comes to this surgery. In that your doctor thinks you are stage 1, then it appears to have been caught early. In that case, you are in a very good position. As far as waiting for surgery, your wait will depend on the surgeon's schedule, but it's not something that you want to put off.
  • whiterose
    whiterose Member Posts: 89
    #3
    Hi Crystal
    I'm sorry about your situation. But I don't know how your doctor could have staged your cancer without surgery. You should be seeing a gynecologist oncologist and he should do your surgery, if warranted.....Good luck to you and post back.....
  • CrystalMichelle
    CrystalMichelle Member Posts: 6
    #4
    Tethys41 said:

    Sorry Crystal
    Sorry that you are going through this, Crystal. I'm not sure how your doctor knows it is ovarian cancer, that usually is determined during surgery or the subsequent pathology. First and foremost, you want a gyencological oncologist to do your surgery. You won't really know what stage you are until you have surgery. A gyn/onc has the know how your ob/gyn does not have when it comes to this surgery. In that your doctor thinks you are stage 1, then it appears to have been caught early. In that case, you are in a very good position. As far as waiting for surgery, your wait will depend on the surgeon's schedule, but it's not something that you want to put off.

    My obgyn did a test that
    My obgyn did a test that came back saying ovarian cancer? All i know is what I was told on the phone... I don't plan on putting anything off. I have so much to live for and I am seeing the gynecological oncologist this friday.
  • CrystalMichelle
    CrystalMichelle Member Posts: 6
    #5
    whiterose said:

    Hi Crystal
    I'm sorry about your situation. But I don't know how your doctor could have staged your cancer without surgery. You should be seeing a gynecologist oncologist and he should do your surgery, if warranted.....Good luck to you and post back.....

    Thank you...The obgyn called
    Thank you...The obgyn called me on the phone, and after i heard ovarian cancer..I could barely take in anything else. I heard stage one..and I know i'm just waiting for friday to get a better understanding of whats going on. thank you!
  • CrystalMichelle
    CrystalMichelle Member Posts: 6
    #6
    whiterose said:

    Hi Crystal
    I'm sorry about your situation. But I don't know how your doctor could have staged your cancer without surgery. You should be seeing a gynecologist oncologist and he should do your surgery, if warranted.....Good luck to you and post back.....

    Thank you...The obgyn called
    Thank you...The obgyn called me on the phone, and after i heard ovarian cancer..I could barely take in anything else. I heard stage one..and I know i'm just waiting for friday to get a better understanding of whats going on. thank you!
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #7
    CrystalMichelle said:

    Thank you...The obgyn called
    Thank you...The obgyn called me on the phone, and after i heard ovarian cancer..I could barely take in anything else. I heard stage one..and I know i'm just waiting for friday to get a better understanding of whats going on. thank you!

    CA-125?
    Crystal,
    If the test he did was a blood test, it was probably a CA-125. This test can be elevated if ovarian cancer is present, but other things can elevate the number too. Have you had a CT scan?
  • CrystalMichelle
    CrystalMichelle Member Posts: 6
    #8
    Tethys41 said:

    CA-125?
    Crystal,
    If the test he did was a blood test, it was probably a CA-125. This test can be elevated if ovarian cancer is present, but other things can elevate the number too. Have you had a CT scan?

    Ive had an ultrasound
    Ive had an ultrasound down...on the outside, and on that goes inside. And then a pap smear and when that came back abnormal, my family doctor wanted a dnc done...but the obgyn said he would do a smaller version of it... He didn't take any blood or anything. When he called me on the phone, he said he "was shocked" that it came back positive for Ovarian cancer. I'm just so confused..because i was in shock after he told me, and i didn't pay much attention, and nobody was around. Nobody i know has been through this..no family members or friends. I thanks you in advance again.
  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #9
    CrystalMichelle said:

    Ive had an ultrasound
    Ive had an ultrasound down...on the outside, and on that goes inside. And then a pap smear and when that came back abnormal, my family doctor wanted a dnc done...but the obgyn said he would do a smaller version of it... He didn't take any blood or anything. When he called me on the phone, he said he "was shocked" that it came back positive for Ovarian cancer. I'm just so confused..because i was in shock after he told me, and i didn't pay much attention, and nobody was around. Nobody i know has been through this..no family members or friends. I thanks you in advance again.

    Dear Crystal
    I'm so sorry you are going through this. Please be sure to take a trusted family member or friend with you to your appointment on Friday. Have a list of questions written down beforehand and ask the other person to take notes. Right now, you are understandably in shock and probably won't hear everything the doctor says. Some of the questions you'll want to ask: how does he know you have ovarian cancer? Will they be performing other tests and what are those tests? What about a blood test to check my CA 125 marker? How soon will they begin treating this and will that be surgery? How soon will I get surgery? What about chemo? I'm sure you have other questions too.

    Please keep us posted!

    Kelly
  • Pattyn
    Pattyn Member Posts: 47
    #10
    lovesanimals said:

    Dear Crystal
    I'm so sorry you are going through this. Please be sure to take a trusted family member or friend with you to your appointment on Friday. Have a list of questions written down beforehand and ask the other person to take notes. Right now, you are understandably in shock and probably won't hear everything the doctor says. Some of the questions you'll want to ask: how does he know you have ovarian cancer? Will they be performing other tests and what are those tests? What about a blood test to check my CA 125 marker? How soon will they begin treating this and will that be surgery? How soon will I get surgery? What about chemo? I'm sure you have other questions too.

    Please keep us posted!

    Kelly

    Hi Crystal
    When my doctor found my tumor/mass on my ovary, she sent me to a gyn/onc the next day. He was very clear that the only way to know if it was cancer was to get it out and look at it under a microscope. mine eventually came back as crossing the line from boarderline to cancer....(after three labs looked at it.) Then my onc said we had to go back in to stage me. This was a surgery that was a hysterectomy and tested lymph nodes, fluid etc. So...I too am unsure how your doctor knows you have ovarian cancer and what stage it is. Try to remain calm until you know more. I just went through this all in the last two months so I know how scared this news can make you. Keep us all posted. Lots of strong women on this site that have good advice and compassion.
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #11
    Dear Crystal
    I'm so sorry that you're having to deal with all this. I had thyroid cancer when I was in my twenties and then OVCA appeared years later. Stage 1 can be very curable. Most OVCA patients are stage 3 or higher when diagnosed because this disease can have such subtle symptoms. I suggest that you take someone with you to the GYN ONC appt. It's normal to be in shock and it'll help to have a second set of ears. Write down any and all questions you might have ( like how long will recovery take ) and remember that no question is silly or hasn't been asked before. You might want to line up some friends or family to be around for a couple days when you get home from the hospital. We're right here for you every step of the way!
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #12
    CrystalMichelle said:

    Ive had an ultrasound
    Ive had an ultrasound down...on the outside, and on that goes inside. And then a pap smear and when that came back abnormal, my family doctor wanted a dnc done...but the obgyn said he would do a smaller version of it... He didn't take any blood or anything. When he called me on the phone, he said he "was shocked" that it came back positive for Ovarian cancer. I'm just so confused..because i was in shock after he told me, and i didn't pay much attention, and nobody was around. Nobody i know has been through this..no family members or friends. I thanks you in advance again.

    Diagnosis
    Crystal,
    I don't like the way your doctor is handling this at all. From the tests you've had done, there is no way he could know if you have ovarian cancer. So be prepared to ask a lot of questions and be open to getting a second opinion. If your doctor had said cervical cancer or uterine cancer, I'd be more inclined to believe him. This whole situation sounds odd to me. Most of all, don't let him talk you into letting him do surgery on you. If, in fact, there is reason to believe that you have ovarian cancer, you need a specialist (gynecological oncologist)to perform the surgery.
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #13
    Mwee said:

    Dear Crystal
    I'm so sorry that you're having to deal with all this. I had thyroid cancer when I was in my twenties and then OVCA appeared years later. Stage 1 can be very curable. Most OVCA patients are stage 3 or higher when diagnosed because this disease can have such subtle symptoms. I suggest that you take someone with you to the GYN ONC appt. It's normal to be in shock and it'll help to have a second set of ears. Write down any and all questions you might have ( like how long will recovery take ) and remember that no question is silly or hasn't been asked before. You might want to line up some friends or family to be around for a couple days when you get home from the hospital. We're right here for you every step of the way!
    (((HUGS))) Maria

    You need to see a
    You need to see a gynocological oncologist. ASAP. And that's the guy who should do your surgery. Studies show that women who are treated by gyno/onc specialists do much better, in the long term.

    Carlene
  • CrystalMichelle
    CrystalMichelle Member Posts: 6
    #14
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    You need to see a
    You need to see a gynocological oncologist. ASAP. And that's the guy who should do your surgery. Studies show that women who are treated by gyno/onc specialists do much better, in the long term.

    Carlene

    Well ladies, as far as my
    Well ladies, as far as my oncologist can see so far is its Uterine cancer? He said that doctor shouldn't have said Ovarian until he got in there and saw. So i will be having a hysterectomy and going from there. So i guess i need to go to another chat? away from the ovarian cancer one...thank you ladies so much for all your help.

    crystal
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #15
    CrystalMichelle said:

    Well ladies, as far as my
    Well ladies, as far as my oncologist can see so far is its Uterine cancer? He said that doctor shouldn't have said Ovarian until he got in there and saw. So i will be having a hysterectomy and going from there. So i guess i need to go to another chat? away from the ovarian cancer one...thank you ladies so much for all your help.

    crystal

    We'll be waiting to see
    how you're making out, so if you do, move please let us know how you are.
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #16
    Mwee said:

    We'll be waiting to see
    how you're making out, so if you do, move please let us know how you are.
    (((HUGS))) Maria

    Dear Crystal
    Please keep us posted. You're going through so much at such a young age and know that we're here to provide you with support anytime you need it.

    Take care,
    Kelly
  • jbeans888
    jbeans888 Member Posts: 313
    #17
    Crystal,
    I was dx at age 31
    Crystal,
    I was dx at age 31 as well with stage 3c. I agree you should get a f
    Gyno oncologist to do surgery. If you have any questions
    Message me
  • pattysoo
    pattysoo Member Posts: 170
    #18
    Gyn/onco
    Crystal, I can't tell if you are hearing what others are saying to you about getting the right physician on your team. Please, please be certain you are examined by a gynecological oncologist and if surgery is warranted, have it done by the gyn/oncol. as well. I know it's horrible to wait for a diagnosis, but you have time to get it checked out thoroughly and you should do so before any treatment begins. Insurance will pay for second opinions. If it is cancerous, studies show that surgery performed by a gynecological oncologist leads to a better outcome. Keep in touch.
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #19
    CrystalMichelle said:

    My obgyn did a test that
    My obgyn did a test that came back saying ovarian cancer? All i know is what I was told on the phone... I don't plan on putting anything off. I have so much to live for and I am seeing the gynecological oncologist this friday.

    so sorry
    I hate how the GYNs tell paitents they have ovarian cancer. I was in the hospital and a GYN came in and before he made it to my bedside he said "YOU HAVE OVARIAN CANCER I AM SENDING YOU TO ST. jOE'S FOR A HYSTORECTOMY TOMORROW" and then walked away. I called my mom and said through my tears (oh by the way I was alone when he came in)that I need her there. Then about 15 minutes later he came into the room and said "I know that was not easy to hear but I don't like tippy toeing around things". After my mom got there we did not do much talking I turned the T.V. on and just sat there. Around midnight a male nurse came in and said "so a lot to take in and you know it metastisized" he knew he crossed a line when he looked at my face and tried to back peddle and say that just means it moved pass where it started. To have your doctor call and over the phone say you have cancer is just so wrong I have see where others on this board were told the same way. What happen to having the paitent come into their office and talk to the face to face. It might take some time out of your doctors day but this is our lives they are talking about and it should out of respect to us this news changes our lives completly and we should not hear over the phone. sorry for running on and on I guess I am still bothered with how I was told.e

    Love, Hugs, and Prayers
    Anne
  • therevslittlegirl
    therevslittlegirl Member Posts: 29
    #20
    CrystalMichelle said:

    Well ladies, as far as my
    Well ladies, as far as my oncologist can see so far is its Uterine cancer? He said that doctor shouldn't have said Ovarian until he got in there and saw. So i will be having a hysterectomy and going from there. So i guess i need to go to another chat? away from the ovarian cancer one...thank you ladies so much for all your help.

    crystal

    Good Luck
    Hey Crystal, I am a survivor of both Ovarian and Uterine Cancer. Please take all the advice these lovely ladies are giving you. You want to be as informed as possible so you can make the decisions that are best for you. I was 30 when I was diagnosed and like you have no children so I know (well, most of us know) what you're going through. Keep your spirits up. We are all here for you!
    Rebekah

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