Help!!!

awright3

I just need some advice. I am 43yo, my mother had ovarian cancer while she was pregnant with me and died at the age of 30. I was born healthy just premature. I am having symptoms of ovarian cancer for the last 2-3mos: pelVic pain, vaginal discharge (brown, bloody and at times clear), abdominal bloating, feeling full quickly, leg pain, urinary urgency etc. I do have a IUD so I do not have a period. I went to the dr today and he said that everything felt fine on exam but I need a pelvic ultrasound. He did a urine and said I had blood in it, so he sent it for culture. Maybe I am just a worrier, but I am in desperate need of guidance. The GYN was no help! 

anicca

What tests?

Did your doctor draw blood for a CA-125 test?  That is not definitive, but can be useful in pointing to the need for further testing.  Ultrasound is not a good diagnostic tool for ovarian cancer.  I had two doctors do ultrasounds and tell me I had degenerating fibroids.  One tech even said she could not see the right ovary because of the big fibroid in front of it.  Talk about morons!  That was the tumor.  Find yourself a gynecologic-oncologist at a major cancer center.  Most will not see you until diagnosed, but since you have good reason to suspect ovarian cancer, you might be seen by an alert doctor (you don't want any other kind!)  Call the office and ask if you can send your particulars.  Prepare a cover letter, which should include your family history of cancer and your symptoms in detail.  Enclose any medical records that are relevant.  If you can fax or email it will be faster, or even deliver the docs yourself.  It was just such a doctor who saved my life.

mopar

ANICCA GAVE GOOD ADVICE

I would also consider the IUD as part of the problem.  My daugther's was a huge problem and had to be removed.  Just a thought.

Endometriosis can also cause many of the symptoms you mentioned.  But covering all the bases  is important - that's why a gynecologic oncologist would be most beneficial at this point.  

My thoughts and prayers are with you.  It's easy to let your mind wander.  And, given the famly history (and I'm very sorry to hear of the tragic circumstances regarding your mother), it's better to err on the side of caution.  Please keep us informed.

Monika

 

NoTimeForCancer

awright3, these ladies ROCK!

awright3, these ladies ROCK!  

All of us get told, "with your history" but seriously - WITH YOUR HISTORY!  You are right to be concerned about your health and push.  How sad that you would have to do that but not all doctors care.  How sad is that.

myljon3@yahoo.com

PPC

Hi everyone,  I was dagnosed last year August 2014 with ppc.  I was told for months by GP that I was just "clinically depressed".  He did not run any test except a heart cath even after I kept telling him my mom died of cancer and I wasn't depressed, I was sick.  Well, anyway, finally got the correct diagnoses from my gastroenterologist.  My CA125 was at 3,975 by that time.

I went to M. D. Anderson in Houston, Texas.  Returned home with protocol for Atlanta to give me 9 weeks of chemo...Carboplatin and Taxol.  Then, returned to Houston and had surger on De.9th.  Then, came home for another 9 weeks of same chemo.  Had great results.  CA125 went down to 8.0 and stayed there for 10 months.  Just found out today that it is now at 32. So, here we go again.  Waiting now for a call back from Houston to decide how to proceed from here.  Have read most of your posts on your conditions.  Would like to know how long each of you have lived with this disease.  Mine was called "High Grade Carcinoma" and had spread to appendix, omentum (main tumor there) and other places but seemed to respond well to first chemo. Just trying to decide if it is useless to continue at this point.  I am gong to be 66yrs. old this month.  Would appreciate feedback as to the length of your disease.

Thanks, Mary

 

kimberly sue 63

myljon3@yahoo.com said:

PPC

Hi everyone,  I was dagnosed last year August 2014 with ppc.  I was told for months by GP that I was just "clinically depressed".  He did not run any test except a heart cath even after I kept telling him my mom died of cancer and I wasn't depressed, I was sick.  Well, anyway, finally got the correct diagnoses from my gastroenterologist.  My CA125 was at 3,975 by that time.

I went to M. D. Anderson in Houston, Texas.  Returned home with protocol for Atlanta to give me 9 weeks of chemo...Carboplatin and Taxol.  Then, returned to Houston and had surger on De.9th.  Then, came home for another 9 weeks of same chemo.  Had great results.  CA125 went down to 8.0 and stayed there for 10 months.  Just found out today that it is now at 32. So, here we go again.  Waiting now for a call back from Houston to decide how to proceed from here.  Have read most of your posts on your conditions.  Would like to know how long each of you have lived with this disease.  Mine was called "High Grade Carcinoma" and had spread to appendix, omentum (main tumor there) and other places but seemed to respond well to first chemo. Just trying to decide if it is useless to continue at this point.  I am gong to be 66yrs. old this month.  Would appreciate feedback as to the length of your disease.

Thanks, Mary

 

I was dx at 48 high grade

I was dx at 48 high grade serous epithelia stage IIIc with an optimal debulking surgery.  I had taxol and carbo then remission 17 months. 1st recurrence...changed gyn/oncologist and had 2nd surgery but due to scar tissue optimal debulking was not possible. Did chemo carbo and gemzar, then 5 months after ending chemo I stared Lynparza. So now I am 14 months from last chemo and just starting to see Ca125 rising (41.6 today) Most likely returning cancer, I am also BRCA1.

Don't give up. There are new restmens around he corner. It is worth the fight. Kim