My mother died from ovarian cancer and I'm scared!

mom2jared
mom2jared Member Posts: 3
in Ovarian Cancer #1
My Gyno just called me with the results of my transvaginal ultrasound. Apparently I have an ovarian cyst that is less than half an inch. I'm 42 years old and never had any ovarian
cycts. I had fibroids, which were removed in 1996 through a myomectomy. Since then every year I have been having ultrasounds to make sure they do not grow back. I am on a birth control pill called Errin and I'm wondering if this caused the ovarian cyst or if I took the ultrasound mid-cycle. I had a feeling something wasn't right during the exam because the Tech said I had fluid in my Cervix and kept circling around a particular area.

I'm extremely worried because my mother died from Ovarian Cancer two years ago. Her's was the size of a golf ball and she had ascetites (fluid in her belly). She was 68 years old and after three rounds a chemo, she deteriorated. Five months from the day of diagnosis, I lost my mother. Now I'm petrified! I took the BRCA test and it was negative and also the CA125 test, which was also negative. The Doctor wants me to do some bloodwork and another ultrasound in six weeks. She said if I was any other patient she would leave the cyst alone, but because of my family history, she doesn't want to take any chances.

Do I have anything to be concerned about?

Thanks!

Comments

  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #2
    SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR DEAR MOTHER
    I completely understand your fears. Having something where it doesn't belong always raises concern, but doesn't mean it's a worst-case scenario.

    When you say your CA125 was negative, do you know what the level was? Have you ever had that test before? If not, this will now be your baseline number, by which future tests will be gauged. An upward climb indicates a 'need to be watched' situation; but ups and downs are not as worrisome for most.

    Is your doctor a gynecologic oncologist? If you decide to get a second opinion, that would be where I'd go. I'm glad your doctor will be following-up with you. Hopefully, another CA125 test so that she can note any changes. Do you have any other symptoms?

    We're here for you, and hope that you'll keep us up-to-date. Till then, sending prayers and hugs. Please don't worry too much.

    Monika
  • mom2jared
    mom2jared Member Posts: 3
    #3
    mopar said:

    SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR DEAR MOTHER
    I completely understand your fears. Having something where it doesn't belong always raises concern, but doesn't mean it's a worst-case scenario.

    When you say your CA125 was negative, do you know what the level was? Have you ever had that test before? If not, this will now be your baseline number, by which future tests will be gauged. An upward climb indicates a 'need to be watched' situation; but ups and downs are not as worrisome for most.

    Is your doctor a gynecologic oncologist? If you decide to get a second opinion, that would be where I'd go. I'm glad your doctor will be following-up with you. Hopefully, another CA125 test so that she can note any changes. Do you have any other symptoms?

    We're here for you, and hope that you'll keep us up-to-date. Till then, sending prayers and hugs. Please don't worry too much.

    Monika

    Thanks Monika!
    I don't recall what my last CA125 test was. My Gyno has that information. She wants me to do some bloodwork and she mentioned one test was the CA125. She said she wasn't overly concerned but due to my mother having Ovarian Cancer, she didn't want to take any chances. I haven't had any symptoms, but then again how would I know if they were actually symptoms. I'm a type two diabetic on insulin and I have had some stomach issues recently, but I didn't attribute this to having an ovarian cyst. I just thought it was due to what I was eating or side effects on some medications I am on. I have noticed that my last two periods were heavy and before that I didn't have my period for two months. However, I was told my bcp can do this. I don't feel any bloating or cramping.

    So I don't know what to think!

    Thanks!
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #4
    Don't let fear take over
    do the test and follow what your doctor wants but just because your mom had it does not mean you have it. My ovaries were the size of foot balls weighing five pounds each I also had the fluid in my stomach and lungs and I am still here. I found out June 4th 2011 that I was stage four the research is changing all the time they are coming up with new medication all the time. Don't let the fear take over it will only make things worst for your I am praying that all goes well and you do not have cancer but if you do I have made it so far that say alot for the medication they are useing now.

    much
    Love, Hugs, and Prayers
    Anne
  • peanutcat
    peanutcat Member Posts: 104
    #5
    Ultra sound
    mom2jared,
    I have a question. the ultra sound does it show the disease and did you drink the stuff to make you glow? Why I am asking is because my sons girlfriend was just diagnosed for the third time Ovarian Cancer and she is going for Ultra sound Thurs. She didn't know to much about it or she didn't want me to worry, but I am worried. She didn't sound to happy. thank you and good luck to you.
  • anicca
    anicca Member Posts: 334 Member
    #6
    peanutcat said:

    Ultra sound
    mom2jared,
    I have a question. the ultra sound does it show the disease and did you drink the stuff to make you glow? Why I am asking is because my sons girlfriend was just diagnosed for the third time Ovarian Cancer and she is going for Ultra sound Thurs. She didn't know to much about it or she didn't want me to worry, but I am worried. She didn't sound to happy. thank you and good luck to you.

    Ultrasound is not a good
    Ultrasound is not a good diagnostic tool for ovarian cancer. I'm surprised that someone who is already diagnosed would be having it. Ultrasound does not require any contrast medium (nothing to drink, no IV). Your son's girlfriend is probaby having a CT or PET scan, both of which commonly need contrast, and are much better at showing disease. (None of this makes you glow, it just makes the tumor tissue show up better on the scan image.)
  • peanutcat
    peanutcat Member Posts: 104
    #7
    anicca said:

    Ultrasound is not a good
    Ultrasound is not a good diagnostic tool for ovarian cancer. I'm surprised that someone who is already diagnosed would be having it. Ultrasound does not require any contrast medium (nothing to drink, no IV). Your son's girlfriend is probaby having a CT or PET scan, both of which commonly need contrast, and are much better at showing disease. (None of this makes you glow, it just makes the tumor tissue show up better on the scan image.)

    Ultrasound
    Thank you anicca. You gave me good information. She must be either hiding it or she wasn't listening. She promised she will tell me everything. Well I'll see Thusday what exactly she had.
  • peanutcat
    peanutcat Member Posts: 104
    #8
    anicca said:

    Ultrasound is not a good
    Ultrasound is not a good diagnostic tool for ovarian cancer. I'm surprised that someone who is already diagnosed would be having it. Ultrasound does not require any contrast medium (nothing to drink, no IV). Your son's girlfriend is probaby having a CT or PET scan, both of which commonly need contrast, and are much better at showing disease. (None of this makes you glow, it just makes the tumor tissue show up better on the scan image.)

    Ultrasound
    Thank you anicca. You gave me good information. She must be either hiding it or she wasn't listening. She promised she will tell me everything. Well I'll see Thusday what exactly she had.
  • peanutcat
    peanutcat Member Posts: 104
    #9
    anicca said:

    Ultrasound is not a good
    Ultrasound is not a good diagnostic tool for ovarian cancer. I'm surprised that someone who is already diagnosed would be having it. Ultrasound does not require any contrast medium (nothing to drink, no IV). Your son's girlfriend is probaby having a CT or PET scan, both of which commonly need contrast, and are much better at showing disease. (None of this makes you glow, it just makes the tumor tissue show up better on the scan image.)

    Ultrasound
    Thank you anicca. You gave me good information. She must be either hiding it or she wasn't listening. She promised she will tell me everything. Well I'll see Thusday what exactly she had.

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