cysts on my liver

Megan M said:

Good luck today Marianne! 

Good luck today Marianne!  Praying for good news!

Hugs, Megan

Marianne, be sure and post when you get back! 

Kristin N said:

You're in my thoughts today

You're in my thoughts today Marianne!

Wishing you good results!

SIROD said:

Seek Out A Second Opinion Oncologist

Perhaps have your PCP do the ordering of MRI, PET scans for the bones and Ct scan for the cysts.  Ultra sound work good on cyst too.   If it is a cyst the sound will go through and if it isn't it won't.  

This way you can have your PCP find you and oncologist for a second opinion.  Since you don't have a lot of trust in your present one, you should find another one or at least see how you might go better with another oncologist.  My PCP found  the oncollogist I have now and have been with her for 13 years.  The other one had 3 strikes against him:  he forgot to order raditation at my initial diagnose and admitted it.  2), couldn't think why I was bleeding (Tamoxifen and thickening endometrium lining) and kept ordering endometrial biopsy though they were all negative.    I kept bleeding (turns out all I needed was a D&C but the cells were changing by the time I located a proper gynecologist).  3)  Ignored the pain I was having which were lesions in the ribs.  Was I ever upset with him.  Don't wait like I did, find a new oncologist that you can see eye to eye on serious issues.

Sending positive thoughts your way,

Doris

Thought there might be a new update.  Marianne?  Where are you and how are you?  Test results?

Jan

Mariannemm said:

Not much of an update

When I saw my rad dr she was really sick, so it was a half hearted appt.  I was disappointed!  So I went and saw my onc this last week.  He told me that they can't tell if the cycts are cancerous or not.  But when he feels my liver it feels normal.  The next step would be to have an ultra-sound, which sounds simple and I said then can we do one.  He doesn't fell I need one, he thinks all is okay.  So I need to decide if I am "okay" with his decision.  I have obtained all my scans both films and written reports.  I have begun resreaching a new onc in a larger city then were I live.  There is only one clinic in my town to go to for onc.  I am going to make sure I pick a dr who will be aggressive and will listen to me.  I have spoken to a few people in the medical world that I know really well and they all say it is time for me to switch.  Why is it so hard to do?  I have made these steps, I have narrowed done the doctors and now I need to make a plan!  Thank you all for your thoughts, I will keep you posted on what I will do next.  All my best, Marianne

Marianne,

For my 2 cents worth.   I would go with your new plan to settle on a new oncologist or even a 2nd opinion is worth seeing another.   I would rather know if the cysts are cysts or if they are tumors.  You don't want to be sorry later but wishing you did.  

One thing about an ultra sound, though it is good to discover if sound travels through a spot, and it does if it is a cysts.  What if the rib bone is blocking the area which might be a consideration of doing or asking for a ct scan instead.

While we have a certain rapport with our doctors, after we leave they go to the next patient.  The person who has the most invested and most interest in your situation is YOU.

Wishing you well,

Doris

Mariannemm said:

Not much of an update

When I saw my rad dr she was really sick, so it was a half hearted appt.  I was disappointed!  So I went and saw my onc this last week.  He told me that they can't tell if the cycts are cancerous or not.  But when he feels my liver it feels normal.  The next step would be to have an ultra-sound, which sounds simple and I said then can we do one.  He doesn't fell I need one, he thinks all is okay.  So I need to decide if I am "okay" with his decision.  I have obtained all my scans both films and written reports.  I have begun resreaching a new onc in a larger city then were I live.  There is only one clinic in my town to go to for onc.  I am going to make sure I pick a dr who will be aggressive and will listen to me.  I have spoken to a few people in the medical world that I know really well and they all say it is time for me to switch.  Why is it so hard to do?  I have made these steps, I have narrowed done the doctors and now I need to make a plan!  Thank you all for your thoughts, I will keep you posted on what I will do next.  All my best, Marianne

It's always hard to change doctors Marianne as we just settle in with the one that we have and are used to them.  I guess it brings us some comfort or safety knowing we've been treated by them for awhile.  Something or someone new is always scary.

I hope you do get a new onco and get the ultrasound. 

Big hugs,

Debby

Double Whammy said:

I tend to agree with Cathy about undue anxiety

Because (drumroll), I've put myself through it many many times and probably will continue to do so.  I'm currently obsessing about "several areas of enhancement" on my December MRI.  The bottom line was no evidence of malignant disease, but gee whiz, they mentioned something else . . . My current philosophy (today) is if the cancer comes back, it will, and whether it is treated today or next month probably isn't going to make a hill of difference unless it's something really really impressive and that would be obvious.  But wait - remember I had 2 cancers so I have twice as many follow-ups as most so things like my nodes are checked more often and I'm asked similar questions by everyone.  I know it's awful to feel your concerns have been dismissed, but your oncologist probably truly believes they're just cysts.

Having said all that, we each know our bodies best and each have established a comfort level with our health care team.  If you're uncomfortable with the feedback you've received, by all means follow up with someone else.   Many of us (me included) had no symptoms of breast cancer (i.e., palpable lump) but we still had it.  "They" watched a small mass in my beast for several years - and then it changed.  You've grown another "cyst" in your liver, so this is a change, and that would be what concerned me - the change.  

I hope you can put your mind at ease about this and get that second opinion or switch oncs.  While I feel my oncs have very intact egos, I don't think they would take the least bit of offense to me either getting a second opinion or switching.  Good luck and let us know.

Suzanne

I hope you get a 2nd opinion too.  I don't think any doctor would mind that you would do that, and if they do, too bad.  You need to find out what's going on.

Good luck, Rose

jnl said:

Marianne, did  you see your

Marianne, did  you see your PCP yet?  What did they say? 

Leeza

Looking to see if you've posted anything new inre to seeing your doctor or seeking a 2nd opinion.  Wishing you the best!

Lex