Hysterectomy

I have tons of scar tissue and a soft tissue mass which could just be scar tissue.   I've had it for many years and it started to grow some last year.   I did have part of it biopsied and it just came up as connective tissue so they will not remove it as it would be a very major surgery.    in 2009 I did have a smaller scar tissue (that one tested positive) removed.  When they removed it, it tested negative.   I haven't had any type of treatment just a "wait and see" approach with scans a couple times a year.    Since last year, I have been getting PET scans.

I only had mine removed as it was causing me pain.   My current scar tissue caused a blockage to my kidney which I am now required to have a stent to protect that kidney.    My hsterectomy was in 2005.

Hope this helps.

Kathy

moorer6379 said:

Hysterectomy

Thanks Kathy, my scar tissue doesn't hurt, sometimes I feel out of breath and have heart burn not sure if the scar tissue is making this happen are not. Just look like I could be pregant at 62, I'm having to buy bigger cloths cause my belly is getting so big.

I would definitely call your physician.   Being out of breath and the increase in your belly could mean you are retaining fluid.  Just to be sure, discuss with your doctor.  

My best to you.

Kathy

Kaleena said:

I have tons of scar tissue

I have tons of scar tissue and a soft tissue mass which could just be scar tissue.   I've had it for many years and it started to grow some last year.   I did have part of it biopsied and it just came up as connective tissue so they will not remove it as it would be a very major surgery.    in 2009 I did have a smaller scar tissue (that one tested positive) removed.  When they removed it, it tested negative.   I haven't had any type of treatment just a "wait and see" approach with scans a couple times a year.    Since last year, I have been getting PET scans.

I only had mine removed as it was causing me pain.   My current scar tissue caused a blockage to my kidney which I am now required to have a stent to protect that kidney.    My hsterectomy was in 2005.

Hope this helps.

 

Kathy

Hi there I have stage 2 ovarian an the mass is massive and I have much scar tissue from prior procedures over the years and they say that this major surgery isn't going to go well due to having so much scar tissue. Infact they had to tear me just to biopsy and I vomited an screamed an was very sick after. I had ovarian and cervical years ago and was allergic to radiation but did chemo and now 9 years after remission my cancer is back and it is now the size of a large soup bowl on my left ovary applying much pressure to the kidneys, etc. I already know I do not heal well from past experience and have always torn or hemeroged or had to redo the surgery or extend my off time. Is there any adive from anyone on the best way to recuperate after surgery or things that can help scar tissue heal? Any plastic surgeons or those who have some tricks besides rest. Perhaps the better positions to lay or foods that can help? I am so scared this time. They explained that I may have complications in just removing the cancerous mass due to my scar tissue and I may have acute chronic pain for life but the surgery is more than neccessary to saving me. I am convinced that chemo and stress the first time kept my cells dormant while with a weakened immune system. My doing chemo is why the cancer came back so I am conflicted in even doing chemo this time around. Depending upon the surgery will depend upon my requiring chemo so hopefully this time I won't have to have it. The cancer is currently stopped spreading so it's all in how fast I get my call from the hospital. Last 2 years I suffered emensely and the 6 month blood work I had done missed it so they believe I've had it back for some time. I really wish remission meant the cancer is gone but it isn't it's just contained and dormant. I always knew inside that it would return nut was hopeful and prayed it would stay at bay but 5 months ago it was confirmed and my worst nightmare is a reality. I suffer enough with all the issues that chemo brought me years ago that I still contend with and I am so torn on the whole idea of doing it again. Any thoughts on either?

Defying Disaster said:

Are you seeing a Board Certified Gynecologic Oncologist?

Hi Teddybear,

I am so sorry to hear your story. I am an RN. My mother died of pertitoneal cancer and my sister has ovarian cancer. I have extensively researched the disease and treatment options. I worked in community hospitals and medical centers for decades and I can tell you that quality of care varies greatly between hospitals and also between doctors.

There is no question that ovarian cancer patients fare better if they are treated by a gynecologic oncologist rather than an oncologist or a gynecologist. Also, some hospitals or treatment centers are for-profit. Care tends to be much better in non-profit centers. So first of all, be sure that your doctor is a gynecologic oncologist and your treatment center is non-profit. Universtiy affiliated hospitals tend to offer much better care than community hospitals.

It is unusual to have a surgical wound tear open after surgery. Hemorrhaging after surgery is also unusual. Please, this time around be sure you have a skilled gynecologic oncologist perform the surgery and be sure you are cared for at a non-profit university affiliated hospital if at all possible.

As for your 6 month blood work missing the tumor, usually CA-125 levels are considered along with symptoms. If you had symptom at the time, CA-125 levels could have been done more frequently to be sure.

I hope you will look at other options for care. Best of luck to you.

 

 

 

 

Hi Defying Disaster. Thank you for your response. Your absolutely rt, the place and type of doctor has definately been and can determine how things will go. If I wouldn't have moved to Grande Prairie and stayed close to Edm I would have already had the surgery done. My specialist is a gynegologist and will have a oncologist specialist assist in the surgery. I had been going to emerge knowing something was wrong for 2 yrs. They would take and xray and then send me home. I would demand and ultrasound and would not recieve one. Finally I had one man whom listened to me and once that happened a rushed CT and panic and action finally took place. It spread quickly once they found it. From fist size to a large soup bowl now. Many of the doctors and surgeons sent to work out here moved to RedDeer so this small city is in huge need for physicians of all types. If we were psychic we would have had my referral in Edm or Calgary and I would have already been in the operating room.

2 yrs ago the CA-125 showed them something so they brought me back in for more blood work and then with a sigh of relief they cleared me and it was a false alarm. I have always had to contend with massive cysts palips n fibriods so I was hopful that was all it was. My silly oil field schedule out here had me miss my last CA-125 bloodwork so not being able to do the 5 hr drive and get in certainly did not help matters. The fatigue, acute pelvic and back pain told me otherwise so I kept pushing out here to be taken seriously.

I do a very intense physical demanding job so returning to that type of work rt after most of my major procedures is why I have torn and suffered on a few occassions so being able to afford the proper healing time off has always been a tough go. They are going to try and save the ovaries during the procedure so that I do not have to recieve hormone replacement but have explained that I have so much scar tissue that the procedure will be difficult as is an many complications are at a higher percentage.

Rt now currently the mass is applying so much pressure to the large intestine, bowels and bladder that now my ability to flush waste and bacteria has been affected so eating, breaking down medication, kidney function and infections along with hives, axiety and insomnia are the current result and I have ballooned and puffed up and am suffering. I've simply waited a bit too long for the surgery and now I am doing my best to still be able to be a surgical candidate so I am trying flush, detox, an fight kidney and bladder infections while my organs are saying no go to working properly. They wanted to get me in 6 months ago for surgery but the waiting periods out here for this hospital are very behind and backed up. I am trying to be patient. At the beginning of all of this everyone was happy as it looked like they could go in and remove it and not have to send me for any chemo this go around. It spread and the last set of tests and biopsies showed that the spread had stopped so they are still hopeful that when I get the call and newer recent tests are done that it is still the case. I really want the option this time vs having to weaken myself further and loose all my hair again. May sound slefish but I don't want my customers to know I'm sick. I run a small business and everythings in bubblegum pink and I match the GST of every invoice to donate to the Breast Cancer Society to disperse funds in helping others since being a survivor so I don't want my customers to worry about me. As far as they all know, I am still in remission. I know it's just hair but it's a visual thing and I am called to do work for the amazing feel good factor clients get in helping donate to help find a cure and help others and when clients see that ur sick, they feel awkward and feel guilty that ur working under the weather so they will hire a different contractor. Cancer is a topic that scares others if they don't know much about it and generaly ppl are scared of what they don't know. It's human nature.

I am just hoping that without a gallbladder and a stomach that doesn't have proper acids and enzymes and bacteria cultures to breaking down much that I find some foods that will help and keep my energy up. Warm water and honey has been a blessing and absorbs easiliest in the tummy so that I have some sugar energy and can try a small meal every few days now after having to fast for a week so I am happy to report that the left kidney is doing a bit better. Thank you soo much again for the advice. It's very appreciated.