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Cathy-Dog Lvr
Cathy-Dog Lvr Member Posts: 11
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello, my name is Cathy and I am not sure I have cancer as of yet however surgery is urgent. My problem stems from my insurance issues and the decision of Who (what type) of doctor to preform the procedure. After being on a PPO for over 20 years I was moved to an HMO after an on duty police related injury left me disabled. My old PPO gyne says you need to see a Gyne-cancer surgeon whereas the HMO Gyne says he will handle himself and should it be cancer will call for assistance while I'm on the table. I am looking for opinions of how many of you ladies had their Gyne preform the 1st procedure. I have been told by both doctots they can't tell what he giant mass is. Any Thoughts???


Well all just changed...125 test came back elevated and Cancer-Gyne will be doing my procedure..Thanks

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  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #2
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    A Gyn/Oncologist specialist
    A Gyn/Oncologist specialist is vital. Statistics show that women treated by a Gyn/Onco fare better than those who are not.

    How high was your CA125?

    Most of us were diagnosed pre-surgery, usually via a trans-vaginal ultrasound and/or abdominal ultrasound. A few had a preliminary CT scan.

    Do you have a date yet for surgery?

    Carlene
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #3
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    Gyn/Onc
    Your chances for survival are much greater with a gyn/onc. doing the surgery. Absolutely!!! Insist on it.
    Saundra
  • catcan
    catcan Member Posts: 119
    #4
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    Gyn-Onc
    Hi Cathy nice to meet you. I also am with an HMO and my primary sent me to an out of network Gyn/Onc who is one of the best. I would push for it. Good Luck keep us posted

    Cat
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #5
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    Hi,
    I would highly recommend
    Hi,

    I would highly recommend gyn/oncologist because they know the specific signs to look
    for in the event of surgeries, etc.

    How high was your CA-125?

    Keep in touch and sorry we had to meet this way. But we are here for each other as well as you too.

    Sharon
  • Cathy-Dog Lvr
    Cathy-Dog Lvr Member Posts: 11
    #6
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    Thank you for all the
    Thank you for all the information. I was feeling the same as you all wrote and had scheduled more appointments with other Gyne. The doctor that I saw Saturday said surgery is needed sooner than not and that he would not attempt the surgery that he will refer this case to an oncologist. Ok that has me feeling like I will at least be getting the best surgeon should it be needed.

    The 1st Gyne I think was just a bit to assured of his abilities not not looking out for my best care.

    My CA-125 is 51, which from what I undestand very low and almost normal?
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #7
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    Cathy-Dog Lvr said:

    Thank you for all the
    Thank you for all the information. I was feeling the same as you all wrote and had scheduled more appointments with other Gyne. The doctor that I saw Saturday said surgery is needed sooner than not and that he would not attempt the surgery that he will refer this case to an oncologist. Ok that has me feeling like I will at least be getting the best surgeon should it be needed.

    The 1st Gyne I think was just a bit to assured of his abilities not not looking out for my best care.

    My CA-125 is 51, which from what I undestand very low and almost normal?

    Normal range of CA 125 is
    Normal range of CA 125 is 0-35, but for many women, it is not a good indicator of cancer activity.

    If I were you, I would have the surgery ASAP. It's the best way to determine what's going on in there, and the only way to stage your cancer, if indded you do have OVC. I'm a little surprised that your doctors are wanting to open you up without any preliminary tests, however.

    Carlene
  • Susan523
    Susan523 Member Posts: 231 Member
    #8
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    Cathy-Dog Lvr said:

    Thank you for all the
    Thank you for all the information. I was feeling the same as you all wrote and had scheduled more appointments with other Gyne. The doctor that I saw Saturday said surgery is needed sooner than not and that he would not attempt the surgery that he will refer this case to an oncologist. Ok that has me feeling like I will at least be getting the best surgeon should it be needed.

    The 1st Gyne I think was just a bit to assured of his abilities not not looking out for my best care.

    My CA-125 is 51, which from what I undestand very low and almost normal?

    Hello, Cathy
    I'm a dog-lover, too. Sorry to meet you here, but you have found the right place.

    Regarding your CA; ask your dr. or nurse or lab what test they are using.
    Some tests the "normal" range is 3.5-17.0, and some the 'normal' can be up to 35.

    When I was first diagnosed, mine was 280. (I'm stage 3c, diagnosed May '06)

    You are doing the right thing by having a Gyn/Onc.

    Let us know how things go. When is your surgery?

    Take care, and just come back if you have any questions. There are a lot of
    strong ladies here with some great advice.

    ~Susan
  • Cathy-Dog Lvr
    Cathy-Dog Lvr Member Posts: 11
    #9
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    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Normal range of CA 125 is
    Normal range of CA 125 is 0-35, but for many women, it is not a good indicator of cancer activity.

    If I were you, I would have the surgery ASAP. It's the best way to determine what's going on in there, and the only way to stage your cancer, if indded you do have OVC. I'm a little surprised that your doctors are wanting to open you up without any preliminary tests, however.

    Carlene

    New-Be
    I have had two ultra-sounds and one ct..and internal exams, anything I am missing?
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #10
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    Cathy-Dog Lvr said:

    New-Be
    I have had two ultra-sounds and one ct..and internal exams, anything I am missing?

    No, you aren't missing a
    No, you aren't missing a thing. Sorry I misunderstood. These are excellent diagnostic tools and most of us were diagnosed with OVCA via one or both of them, even before surgery.

    Carlene
  • Mawty
    Mawty Member Posts: 133
    #11
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    Susan523 said:

    Hello, Cathy
    I'm a dog-lover, too. Sorry to meet you here, but you have found the right place.

    Regarding your CA; ask your dr. or nurse or lab what test they are using.
    Some tests the "normal" range is 3.5-17.0, and some the 'normal' can be up to 35.

    When I was first diagnosed, mine was 280. (I'm stage 3c, diagnosed May '06)

    You are doing the right thing by having a Gyn/Onc.

    Let us know how things go. When is your surgery?

    Take care, and just come back if you have any questions. There are a lot of
    strong ladies here with some great advice.

    ~Susan

    Hi Cathy
    When I was diagnosed with 3C, my CA-125 was only 58. It's not a great marker for me. So, yes, you have a low number, but that just may be the way it will always be. When is your surgery? I pray that everything will go great and that you have a wonderful outcome. Sorry to meet you here, but like the other ladies said, you can find great encouragement here from everyone who is going through this cancer journey.

    Marty
  • Cathy-Dog Lvr
    Cathy-Dog Lvr Member Posts: 11
    #12
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    Mawty said:

    Hi Cathy
    When I was diagnosed with 3C, my CA-125 was only 58. It's not a great marker for me. So, yes, you have a low number, but that just may be the way it will always be. When is your surgery? I pray that everything will go great and that you have a wonderful outcome. Sorry to meet you here, but like the other ladies said, you can find great encouragement here from everyone who is going through this cancer journey.

    Marty

    I probably will pick a date
    I probably will pick a date for surgery tomorrow when I see Gyne-Onc
  • Susan523
    Susan523 Member Posts: 231 Member
    #13
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    Cathy-Dog Lvr said:

    I probably will pick a date
    I probably will pick a date for surgery tomorrow when I see Gyne-Onc

    Some great information
    Hello again, Cathy,

    There is a wonderful kit for newly diagnosed patients, and it is free.

    Go to
    ovarian.org/patient_kit.php

    Best of luck to you. Let us know when your surgery is~

    ~Susan xoxo

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