Ovarian cancer & fibroids

I'm sure your ovaries are fine. The scan would have shown any enlargement of them which could be indicative of problems - so stop worrying.

The link you are talking about is between breast cancer and ovaries - these produce a hormone which may exacerbate an exisiting breast cancer, and this is why they are sometimes removed as a precaution, (if you have had breast cancer - which you haven't!), so you have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. These are the sort of questions you can ask when you go for your preop. visit.

Take care and don't panic!!

Katie x

Sorry to be such a pain..but I've become sooo depressed with this whole thing..

They keep delaying my operation...I've already had 5 Zoladex injections..I've been told I can't have more that 6 injections..

The waiting is killing..I've been waiting since December.. My origional date was end of Feb now it's likely to be in April..maybe even May

I'm scheduled to have a hysteroscopic mymectonmy which involves removing the fibroid through the cervix..I know this is a skillfull operation.

The surgeon who is mean't to do this for me is having surgery himself..

I'm worried that they may get some other less experienced surgeon to do my operation..

I need to have my operation by April because I can't have any more injections after I've had 6

I'm really stressed and worried

I really appreciate your help

Tezi x

I am 52 and both my Nan (who died of secondary bone cancer due to breast cancer many years ago (in her sixties)) and my Mum (who was diagnosed in 1996 and is okay) had breast cancer and I to have had a breast cancer scare.

In March 2004, I was diagnosed with a massive fibroid (which had started to calcify), which resulted in a hysterectomy in the October.

Despite everything, and although 2 lots of medication (plus injections which resulted in the symptoms of the menopause as an interim measure), I still managed to participate in a charity trek to Machu Pichu and go to Rome and Trinidad & Tobago for holidays.

Please stay positive, I know that the delays are not helpful and very stressful, you will be okay.

Regards

Lin

Patient Admin

Oh, poor you! The waiting is just the worst bit and so frustrating particularly as you have been having all the pre op. injections - it really is very inconsiderate of your surgeon to need surgery himself - whatever next!! Bet he didn't have to wait!!

I'm quite sure though, that if one of his colleagues has to operate on you, he will be just as good. A myomectomy is a very straightforward op. - much simpler and less traumatic than an actual hysterectomy.

Be strong and do try not to worry! Hope you hear something very soon.

Katie xx

Thanks for your support

I really do feel like I'm going mad

I should get a call back from the surgeon's medical secretary about a possible date this...

I read up on the internet that you can't have more than 6 injections of zoladex because of the long term risk and damage..

Surely they have to operate on me in April or early may time because of this factor

My last injection will be end of march thank god..

Sorry for going on about it..but I don't know who to talk too..no one from the nhs is helping me

Tezi x

If you don't get a call from your consultant's secretary soon - call her, and keep pestering until you have an answer. I'm not sure what sort of gap it is possible to have between the final injection and the operation - but they will know - and they must give you an answer. Good luck and hope you hear something very soon.

Katie xx

I didn't think there was a gap between the final injection and the operation..

No one is telling me anything

Tezi x

Keep pestering them until they give you an answer.

Is your GP sympathetic - maybe he will chase it up for you?

Do try not to worry - I know that's easy for me to say - just remember though, Tezi, it's not life-threatening - it will all work out in the end and you will wonder what on earth you were worrying about!

Take care

Katie xx

My GP is not very good really

I asked him about my injections..he said you will keep having them until the operation date

I've had 5 already and I know that the Zoladex drug is licensed only for 6 months..

If I don't hear anything back from the hospital I will call them back next week

Thanks for your help

Tez x

I got a letter this morning from the hospital..I've got a hospital date for my operation Friday 25th April It's another 6 weeks away..At least I got a date and it's with the senior surgeon..which I'm releived about.

I reckon I will need one more zoladex injection on the 31st March..Which will be my 6th one..Then I will have around 4 weeks to wait until my op..do you think that will be ok? I don't think they would give me another injection just before my op...do you? I tried to ask his medical secretary..but she's useless

Another question: On my appointment letter, it said that I had to ring 1 and half hours before my operation to make sure there's was a bed available..apparently sometimes there can be emergencies in the last 24hours and a bed may be taken...I hope this dosen't mean I have to wait weeks again for another operation date or does it mean I may have to wait later in the day in case of the emergency...What do you think in your experience?

Sorry to go on Katie..I'm pretty depressed with this whole thing..It's taken over my life and relationships..

Regards

Tezi x

Another quick question: It didn't mention anything about a pre-operative appointment on my operation letter..Will I receive another letter in 4 weeks times..? Or should I ring the medical secretary and find out from her...?

Thank you so much for your help

Regards

Tezi x

Well, that's good news - at least you have a date.

All NHS hospitals seem to ask patients to ring first to ensure there is a bed, just in case they have been filled by an emergency. We'll just keep our fingers crossed that there is one available - there should be - but sometimes patients do have to have ops. re-scheduled. Really annoying when one is all keyed up for surgery - so hopefully this will not happen. The sooner your op. is over and done with the better!!

You were told that you would have a pre op. appointment a week before surgery - if you haven't heard anything about this it probably would be a good idea to give them a ring. I'm sure you will receive a letter soon though.

I would imagine that it would be fine that your last injection would be at the end of March for your op. on 25th April - again, when you go for your pre op. appointment you can check this and any other questions you have.

Just out of interest, Tezi - I did note a posting in this site yesterday from

someone called Sam Jeans, a UK Fibroid Expert. She is obviously very knowledgeable about the latest techniques etc. and she mentioned a patient info. site called Fibroid Network on line. It sounds as if it might be really useful to you.

Hope this answers some of your queries! Do take care and as I am always saying, TRY NOT TO WORRY!

Katie xx

Thanks for getting back to me sooo promptly

If there was an ermergency and I didn't have a bed in the morning..How long will it be until they reschedule..please don't tell me it will be weeks..

If they delayed my operation..Wouldn't I need another injection..? That would be 7 injections..I will be putting my health at risk then..

Sorry I must be driving you mad..your the only person that listens to me

Tezi x

I'm only too happy to help you if I can. I almost wish I could have the operation for you and spare you the worry!!

As it's a gynae op. and therefore a specialist field hopefully there is more chance of a bed being free for you - but unfortunately it just can't be guaranteed. I know it's a real pain, but that's the NHS for you!

Obviously, IF it was delayed they would have to take into account that you have had the full course of injections - they are not going to do anything that will put your health at risk, Tezi.

Take care

Katie xx

I had the same injection as you, although be it for only 2 months but I still had the same questions to ask them, as the waiting list at the time was long.

The only thing they could tell me was that if I went past the 6th injection, I would become a priority, that is in Hampshire so hopefully the same applies to your area.

Regards

Lin

Patient Admin Team