Ovarian cancer & fibroids

I went to the doctors today because I experience some bleeding from my bowel..I didn't think nothing of it but he's reffered me to see a specialist..

Can't beleive it as if I haven't got enough to worry about

How long do you think it will take for me to receive an appointment..

Doctor said I should receive a letter at the surgery this week and then I had to ring a telephone number to make an appointment..

I don't think he has said it's a urgent refferal

Any help or support is really appreciated my friend

Regards

Tezi x

Oh, you could have done without that!!! :roll:

But don't worry - I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. GPs have to arrange further testing for any bowel bleeding just in case. In the majority of cases it's simply due to haemorrhoids (piles) or small polyps in the bowel, both of which can be easily treated.

The waiting for an appointment varies with each region so it's difficult to say how long it will be for you - and I can't imagine you need to be seen urgently - it's purely routine. Hopefully, it won't be too long!

Take care and keep smiling

Katie x

You are not going to beleive this..I went to my nurse last week because I received a annual smear test invitation..Casually mentioned that I saw spots of blood on my toilet paper after going to the toilet. She spoke to the doctor and now I've been reffered to see a damm specialist..I didn't expect that...Friends tell me it's just piles..

Anyway I've been given a date 22nd April and my fibroid operation is on the same week 25th April..

I heard that the specialist can do invasive tests on your bowel and that theres a risk of perforation which could be life threating! I'm asbsolutly terrifed now Katie!

When I rang the nurse to book the appointment she said it will only be a short consultation..I just don't want anything to jepodize my fibroid operation..

Cant beleive whats happening to me at the moment

Tezi x

But there is still nothing to worry about!!!

I am almost certain that the blood you saw would have been from piles - particularly if it was bright red. But it is only sensible that you have it checked out properly.

When you go for your consultation on April 22nd the specialist will want take a full medical history and examine you rectally. It is possible that he will also want to use an instrument called a sigmoidoscopy which will enable him to see your lower bowel a bit more clearly - but I very much doubt whether he will do this on your first visit.

Be sure to tell him about your planned surgery on April 25th (which I know will be one of the first things you tell him anyway!!) - this will not be affected by the bowel problem - it will go on as planned.

He may want to follow up the initial consultation with a further investigation at a later date (ie. when you are recovered from your op.), but I am pretty sure that your bowel problem will be a minor one and easily dealt with.

Best of luck and try not to get too uptight about it - you will be fine.

Take care

Katie xx

What should I expect at my pre op appointment next week? Do you think I will meet my consultant..Surely they would do a ultrasound do see what the fibroid looks like after 6 months of zoladex injections..

I heard that nurses give you a pre med before the op to calm you down..is the pre med risky to take..should I have 1?

The letter said I should go to the hospital for 7.30am..sshould I go in earlier....I thought you had to go into hospital 2 hours before the operation..Does this mean my operation will be around 9.00am ish..thats a long time to wait god...

I'm getting really nervous now Katie..I keep thinking something will go wrong...

I'm really scared

Tezi x

P.s thank your listening too me it really helps

I'm just wondering what should I expect from the pre-op appointment..which is next week I think..

Will I get to speak to my consultant who will be doing the operation..surely they will do another scan to have a look at the fibroid after months of zoladex injections...

I'm getting really nervous and anxious now about my operation..as it comes nearer I keep thinking something wrong is going to happen...

Tezi x

Nice to hear from you after so long.

I will try and answer all your questions as best I can but obviously things vary a bit from hospital to hospital.

Firstly, it's good that you have now got a date for your pre-op appointment - 'cos I'm convinced that you will feel so much happier and confident afterwards.

I doubt very much that you will see the consultant - it may well just be nursing staff, which will be good because they will know all the answers to your questions. (Don't forget to jot them down beforehand so that you don't forget anything).

They may well want to do an ultrasound to check the size of the fibroid - but if not, the nurse will explain why it is not necessary - please don't worry - they know what they are doing.

Do ask about a premed, because I think Tezi, it might be a really good idea for you. They don't necessarily always give them these days - but it would really help to relax you. My daughter had surgery last year and she was given two sleeping tablets with a tiny bit of water pre-operatively

and within five minutes she was very calm and couldn't have cared less where she was! There is certainly no risk involved, I promise.

If the hospital have told you 7.30 then that is the time to go in. You will find time will go very quickly.

As I mentioned before, Tezi, your op. is a very common one and hundreds are carried out every week over the country - please try not to worry - it is a very safe procedure, I promise.

Good luck with you appointment and do let me know how you get on.

Take care

Katie x

I'm 3o year's old and my mum was diagnoised when she was 33 year's old. She had her breast removed and has been cleared since..

How did you go about gettin yourself checked out..I've been to my gp but he said I should wait and see which I don't think is a good idea really..

I got in touch with a breast cancer charity who put me forward to a genetics clinic..I filled in a form and I'm now waiting to here back from them.

I do check my breasts but I never know if I'm doing it properly...Did you have yearly xrays...how do I go about having this done..

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Regards

Tezi x

I'm getting really nervous about the operation now..it's 2 weeks away

I know I asked you about what to expect at the pre-op meeting but I haven't actually received a letter yet..do you think I should call them...

The consultants secretary left a voice message on my phone last week saying that I should expect a letter this week but I've had nothing..

Tezi x

Yes, not long now Tezi - it will soon all be over and then you can relax.

If you haven't received a letter by Friday's post it might be a good idea to chase it up - though I'm sure it is in hand.

Take care

Katie x

I got my pre op letter this morning..it's a 9.00am next Tuesday morning..

I'm feeling really nervous about it now..

You said in your previous email that it was wasn't a risky operation but when I looked on the internet it talked about risk of 'fluid overdose' and damage to the womb..i scared me

When this is over I would really like to thank you for your support..do you think we could meet up for a coffee or something..you have really helped me

Tezi x

Glad you have finally got your pre-op letter, remember to talk over your fears with them. That is what they are there for.

I can't offer any support or information about your operation, I had to have a hysterectomy due to mine.

Take care

Lin

Oh, good, you've got your appointment - you will feel much better about the whole thing when you have been, I'm sure.

But Tezi, please STOP looking things up on the internet - the operation you are having is very straightforward, - much more so than an actual hysterectomy. Myomectomies are carried out hundreds of times a week and the risks are minimal. Ask the nurse at your appointment to explain what will happen. She will talk you through it. And don't forget to ask about a premed!

These days patients have to be made aware of anything that can go wrong because if they are not, they could be sued so they are just covering themselves. So please don't be alarmed at any risk that might be mentioned - it's not going to happen to you!!

Try not to worry and good luck on Tuesday. I'll be thinking of you.

Katie x

PS I am down in Kent so it's rather a long way to meet up, but thanks for the offer - that was sweet of you.

Thanks for the information

Is a pre-med got any side effects...How does it feel?

Will I remember anything?

Regards

Tezi x

I hope your op to remove your fibroid goes well on the 25th April.

I was in hospital on the 31st March to remove a cancerous ovarian cyst, the third one in 8 years. Ive always had good treatment by my Dr and consultant and surgeon through the NHS and although I worry like any normal person I do try to go with the flow as this is the only way i could cope.

Since the op which was done through day surgery which like you I had to phone in 1.5 hrs before op to check where my bed would be and when i arrived to be told i still had a bed but in another ward. Anxiety aside I was treated well and once the anaesthetic wore off I was allowed home at 4.30pn the same day. Since then Ive had two follow up appointments, my op sit has healed well but I'm to have further tests as they are unsure whether the cancer is still present. I'm fine and until i know more i will just carry on as normal. If you read too much about conditions it actually can make you feel more anxious than if you only know a bit about whats happening, trust me.

I'm waiting now for another appointment at the hospital to have further tests. As far as I'm concerned I'm a survivor and have had radiotherapy over the years to reduce size of cysts before operation and this has been a pretty painless treatment.

Please try not to worry too much as I'm sure you will be fine and under the care of a good surgeon/consultant. Ask questions if you need to know things but do try to relax and give yourself time to think of other things good in your life and not put all the focus on your condition. Easy said than done I should know but its the only way of getting on with daily live when your unwell.

I hope this helps. Good Luck on the 25th will be thinking of you. Take care,

June x