Worried about large ovarian cyst, possible cancer and operation

Thanks Julie.  My doctor rang me this afternoon.  She had looked on the system and looked up the results for me.  She then rane me.  I have a brilliant doctor!  She did say she was then going to ring the consultant's secretary to see what he was going to do operation wise, as she had heard nothing from him at all.  I have an appointment to see my doctor this evening at 7.10pm so hope to know more then.

When did you have your CT scan Julie?

Hi Julie

It was the consultant who sent me for the CT scan also, but your doctor should be able to access the notes.  I would definitely ask. Keep in touch and let me know how you get on.  We seem to be at the same stage and can get through this together.

Sending you hugs.xx Kathy

My thoughts are with both of you and hope the news continues to be good, no reason why not, and resolution swift

Big hugs

Taz xxx

Thanks Taz. xxx Kathy

I was in a slightly different position as the hospital did the tests themselves so surgeon had the results back in about half hour.

Had I had to make the choices you did and knowing what I do I would have gone with option 1 as you have.

Big hugs

Taz xxx

Thanks Taz.  That means a lot to me.  It is so hard to make the right choice but at least this way I can take it one step at a time.  What sort of stitches did you have please?

xx Kathy

Dissolvable, but all surgeons have their own preference and once again age can come into it. Skin thins as we age, particularly after the menopause, and can mean certain types of stitches are more suitable than others.

Dissolvable, but all surgeons have their own preference and once again age can come into it. Skin thins as we age, particularly after the menopause, and can mean certain types of stitches are more suitable than others.

Hi Taz, did you have to make a decision as to what they removed  before you went down for the op?  ie did they say they would take fallopin tubes and ovaries away and then, at a later date, test for cancer and do a second op if needed?  Did part of the decision involve removing lymph glands as well as everything else if they found cancer in the cyst?

xx Kathy

Because of my mums age (51) and the cyst looked very suspicious she wasn't given this option. I think you have made the right choice, and if all cones back clear (fingers crossed it will) you won't need further surgery. We still haven't had any news of a post op appointment or biopsy for my mum its been 2 weeka since op as well. Weve had to ring hospital to leave a message. It's a bit annoying, eveey time phone rings were all on edge. Xx

That's dreadful livi.  I can't believe your mum hasn't had the post op appointment yet!  I hope it comes soon and all is well.  How is your mum doing, recovery wise?

xx Kathy

 

Hey Kathy,

I went with option 2, which here they call "removal, biopsy, and possible staging and debulking", meaning, they will look at everything through the keyhole, remove the ovaries, run the pathology while you are still sedated, and clean out any sign of malignance). It is a bit scarier than option 1, but the way I figured, if I am already under the knife, so to speak, and sedation was comfortable, then might as well just go for everything, should everything was to happen. I just did not want to delay the inevitable, if there was to be one, not I want to have another surgery. Besided, I had a blood clot as result of my histerectomy in 2006, so as a precauthin this time, I am now taking Xarelto, a powerful blood thinner that is not easy on the kidneys and liver. Another surgery would mean more Xarelto, or worse -- Lovenox -- a blood thinner I would need to inject into my stomach, twice a day, for at least a month. I had to do that in 2006 and it was NO FUN! So, the thought of a third possible surgery was just too much for me.

But, please understand that these types of decision are very personal and involve many variables that are unique to each person. You need to choose the option with which you feel most comfortable and makes more sense to you.

I know, it's not much help, is it?

My best to you, and remember: YOU WILL BE OKAY!

xxx Lorena

Thanks Lorena.  It was the waiting while the sample was sent across town and tested that got to me.  The traffic around that area is very bad at the moment due to severe road works.  Well I've made the decision now, so have to run with it. 

xx Kathy

Yeah it is dreadful. Our whole hospital experience has been awful to be honest. Missing notes and scans, lack of staffing. Were constantly ringing to chase things up. Shes recovering slowly. When they opened mum up they realised the cyst had attached itself to mums bowel, which normally very risky. They removed it anyway. Doctors said nothing after op, mum was in so much pain and agony she had to be on an epidural for 4 days. Mum was having problems keeping food down so when we asked Dr why only then they told us cyst was attached to biwel and she may encounter problems. Well, its two weeks post op and she is still having problems (not all the time) but occasionally mum has to go to the toilet straight after eating

They blamed loss of medical notes due to kack of ambulances, so we knew straight away we were being messed around with irrelevant excuses right from the start

So sorry to hear of your mum's bad experience.  Did she have a ct scan before her op?

xx Kathy

Yeah she noticed she had lump then Gp booked her in to have ultrasound a week later. Mum collapsed a few days later and was rushed in, she had ultrasound,  xrays and ct scan also blodds elevated CA125. Then we waited 4 weeks after that to see consaultant, was told cyst was too comolex to diagnose yet plus they lost her scans so they made her have another xray and an mri scan. Shes had the full works bless her. Usually most ladies have ct scan then straight for op. They can normally tell from ct scan. x

Hi Livi,

Sorry to hear things with your mom are not going so well. We will keep think of her and sending lots of prayers.

Wish I were there to give you both a hug. And hey, you need to take care of yourself too. I know how it is when our loved ones get sick. We forget ourselves. So hang in there, and take good care of yourself too.

Lorena