I waited two years for an MRI on my knee. One thing people do here is, they drive to the smaller rural centres and try that.
It is NUTS!

Also Craz, I would ASK the doctor what that means if ultrasound says that the ovaries are not seen with certainty. Could mean a cyst is blocking the view I suppose but I am just guessing.
Don't panic! You can have big cysts and not lose the ovary, they can take them off.  Hang in there you...
Katie (Alberta, yee haw)

I agree it's hard to get surgeries moved up here, but don't let that deter you from telling your surgeon or GP if you're having more symptoms or problems.  I don't remember what province you're in but healthcare can even differ between the provinces.  I know when I was first told my surgery was going to be up to a 6 mos wait I told the gyn in no uncertain terms that I could NOT wait that long and to mine and everyone's surprise he put me on the urgent list (was still a 3 mos wait but better than 6 mos!).  But I do have a similar situation with another health problem.  I was diagnosed last September with a Pituitary Tumor (which are 99% benign)and am still waiting to see a specialist I don't even have a date yet, but am told "maybe June".  I'm also on a cancellation list for an appointment.  It was funny - I called earlier this month to find out how the wait times where for appointments and instead of the original 6 mos wait it's now 7 mos of course if other urgent cases come up I'm pushed back again, but on a brighter note she said you're #4 on the waitlist.  I was happy until I thought to ask, how often do you have cancellations...I couldn't help but laugh when she replied "usually never" - lol - why even have a cancellation list then..lol.  This is just a first consultation with the specialist, he;ll likely want an MRI (a 1-2yr wait!) and likely a 3-6mos wait for a follow-up appointment with him, but likely by that time - I'll be an urgent case and get into see him within 1-2 mos...lol.  Only us Canadians can find a little humor in health care!  Sorry about rambling.

Take Care Crazyladi and I hope you get in for your surgery sooner - let us know how you make out.
Debbie in Saskatchewan

I really havent been told much in regards to my surgery, just that he was going to do laproscoptic (sp?) surgery to remove the cyst which he was 95% certain it was endo.  This is all that I am going on I havent seen him yet nor were they in any rush to see me.  I am in pain and discomfort. I want this out and i cant stand that fact that I have to wait.  I respect all of your advice and options and thank you.  I will see him next week and if I dont like what he has to say than i will get a second opinion.

Thank you so much for your support.  Everyone on here has been so helpful.  I can't believe what I have learned since January.  Grace is wonderful and I am working on a lot so that i dont blow my fuse.  I am having a hard time with this waiting game.  At least i have an appointment now instead of May/June.  I have my list done up of questions to ask and I will add more when i think of some. I have about 30. Everyone is right about the hysterectomy.  I dont know what to do about that because I truly am scared that they are going to have to do it.  I just have this feeling that I am covered inside. Not because they told me this because i feel that way. I hope that I am not but I have to expect the worse just incase.  I dont want to be shocked.  I know that it is all my choice.  Can they do a CT scan to find out more about what is going on inside?  Can it see the endo and more lesions? or jsut the cyst?  And if my ultrasound says that the ovaries are not seen with certaintly, what does that mean?

I completely agree with everyone as above.  Do not get me started on the Canadian health care system.  What a joke, everyone thinks it is so great. HA! Wait until you are in the middle of it. Being on a Canadian cancellation list, don't hold your breath. I doubt you will get moved up, and, I think you need more time anyway to consider your options. On what tests does the doctor base his conclusion that the culprit is endo? If indeed it is endo, how severe it is would have some influence as to surgery options.  If I was you, I would insist on being sent to another gynecologist.  If your GP won't send you to one, and he should if you are asking for one, then find another GP, even at an emergency clinic if need be, and GET ANOTHER GYNE. You do not know for sure that "it is everywhere".  A hysterectomy will not necessarily solve your problems, and believe me, I would bet a hyster could make you a lot worse.  Yes the cyst could rupture but that is the least of your concerns really.  Cysts of all different sizes come and go all the time. If you do have the surgery, I would follow what Mary and Vixen are saying.  Tell them you want the ovary repaired if at all possible, and not removed. Do not agree to having a healthy ovary or a healthy uterus removed.  You can sign a consent form to that effect.  Get a copy of it when you sign it.
Do not buy into this "get it out and I will be fine" philosophy. Read what Dr Christianne Northrup has to say about losing your uterus and ovaries.
I still get the gut feeling that you need a new doctor, I just don't like the sound of your posts.  I wish I had more space but it is probably a good thing I don't!
You can also try directly contacting specialists, begging for an appointment, then tell your GP to send you a referral to whoever you found on your own.  They get really mad, but it worked here for me when my husband had cancer.

As far as after surgery goes, you are going to have to make arrangements for child care for at least one week minimum, and you need someone to help you too.
Wish I could more, Katie

Couple of other things to think about.  I insisted on an epidural so I could be awakened and told if the path came up positive for cancer cells  (this was for a laborotomy), that gave me a feeling of contol and eventhough I had consented for a hyter I didn't want my uterus taken if it was clean.  I liked the epidural because the pain med can be given through the catheter and I had really good pain control for the first 24 hours after.  I also thought the recovery was easier on my body than it has been in the past with a general.  I also had very strong feelings about my uterus, it is for me the seat of fertility, the center of my womanliness, a piece of me I wasn't anxious to lose.  Of course if it's diseased we take it out, but I'm just mentioning this because of the psychological stuff I had to deal with about losing my parts. So yes, I agree with above posts--more, ore information.

Check my post from 3/13 - Questions for consult.  These are questions I asked my doctor when I received the results of my endometrial biopsy.

Forgot to add - this is just my experience. I was told by my GYN/ONC that he was going to take the frozen section in the first instance and then decide how to proceed with the surgery. If he was absolutely certain it was benign, he would remove only what had to go. As it turned out, the frozen section was unclear and so he proceeded with a TAH (however, I am 41 and had definitely finished having my family). Final pathology on everything came back benign a week later so in actual fact I didn't need the total hyster. Didn't matter to me though, because initial testing showed abnormality and I was just pleased it was all gone.

When you speak to your doctor, ask if they will take a little piece of the cyst for testing before deciding how to proceed with the surgery. If they are convinced it is an endo cyst, they may just remove the cyst in its entirity and that'll be it. However, if they are at all concerned with the appearance they may take a little piece and send it to pathology for testing before progressing with the surgery. If pathology comes back clear (and remember 99% do), then they may just take the cyst and maybe the ovary if it's damaged. On the other hand, if it is suspicious of cancer, they may do a bigger op. This is unlikely, but it's one of the questions I would be asking your doctor, ie will they be taking a frozen section or biopsy in the first instance? OR will they remove the cyst (and possibly the ovary) and then sending the whole thing to Pathology for testing?

The only advice I can offer is to ensure you tell your doctor that if he/she is concerned from a frozen section or biopsy result,


what does this mean?

Hi there! The only advice I can offer is to ensure you tell your doctor that if he/she is concerned from a frozen section or biopsy result, then you will accept whatever decision they make regarding a hysterectomy. At your age though, I would think that it would certainly be last resort for the medical team as well as yourself and avoided if at all possible for lots of reasons, not just having more children (you never know what's around the corner ...... could be the love of your life!!) At the same time, as I said before, if it is at all suspicious, then get the whole *!@!* lot out!! If indeed, you do decide you want more children down the track, well, there are other options. As for how you will feel after .... you'll be a bit sore for awhile and you will need to make sure you have some help around the home for a few weeks after (and maybe longer, depending on what you end up having done), so if you can, try and organise something in the next little while so that you have some peace of mind in that regard. I drank lots and lots of fluids on the day before surgery and I found that I had absoluty no nausea afterwards and I actually woke up very well from the anaesthetic. I'm not sure if it was the fluids, but it can't hurt! I had a TAH, so I had a catheter for a couple of days - not sure if it's the same everywhere. I was on a PCA (patient controlled analgesia) morphine drip for the first 2 days, so the pain was very well controlled. From there I went onto oral meds, and again, pain was very well controlled. I felt more discomfort than actual pain. Hope this all helps. At the end of the day, you need to feel secure with your medical team so that you can trust their judgement. Make very sure they know WHAT YOU WANT - afterall this is all about your future!!!!

You are in my thoughts and prayers.  I hope you get the relief you need.  Godspeed
~Tascha

not to be the "downer" per say, but I gave up anychance of ever having a child of my own by agreeing to a hysterectomy at age 24 in attempt of relieving my years of chronic pain and constant surgeries  (25+) and still 4 years later i am suffering from the same chronic pain which had actually gotten worse since then.  make sure its something you are ready to commit to.  i have regretted it everyday since.