So scared, confused.

[AmyProk]

Hello there,

I am 36 years old, have PCOS and have 1 son (6yo) conceived via IVF.
I went to see my GP in May of this year, due to pain I was getting when I ran on a treadmill at the gym (in an attempt to lose weight, I have a BMI of 44), and for about a week I felt like I was constipated, or wasn't quite finished when I did have a bowel movement.
My GP, who I have been seeing from the start of my PCOS journey, knew my body well enough to send me for an internal U/S. I was called back to her office with the results, which showed a cyst on my right ovary, about 10cm, which would explain the pain I had when running, and also the constipation feeling.
She then sent me for a more in depth internal, one which showed, I'm not quite sure of the right terminology, but blood flow? The Dr. doing that U/S turned on the sound, and it sounded like a heart beat, which he said it was because the cyst was solid. He also said there was a cyst on my left ovary, of about 6cm, and the one on my right was only about 4cm.
I asked him if it was cancer, and he said he didn't think it was, but at the same time he didn't think it wasn't. Somewhere in between. He also said my left ovary would most likely have to be removed, and the right he wasn't sure. My husband and I cried all the way home. We were so confused, and couldn't believe this was happening, things were starting to look up for us, financially, healthy wise etc.
So I saw my GP the next day, she said my CA125 was no cause for alarm, she said that they look at 3 markers, 2 were normal and one was slightly elevated.
I was referred to a GYN-ONC who asked me a lot of questions, if I was in pain (I said I sometimes when I sneeze or cough I get an excruciating pain in my abdomen, which I had just put down to my PCOS, I've had that pain for about year. I get bad headaches and hip pain which shoots down my leg). I am not sure if this is all related but I told him anyway.
So he said because of my age, the risks of cancer are low, he said maybe 20%-30% chance. I am booked in for a laparoscopy to remove the tumours, and he said he will remove the ovaries ONLY if he requires. He doesn't want to unnecessarily remove them. He is going to try and keep as much of my ovaries as he can.  My surgery is on the 5th of August.

I guess I am here because, after reading some of the other questions and threads on here, it seems that other Drs actually let their patients know what kinds of cysts/tumours they think they are dealing with. I have had nothing explained to me, I haven't had types of cysts explained to me and I am feeling scared and alone.
I have no idea what it means to have blood flow through the cysts, or why it sounded like a heart beat. I did ask the questions but I don't know if it was the shock that I didn't hear the answers? I don't know. I have also never had surgery and being a bigger girl I am absolutely petrified of going under a general.

I am scared it is cancer, Google is definitely not my friend right now :(

Sorry for my rambling, can anyone give me some reassurance or information?

[old_before_my_time]

That is frustrating when you lose your post! I have had that happen quite a bit and could never figure out what I was hitting to cause it (mostly happened while getting used to a tablet versus a laptop). But I finally figured out that the post is usually still there. I just had to hit the -> (maybe more than once) to the left of the URL / web address and there was my draft post/comment. And it is the -> not the <-.

Sending positive thoughts for surgery....

[AmyProk]

Gah I had a whole post written and it got eaten.

But mainly I wanted to thank you both for taking the time to reply. I really do appreciate it.  You both certainly have helped me greatly.

I know my surgeon said his priority was to save my ovaries. I will definitely bring this up with him again before I go in to surgery.

Thank you again xx

Amy.

[old_before_my_time]

I echo all that HVAC said. Also, it is important to keep both ovaries or at least part of them if at all possible as they produce hormones to at least age 80. These hormones are essential for every aspect of health. It sounds like your surgeon plans to do cystectomies but cannot guarantee that he can save your ovary(ies). You may want some clarification on this or make sure it is explicitly stated on the consent form to keep all/some of both ovaries if the cysts are benign. My ovaries were needlessly removed for a 9.5cm cyst on one and surgical menopause has been nothing short of hellish.

[HVAC]

Things to know. You have a 1.4% of ovarian cancer in your lifetime. This is the number doctors use in the US. It goes to 20% if you have the BRCA cancer gene. They do the BRCA test when you have close relative with ovarian cancer, It is extremely rare to have ovarian cancer in both ovaries. Benign ovarian tumors can get big and cause pain. PCOS can also cause pain. Gyn/oncologists not only deal with cancer but more complex cysts. They have to be cautious and  say it might cancer on the off chance that it is. Blood flow through the tumor is a good sign.

I had cancer so I went through the extensive surgery. It was not as bad as I thought it would be, Gas pain was the worst of it for me.

I can't tell you not to worry because it is normal to worry. I thing odds are in your favor that they are benign cysts.

Alex

[AmyProk]

I should add, the Gyn-Onc said my CA125 was normal range and wasn't a concern. My surgery is being done in the public sector (I'm in Australia) and he has put me in as Category 2, which is semi-urgent (Cat 1 being urgent, Cat 3 non-urgent).