Aa
Death sentence at age 54?
Surgery date 6/16/08. Plan is for total hysterectomy, debulking, suspect Stage III ovarian cancer. CT shows 5cm mass on left ovary, and caking on outer stomach lining. I feel I should be getting my affairs in order at this point. Would not have known I had this had my gall bladder not started acting up... I don't get why doc won't give you a Xanax or SOMETHING when they lay this stuff on you. Also, wonder why they don't routinely do a CA125 blood test on folks like me. Menses started at age 9, one child born when I was 34, dad died of colon cancer at age 47. I've had 5 colonscopies but gyn just does a Pap and an pelvic exam and sends you on your way.
U can buy Melatonin at a health store like Whole Foods. Melatonin should be looked up but I tried it. It's a natural herb and helps one relax. It doesn't have the depressant effects like Zanax, Valium or the like. It's non addictive as well.
I had fibroid tumors once upon a time and an idiot doctor at the Cancer Center told me it was cancer. My 3000 thousand dollar MRI's also dissappeared when I didn't agree with him and went to another hospital. What does that tell you. His name was Doctor Hernandez at the Cancer Center in Los Angeles. Fibroid tumors although painful at times, cause alot of bleeding and other difficulties are not cancer and cannot become cancer. Many doctors just tell their patients that they need a hysterectomy when they don't need one. Although fibroid tumors grow by the supply of blood to the uturus they can be shrunk and stopped by a newer process called Uterine Embolization. The doctor makes a small insert inside one's leg and inserts PVA particles of one sort or another and stops the flow of blood to the tumors. They then begin to shrink. The after math of surgery is sort of like after childbirth. Pieces of the tumor come out. Please be sure you don't have fibroid tumors first before assuming anything. Many women have fibroid tumors that are not cancer but doctors tell patients that "fibroid tumors" are cancer. It's just outright criminal actually. Many just get away with it. Women sometimes believe the first thing they hear especially from a PHD'd doctor. Get other opinions if you possibly can. Research it yourself~! If it isn't cancer and you have a growth you should do something about it. I was the 75th patient to receive uterine embolization. Not every hospital has the procedure yet. It's new, simpler, and yes it's much more relaxing. I only stayed in hospital overnight. Over time my tumors shrank, my abdomen went down, the pain went away, the heavy bleeding - well it's now much more normal. Don't let them just cut you up without real diligent research and tests from reputable docs. I went to UCLA for my Uterine Embolization. It didn't even leave a scar! I have other freinds who have "fibroid tumors" and docs told them they needed complete hystorectomies. What a bunch of malarky and bull! Docs get paid large sums to do hystorectomies and sometimes are more prone to do this procedure. Those doctors who aren't read up on the update in science and technology or "old school" doctors may mean well but meaning well doesnt' save your uturus if you go on and just believe anything the doctor says. Ask questions. If you don't get clear answers take it to another doctor. Go to 3 if you possibly can. Look up alternative cures as well like herbal formulas, special diets, lifestyle changes, and get geared up to heal. A misdiagnosis is one thing but telling a person they need a hysterectomy when they do not need one and knowing they don't is a crime. If you can send your scans to doctors you can only trust. Mabe have UCLA look at your scans and images of your uturus first before making a final decision.
I had fibroid tumors once upon a time and an idiot doctor at the Cancer Center told me it was cancer. My 3000 thousand dollar MRI's also dissappeared when I didn't agree with him and went to another hospital. What does that tell you. His name was Doctor Hernandez at the Cancer Center in Los Angeles. Fibroid tumors although painful at times, cause alot of bleeding and other difficulties are not cancer and cannot become cancer. Many doctors just tell their patients that they need a hysterectomy when they don't need one. Although fibroid tumors grow by the supply of blood to the uturus they can be shrunk and stopped by a newer process called Uterine Embolization. The doctor makes a small insert inside one's leg and inserts PVA particles of one sort or another and stops the flow of blood to the tumors. They then begin to shrink. The after math of surgery is sort of like after childbirth. Pieces of the tumor come out. Please be sure you don't have fibroid tumors first before assuming anything. Many women have fibroid tumors that are not cancer but doctors tell patients that "fibroid tumors" are cancer. It's just outright criminal actually. Many just get away with it. Women sometimes believe the first thing they hear especially from a PHD'd doctor. Get other opinions if you possibly can. Research it yourself~! If it isn't cancer and you have a growth you should do something about it. I was the 75th patient to receive uterine embolization. Not every hospital has the procedure yet. It's new, simpler, and yes it's much more relaxing. I only stayed in hospital overnight. Over time my tumors shrank, my abdomen went down, the pain went away, the heavy bleeding - well it's now much more normal. Don't let them just cut you up without real diligent research and tests from reputable docs. I went to UCLA for my Uterine Embolization. It didn't even leave a scar! I have other freinds who have "fibroid tumors" and docs told them they needed complete hystorectomies. What a bunch of malarky and bull! Docs get paid large sums to do hystorectomies and sometimes are more prone to do this procedure. Those doctors who aren't read up on the update in science and technology or "old school" doctors may mean well but meaning well doesnt' save your uturus if you go on and just believe anything the doctor says. Ask questions. If you don't get clear answers take it to another doctor. Go to 3 if you possibly can. Look up alternative cures as well like herbal formulas, special diets, lifestyle changes, and get geared up to heal. A misdiagnosis is one thing but telling a person they need a hysterectomy when they do not need one and knowing they don't is a crime. If you can send your scans to doctors you can only trust. Mabe have UCLA look at your scans and images of your uturus first before making a final decision.
When you think about it, we're all given a death sentence when we first take a breath. We were all scared when we first heard the news of cancer...and yes, ask your doctor for a "Xanax", those things don't just magically appear. I was diagnosed with OC Stage 3c, October 07 and consider that to be the day that I actually started living. We're here...
Speaking from a daughter's perspective with a mom who just very recently passed from this disease. I am proud of her fight and strength with dealing with the OVCA. As difficult as this time is, I can't imagine how I would have felt if she had decided to not even give it a try. Don't misunderstand, I would have supported her 100% either way. But, I am proud of her.
Stay strong and I wish you peace.
Karen
Stay strong and I wish you peace.
Karen
My mom died from this nightmare in 1964 at the age of 38. I understand what you mean about the wasting away part. That is VERY hard to watch especially when you are 7. That was and remains my single biggest fear, that I will just linger and waste away. I KNOW it is not like that anymore with all the meds they have but I also watched my second mom waste away from blood cancer. She went from a robust woman and well, I won't go into details, but she was small and frail, eating baby food etc. and I thought, that is just the way it is when you have cancer. WRONG!!!!
I was dx 3c in Sept. 06 and have not had a remission. I am starting chemo again for the 3rd time on the 10th. In between chemos (usually 1-2 mths) I feel really good. Yesterday I cut up the yard to make a sidewalk and I did it by myself.
The ladies are right. There is no reason to think of this as a death sentence, but I thought the same thing when I failed to get into remission after my first round of chemo, but that feeling passed. I am still here and going strong.
If a gynecological oncologist told you that you have probably have stage 3 OvCa than he is more than likely right. My onc told me before surgery, that I had advanced OvCa, but he has been doing nothing but this for 38 yrs. If it was a GP or gyn than they were jumping the gun and being irresponsible.
As hard as it is sometimes and NONE of us are upbeat or thinking happy thoughts all of the time, but it does help to try and stay optimistic. If you give up before you start than you will not do well. I am sure you will do just fine though.
Good luck
Jan
I was dx 3c in Sept. 06 and have not had a remission. I am starting chemo again for the 3rd time on the 10th. In between chemos (usually 1-2 mths) I feel really good. Yesterday I cut up the yard to make a sidewalk and I did it by myself.
The ladies are right. There is no reason to think of this as a death sentence, but I thought the same thing when I failed to get into remission after my first round of chemo, but that feeling passed. I am still here and going strong.
If a gynecological oncologist told you that you have probably have stage 3 OvCa than he is more than likely right. My onc told me before surgery, that I had advanced OvCa, but he has been doing nothing but this for 38 yrs. If it was a GP or gyn than they were jumping the gun and being irresponsible.
As hard as it is sometimes and NONE of us are upbeat or thinking happy thoughts all of the time, but it does help to try and stay optimistic. If you give up before you start than you will not do well. I am sure you will do just fine though.
Good luck
Jan
Of course you are feeling pessimistic. This is very scary and you have known about this for a short time. Be gentle with yourself and give yourself permission to feel whatever emotion comes your way. We will all be here for you.
Right now, I only want to talk to you guys. Tomorrow I'm supposed to attend my step son's baby's first birthday party. Must keep it together somehow...
After reading your profile, I feel like a big cry baby. Thanks for the encouragement, your testimonial should give strength to us all.
I have a very strong family history of cancer, too. I have stage 3b ovca myself. I don't look at it as a death sentence. I look at is as a big challenge to keep myself healthy for as long as possible. In a few weeks I will be a one year survivor. My life is different, now, but it is still wonderful. I wish you great medical care and a speedy recovery. Marie
Not necessarily a death sentence at all.
My mother with stage three has just had her five year anniversary without any sign of recurrance.
I am up to 7 and a half years with a recurrance but not letting that stop me living. Some of the best moments of my life have come after the diagnosis.
But yes you should get your affairs in order - suppose you get run over crossing the street tomorrow.
(((hugs))) I know the early days are hard to get your head around. If you can just go with the flow for a while.
My mother with stage three has just had her five year anniversary without any sign of recurrance.
I am up to 7 and a half years with a recurrance but not letting that stop me living. Some of the best moments of my life have come after the diagnosis.
But yes you should get your affairs in order - suppose you get run over crossing the street tomorrow.
(((hugs))) I know the early days are hard to get your head around. If you can just go with the flow for a while.
Don't even think the way you are thinking. I was diagnosed with stage IV 13 months ago and am doing okay now.. I had 2 surgeries and chemo and everyday is a great day. To say they suspect stage 3 without a biopsy is not right. They could be 100% wrong.. and as others have said statistics are just that numbers... you are a human being not a number.... Best wishes to you... Ronni
Please try not to give up before you start. Hopefully you will have many more than three years. I know it is hard to imagine that now. First, DO NOT read statistics!!! That is very important. They are not accurate. Espeically now with all the new treatments available. Make sure you have a gyn oncologist do the surgery. That is VERY important too!!! After the surgery you will go on chemotherapy. You should ask for your tumors to be tested and what grade of tumor you have. This will help when deciding what treatment is best for you. They suspect stage 3 but maybe they are wrong at this point. They won't know until they do the surgery. You can read my profile. It tells of my long two year journey and it will soon be continuing on. Best wishes to you and please keep us posted. (((HUGS))) ... Cindy
Oh, forgot to ask, are you having a gyn/oncologist to your surgery? If not, please get one. They are trained to remove all possible cancer, and stage you. best wishes Donna
Hi, I am sorry you have gotten this news. I also was not diagnosed by by gyn, even though i saw hik 3 times in 6 months before my diagnosis by a gastroenterologist. I am 54 stage 3c, 2 yrs out from diagnosis.Try not to think to negatively about your outcome. There is a stage 4 lady on another forum 10 yrs out from diagnosis. Sending a prayer your way for strength . Donna
I know I am overly pessimistic. A bit more history:
The only cancer free person in my family is my dear mom. I have 2 sisters. One had Hodgkins disease at age 13. Thankfully, she's still here at age 43. The other is 47, one year ago had surgical removal of a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the small intestine. As I mentioned, my dad died at 47 in 1980 of colorectal cancer. I vowed at that time that I would not waste away the way he did. He suffered hell on earth. I know medical science has evolved since then but I don't see much point in prolonging things if I'm only gonna get 3 more painful, sick years.
The only cancer free person in my family is my dear mom. I have 2 sisters. One had Hodgkins disease at age 13. Thankfully, she's still here at age 43. The other is 47, one year ago had surgical removal of a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the small intestine. As I mentioned, my dad died at 47 in 1980 of colorectal cancer. I vowed at that time that I would not waste away the way he did. He suffered hell on earth. I know medical science has evolved since then but I don't see much point in prolonging things if I'm only gonna get 3 more painful, sick years.
Sorry about your situation. Just want you to know that final OVCA dx is from biopsy for most patient. I totally with you and I have be there too. I would think the most important thing right now is to get prepared (physical and mentaly)for the surgery, make sure your surgery is going to be performed by a GYN/oncologist.
The reason the dr don't do ca125 for screen is because it has a higher paulse positive rate especially in premonopause women.
Hope u have a succeful surgery and keep us updated.
Peace and Love
jun
The reason the dr don't do ca125 for screen is because it has a higher paulse positive rate especially in premonopause women.
Hope u have a succeful surgery and keep us updated.
Peace and Love
jun
Wow, you haven't been diagnosed yet and you are already believing you're going to die soon? That's definitely premature thinking. I was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer 10 months ago at age 54 and didn't get a remission yet, but I'm not even thinking that way. Oh, I'll die someday and I have thought about that, but those are plans way in the future. There are plenty of women on here I hope will chime in with their survival stories. Ovarian cancer is by no means an immediate death sentence unless you don't plan to do anything about it, then it possibly would be. I don't understand why, if they suspect ovca that they haven't done a CA125. They have not neglected you by not doing them with your annual exam. That is not customary at all, and the test is not completely reliable especially in pre-menopausal women. Good luck.
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