Pain normal? What questions to ask????

[casper1991]

I was wondering if the pain in my left side (confirmed ovarian tumor) getting progressivly worse is normal??

Also, can any of you help me with what questions I should ask the DR on Tues?? I meet with an OBGYN on tues....I will have all of my medical files to give him, my DR says she is pretty positive its ovarian cancer based on the blood work and CT scans. I dont believe the OB is an oncologist, and would like to know what questions I should ask him? I will write all questions down as I am very scared and nervoius and will forget them when I get there if I dont write them down. My DR says that the OBGYN will already be aware of the issues I am dealing with and that I will be surgery in the week.

Any help is greatful....thank you.

[curiousmomma]

I am 25 yrs old and I have two children. About a year ago I had went to the emergency room for very bad stomach pains and cramps, the DR told me that I had an ovarian cysts rupture and that it would clear up on its own. I am concerned because ovarian cancer and breast cancer runs in my family. I also still have very intense pains switching from side to side almost on a daily basis it gets to the point where I cant sit a certain way, walk, or stand for too long and I cant find a DR that will help me because of my insurance. Does anyone know of how I can go about finding a DR that will help me?

Please can someone help me.......


Thank you

[s13]

You need to have your OBGYN refer you to a GYNOncologist, even if you don't have a Cancer diagnosis...just to be on the safe side.  Like others have mentioned, you only have one chance to do it right the FIRST time.  A primary care provider doesn't typically have the knowledge to give opinions about malignancies to their patients; they must do the right thing & refer to an OB, then the OB refer to the GYNOncologist.  This does get frustrating, since you're going taking so many different steps in all directions.  Even if your OBGYN ensures you that they can handle preforming the operation w/out an oncologist surgeon, don't take no for an answer!  If you somehow already have doctors speculating Cancer, then you by all means necessary insist upon it!  If the first OBGYN doesn't listen, get a 2nd opinion!  You have to be ready for a fight!

[s13]

You need to have your OBGYN refer you to a GYNOncologist, even if you don't have a Cancer diagnosis...just to be on the safe side.  Like others have mentioned, you only have one chance to do it right the FIRST time.  A primary care provider doesn't typically have the knowledge to give opinions about malignancies to their patients; they must do the right thing & refer to an OB, then the OB refer to the GYNOncologist.  This does get frustrating, since you're going taking so many different steps in all directions.  Even if your OBGYN ensures you that they can handle preforming the operation w/out an oncologist surgeon, don't take no for an answer!  If you somehow already have doctors speculating Cancer, then you by all means necessary insist upon it!  If the first OBGYN doesn't listen, get a 2nd opinion!  You have to be ready for a fight!

[dian07]

I live in nw Iowa (on a gravel road, even!)....my gyn appt was 70 miles away...all only 2 lane roads....from there another two hours to Omaha for surgery...it is great your gyn realises how urgent you need madical attention...so many of them don't seem to really care...but, if you are near Vegas surely your doctor can find a gyn/onc to do your surgery and convey the urgency of your case.  The deal is if it is a malignancy (hopefully it is not) you want the surgeon who is an expert and extremely experienced in your type of surgery....it is during surgery that debulking takes place and that is tricky...you only get one chance to get that done properly and your life long outcome can literally depend on the skills available to you at that moment...don't take a chance here.....I know some have had surgery by their gyn and had a gyn/onc standing by just in case...I had a gyn/onc do my surgery and I am so glad I did.
Hang in there, kiddo...keep us posted.
Peace.
dian

[gah_70]

If a GYN/ONC knows your situation and is worried about the leaking, then you shouldn't have a problem getting into surgery with him/her either.  There is no way to tell for sure if it is cancer without a biopsy done in surgery, but I assume your doctor has seen enough cases to surmise the chances may be pretty good.  Just keep in mind that any kind of cyst/mass, malignant or benign, can make your CA125 high.  In your situation, I would suggest preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.  If it does happen to be cancer, and it is leaking, you will most likely have chemo.  Your doctor may not want to get into specifics until he/she knows for sure, but you might want to ask about port placement.  Having a mediport to receive chemo makes it much easier than having to get stuck every time with an IV needle, especially if you have small or otherwise uncooperative veins.  You can also get blood drawn through it, so when you go for tests, that saves you another stick.  You may wish to ask the doctor if it is determined to be cancer, could you go ahead and get a port at the same time.  I had to go back in two weeks later to get my port in outpatient surgery.  Not a big deal, but if the surgeon had placed it the first time, that's one less "lights out" I would have had to have gone through.  

Just know that you are not alone, no matter the diagnosis.  Come here any time you have a question, and we'll do our best to help you out.  Best wishes to you, and please let us know what you find out on Tuesday.

Gail

[casper1991]

Thank you.

I have been researching the Oncologist/OB Doctors offered and covered by my insurance company. I have found a woman that specializes in this area. I will definately ask to get a referal to go to her. I will still go see this OBGYN on tuesday, but will speak with him that I am concerned that he is not the best option for me at this time. I just get the weird feeling that my normal DR was looking for anyone who could deal with this issue RIGHT NOW....I know that my DR is very worried about me as she has also set me up and pre-registered me already at the hospital (for emergency if needed. From what I understand is that this "tumor" that has engulfed my left ovary is "leaking". She fears it may burst and land me in immediate surgery. I am ordered no lifting, bending, squatting exc...

The hardest part is that we live in a rurual area and the hospital is 80 miles away in Las Vegas.

Thanks again for the info :)

[dian07]

..YOU HAVE ONLY ONE CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.....GET A GYN/ONC FOR YOUR SURGEON!  It is so important to your prognosis....his/her specialty is not the same as an "oncologist"...this specialty is in the arena of cysts/tumors or other abnormalaties in the female reproductive system...these people don't spend time delivering babies....they are trained specifically for surgeries requiring more expertise than the general OBG surgeon has..do yourself, and those who love you, a real favor....have the right person working on you....your gynocologist shouldn't be offended if you ask for a gyn/onc to do your surgery...actually, the fact she didn't already set you up to see one scares me....why hasn't she referred you if she believes this is a malignancy?  Please get the most qualified team you can...the one you want to start this battle for you is a gyn/oncologist....
Peace.
dian