Still waiting...

Hello!  I had surgery a last monday for staging.  My previous surgery on Dec 22 showed borderline ovarain cancer with positive washings so I had both ovaries removed.  After meeting with my gyn/onc, he decided to send me in for staging (my "borderline cancer" was starting to go deeper into my ovary rather than just the typical surface involvement...), multiple lymph node biopsys, an appendectomy, peritoneal port placement, and total hysterectomy.  However, after a 5 hour laparscopic procedure, he decided to leave my uterus!  He said overall, the surgery went well as he found No visible tumors.  But obviously we still have to wait for the final pathology results.  He also did not place the port because he found no tumors.  I am a little bothered that i psyched myself out for this port and hysterectomy & then it didn't happen.  I am greatful, but still worried about what it to come.  My family had asked him after surgery if I would still need chemo & he said we'd have to wait for the final pathology before he could say.  But when I saw him in his office prior to surgery-- he was confident that I would have to do 6 cycles of chemo.  Maybe he was expecting to find tumors?!  I have been patiently waiting all week and would love to get my results.  I called today to see if they were back, but they weren't.  The office told me that my slides would be presented to the tumor board tomorrow morning and that I should know something by noon tomorrow.  I just think I may lose my mind in the next 24 hours!!! I guess I don't really have a question-- just venting & worrying.  I would like to know if it's normal to leave a uterus with any chance of cancer being present.  I will be so upset if they decide i need a 4th surgery to remover it later...

[nyc lady]

I am surprised that they did not remove your uterus.....however....I do not believe that OvCa increases your risk of uterine cancer....I just think that it is protocol and also with later staged OC there are often tumors in the entire pelvic area so they remove just about everything that they can.  There are some GYN/Onc that will autmoatically remove the appendix and/or gall bladder.
The waiting is the hardest part.  
Hang in there.....let us know the news when you get it.  Keeping everything crossed.
Pam

[KateKett]

I was surprised about my uterus too, but I guess if there was no need to take it, I'm ok with it.  Like I said-- I just don't want a 4th surgery!  I'm so sick of recovering from surgery....(basically I have been constantly recovering since Oct from the 3 surgeries)
Anyhow, I will def. have more to talk about IF THEY EVER CALL ME WITH RESULTS!  The final report wasn't ready yesterday--but is today & I was told by the receptionist that the Dr. will call me sometime today, as my file is on his desk.  This is one of the LONGEST days of my life....
(sorry for the vent--but it sure feels good to complain sometimes)
Kate

[cjan222]

I don't really have anything useful to say, but I'm about to start chemo tomorrow EIGHT WEEKS after my surgery.  At first they said maybe I didn't need it, then I did again, then my CA125 was 900+ so they were talking 6 rounds plus IP, then I had a colonoscopy, then they drained my abdominal cavity, and now I'm back to 3 rounds.  Basically, this process seems to throw lots of unexpected curves at us but I have faith that we'll make it through!  I hope your recovery goes smoothly :-)