Medical documentation is what is included in your medical chart. It is the Dr's notes for each visit, lab results, test results, consult notes and that type of thing. Every medical practice will have a form available for you to fill out so that you can obtain copies of anything out of your chart that you may want to have. Hospitals even offer films on a computer disk now in many places.
Hope this helps!
Paulette --
Good luck on Tuesday. Lap surgery usually means they think it's probably benign -- a good start. If there's any chance you have ovca, do press for a CA-125. My doctor never did one pre-op, so I don't actually know if it's a good "marker" for me in terms of follow-up.
Tammy --
What, exactly, is a medical documentation? Sounds like a good idea if it's what I think it is.
Good luck on Monday and keep us posted. Hopefully everything will come back benign for you. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers!
As far as knowing what questions to ask....I would check out the American Cancer Society's website before your post op visit. They have printable lists of questions to ask that are very helpful. I also suggest that you bring a notebook to jot down pertinant information. When you are in pain, stressed out, or in panic mode sometimes you can't remember everything that is talked about during a visit. You can also request the medical documentation for your visit-you just have to fill out a release form. Hope this helps...try to have a good weekend.
Tammy :)
My PCP just performed a CT Scan and that came back showing my uterus as "unremarkable" so not sure what the ultrasound is showing vs the CT scan.
I was to go for my follow up ultrasound next week but I was feeling even worse this week and I guess I must have looked really bad at work the other day cause my boss wanted to call an ambulance for me. LOL. Anyway called gyne and got right in for a followup US and meet with the doctor.
My second ultrasound was yesterday and the doctor came in and said although the ultrasound shows my cyst has shrunk a little, it is necessary to go in and remove it and also take a look around. Gave me no further information than that. I was in pain and just really upset about some other things and just really out of it yesterday so asked no questions, besides not sure what to ask really. So I said ok. They scheduled me for surgery / laparoscropy on Tuesday and we will call you with the details once arranged.
I have not had the CA125 but maybe they will do that pre-op on Monday. But I have had lots of pain like bad cramping daily for over 6 months, back pain, severe bloating, late periods and now mid cycle bleeding to mention a few problems.
The average delay in diagnosis when first presenting to a doctor with symptoms is 3 to 12 months, that is why so many ovarian cancers are diagnosed late stage.
The other thing to remember is that most ovarian cysts, well over 90 percent are benign and can produce the same symptoms as can IBS and other illnesses.
I would call the gyn and ask for a copy of the ultra sound report. The details will all be there.
How did the CT Scan go?
I absolutely agree with you! I was persistant in telling people that there was something wrong. After many visits with my ob/gyn I was diagnosed with pcod and ended up being followed by u/s for many months. It was not until they actually removed my right ovary that my cancer was actually diagnosed. I then began seeing an ob/gyn oncologist and had a tah/lso subsequently. That was 5 years ago! Now that my ob/gyn knows what to look for I am very comfortable in her care. My tumor marker came back positive recently and I have to go for more testing...but the more persistant you are the more likely that things will be taken care of sooner and more agressively.
Good luck tomorrow and please let us know how things turn out for you.
Hello,
I just wanted to add that my Mom is having the same issue. Mom was diagnoise in April 2009 with Ovarian cancer -she had her surgery in Aug 2009 and is still doing some additional chemo.
About 2 months ago she started felling a dull pull on her right side and it pained her whenever she want to go to the bathroom. She mention it to her chemo doc and he examined her and said to her both times she mention it to him that we will monitor it and drink pain tablets if the pain is too much to handle.
Since being diagnoise both Mom and I are both pro active when it comes to our health. So we went to our family doc and told her what was going on. She sent my mom for a ultra sound and the result of which is Mom has a cyst rear he bladder. I am so frustrated and a little angry at her chemo doc... if someone was diagnoise with cancer i would imagine their doc would be more incline to be proactive but I guess some docs are not.
You continue to be proactive about your health and please keep up posted. You will be just fine - if it is ovarian cancer I must say it will a battle ahead but it's a battle that can be won... be strong and we are all her to support you in any way possible.
Regards,
Nicola
We have very simular stories except I was also having breathing probs and they thought I had Azma! Got a CT to check my lungs and oops whats that fluid on your upper ab, lets do another CT. Whats that big thing on your left ovary? OK maybe its not azma....I am having surgery tommarro. Still don't know if its a cyst or the big C.
I am so sorry you have been feeling so bad and no one would listen to you. I have been saying this all week, No one will listen!!!
I am so thankful your dr listened to you now. DO NOT give up on this, press on and make them do there jobs, thats what they get the big bucks for.Thats why we pay so much on insurence. If they find something, anything, they need to send you straight to an GYN oncologist, forget seeing your reg GYN. The oncologist will take over weather its a cyst or the other. Thats whats happening for me. My GYN said to bypass his office and send me straight to the oncologist.
This all needs to happen within the same week, not weeks away.
Go girl.. Make them listen to you, you know your body better than anyone ever will.
All I can say, is follow your gut instinct until you are sure in yourself you have covered all bases. Your symptoms could be so many things, but don't let anyone fob you off. Good luck with your results, the key thing is be PROACTIVE, its your body and you only get one go at it.