havent been on for a long time

[ontariocanada]

I havent been on in a long time,and I apologize to those of you who have messaged me and I have not responded.  I went through several life changes, and my surgery to have my complex mass removed was cancelled.  I have moved up to the Ottawa Valley and dont have a family doctor now.  I went in to the ER at my local hospital on Friday of last week, they ran blood work on me and I saw the surgeon on Monday, had an ultrasound yesterday and see the surgeon again tomorrow to book a date for the OR.  He wants to remove the mass laproscopically if he can, however he also said that he wont know until he is in there whether or not it will be safe to do so, and if it isnt he will have to make a larger incision to take it out.  I will find out my new ultrasound results tomorrow and from the way the technician was acting and the questions she was asking me, my guess is that it isnt great news.  I allowed myself to believe my doctor in southern ontario when hesaid that since the symptoms had gone away that I should avoid unneccessary surgery......and letting them convince me that reading tomuch on the internet can make you think things are worse than they are however I get up to Renfrew and they cant believe that they allowed me to live with this complex mass for at least well over a year.  Now I am a little nervous.  The doctor up here said that the fact that the mass has thick walls is a stronger indicator(along with blood tests) that it could be a malignancy.  I am hoping when I go in tomorrow that the ultrasound shows that not much has changed in there in the past year, I can get this thing taken out and everything be ok. I am tired of the almost constant vaginal bleeding and the nausea,and the fatigue.  
Can anyone tell me what the thick walls thing means, and make me feel a little less nervous about my situation.

[ontariocanada]

Yesterday I started having a really dark, pretty much black discharge. It comes in spurts and it is thick.  I didnt have too much yesterday but today there seems to be coming more often and my pains on the left side have been stronger as well.  Anyone know if it could be that my cyst burst?  I am due to have it out in less than 2 weeks.

[ontariocanada]

Well I go for preop on March 1st and the surgery is booked for March 15th.  3 more weeks of this and it will be over.  Cant wait.

[chelan3]

I'm in Canada and understand what you're saying about the specialists.  When I had my surgery there wasn't even a gyn-onc in the province at all (I'm in Saskatchewan).  Now we have about 4 in the province of 1 million people.  I would however, ask your current surgeon about being referred to a gyn-onc in the city and about getting in quick to see him/her.  Then asking the gyn-onc for a quick surgery date telling them of your discomfort and concern.  That may get you in sooner.  If I knew then what I know now I would have fought to get referred out of province.  It doesn't hurt to ask.  My surgeon also thought everything looked alright and closed me up before he got the frozen section pathology (that I insisted on) back and later found out I did have cancer.  They can't necessarily tell anything even just by looking at it.  Your best bet for optimal care is a gyn-onc.  I hope you at least inquire about it - your life and well being is worth it.  

Take care, and let us know how you make out.
Debbie

[ontariocanada]

Unfortunately the surgeon performing the surgery in not a gyn/oncologist.  Doctors period are hard to come by in my neck of the woods however this surgeon performs this type of surgery regularily and has an outstanding record from the research I have done on him.  We are a small town and he performs all gyno surgeries for not only our town but surrounding areas.  He is excellent and has assured me that the mass will be taken out intact and he will be doing washings and taking samples if anything doesnt look right.  I know that a gyn/onc is the preferred way to go but to wait to get into see one out in Ottawa would be a lengthy wait,andwho knows how much longer to get the surgery booked, and with the way I have been feeling lately, I dont feel it is in my best interest to wait.  I have had so much vaginal bleeding, pain,and the nausea, lightheaded fatigue is getting to be too much.  Our health care system is much different in Canada then it is in the US. We dont have the same kind of options you do. I do feel very comfortable with my doctor however and feel that I am in very good hands.

[dian07]

I hope you are paying attention to the importance of having a gyn/oncologist at your side during your surgical procedure !  If you are unable to get one to actually perform your procedure, at least have one standing by if his expertise is needed!!
Your long term prognosis will definitely be impacted by your surgeon.
Shewrites and Jane39 definitely have your best interest at heart.
Peace.
dian

[ontariocanada]

So I went and saw the specialist on Friday and it turns out that the mass has only grown a little over 1 cm since last year, however he is worried that it has attached itself to my uterus as well and he will most likely have to take the uterus as well.  He also said that there is free fluid as well so I go for preop this coming week and surgery will be within the month (I will get the date at preop).  He did say that it appears to be a mix of solid and fluid so Idont know if that is good or bad but he really seemed to stress on the thick walls. Anyway, I will keep you posted and thanks for the prayers.

[Jane39]

Hi there, I absolutely agree, seek an oncolgist/gyn, they have the most knowledge in this surgery, and the best out come lays with them.  I wish you well and please keep us updated.

Will keep you in our thoughts and prayers!!!!

[shewrites]

Your best bet is a gyn oncologist for any surgery of this type -- whether they think it's benign (most are) or malignant.  You need to get this taken care of, but I hope you'll be able to get a gyn onc to do it.  

In any event, I wish you well.  Please keep in touch as the women  here have been through everything you're likely to experience.  

God bless ...