OVARIAN CANCER COMMUNITY
recurrence - surgery pending and afraid

recurrence - surgery pending and afraid

Doctor-

I've recently been diagnosed with a second 'bout of ovarian cancer. The first neoplasm resulted in removal of my left ovary and resection of cancer from the right ovary and areas of my abdomen, Stage 3a. I am only 31 and now have a tumor on what's left of my right ovary after 24 months of remission. The tumor is aggressive in growth and we've been "watching" it for four months now. It's time to operate and proceed with treatment.

My question is for surgery. I have been on pain medication (norco) anti-anxiety (valium), anti-depresent (welbutrin) and ambien for sleep for >4mo. I was in a car accident and occassionally I have to take soma for muscle spasms that can last hours, especially with recent events and stress. With all this medication, I am deathly afraid of waking up in the middle of surgery or having "awareness" and be unable to move due to the paralytic they give you. I know that waking up is at risk with a lot of medication. My oncologist knows all I am on, but I am so afraid of waking up on the table. I am also afraid my pain won't be managed effectively post surgery as I've now got a tolerance to the narcotics.

Can you quell my concerns? I know to discuss all the meds with the doc.s pre-surgery but how often does waking up/awareness happen? I know they operate on cancer patients all the time, but still dying and waking up during surgery are consuming my thoughts.
Thank you for your consideration. Kind regards.
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