Aa
Gyno appt. today - surgery thurs... Why the rush?
In fall 2013 1 yr and 4 months ago I had a CT scan because of a fall down some stairs and hip injury.., apparently another cyst (big?) was seen unbeknownst to me until today when I went to the gyno because of bladder control loss and severe abdomen pain for a few months. They never said a word about it when noted in the CT scan last year!! I'm 35 and have a history of cysts since I was 14 (birth control to shrink them) I've had pain on and off over the years and I can handle pain pretty well...But a leaky bladder and going to the bathroom 20 times a day (no exaggeration!) was getting old!
So I made and went to the appt. Saw his nurse and the first time I saw him it was to tell me in had surgery scheduled - based on a CT scan over a year old..
Needless to say, it's pretty scary when you're scheduled for surgery so quick without an exam. Which he then did anyway. I was a bit shocked so didn't ask enough questions about what he saw...
Ultrasound tomorrow so he gets an up to date look..then laparoscopy of the cyst..or ovary, or both he said depending on what else he saw....so I'm freaking "what else?!" I had to sign paperwork allowing him to do extensive surgery if the sim
So I made and went to the appt. Saw his nurse and the first time I saw him it was to tell me in had surgery scheduled - based on a CT scan over a year old..
Needless to say, it's pretty scary when you're scheduled for surgery so quick without an exam. Which he then did anyway. I was a bit shocked so didn't ask enough questions about what he saw...
Ultrasound tomorrow so he gets an up to date look..then laparoscopy of the cyst..or ovary, or both he said depending on what else he saw....so I'm freaking "what else?!" I had to sign paperwork allowing him to do extensive surgery if the sim
COMMUNITY LEADER
Glad to hear it went well and the cyst was benign! Hoping the other cyst goes away!
Surgery went well. They took the enlarged ovary with big dermoid and both fallopian tubes. I'm pretty sure it was bigger than 7 cm from looking at the photos the doc gave my boyfriend. I was still recovering and didn't get to see the oncologist. So I heard second hand from my boyfriend it was benign. Waiting on final pathology. Going to keep an eye on the other cyst in upcoming months.
So, I think I'm in the all clear...but I read a few other ladies stories where they were told it was cancer days after their surgery. That makes me a little nervous!
On a good note...it's only day one of recovery (laproscopic) and I'm feeling much better than I expected! Could be the pain pills talking though!
So, I think I'm in the all clear...but I read a few other ladies stories where they were told it was cancer days after their surgery. That makes me a little nervous!
On a good note...it's only day one of recovery (laproscopic) and I'm feeling much better than I expected! Could be the pain pills talking though!
Saw the oncologist on Thursday and I'm scheduled for unilateral salpingo oophrectomy tomorrow. He's more concerned about my right ovary which is enlarged and says the left is a serious and likely benign. Also talked about the possibility of endometriosis attaching on my bladder possibly causing the urinary issues. He's going to scope the bladder too.
Basically...He's definitely removing the enlarged ovary and maybe more. I hate HATE hate not knowing exactly what I'll wake up with or without. My boyfriend (a mechanic) gave me a good analogy about "having to open the hood to see what's wrong with the engine"
I'm nervous about the operation and recovery but it will be good to get some answers and hopefully relief from my symptoms.
One thing that's odd is he's giving me a 4-6 week estimate recovery time. But I've read thAt laparoscopic surgery like this it's 2 weeks. Perhaps he's just being conservative in case hoe needs to open me up more.
I've never had any kind of surgery or anesthesia (except laughing gas at the dentist) So nervous...I hope I can get some sleep tonight!!
Basically...He's definitely removing the enlarged ovary and maybe more. I hate HATE hate not knowing exactly what I'll wake up with or without. My boyfriend (a mechanic) gave me a good analogy about "having to open the hood to see what's wrong with the engine"
I'm nervous about the operation and recovery but it will be good to get some answers and hopefully relief from my symptoms.
One thing that's odd is he's giving me a 4-6 week estimate recovery time. But I've read thAt laparoscopic surgery like this it's 2 weeks. Perhaps he's just being conservative in case hoe needs to open me up more.
I've never had any kind of surgery or anesthesia (except laughing gas at the dentist) So nervous...I hope I can get some sleep tonight!!
Thanks everyone or your knowledge and support! CA125 was 14. I know it's not an all clear but I'm taking it as a positive :). I see the oncologist on Wednesday. I'll update then. Going to chill and do some fun stuff this weekend to keep my mind off it
I'm sorry for the news that this may be more serious, but am so glad they are not operating in a rush and referring you to a specialist. Try not to freak out too much and limit the time you do research! I am quite the researcher and I really got myself scared over nothing with my cyst. It's concerning, for sure, so important to take it seriously, but try not to worry yourself too much until you know more. Keep us posted!
COMMUNITY LEADER
After posting my response, I got to thinking that I should have mentioned that you may want to see an oncologist since your gynecologist seemed so concerned (even though he wasn't giving you any info).
My gynecologist actually had me see an oncologist (one he recommended) for a consultation. But based on my medical records, this oncologist appears to have enabled and possibly even colluded with my gynecologist to allow the removal of all my sex organs.
I believe my cyst also had some papillary projections as well as some septations. It was a mucinous cystadenoma on biopsy (frozen and final). The really sad part is that my surgeon waited for the results of the frozen section and then proceeded to remove the rest of my organs even though the result was benign :(
I wish I had understood the hysterectomy (and oophorectomy) industry (gross overuse of female organ removal); I would have done things very differently including:
1) I would not have trusted my gynecologist because he played up the ovarian cancer possibility and I had no family history and deep down never thought it was OC.
2) My intuition told me something was not right about what he was telling me (including saying that I had "another one" on the other ovary which was proven false at the time of surgery
3) I would have revised the surgical consent form regardless of who did my surgery to only allow removal of organ(s) if I had confirmed cancer.
If you don't have a family history / predisposition for ovarian cancer then your risk is very low (less than 2% per U.S. government stats). The CA125 is not accurate at diagnosing ovarian cancer. Benign conditions can cause elevated results. And I believe you can have OC with a CA125 in normal range. My result was not elevated but a friend who had the same type of cystadenoma had a CA125 over 1000. She was also over-treated (hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy like me).
My gynecologist actually had me see an oncologist (one he recommended) for a consultation. But based on my medical records, this oncologist appears to have enabled and possibly even colluded with my gynecologist to allow the removal of all my sex organs.
I believe my cyst also had some papillary projections as well as some septations. It was a mucinous cystadenoma on biopsy (frozen and final). The really sad part is that my surgeon waited for the results of the frozen section and then proceeded to remove the rest of my organs even though the result was benign :(
I wish I had understood the hysterectomy (and oophorectomy) industry (gross overuse of female organ removal); I would have done things very differently including:
1) I would not have trusted my gynecologist because he played up the ovarian cancer possibility and I had no family history and deep down never thought it was OC.
2) My intuition told me something was not right about what he was telling me (including saying that I had "another one" on the other ovary which was proven false at the time of surgery
3) I would have revised the surgical consent form regardless of who did my surgery to only allow removal of organ(s) if I had confirmed cancer.
If you don't have a family history / predisposition for ovarian cancer then your risk is very low (less than 2% per U.S. government stats). The CA125 is not accurate at diagnosing ovarian cancer. Benign conditions can cause elevated results. And I believe you can have OC with a CA125 in normal range. My result was not elevated but a friend who had the same type of cystadenoma had a CA125 over 1000. She was also over-treated (hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy like me).
Good news.. regular gyno won't be doing the surgery today. Bad news... its because he saw something in the ultarsound that scared him.
Surgery has been postponed. Its still being done at some point but not by him and perhaps a more involved procedure. They found the cyst was 7 cm and had pappilary projections. They also drew blood to see CA 125 levels (Haven't gotten results yet).
Doc said I'll be seeing an oncologist as soon as they can get me in at a different hospital. I'm relieved that I'll be seeing a specialist before he just went charging in there and ripping stuff out! But yet, concerned that its worse than he thought.
We shall see.. I'm trying to do research and learn about cysts and the potential of ovarian cancer and at the same time trying not to freak myself out too much. Keep telling myself to calm down until I get more info about what's going on in there.
Old-before-my-time, That is very very good information. Before reading your post and looking it up I was all for just taking everything right out if there was cancer concern. I didn't know ovaries were needed for more than childbearing (which I tried for 5 years and failed at conceiving, now I simply don't want kids anyway)
Surgery has been postponed. Its still being done at some point but not by him and perhaps a more involved procedure. They found the cyst was 7 cm and had pappilary projections. They also drew blood to see CA 125 levels (Haven't gotten results yet).
Doc said I'll be seeing an oncologist as soon as they can get me in at a different hospital. I'm relieved that I'll be seeing a specialist before he just went charging in there and ripping stuff out! But yet, concerned that its worse than he thought.
We shall see.. I'm trying to do research and learn about cysts and the potential of ovarian cancer and at the same time trying not to freak myself out too much. Keep telling myself to calm down until I get more info about what's going on in there.
Old-before-my-time, That is very very good information. Before reading your post and looking it up I was all for just taking everything right out if there was cancer concern. I didn't know ovaries were needed for more than childbearing (which I tried for 5 years and failed at conceiving, now I simply don't want kids anyway)
COMMUNITY LEADER
That sounds crazy that he scheduled surgery without even doing a pelvic exam or ultrasound especially since cysts can resolve on their own. I will be curious to hear what the ultrasound shows.
Unfortunately, not all gynecologists / surgeons have good cystectomy skills so a lot of women lose ovary(ies) when all they should lose is the cyst(s). And we need our ovaries (and uterus) our whole lives for good health and well-being. The ovaries produce hormones into a woman's 80's and the loss of even one ovary (or the uterus) can wreak havoc on hormone production and health.
I had a suspicious looking ovarian cyst. Even though the frozen section was benign, my gynecologist removed both ovaries, my uterus, and tubes. I have been suffering the many adverse effects ever since.
Let us know what you find out from your ultrasound.
Unfortunately, not all gynecologists / surgeons have good cystectomy skills so a lot of women lose ovary(ies) when all they should lose is the cyst(s). And we need our ovaries (and uterus) our whole lives for good health and well-being. The ovaries produce hormones into a woman's 80's and the loss of even one ovary (or the uterus) can wreak havoc on hormone production and health.
I had a suspicious looking ovarian cyst. Even though the frozen section was benign, my gynecologist removed both ovaries, my uterus, and tubes. I have been suffering the many adverse effects ever since.
Let us know what you find out from your ultrasound.
That's a recipe for a malpractice lawsuit right there. If he's basing his decision for surgery on something that's a year old, that's negligence and stupidity. The body can change so much. At least there's an ultrasound a day or so before the surgery? I would seriously call him and tell him you have several questions and refuse to have the surgery until they're answered. You have the right to know why it's so urgent you have this.
Oh wow! I'm sorry you are going through this without the time to process it! Hopefully the ultrasound will give him more information andyou some peace of mind. I wish I had better advice, but the best I can come up with is to just call the nurse, tell her you are freaking out about it and need another appointment with him to discuss this further and ask more questions after the ultrasound and before the surgery. I would probably refuse surgery until I could talk to him again and ask:
Why the rush? Is it a cancer concern?
What's the worst case secenario? the best?
What size is it?
does it appear to be fluid filled? blood? solid?
You may also consider getting a second opinion. It may be possible to remove the cyst without removing the ovary, but only very experienced surgeons can do this. Is he a gyn oncologist? If not, you may consider consulting with one.
Best of luck! Let me know how it goes!
Why the rush? Is it a cancer concern?
What's the worst case secenario? the best?
What size is it?
does it appear to be fluid filled? blood? solid?
You may also consider getting a second opinion. It may be possible to remove the cyst without removing the ovary, but only very experienced surgeons can do this. Is he a gyn oncologist? If not, you may consider consulting with one.
Best of luck! Let me know how it goes!
(Oops.. Hit post before done typing) ...simple procedure wasn't enough. So here I am, was too dumbfounded to ask details and now I'm online looking at worse case scenario! Ha, bad bad idea...so I'm sharing, venting... I'm glad I came across this discussion group because so many of you are so positive and informative and reading your posts have been helpful :)
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