decision about surgery

Hi all and especially MarieMichele:

ok, so m multi month research project is probably behind me. I am leaning against surgery now. I'm 57, post menopausal by around a year or less, no uterine lining issues but we have had 4 ultrasounds of my cyst this year which has allegedly been on my right ovary (covered it and more), and now shows as not on my ovary and between the ovary and uterus, it's moved maybe? Of course no guarantee the ultrasound is failsafe on that but what I have is a water filled, clean lined cyst, a C-125 test that is normal. I know ovarian cancer is the silent disease and I have a family situation that I can depend upon no one those first few days. I'd have to hire it out and here in CA, it's very expensive. My husband is a brain injury survivor and I've been his caregiver, he could help when he is up to it but he is not up most things now.

Both the GYN and the Oncologist/GYN say there's a 90% chance this is benign, the regular GYN says forget surgery now, given all of my challenges, it's not worth it, things are normal looking, the Oncologist/GYN has seen the new ultrasound from last week and says it's still up to me but he would still do surgery as you don't know what you have until you get in there.

(MarieMichele, I've really enjoyed reading your story on your bio, thanks for that)

So...I'm leaning no on surgery. I'm leaning doing another ultrasound next summer and see what we have to work with. I think surgery would be overkill and in my gut, do not feel I have cancer. I just know it.

Before I cancel things, I wanted to ask you all your feelings on this, I have come to trust and love you all and respect very much what you are going through.

Jane, CA

[MarieMichele]

I know you have tormented yourself with this decision process.  If your instincts are saying no surgery required, the instincts are probably correct.  When I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders worried about my cyst and the cancer risk, people took one look at me and said there's no way I had cancer.  I looked "too healthy" and anyone carrying around the disease already look unwell even before diagnosis and treatment.  Maybe so.  

You know your own body better than anyone else and you know when something is really wrong.  If your instincts start to change in a different direction, though, I expect you to take action to protect yourself.  Don't be a martyr to this thing!

What my doctor did tell me after my cyst was removed, besides the fact it was benign, is the fact it never would have been anything but benign.  It didn't have the characteristics that would "turn it" into cancer.  Of course, they needed surgery to confirm that, but it is encouraging that as a post-menopausal woman, I had a large cyst that was in no way cancer, and with a CA-125 of 34 that was near the farthest boundary of the "normal" range.  So certainly it is possible for a cyst to be just a cyst.

I also have (had) 4 impacted wisdom teeth.  Only 1 has ever been removed because of an infection.  The other 3 remain and may never give me trouble.  As one dentist put it, "Let sleeping dogs lie".  Others wanted to just hack them out, and I've heard of dental patients with lasting nerve damage from having impacted widom teeth removed for no compelling reason.  It's not the same as cysts, but it could be taken as an interesting comparison of the consequences of surgery when surgery is not entirely needed.

So if you think your plan to just follow up on it next summer is the way to go, I support you on it.

[janepm]

you have put in words, my friend, exactly how I feel. THANK YOU!

I'm here for you too, you know.

[Sandymac]

Just to pass along information I 've received: A benign cyst will never "turn into" cancer. a benign cyst is a benign cyst, no matter how large it may become. And a malignant growth starts out as as a malignancy even though it may be small.  Some of the gals with Ovca never even had a cyst (that they were aware of). They had many other symptoms, and were then dx. with Ovca.

I remember Jan (rest her soul) that had many , many cysts, all of which were benign. She had other symptoms which took her to the physician and after many tests, she was dx. with ovca. She told all of us on many occasions; she didn't have "cysts" at the time she was dx..

So, having said all that, I agree that only you know your own body. I would be vigilant and perhaps another TVUS may be in order in 6 months or so? Perhaps your situation is similar to mine in that I was told my cyst could likely sit there for years and never cause a problem.. hoping yours will behave in the same manner ! Do keep in touch though

[janepm]

Thank you and I absolutely will, I'm in awe of what you and other go through! I have learned so much and my prayers go out every single day for you.

Hugs, Jane

[Sandymac]

Thanks Jane.. and please, do stay in touch !

[janepm]

Sandy: for sure!

Jane