Aa
up and coming surgery
Hi everyone I have read so much here today and learned so much.... so much is happening and it is a bit hard to explain to family and friends how I feel .... on top of understanding everything medically that is going on ... this is briefly what has been happening
On June 2007 I went in and had a routine pap afterwards I had continuous,amazing pain that just kept getting worse (I had pain before that but nothing unbearable) by Aug 2007 my Dr decided to do a laparoscopic surgery so he could take pictures of what was going on. He found out that my uterus had adhered to my abdominal wall and actually became part of my abdominal wall. In Dec 2007 I had an abdominal hysterectomy my surgeon took my uterus. He also found a fluid sac in my abdomen so he fixed that as well as fixed the spot where he took my uterus out of, BUT my ovaries were left they both looked healthy and viable. Since I am 33 and would need the estrogen for 10 to 15 years my Dr decided to leave my ovaries. After my surgery the pain seemed to get a bit better easy up a bit and then as fast as a snap things went back to the amazing pain (mostly on the left) as bad if not worse then I had prior to the surgery. After an ultrasound the end of Feb 2008 a marble size mass was found in my left ovary. The Dr told me it was a cyst and it would go away on it's own within a month so I had another ultrasound done the end of March 2008. This showed nothing BUT I still hurt so he sent me to see a general surgeon the Dr believed I could possibly have a hernia. The General Surgeon sent me in for a CT with dye contrast. The CT showed that I have a mass on my left ovary that is bigger then a golf ball BUT smaller then a lemon. Since the ultrasound and the Ct were different tests the general surgeon is not sure if the 2nd ultrasound missed the mass or if this is a new mass. With all of this knowledge I am having surgery on Friday 2 May 2008.
I am so worried because I don't understand what could cause this ... cyst, mass or what ever it is to grow so fast. there seems to be so many questions I feel so uneasy and the more I read this evening the more I feel as if I don't have a handle on things. I do not know what a CA-125 is or what type of cyst I have if it is even a cyst.
So does anyone have any advise for the newbie??? Or any advice on what I should ask the Dr Thursday when I go in for pre-op???
To be completely honest with you all so much has happened I can not even think straight. It is nice to be able to talk to others who have been down the same road or are traveling the same road as me!!
much love and light
-Kerry
On June 2007 I went in and had a routine pap afterwards I had continuous,amazing pain that just kept getting worse (I had pain before that but nothing unbearable) by Aug 2007 my Dr decided to do a laparoscopic surgery so he could take pictures of what was going on. He found out that my uterus had adhered to my abdominal wall and actually became part of my abdominal wall. In Dec 2007 I had an abdominal hysterectomy my surgeon took my uterus. He also found a fluid sac in my abdomen so he fixed that as well as fixed the spot where he took my uterus out of, BUT my ovaries were left they both looked healthy and viable. Since I am 33 and would need the estrogen for 10 to 15 years my Dr decided to leave my ovaries. After my surgery the pain seemed to get a bit better easy up a bit and then as fast as a snap things went back to the amazing pain (mostly on the left) as bad if not worse then I had prior to the surgery. After an ultrasound the end of Feb 2008 a marble size mass was found in my left ovary. The Dr told me it was a cyst and it would go away on it's own within a month so I had another ultrasound done the end of March 2008. This showed nothing BUT I still hurt so he sent me to see a general surgeon the Dr believed I could possibly have a hernia. The General Surgeon sent me in for a CT with dye contrast. The CT showed that I have a mass on my left ovary that is bigger then a golf ball BUT smaller then a lemon. Since the ultrasound and the Ct were different tests the general surgeon is not sure if the 2nd ultrasound missed the mass or if this is a new mass. With all of this knowledge I am having surgery on Friday 2 May 2008.
I am so worried because I don't understand what could cause this ... cyst, mass or what ever it is to grow so fast. there seems to be so many questions I feel so uneasy and the more I read this evening the more I feel as if I don't have a handle on things. I do not know what a CA-125 is or what type of cyst I have if it is even a cyst.
So does anyone have any advise for the newbie??? Or any advice on what I should ask the Dr Thursday when I go in for pre-op???
To be completely honest with you all so much has happened I can not even think straight. It is nice to be able to talk to others who have been down the same road or are traveling the same road as me!!
much love and light
-Kerry
I just found out that I have a pretty big ovarian cyst, and was so happy to find this group of very knowledgeable ladies who are willing to share their experiences. I am post-menapausal, have been on HRT for a long time and have had a lot of bleeding lately--hence the ultrasound and blood tests. My mom just recovered (not sure if that is the right word for it tho) from Stage III colon cancer (yea, mom!), so I realize that I am in a high-risk group. This is so scary, but I decided that this was the right place to get more information. Already, you have provided good tips for when I go see my gyn tomorrow.
Thank you for being here!
Suzy
Thank you for being here!
Suzy
Do enjoy your holiday. It is so awesome you can get away like that before the surgery. Envy happening here too :)
Well done on the surgeon and the vacation!!! Whoo hoo!!!
Really envious now, (of your trip, that is)
Shawn
Really envious now, (of your trip, that is)
Shawn
The info and discussions here have made me feel more confident about my surgeon choice who is a GYN/ONCO. My pre-op is 6/2/8 and my surgery is scheduled for 6/23/8. The reason for the large amount of time in between is: I AM GOING TO HAWAII FOR VACATION FROM 6/5-6/20. I am going to have some fun!
For pain, what worked for me other than narcotic pain meds was good ole ibuprophen (if you can take it), Gas X, for the air that is pumped into the abdomen during surgery. I always felt that was more painful than the surgery itself. It is important to get up and moving as soon as possible to get that trapped air out ASAP.
Ouch! I do understand totally about the scar tissue nightmare. I wish you the best of luck on your surgery. Feel free to keep asking questions. That's what we're here for.
Shawn
Ouch! I do understand totally about the scar tissue nightmare. I wish you the best of luck on your surgery. Feel free to keep asking questions. That's what we're here for.
Shawn
Shawnp,
Sorry for the confusion Yes I have been seeing an OD Dr and he (He did both surg in 2007 as well) will be performing my surgery this week (in fact we put off my surg. by a week so his partner assist) so actually 2 OB doc's will be in the operating room with me. I went to a Gen. Surg. because the 2nd ultrasound did not show anything (BUT ... in all honesty I was not please w/ the 2nd ultra sound.The tech would not let me see the screen and got no information from me like according to all Dr's my ovary's are high up .... I thought this was important information but when I told her she just gave me a look like thanks but I did not ask that (this would be the 2nd ultrasound tech.) because this test show no cyst my OB Dr sent me to a Gen. Surg. to see if it was a hernia.
I have had 3 c-section and an abdominal hister all of this has cause lots of scar tissue build up. The current plan is to remove by laproscopic surg if possible but they are not sure it will be possible because of how badly my Uterus had grown into my abdominal wall.... if the ovary has done the same thing they will have to do an abdominal so they can scoop the ovary out of my abdominal wall and then fix the space they removed all the tissues BUT this is the last resort because the Doc believes opening me up again will cause more scar tissue
has anyone found anything that helps with the pain even for a little while some times heat works for me (I seem to be always walking around with one of 2 heating pads), some time a hot bath or shower but these are both very short term fixes
Joelle,
Thank you for welcoming me ... and Good luck with your surg. this week as well it sounds as though you have at least a bit of a handle on all of this... as I enter round 2 (my 2nd big surg for this) I find I am not so sure if I have a handle or not .... it does seem to me that I have become forgetful, distracted and unable to think at times.
Donna,
My Surg date is 2 May 2008. I do pre-op 1 May. There has been no firm decision if I am having just the mass removed or the left overy as well. That will be decided when they get in there and see what things look like. They also have not told me how long I will be in the hospital. That will depend on what they do.
thank you all for your advice and guidance
ttys
much love and light
-Kerry
Sorry for the confusion Yes I have been seeing an OD Dr and he (He did both surg in 2007 as well) will be performing my surgery this week (in fact we put off my surg. by a week so his partner assist) so actually 2 OB doc's will be in the operating room with me. I went to a Gen. Surg. because the 2nd ultrasound did not show anything (BUT ... in all honesty I was not please w/ the 2nd ultra sound.The tech would not let me see the screen and got no information from me like according to all Dr's my ovary's are high up .... I thought this was important information but when I told her she just gave me a look like thanks but I did not ask that (this would be the 2nd ultrasound tech.) because this test show no cyst my OB Dr sent me to a Gen. Surg. to see if it was a hernia.
I have had 3 c-section and an abdominal hister all of this has cause lots of scar tissue build up. The current plan is to remove by laproscopic surg if possible but they are not sure it will be possible because of how badly my Uterus had grown into my abdominal wall.... if the ovary has done the same thing they will have to do an abdominal so they can scoop the ovary out of my abdominal wall and then fix the space they removed all the tissues BUT this is the last resort because the Doc believes opening me up again will cause more scar tissue
has anyone found anything that helps with the pain even for a little while some times heat works for me (I seem to be always walking around with one of 2 heating pads), some time a hot bath or shower but these are both very short term fixes
Joelle,
Thank you for welcoming me ... and Good luck with your surg. this week as well it sounds as though you have at least a bit of a handle on all of this... as I enter round 2 (my 2nd big surg for this) I find I am not so sure if I have a handle or not .... it does seem to me that I have become forgetful, distracted and unable to think at times.
Donna,
My Surg date is 2 May 2008. I do pre-op 1 May. There has been no firm decision if I am having just the mass removed or the left overy as well. That will be decided when they get in there and see what things look like. They also have not told me how long I will be in the hospital. That will depend on what they do.
thank you all for your advice and guidance
ttys
much love and light
-Kerry
Kerry,
Cysts can grow fast, yet sometimes CT's can pick up things ultrasounds can't and/or measurements sometimes can come out different on scans. Nonetheless, that thing has got to come out. You mentioned that a general surgeon is performing your surgery this week. Have you seen a gyn or gyn/oncologist at all? As you can see from Dian's post above, they are the experts in this area, but since your surgery is scheduled, you should ask your surgeon about this. Is it safe to assume you will be having a laparotomy (abdominal incision) vs. laproscopic surgery since you've had previous surgery?
I had a large complex cyst removed from my right ovary removed 2 summers ago, along with both ovaries, an omenectomy and tons of scar tissue removed that developed from my hysterectomy 10 years prior. Everything was kind of stuck together, an appeared on CT to be "cancer", but was not, however, my gyn requested that a gyn/onc was on hand at time of surgery, just in case. When he got in there and saw it was adhesions (whew!) and the cyst was removed, a sample of it was frozen right there and they waited for results while I was on the table, until he was given the all clear to close me up.
You'll just want to make sure that your surgeon is handling things in a similiar manner. You can also request a gyn/onco be there for your surgery as well. Definitely ask your doctor about this.
Cysts can grow fast, yet sometimes CT's can pick up things ultrasounds can't and/or measurements sometimes can come out different on scans. Nonetheless, that thing has got to come out. You mentioned that a general surgeon is performing your surgery this week. Have you seen a gyn or gyn/oncologist at all? As you can see from Dian's post above, they are the experts in this area, but since your surgery is scheduled, you should ask your surgeon about this. Is it safe to assume you will be having a laparotomy (abdominal incision) vs. laproscopic surgery since you've had previous surgery?
I had a large complex cyst removed from my right ovary removed 2 summers ago, along with both ovaries, an omenectomy and tons of scar tissue removed that developed from my hysterectomy 10 years prior. Everything was kind of stuck together, an appeared on CT to be "cancer", but was not, however, my gyn requested that a gyn/onc was on hand at time of surgery, just in case. When he got in there and saw it was adhesions (whew!) and the cyst was removed, a sample of it was frozen right there and they waited for results while I was on the table, until he was given the all clear to close me up.
You'll just want to make sure that your surgeon is handling things in a similiar manner. You can also request a gyn/onco be there for your surgery as well. Definitely ask your doctor about this.
Hi Bakirk I'm new here too and I'm finding out more and more things I need to know to ask my surgeon before my operation which will be in late May or early June. I'm waiting for a lot of test results to come in and have more to take before I get scheduled.
I asked the gyn surgeon if a gyn/ono surgeon would be doing the operation and she said no but one would be on call. I'm having mine done in a big medical center teaching hospital so they always have specialists available if they need them.
I had seen my regular gyn who is also a surgeon and if I let her do it she was going to have me see a gyn/ono for a consult prior to the surgery and if my test results come back with any indication of cancer for sure then she would have him assist during the surgery. My problem is that they don't take my insurance so I would have to pay it all myself, and that's not an option. I think I will opt to pay for a gyn/ono consult just for my own benefit if my tests results all come back negative. If they don't then I would think then a gyn/ono would end up doing it.
I would ask if they would let you have at least a consult with a gyn/ono surgeon prior to the surgery to their opinion.
The one thing I always do is get my own copies of all my test results so that I have them to bring for a second opinion.
I think that when the surgery is being done, a biopsy(I think it's called a frozen section) is sent to pathology during the operation. That gives the surgeon the information needed to then go in a different direction at that time. This all has to be discussed prior to the surgery. I am going to have a lap, but if cancer is found during the surgery, then I have to give permission for the surgeon to go ahead and do an open incision while I'm still in the o.r.
I also think that a frozen section is not all that is done, the rest of whatever is removed(cyst,tumor,mass) is sent to pathology for further evaluation. If something was missed during the surgery, then more surgery would be needed.
The thing that confuses me most is if all this testing is done and the only way to know for sure is from a biopsy anyway, then why do we have to have so much testing? Even the CA 125 isn't so accurate from what I'm learning, but maybe it all gives the clearest picture they can have prior to the operation.
I'm just going to write down anything I'm uncertain about and make sure I go into it with all the knowledge I can accumulate.
I asked the gyn surgeon if a gyn/ono surgeon would be doing the operation and she said no but one would be on call. I'm having mine done in a big medical center teaching hospital so they always have specialists available if they need them.
I had seen my regular gyn who is also a surgeon and if I let her do it she was going to have me see a gyn/ono for a consult prior to the surgery and if my test results come back with any indication of cancer for sure then she would have him assist during the surgery. My problem is that they don't take my insurance so I would have to pay it all myself, and that's not an option. I think I will opt to pay for a gyn/ono consult just for my own benefit if my tests results all come back negative. If they don't then I would think then a gyn/ono would end up doing it.
I would ask if they would let you have at least a consult with a gyn/ono surgeon prior to the surgery to their opinion.
The one thing I always do is get my own copies of all my test results so that I have them to bring for a second opinion.
I think that when the surgery is being done, a biopsy(I think it's called a frozen section) is sent to pathology during the operation. That gives the surgeon the information needed to then go in a different direction at that time. This all has to be discussed prior to the surgery. I am going to have a lap, but if cancer is found during the surgery, then I have to give permission for the surgeon to go ahead and do an open incision while I'm still in the o.r.
I also think that a frozen section is not all that is done, the rest of whatever is removed(cyst,tumor,mass) is sent to pathology for further evaluation. If something was missed during the surgery, then more surgery would be needed.
The thing that confuses me most is if all this testing is done and the only way to know for sure is from a biopsy anyway, then why do we have to have so much testing? Even the CA 125 isn't so accurate from what I'm learning, but maybe it all gives the clearest picture they can have prior to the operation.
I'm just going to write down anything I'm uncertain about and make sure I go into it with all the knowledge I can accumulate.
It is really important to have a GYN/ONC on hand when the person is doing the surgery--why, you ask? Well, the answer is really simple--they're already opening you up (or whatever) to remove God knows what... The Onc. is trained and experienced to "see" signs of cancer, where your typical gyny is not. Also, if there IS cancer, the ONC can take over to prevent the spread, or to consult with the GYN on how to proceed.
In my instance, my GYN started the surgery, but the GYN/ONC lead her and finished the surgery, because there was alot going on (not because of cancer, but more because of my obesity).
I really really REALLY suggest having an Onc. on hand during surgery. Did I mention I REALLY think IT'S IMPORTANT??????? (That was for you, Joelle)... lol
Also, make sure you mention to the doctors that you want a biopsy done while you're still naked... I didn't know I could ask for this and waited 2 friggin weeks from my (thankfully) negative results. What a waste of good for nothin' worry!
OK, we need that surgery date list think going--you girls on it? Please send me a note of who's having surgery for what and when.
And Joelle, you can send me a note telling me an onc. will be there. :-)~
love,
Donna
In my instance, my GYN started the surgery, but the GYN/ONC lead her and finished the surgery, because there was alot going on (not because of cancer, but more because of my obesity).
I really really REALLY suggest having an Onc. on hand during surgery. Did I mention I REALLY think IT'S IMPORTANT??????? (That was for you, Joelle)... lol
Also, make sure you mention to the doctors that you want a biopsy done while you're still naked... I didn't know I could ask for this and waited 2 friggin weeks from my (thankfully) negative results. What a waste of good for nothin' worry!
OK, we need that surgery date list think going--you girls on it? Please send me a note of who's having surgery for what and when.
And Joelle, you can send me a note telling me an onc. will be there. :-)~
love,
Donna
Thank you so much for your advice, and first let me say I am happy to hear you remain NED! I have another question regarding this...if it is my regular and much trusted gyn who is removing my ovaries and cyts/mass and sending it off for biopsy, is there still a need to have a gyn/onc present and if so, why? Is it to save time waiting for results?
Thanks,
Joelle
Thanks,
Joelle
Look, both of you......YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME......make certain the peprson doing your surgery is a GYN/ONCOLOGIST.....this is their their specialty. It doesn't mean you have ovarian cancer.....these people are trained for just this type procedure.....I think I continue to be NED (no evidence of disease) because I had a gyn/oncologist perform my surgery......please ...if you listen to anything anyone says....make certain you have a gyn/oncologist at your side during surgery.
Peace.
dian
Peace.
dian
Hi Kerry, and welcome! I'm fairly new myself, but I can tell you that you have come to the right place to find info and friends to help you through it all. I can't offer you too much medical info, as my surgery is a day before yours and I don't know the size or type of my cysts either. But I can tell you this...the CA125 is a blood test that is used to screen for ovarian cancer. BUT the numbers can be elevated for many other reasons also, and if you are premenopausal, it is apparently not that accurate. Anyone out there please correct me if I am wrong in anyway. Also from reading on this site, I have read that some people's cysts have grown quite quickly, so it's not unheard of. I have a feeling mine have too in the last 2 weeks, but who knows...Good luck with everything next week, I know you will soon have lots of informative responses and support on here in no time at all....
All the best,
Joelle
All the best,
Joelle
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