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485259 tn?1519047026

upcoming ovary removal surgery due to cysts

Not really a question so much as a recap to get the forum rolling....

I'm 42, I am having surgery May 1 to remove both ovaries (yes, I finally decided to do both). I have large cysts on one, small on the other and a mystery mass, solid in nature that "concerns" my doctor, and "distresses" me!  CA-125 normal, but not reassuring until biopsy or so I am told. Everyone here seems to know what size and type of cyst they have, but I don't. Should I? aaaaghhh, so much to learn. Anyway, counting the days until I get rid of these bowling balls I am hauling around, which hurt and make it hard to do normal things at this point, but nervous about the future ie. my diagnosis?!? my upcoming surgical menopause "adventure"? I am tired of friends, family and even my doctor telling me it's no big deal, they are just my ovaries. I KNOW I won't hear that here...lol
Well, that's my story. Knowledge is power, lets share, and support one another. That is why we are here, right?

All the best to my future "cysters"...

Joelle
24 Responses
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Avatar universal
I would have to think with your hx it probably is an endometrioma. I'm glad your  going to have it taken care of to make sure. Have a nice evening!!!!

Hugs,
Shari
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, I do have endometriosis (suspected for years due to infertility and confirmed during my lap 2yrs ago to remove a 7cm endometrioma).  My hx plus the appearance of this cyst is what is leading them to the conclusion that endometrioma is the most likely dx but obviously they need to take it out to be sure
Helpful - 0
485259 tn?1519047026
Everyone, Thanks all for the support as always....I think this forum is the postive, helpful, supportive place we were hoping for!!

JandaB, best of luck to you on Monday, try and enjoy your weekend and do something nice for yourself. You're right, CA125 is unreliable, so stay positive if you can. Easier said than done, I know, but don't waste another minute with worry if you can help it, since it isn't going to change a thing about our conditions. That is my new philosophy right now...every day wasted with worry is a good day lost, since it's not doing me any good anyway. I'll start worrying if and when I get a legitimate diagnosed reason to, but until then, I am making the most of every presurgery day! I hope you can do the same.I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and wish you ALL the best Monday!!

take care,
Joelle
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486831 tn?1209148864
I'm wishing the best of luck and a speedy recovery.  Your normal CA125 should be very reassuring.  Keep postitve thoughts. :)

I'm trying to do that also.  My surgery will be on Monday and I have a really high CA125 - so that is really worrying me.  But on the other hand (how many hands can I have? HeeHee) I know that the Ca125 can be unrealiable.  

Anyways - hang in there!
Helpful - 0
485259 tn?1519047026
So many great comments to respond to, where do I start?!? Thanks for the well wishes, and sharing your information, I learn something from everyone's story! But also, thanks for the laughs, you are all funny and bring a smile to my face when I need it.

Recap: I didn't mention on this site when I reposted and the question had come up a few times..., but I had a partial hysterectomy 7 yrs ago due to prolapsed uterus, so just the O's are left, and I give them up with great reluctance.(why am I emotionally attached to my ovaries all of a sudden, I have bitched about them for years!! lol)
I made my decision to do both the other day when I realized how much emotional and physical energy has been used up either going through this, and worry about it being or becoming cancer. I don't want to have to do this again, so I am taking the advice to take out both based on a healthier future, with a big hormonal price tag unfortunately. But, if that is the worst thing I deal with, I am still blessed. Let's hope that I too wake up in the 99% club, (congrats Donna!! ). But if I don't, I know that I have found a good place to land and won't be facing any of this by myself.

Thank you ladies!
Joelle
Helpful - 0
329994 tn?1301663248
Joelle,
Good luck on your surgery May 1st.  Are you having a complete hysterectomy or just ovaries removed? I wasn't sure reading your post.  Don't you love all the "well-meaning friends and family"  Mine all keep telling me that I am just "at that age" - I am 50, but even my doctor told me that no, my symptoms are not menopausal symptoms, so I felt better.  I will keep you in my prayers - good outcome, full recovery and back to feeling like your old self.

Laney,
Obviously, you need to do what you feel is best for you, but from reading on the other forum, I think that with your symptoms and your reports, you need to be checked out.  I hope it is ok to say that and that you don't think I am interfering. I am just concerned for you!!

Hugs,
Colleen
Helpful - 0
408163 tn?1242949501
Painterchic,
Nice to see on "the other side" I too have the damn cysts...lol. Mine are bilateral and complex on the ovaries. I have been having serial ultrasounds since last Sept. I also have a huge fibroid. Everyone keeps screaming hysterectomy at me, but Im dragging my feet. I have another US april 30th and then an appt with the Doc on May 2nd, so Im sure I will have the plan all mapped out for me at that point. I can sympathize with the "bowling balls" LOL. I also have been having increasing pain in my pelvis and back, constipation and nausea....Lets not forget the fatigue...Im figuring though, that all the stress of worrying is enough to make anyone tired...
So good luck with your surgery. Go Get EM!!!
Laney
Helpful - 0
445278 tn?1237002807
My gyn/ob/onc diagnosed my cyst as a multi chambered septated cyst. Apparently there are  a bunch of little chambers and some larger spread throughout the mass.
There were some crystalised formations in some of the smaller , liquid in the larger.

I hear you when you say its hard and painful lugging em around ; )

You will feel so much better after May 1 !

Good luck to you ,

~Tam
Helpful - 0
483733 tn?1326798446
Count me in this weekend!
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Avatar universal
Hi Hun,

Nope, there was no mention of what kind of cyst it could have been. Do you have endometriosis? That is what causes the "chcolate tumot". It is, really, just a sack full of old blood and debris (ew, yuck. I know!!!!). Now, I bet, you really can't wait to have it out!!!! Anymore ?????????'s I'll be back after dinner.

Hugs,
Shari
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Shari
Can I ask - before you had the chocolate cyst removed were the ultrasounds suggestive of this type of cyst?
This is what the doctors think I have (and have had) - endometrioma aka chocolate cyst.
Thanks!
Mary (real name)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you and welcome!  I'm pretty sure you were the one responsible for the Saturday night cyber parties, weren't you?  Maybe we could have a party (that I could actually get to be at) this weekend?

Any ladies interested?

Morrowville
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, it's me, Shari. I just thought I'd give you all a quick run-down on me, so You can consult me if you think I can answer. I had a complete hysterectomy (even took my appendix; just for fun), and a "chocholate tumor" removed abdominally. My incision went form pubic bone to just below my belly button (no staple, though, Donna.....just this gluey stuff and stitches). I was, also, FULL of endometriosis, which my gyn/onc did his best to remove. Anyway, like Shawn, I have a history of blood clots and therefore NO HRT. I'm handling it pretty wel, but I, of course, do suffer some ill effects. My symptoms BS (before surgery) were many and varied. Basically, I had been sick feeling for over a year before dehydration and passing out landed me in the hospital this past December. That's when they found the tumor. So, anyway, that's my story in a nut shell. If anyone ever feels like I could help them, in any way, please, call on me. It would be my honor to assist in any way possible!!!! Good to meet you all, old friends and new!!!!!

Hugs,
Shari
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I also forgot to add that my CA125 was within normal range.  If I remember correctly, it was 1.  I still felt lucky to have doctors who acted quickly over "nothing" than to have ignored my symptoms though.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Good luck on your upcoming surgery.  In 1997 I had a hyst due to large fibroids. Had urterus/cervix removed and recovered nicely.  The ovaries stayed in since I was still young and have a history of blood clots and HRT wasn't an option.  Well, 2 years ago I developed some pelvic pain which lead me back to the ob/gyn.  He discovered I had a cyst, I can't remember the size or type, at the time other "spots" were seen and a CT was ordered.  He consulted a gyn/onc right there in the office and scared the daylights out of me.  The CT was done and I was scheduled for an oopherectomy, omenectomy and staging for Ovca.  Thank goodness it turned out to be surgical adhesions from my hyst that was scattered everywhere and a complete mess, but I recovered nicely and have had NO side effects.  Maybe a few hot flashes here and there, but am doing fine without HRT.  

That's pretty much my medical history in a nutshell.  I never knew what type of cyst I had, I just knew I was in the 99% club when I woke up.  I pray you are too.

Best wishes,
Shawn


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Great people of the forum!  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

I will likewise visit both forums, just to check in on friends.  Now I'm on to recovery, emotional, spiritual, and last but certainly no less important, physical!

I could dance (I wont', but I sure feel like I could dance!)

love,
Donna
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408448 tn?1286883821
Marty is so right. Keep in mind the warning signs of ovca and direct them to a gyn/onc. It took YEARS to get my diagnosis. I will "lurk" around here every so often to see if I can be of help. Thanks, Marty, Donna, and all for giving your time to assist women in need of advice and support.  Marie
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485259 tn?1519047026
Hi all, just checking back in,  I am SO enjoying the positive tone and humor here... (very funny, btw, Belle10.) Marty, I KNOW you weren't, and I am glad to see you here... I consider myself 'relocated', not chased out and hope everyone feels the same. It's a good thing. I hope we all stay in touch no matter what our issues are. You are an awesome presence on the ovca forum and hopefully here too!

Thanks for all the good wishes, backatcha girls...

Joelle




Helpful - 0
483733 tn?1326798446
Yes, my American in America cysters you are dear to me too!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
HI, I am belle10 and good luck on upcoming surgery. Your story is almost the same as mine only i had fibroids not cysts. But i also had the mass. Mine was the size of a grapefruit. My family physician sent me to see a on/gyn and 4 days later i was having a total abdominal hyst. Mine was benign and he also said very seldom are they cancerous. I wanted to tell you that so that maybe you wouldn't worry as much. My family physician had actually told me,(it looks as if its ovarian cancer)! nice bedside manner huh? So for the few days before i seen my specialist i actually thought i did! Time to switch to a different family physician for me and my family! You didnt say which type of surgery you were having i mean as far as vaginally, abdominal or so forth? As far as the surgical menopause i wont lie, it was the hot flashes that really bothered me. But everyone is different. I am taking premarin which has really worked for me. I know a lot of women are totally against HRT and it makes me wonder if i should be taking it but it has totally eliminated the flashes. Just remember you have stay put a few days and rest rest rest!!!!! I am glad this forum was started, wait oh my god maybe i shouldn't be here i only had the mass and fibroids not cysts. Please advise lady cysters!!!!!!!
Helpful - 0
167426 tn?1254086235
Good Luck gals  with this forum, all I ask you, please is to remember the signs of OVCA and to redirect any of those posting here that it is imperative that they get expert advice to rule out the chance of cancer.  It took 4  1/2 months of passing the buck for my daughter to get her dx .  Marty

PS I was not one of those that "chased" you out.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Can I be your American in America cyster?  And Sandy too?  lol

Welcome to the ovarian cyst forum--

My recap--I am 46 year old obese woman (350#) with a large dermoid cyst.  This pain in my ovary, was about the size of a fist, and because I am so fat, pre-menopausal and have diabetes & HBP, the surgery was concidered risky.  So they (and I) opted for a complete hysterectomy, due to my other factors (and the chance that they might have to go in there again, which would be very risky).

I had a really successfull surgery, less invasive than originally planned, and I have a lovely 20" incision smiling happily from side to side.  I have a gazillion staples in there because 7 years ago during a c-section, they site bled, and I wound up healing "from the inside out" which took about 4 months of bleeding, and 6 months of healing.  

I am hoping to write back with GREAT news, and I hope to find a forum relating specifically to issues we can be of assistance on.  With so many cyst problems out there, I'm sure this forum will grow exponentially!

love,
Donna
Helpful - 0
483733 tn?1326798446
Hello Ladies!  Nice to join you here!

As a recap I have a 10 cm mass on left overy and tremendously bloated and sore.  Finding it hard to find clothes to wear these days, even splitting zippers!!  Now that doctor is believing the abdominal ultrasound he is taking seriously and had my CT scan this morning.  I am so hoping the results come in tomorrow so that I can get my big rear over to a gyno ASAP.  CA-125 is 28 but like noted above, will not know more until later.  

Joelle, I will be thinking of you and your surgery and sending good thoughts your way.  Take care my Canadian in America cyster!
Helpful - 0
356929 tn?1246389756
Just wanting to wish you luck on the upcoming surgery.It is  so terribly frightening to play the waiting game.
I just had 1 ovary with cyst removed via laparoscope a few months ago. It was small and thought to be of a solid nature, but once they got in there, they found it to be "simple cyst". I'm postmenopausal so it was a bit of a concern.. I know that cysts are fairly common in a younger patient though

And you're right about the CA-125. I have learned from the gals in the OVCA forum that it is not a reliable test while premenopausal ..But as unscientific as it sounds, it's nice that it isn't high..

Please try not to worry (easy for me to say). I'm glad that Med Help got this forum started and please keep us informed !!

Love,
Sandy
Helpful - 0
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