Went to ER today

OMG! That's just insane to suffer like that.  I hope they at least gave you some sort of prescription to take home.  Try to take it easy and get some rest.  Waiting is the hardest part, isn't it?  I'll keep my fingers crossed that maybe they'll have a cancellation or something and can work you in sooner.

Hugs,
Shawn

They gave me painkillers and gravol when I was there and sent me home with a prescription for percocet.  I'm not really a big fan of heavy painkillers - I have to work and I get nervous that I won't feel it if things take a turn for the worse.  I'm hoping that the report from this will help me to get into the gyno faster.

Thanks,
Trudie

Gosh Trudie! I hope you can speed things up. You will feel so much better once your surgery is done. I also had a grapefruit sized solid mass on my left ovary and an orange sized mass on my right. Pain every night, so-so during the day but come nightfall, watch out! I hurt so bad I couldn't get off the couch to go to the ER! Once the surgery was completed, I had a different pain, recovery from exploratory surgery. But it was much easier that the initial pain. I feel so bad for you. I would demand that they move things up. You can't and shouldn't go that long in pain. I hope you feel better. Good luck with everything!
Doris

Dear Trudie,

What helped me through the pain until surgery was taking the pain meds at night.  I found a good night's rest helped me feel better in the morning, and then the pain would start in the afternoon, by the time I was ready for bed, I was also ready for a pain med.

Managing your pain until surgery is a learning experience.  There are alot of techniques you can use that really do help.  For me, I would listen to meditative tapes that would calm me, and help me loosten up.  My problem was I would get so tense preparing to manage the pain, that the tension would cause pain!  Also, listening to music, praying, looking at something relaxing, like a fishtank, or nature scenes.  Anything that you can do to help you take your mind off the problem, and BREATHE... breathing, like when you have babies, is a very good way to calm and de-stress.

I agree that they need to move your surgery up, but knowing where you are, and the type of medical system you are working with, I think the best you can do is focus on pain management until the actual surgery date.

I am praying for you, Trudie... and I am so sorry you are having this pain.  Please try and do as little physical labor as possible, to keep from causing stress to your grapefruit, and let us know how you're doing!
Take the pain meds at night!  My best strategy!

love,
Donna

Thanks Donna.  I do find that I feel best in the mornings after a good sleep and the pain does increase throughout the day.  I hadn't been taking any meds since I wanted to be aware of any significant changes but when they gave them to me at the hospital yesterday I couldn't believe how strong the pain was until it was almost gone!  It's going to be a trying week since I have to travel on business.  I am not looking forward to that. I will definitely take your advice!

Trudie, I dont mean or want to alarm you, but the day you went to the ER it is possible that the "grapefruit" did twist which was causing such pain , but it could have untwisted also.       My experience was waking in the middle of the night with such terrible pain that i was even vomiting. I was hurting so bad i wouldn't even let my husband take me to the ER. I just didnt think i could even do that. After a few hours of my hubby holding and rocking me the pain finally subsided to the regular pain i had been feeling before. That was when i knew i had to see my Dr. When she sent me to my onc/gyn he told me that the night i had so much pain i had probably twisted and should have went to the ER, but luckily it had also untwisted on its own. He set my surgery for 4 days later because he said it could happen again. It might be wise to at least call your Dr to see if you could have your surgery earlier. I would never want anyone to go through what happened to me that night. Also i had the "grapefruit " too. I really dont want to alarm you or think that it could happen to to you also but would you have called your pain excruciating? I know mine certainly was. Best wishes.

Thanks Belle.  Good info to have!  My problem is I haven't seen the specialist yet so am going to try and get into my family doctor tomorrow and see if he can escalate.  I've also had a lot of abdominal surgery in the past and am very worried that adhesions are attaching to things they shouldn't be which is exasperating it.  I never thought I'd be at the point where I'd be begging for surgery!

I don't know if I could be as strong as you.  I have minor discomfort and I complain while you are in extreme pain and refuse painkillers...I wish I could give you my doctor and surgery appointment.  How do you get through your daily activities?  Do you work too?  I have been reading about those going thru chemo and wonder do they have jobs...if I have to go thru chemo, then will I lose my job?  How will I survive? No one really talks about their life outside of this forum much.  We all have family.  I know you work in an office, right? But how do you manage from day to day?  I don't mean to pry but I am somewhat scared for myself as well as for all of us in this forum.  Any insight you and others can shed would be greatly appreciated.

Hang in there...knowledge is power, so share! Please.

Best thoughts for you from me.

It is so funny that I took this job to help me reduce the stress in my life.  I have been an executive in a number of software companies and a year ago had to take my own company bankrupt due to the actions of a business partner who was a con man who cheated me and our investors out of a lot of money.  I now do work as a solution consultant for a distributor of software to large companies.  I figure out the customer's needs and match them to the software and then demonstrate the solution to them.  So I am very involved in sales.  I am very fortunate that I do get to work from home except when I do have to visit a prospect which could be anywhere in North America.  The last few weeks I've been able to be at home.  I have a business trip where my sales partner and I are driving to Cleveland for a demo (driving Thursday and demo is Friday and driving back).  At this point I can't decide if I should go or not.  I am worried I will get sick when in the US and that the drive will be tough on me and that the pain will affect my work.  It is already affecting how much I can accomplish in a day.  It is so hard to concentrate and think.  I hate letting everyone down but am trying to decide if I cancel or not.  I also hate that I can't fit into my professional wardrobe - I am so bloated I don't fit.

The good thing is that in Canada it is against the law for them to fire me based on my health.  I do find it easier to work as it keeps my mind off of everything but it is definitely easier done when you can where a nightgown while sitting at the computer.  I would love to go on disability and deal with this but am afraid that until I have surgery that the insurance company won't look fondly on me giving up work at this point in time.  I just want to have surgery and get my life back.

I don't have little children - my only son is 22 and on his own so that also makes it easier.  I feel for those out there who have a young family to care for.  I have my wonderful husband who will make me dinner and take care of me if I give the word - I am very stubborn and will keep doing what I feel I should unless it gets very bad.  I don't know how those with cancer can handle that with their families.  He is having a harder time dealing with my sickness than I am.  He is more afraid of cancer than I am and worries constantly.  My parents are frantic - no parent can handle their child being sick - we would much rather it be us.  This has actually made me feel like my parents' child again.

I've been through life threatening health issues in the past - I suffered from 10 years of ulcerative colitis, in and out of the hospital until my bowel perforated and I almost died.  I was a month in ICU fighting for my life.  In as much as I am in pain it doesn't compare and my past has taught me to know my body.  I love the pain relief that the drugs can give me but I also want to be able to read my body.  I am so scared of my cyst bursting or twisting and that some of the pain is due to adhesions on my bowel - what if it affects my bowels when I already have all my large bowel removed?  I can't afford to lose any more.

Getting mad helps - I feel I've paid my dues and am very angry that I am being dealt more health issues - I didn't fight so hard to get here to have it taken from me.  I just wish I could release some of my anger on the medical community but then I worry that I don't want to upset them when I need them so much.

I think what you brought up is a great topic.  Best thoughts for you too.

Trudie

It sounds like you are happy...you have a wonderful life and you are right it is not fair what you have been dealt.  You have worked hard to get where you are. I have 3 kids.  All 3 live at home right now.  The oldes is 21 and he has ADHD, my daughter just finished her first year of college and the baby boy is a Sophomore in high school.

Here in the U.S. my job is only guaranteed for 12 weeks, FMLA.  I am an inside insurance adjuster for a major insurance company so I am on the telephone...which sucks when I need to run to the bathroom...I can't just hang up on someone and go!  Luckily my desk is near the bathroom.  And it is hard to have a smile in your voice when you are tired and worried and bloated.  I guess we all have our issues and deal with them as best we can.

I love the part you wrote about feeling like your parents' child again.  Precious.

Talk to you again soon.

I have been having pain in my right side for about 8 days now.  This is all a new thing for me though.  I did make a trip to the ER to make sure it wasnt my appendix, and it was not.  I went to see a gyno the other day and had my normal exam.  Just wondering, if there is cysts or anything else going on will a pap show that?  
Also, Good luck Trudie

pap smears show  abnormal cells from the vagina and the cervix,  they do not detect cysts on the ovary.  If the pain continues, ask for a Trans Vaginal Ultra Sound or an MRI.