How long between detection and action?

[flyingmedgrrl]

I'm a 31 yr old grad student with no children. My university PA found the 5 cm complex mass on my left ovary on 5/8, and I went in for transabdominal US on 5/9. Radiologist stated "diff. dx is benign or malignant neoplasm" on the report. I do not have health insurance, so the PA referred me to the county women's gyn clinic. They weren't going to be able to see me til July, so I went to the women's ER to try to get in earlier. I saw the mass on transvaginal US that day, 5/23. I pushed to get in earlier, but they have to repeat an "official" US first through the hospital's system. The US is next Friday, 6/6 and the clinic appt where I will finally get to see a Gyn isn't until 6/18. Knowing that I have a mass that is potentially malignant, shouldn't they move things a bit faster? I feel like I am at the system's mercy here because I am a starving student with no familial support, and cannot afford health insurance or to pay the outrageous rates to see a specialist. If it is ovca, I have been reading that it can develop very quickly. I have some of the symptoms - rapid weight gain, abdominal bloating, urinary urgency, spotting, some twingey pain around the ovary, painful intercourse - and have for the past 6 months to a year. It seems many feel that I am low risk (age and family history, though grandma had breast cancer) and even the ER gyn wasn't advocating for me to get checked out earlier. Ironically, I will have full insurance in October, when I start at a different university grad program...

Here are the dates again:
detected mass on US - 5/9/08
repeat US scheduled - 6/6/08
clinic appt scheduled - 6/18/08

should i find a patient advocate to help me out?

[flyingmedgrrl]

Thanks for writing!

I have been reading about the CA125, and wasn't sure about getting one done until a couple of nights ago. I decided that if its low, then at least I can stop worrying a bit more. I'm going to stop by my school health clinic on Monday to see if they are able to run that test. If not, I'll have to wait until my clinic appt.

I have been getting copies of most everything, so far, but thanks for the reminder. Especially in the hospital setting, it can be easy to forget to ask for it.

I have to say your pic without hair is beautiful! You look ten years younger! I'm happy that your treatments are going well and you are cancer free. I've been thinking about starting up Qi Gong too. I found classes recently on my side of LA, in Eagle Rock area. Though I'm moving closer to UCLA for this fall. Good to know there's classes there.

[junamgen]

Just want you to know that you are doing great by push the system so far.  It is very imporant to have a copy of all the reports.  Have you had a ca125 done (cancer antigen).  It is a side piece for dx of OVCA (elevated ca125 doesn't mean you have OVCA, in most OVCA patient ca125 is high).  Hopefully u can have one done befor u see dr next time. Final dx of OVCA in most case is from biopsy.

If you want to push more maybe u can keep calling after u have US report (6/6/08) to more your appoint earlier.

U don't have history and young, the chance u have OVCA is very low, but you have to get to the bottom of your symptoms.  Best wish and hope you have a great weekend

Peace and Love

jun