Help Pls, I am very frightened

[Hannah49]

I have had a few cancer scares in the past (am still getting mammograms 3 times a year) and have had tests in the hospital for cervical cancer a few years ago, which luckily, I didn't have.

This morning I went for my annual physical and when I showed her my stomach and told her how much I exercise and watch my diet, she sceduled an ultrasound at the hospital for me this Sunday to check for ovarian cancer.  Needless to say, I am scared to death.  I have health insurance that is minimal (I had to pay for all the mammos last year) and while I am not indigent by any means I can hardly make ends meet these days.  

I'm hoping that I'm putting the horse before the cart and that I don't have it, but will they be able to tell by doing the ultra sound?  I know I've always been able to read the techs faces by their expressions and actions even though they don't say anything because it is against policy.

I guess what I'm saying is that if there is something they do see, it isn't necessarily cancer is it?  Wouldn't they have to do a biopsy first?

Sorry to ramble, I'm just so stressed out.

Thanks in advance for any input, knowledge you may have..

[jane65]

Hi Hannah, I am so happy for your good news! I'm glad your internist ordered both ultrasounds, and that both are normal is definitely a reason for both a Woo Hoo! and a sigh of relief, no sign of cancer!!. Let us know hw the Mammogram goes. Best of luck,.... Jane

[Hannah49]

I had the external and internal ultrasounds done yesterday at the hospital.  My doctor's office called this morning and said they are normal.  Woo Hoo!  I am so excited!  Now if my next mammo in two weeks comes back looking good too, I will breath a sigh of relief for awhile.

Thank you so much for being here.  This board and all the people on it are as kind; it truly is a Godsend.  It's so comforting to know that you are not alone at times like this.

God Bless you all - You ladies will be in my prayers forever :D

[jane65]

Obviously I meant a transvaginal ultrasound, I hit the wrong key, it's not a "transvainal ultrasound". Jane

[jane65]

Hi Hannah, First lt me say you have a beautiful name. The CA125 is a cancer antigen blood test, normal readings are 0-35 and it gives a doctor an idea of whether there may be a problem, it's used as a diagnostic tool along with a transvaginal ultrasound if OVCA is a posibility, . Rather than my giving you an explaination of what the CA125 is, please check it out on medical website, or two. With a transvainal ultrasound, you'd hve an empty bladder and a probe would be put into your vagina, to image your female organs, It's not uncomfortable. I looked at a couple of websites, and a regular ultrasound requires a full bladder, but nothing is inserted. Once again, check the websites. I know how frightening the waiting and wondering is, we have all gone through it, so has anyone with any symptoms of any disease. Once you get the results back, please, please go to a GYN, they are trained in the female stuff. I'm so glad your internist is checking out your increased belly, my internist dismissed my health complaints for 6 months, until my GYN discovered my mass on a routine exam. You've been so lucky up to now, with the medical scares you had, lets hope this is just something else to put behind you, good luck tomorrow, and get copies of the blood work, and the ultrasound test. Waiting to hear from you, Jane

[Hannah49]

Thank you both for your responses.  I know, I'm worrying too soon; it's just hard not to.

Jane, if nothing else, I keep telling myself that my doctor is somewhat of an "alarmist" at times, and it may be nothing.  She is an internist and gave me an internal exam yesterday as part of my yearly physical.  The reason she is sending me for this test is my stomach.  It's been extremely bloated and large for the last 4 to 5 months.  I'm an exercise freak with at least five hours of cardio a week, three days of strength training and three days of either yoga and pilates. What I'm saying is there is no reason for the large belly. I literally cannot button any of my jeans or pants lately.   I don't have any of the other symptoms though, so it's a mystery.   Oh, and I have tried things like cutting out salt, veggies that may bloat, etc.
How about a cyst?  Am I more or less likely to have a cyst which isn't cancerous?  

Jane, I don't know what a CA125 blood test is - the nurse drew lots of blood but chances are she is just using it to run for the usual tests done during a physical.  I'm also not sure what kind of ultrasound it is.  All I was told was to drink lots of water and have a full bladder.

I guess she is sending me because she doesn't know  and wants to lean on the side of caution.

I will let y'all know how it goes.

Thanks for listening :D

[jane65]

Hi Hannah, I can undersand that you're so very frightened, please take things one at a time as Judy said. Take a breath, I have a few questions to ask you, what kind of doctor did you see for your physical? A GYN or an internist? Did you have a CA125 blood test, used as a marker for OVCA, if your reading is normal, that's very good. Next, are you having a transvaginal ultrasound at the hospital? And finally, do you have any symptoms of OVCA, like bloating, weight loss, feeling full after eating just a little food, and urinary problems? You can only be definitely diagnosed fo OVCA with a pathology report done, as Judy said with a biopsy, if they feel there's something suspicious. Best wishes and let us know what the test shows. Jane

[JC145]

There is no one on this forum that can ease your mind at this point.  First, you need the ultra sound .. and thank your MD for being so vigilent in ordering it.   Should they find something, then they may or may not operate depending on "what" they see.  A positive diagnosis for ovarian cancer can only be made with a biopsy.  Too many variables at this point.  Try to stay positive.  I feel your stress and unfortunately, you need to take it one step at a time.  God be with you,  Judy