New on forum -- not diagnosed yet

[gls2824]

Hi everyone.  I am in the middle of finding out if I have ovarian cancer and go between bouts of being hopeful and very scared.  First, I'm glad to have found this forum.

I began having cramps and bleeding before Thanksgiving (after not having a period for 18 months).  I went to the gynecologist who found a large cervical polyp (which she thinks is causing the cramping/bleeding) and suspected fibroids.  She scheduled me for a D&C and a polypectomy and wanted a sonogram to see things better.

Well, the sonogram turned up a large mass which they thought might be on top of my uterus.  She then sent me for an MRI and it was found that it is a 10cm mass on my ovary (I was so shaken up I forgot to ask which one!).

Because of my age and other symptoms, she has referred me to a gynecologic oncologist.  She said I will definitely need a hysterectomy no matter what.

Obviously, if it will help I don't care about the hysterectomy, but am scared of the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.  Now I think I have all the symptoms (some lower back pain, bloating, etc.) but feel better after some Tylenol.  I am a middle-aged baby boomer, overweight and definitely out of shape, so these things just didn't seem unusal before.

My gyn said she didn't want to scare me because it could still be a fibroid or a benign mass.  I know no one can tell me if it is, but I guess I'm just looking for some support and words of encouragement.  I go through periods when I'm positive it's benign, and then periods when I'm convinced I have cancer and will not be around much longer.

Sorry for the long post.  And thanks to all.  This forum has a lot of information that is very useful.

[Teresa222]

Don't worry too much right now. Most likely, it is benign.  The stats are on your side.

This site has an excellent support group, regardless of your diagnosis.  Please complete your Profile and keep us up to date.  When will you have the hysterectomy or do you know yet? You are taken all the right steps by next seeing a GYN/ONC.
God Bless You.
Teresa

[yrrek]

Very smart to see a gynonc. just in case, just in case because in all likely hood your mass is benign.  85% of ovarian cysts are benign.  But if it is malignant, it will be best for you that a gynonc is doing the surgery.  In my case it too was thought to be benign, during surgery some tissue was sent to pathology, it came back cancerous so my debulking and staging surgery happened right then and there as well.  Mine was caught early Stage 1c.  Soo please think as positivly as you can, we all here know waiting is the hardest part.  When do you see the gynonc.  Hopefully very soon!!  Good Luck and keep us posted.  Kerry