i can relate to you l had a dermoid cysts removed and my ovary when l was 10 years old now at the age of 26 l have it on my left ovary and my spaiallist has told to do the waiting game and wait and see what happens.My dermoid is right in the middle of my ovary and if removed will lessen my chaners of having children. At the moment lam resarching and reading up of cysts l found a holistical approach book on the net l thought there is no harm trying and seeing. If intereted the book is called Cystsb no more by mary parker
Please update us and let us know what has been happening. I posted on the Ovarian cancer part of this board, about a possible second dermoid in the same ovary. I had surgery Nov. 2004 and they saved 70% of my ovary. Now I am having the same symptoms - pain, gas, bloating, and I missed a period. I'm worried it will be another dermoid (or scarring or worse), and then I'll be down to one ovary. Then there might be something up with the other ovary because I had some pain there last week. Not sure. My doc appt is the end of this week too. Even in the states it's hard to get an appt. Especially when you think of it as an emergency, and they don't!
I wish you all the best. Be strong and good luck!
I know this waiting game very well between tests and referrals. Here's how I've been successful making things move more quickly.
1. When Dr. A gives you a referral to the next specialist get that specialist's phone number, use the internet if necessary.
2. Call Dr. A back in 2 days to be sure the referral was sent and RECORD what day it was sent out.
3. Give the Doctors at the new clinic 1 day to review your case and then CALL THEM! Tell them you are calling to verify that they have received the referral. Then ask for the appointment desk. Of course, you know that they won't make the appointment until after the doctors see your chart. Be persistant explaining that you want to know what hours and days various doctors are available. Then when you get to the appointment desk get as much information as possible about how open their schedule really is. ASk them, "If I could schedule an appointment today, when would be the first one you could give me?" If their next appoinment is too far out, leave a message to any specific doctor (Dr. B) in the practice explaining why you need to be seen ASAP. Then call Dr. A's office and explain that the referral doctor can't see you for XX number of days and you need to get in sooner. Often, Dr. A can get you in much quicker for an appointment with Dr. B. if Dr. A. makes the appointment request.
4. Follow up daily at the referral doctor's office to see if they are ready to schedule your appointment. The trick here is always to try to talk to the SAME person at the appointment desk. ALWAYS be gentle and kind.
5. Take the first appointment they can give you. Never turn that appointment down as they will now believe that you really are desperate to get into their office. You can always call back and change your appointment if necessary.
6. Call back at a minimum every other day to see if there have been any cancellations that will help you get in sooner, ALWAYS talking to the same receptionist who by now knows your voice. As a patient, always be cheerful and appreciative.
7.I literally take in chocolate to every office visit. A small box of chocolate goes a LONG way in helping people remember who I am and they look forward to my next visit.
8. The most important thing to remember is that no matter how you are suffering, most of the people working in these offices really do care about patients, but they are bound up in ton of red tape. It's the old honey versus vinegar issue. Keep a smile on your face and in my experience, 90% of those people involved in your care will work harder and faster for you!
9. The next most important thing to juggle is the issue of what do we do next if this test result is positive or negative. For instance, if the spinal puncture produces positive information the doctor says we need those results before he can go any further. But, if the fluid is negative, we will do an MRI of the cervical spine.
Usually the doctor wants to wait until the fluid comes back before he schdules the next step. IN this case there isn't much you can do until the fluid is analyzed about a positive test result, but if that result is negative, you want to be scheduled for an MRI immediately If you wait until the test comes back, you will be, once again, days or weeks away from the MRI. Instead, ask your doctor to please give you the perscription for the MRI so that you can get it scheduled for a couple of days after the expected test results return. YOU CAN ALWAYS CANCEL that appointment if the MRI is not needed.
This stradegy has helped us immeasurably to speed up some very difficult diagnosises which eventually included 3 MRIs, spinal puncture, 10 blood draws, and x-rays.
Be sure to always cancel any appointment you can't make or don't need, and everyone will love you as the perfect patient!
Hi I am still waiting and it will be three weeks since I recieved a referral form my doc here in Iqaluit,CA its taking forever to get to Ottawa to see a specialist I have no choice but to wait for a gyno to see me. I just had an ultrasound and the ovary is still the same size (3cm larger) but changed its shape!! and looks like less free fluid. I am getting fustrated with the waiting since it is my last ovary. I can't seem to eat as much as I did, and when I am eating I am getting intense pain burning sharp pain that it seems it goes right to the back of my spine and when I stand up after that I am getting a pulling and pressure feeling on the left side where my ovary is enlarged thats between my ovary and rib cage and goes right to the back on that side. I was woundering how long of a wait is too long? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make this prosess any faster?
Angie
Thank you for your reply, the advice is much appreciated and will start looking. I hope I can seek some treatment before my ovary is destroyed.