A GP who cares helped me get a diagnosis

[GoldenGourd]

Hi I have 2 boys - one at uni and one about to start sixth form. I am at the start of my diagnosis and have a complex ovarian mass and peritoneal disease. I am waiting to be seen by gynae onco consultant to see how treatment will look. It is horrible. I changed GP a few months ago. The last lot did not seem to care about getting to the bottom of my symptoms and after a half hearted ultrasound scan where bowel gas obstructed good views it petered out in Feb 15. A naive person I was to have assumed that if the GP didn't see a problem then it was ok.

Turns out it was not and all this time it has been growing. Makes my blood boil but I must stay calm... The new GP was onto it and it is thanks to her diligence that I am aware of the cancer. I am worried for my children mostly and my husband.

Just waiting now.....

[Hidden]

Hi

The waiting is the worst sadly as diagnosis takes so long. And you never really know until after surgery in a lot of cases.

I had symptoms for nearly a year and was only diagnosed in April. Surgery 4 weeks ago and chemo to start shortly.

Each stage is so worrying and sometimes no matter what anyone tells you in the way of comfort doesn't help. But I promise you it does get easier. The ladies on here are amazing. You can call and speak to the nurse onthis site or the Macmillan site they are so reassuring.

You need to be positive and know that so much can be done to help you.

[GoldenGourd in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for replying and for your words.

[Lily-Anne]

Try not to worry, I had the same with my GP who turned me away for nine months with indigestion. I changed GP and was sent for a scan, they thought it was a simple cyst on my ovary. It was OC inside it.

Once they are on to it thought things move briskly. Take each day at a time and ask every question that comes into your head. I took a sheet of A4 paper with both sides filled and wouldn't let them move until until I'd been through them all. It's your body and your future make sure you are happy with your team, if not ask for a second opinion.

Good luck

LA

[Hidden]

Well best of all it is now being sorted, I hope you get a fast apt with gynae oncologist, if not, keep ringing until you do. OC is hard to diagnose as it is similar to IBS, It would appear that the last thing a gp suspects is OC but this does happen unfortunately. I wish you well with your appointment, explain how you were delayed in getting to him and see if he can do the necessary sooner rather than later. Best wishes and let us know how things are going

[Beth25]

I do sympathise. I had an brilliant GP but I think she possibly wasn't well enough informed about ovarian cancer to be immediately on the alert given my symptoms. However once I had a scan she leapt into action immediately and was a wonderful support until her retirement last year. Like you, I worried constantly about how all those closest to me would cope. My son was in the middle of finals at university and I spent a long 4 or 5 weeks pretending everything was normal before I could tell him what was actually happening. However 4 years down the line we are all still here and they have coped better than I ever could have hoped. The waiting is horrible though and allows your mind time to go to all sorts of dark places, however there is light out there and after you've seen the specialists and have a plan in place I hope you'll feel stronger.

Beth x

[GoldenGourd in reply to Beth25]

Beth thanks for that. It makes things seem less bleak to hear your story. I wish you continued good health. BW Netti

[Tesla_7US]

Be certain that you see a gynecological oncologist/surgeon!!! Survival rates depend on the QUALITY of the SURGEON's work!!!!! THIS IS ESSENTIAL. Find a specialist, a surgeon who operates on gynecological cancers every day!!!!! The quality of the "debulking" will determine your outcome. Tesla in Seattle

[Naimish]

You could'nt me more correct Tesla. Cytoreduction is the most minute and strenuous of surgeries especially if its on the peritoneum. The surgeon works on it for 10 hours at a stretch, scraping and cutting all that the eye can see. Chemo is a corollary to the surgery and we need both to succeed.

Naimish

[GoldenGourd in reply to Naimish]

Thanks Naimish

[OC1985]

You have a wonderful Doctor! I had mine for about (30) years and he sent me to the specialist when we confirmed that my cancer had again returned. I had surgery and continued to go to both Doctors. The specialist for Cancer who contributed to complain because I “had the same complaints every time I saw him!” He said I’m fine and should be happy!

Well I finally asked my family GP to do tests and as I expected the cancer was back but what I didn’t expect was for it to be in my Lungs and Terminal. I have survived past the 6-12 months, did take Chemo for the first time, and and getting ready to start again.

Stay cheerful, be happy and do something fun 💎