Could it be my twin’s turn now? 😳

[Mrs_Atko]

Hi lovely ones,

Some of you may remember my story (which was actually featured on the Ovacome social media yesterday) but in brief, huge mucinous tumour found in right ovary early 2016, two ops later, staged 1a and minus one ovary, I’m currently over 2 years ‘clear’ & on annual scans.

I have a twin sister (non-identical) who went to see her GP last week. Her periods have been all over the place the last 12 months and she has been bleeding constantly for the last 4 weeks. They have run a load of bloods (incl ca125 - results next week) but have also referred her for an emergency Gynae appt for a biopsy of her uterus wall!

She hasn’t really been given anymore info at this stage so my questions are:

- How do you they do the biopsy (up through cervix or under a general and keyhole?)

- What could they possibly be looking for?

Naturally, my worry has gone into overdrive after what I went through but I’m trying not to worry until we know what she’s dealing with. Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts. I asked my sis what other symptoms she has (bloating, needing to pee more frequently, feeling full quickly) none of which she has, but she does have period type pain, which she doesn’t normally have 😕

Any thoughts would be gratefully received.

Jemima xx

[Coldethyl]

They take a biopsy via a hysterscope procedure which goes via the cervix - it enables them to look around the lining of the uterus for any abnormalities such as fibroids which might explain the bleeding - they are also looking at how thick the lining is and the biopsy shows things like hyperplasia ( pre cancerous changes ) as well as endometrial cancer - I assume it also shows adenomyosis which is endometriosis of womb - sorry your sister is going through this but best to be checked out sooner x

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Coldethyl]

Thanks for taking the time to respond, appreciate your comments x

[Jen85 in reply to Mrs_Atko]

Hi my lovely. I had polyp removed which is essentially the same procedure, and they took biopsys at the same time given my history. I could see everything on screen (at my request, i was curious), it was slightly uncomfortable but that's it 😊 x x

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Jen85]

Thanks hun - hope all is well with you? Xx

[Jen85 in reply to Mrs_Atko]

I'm good thanks. Still six monthly check ups and waiting for latest bloods but I feel well in myself. Off for some winter sun this week. First break since surgery so I'm very much looking forward to it!x x

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Jen85]

Have an amazing time hun...a good break does wonders for the soul ☺️ xx

[Caroles1]

Hi lovely, nice to hear from you, but not under these circumstances. I am hoping it’s just a blip, but what I will say she is being taken care of and you are there to advise her and fight her corner.

Don’t know how old she is, but there could be loads of other, less menacing reasons for her symptoms and I hope it is one of those, my thoughts were fibroids too. Better to be safe than sorry,

Glad you are still ok, as am I😀👍,

Love to you,

Carole xx

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Caroles1]

Thanks lovely...she’s my twin so 35 😊 hoping it’s nothing sinister but it’s difficult to not worry. She’s also over in Norfolk, so not close by plus I’m going away on Monday for a few weeks so she’ll be on my mind a lot.

Glad to hear you’re well too 😊 long may that last xx

[Caroles1 in reply to Mrs_Atko]

I won’t tell you not to worry, because I know you will, just be assured she is in the best hands and sounds like and early examination. I worry about family, what may or may not happen, it doesn’t make anything better, most of it is out of our hands.

I just wish the best for you and your twin and TRY and enjoy your time away, I’m sure it will be fine.

Let us know how she is, you can always pm me,

Take care,

Carole xx

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Caroles1]

Thanks hun xx

[Hidden]

Well if you have had the braca testing you will have an idea of what could be ahead from the result. Hopefully your sister has nothing sinister. I think that the doctors do not really guess and go by the biopsy results after surgery. I wish your sister the best and hope that all will go well for her.

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Hidden]

I’ve not been brca tested. Yes I guess we won’t know anything for sure until after her bloods and biopsy. Her GP did a physical examination so I’m wondering why they’ve not opted for an USS as well? I guess we’ll have to wait and see 😟 x

[Lily-Anne]

My biopsy was cervical with a quick spray of a numbing agent which actually kicked in after. It’s uncomfortable but not painful. They painted a black coating after to seal it but I did still bleed a couple of days later. Usually looking for cancer cells , endometriosis and hormone levels. No sex for five days after to avoid infection

Xx

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Lily-Anne]

Thanks LA...she hasn’t had her appointment through yet but will probably be whilst I’m away. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻 xx

[Maus123]

Hi Jemima. I hope your sister's ailments turn out to be based on something easily curable. I'd also wonder why no USS.. maybe not necessary because of the biopsy? Fingers crossed for you both. Xx. Maus

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Maus123]

Thanks Maus, I do too! I guess we’ll find out soon enough! Xx

[Cropcrop]

Hi Jemima, great to hear from you but i wish the circumstances were better and I’m so sorry your sister is having issues.

There’s nothing to suggest, from what you say, that she will have the same diagnosis you had, however, the tests will tell her team what’s going on and, given your history and that she’s your twin, they will certainly be more aware of the potential for OC being there, check for it and, hopefully, rule it out speedily. I truly hope it’s nothing sinister and I would never wish fibroids or any period issues on anybody but I hope that’s all (?) it is.

As always, you have our love and support, as does your sister, let us know how she gets on, big hugs and love to you both. I hope you’re well lovely ❤️Xx Jane

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Cropcrop]

I will do - thanks Jane. She has made them aware of my history so I’m hoping they’ll jump all over it. Time will tell. Thanks for your kind words xx

[Jen85]

Hello lovely. When I had my biopsys they didn't do an ultrasound as they stick a camera in so they get a better look than an ultrasound. My polyps (spelling?!) made me bleed, at one point for a few weeks. Also had cramps, so fingers crossed it's something as harmless as that. Fingers crossed for you both x x

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Jen85]

Thanks Jen...yeah her only symptoms seem to be excess bleeding (like she’s been shot apparently!!) and pain but no bloating, distention, urges to pee more frequently etc so sounds different to my symptoms. Obviously hoping it’s something easily treatable & nothing to worry about 🤞🏻 appreciate your responses hun, thank you 🙏🏻 xx

[Microbabe]

Hi sweetheart so sorry to hear about your sister. It’s all the more worrying as you know what to expect but it may not be oc there are as you know loads of reasons it could even be the menopause very early but still possible. I had the biopsy procedure, like Lilly Anne says it’s uncomfortable with period like pains a little bleeding but not very much it doesn’t take long at all really. Sending you both best wishes and support and please let us know how your sister gets along. So glad to hear your still doing well 😍😍

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Microbabe]

Thanks sweetie - lovely to hear from you. Yes trying to remain positive. Had an awful dream her ca125 was through the roof! 😳 I’m hoping she’ll have her biopsy soon. Will def keep you posted. Thanks for your response & kind words. Appreciate it 🙏🏻 xx

[Mrs_Atko]

So she’s had her bloods back...CA125 is 48 and her U’s and E’s are both abnormal...? (I’ve no idea what those are???) she is having an USS on 17th Nov and her Gynae appt isn’t until 20th Dec!!

[January-2016-UK]

Hello Jemima, Us and Es stands for urea and electrolytes and is a measure of kidney function. The healthy kidney excretes urea and is important in maintaining the electrolyte balance of the body. Any number of diseases and indeed chemo treatment can cause imbalances, where chemicals can be either higher or lower than normal.

That's a long wait for the gynaecologist appt. she could quickly check if anything seemingly worrying were to be found, she'd be called in earlier. It's a worrying time particularly in view of your history but hopefully something easily treatable.

[bellalife]

Hi Jemima, I am new to the website and just posted this week for the first time. I've been scrolling through others peoples posts when I noticed yours. One thing in particular really stuck out....the metallic smell. I'm 50 years old and simply went to have my IUD out last when I was told I had a cyst. My CA125 has come back normal (10) but I have had terrible bladder issues lately. In addition my daughter has told me on a number of occasions that I smell like metal! Have you had anyone else mentioned this as being a symptom of ovarian cancer? I don't actually smell it myself so it seems quite odd to me. In any case, I am in a bit of limbo now as my next ultrasound is not for two months. I am planning on going to the States and getting more testing done privately to speed things up. Thanks, Bellalife.

[Mrs_Atko in reply to bellalife]

Hi Bella, not sure if I had replied to this as been away a lot. I don’t think other people noticed the metallic smell, just me (& it was more when I’d pop to the loo). But it certainly was an indicator I knew something was wrong because it was unusual.

I think you’ll be due your next USS around now so hoping that all goes well for you hun 🤞🏻 keep us posted xx

[bellalife]

Oh one more thing....I too have a twin sister. So far her issues have just been with fibroids.

[CallmeMum]

How is your sister now? Xxx

[Mrs_Atko in reply to CallmeMum]

Hi lovely, she is doing ok thanks. I went with her to her Gynae appointment (& I’m so glad I did). He was truly awful! The registrar and not the consultant. Found it difficult to understand him (& he us) but after I eventually totally lost the plot with him and he went out to speak to his consultant, we finally got what we wanted. She had an on-the-spot smear, biopsy and they’re going to repeat the CA125 and USS. They’ve prescribed a drug to help with the bleeding and everything else will be coming through this month and Feb. Just hope we don’t have to deal with this registrar again but I fear we will! My sis said had I of not been with her, she’d have just walked out of the appointment! So we’ll have to see what comes of the biopsy and next scan/bloods 🙏🏻 xx

[CallmeMum in reply to Mrs_Atko]

Fingers crossed it’s not bad. Some people are really useless, whilst others are brilliant hopefully she’ll have answers sooner rather than later xxx