Another Crazy Day

[Gemimablackvelvet]

Hello Ladies, I was meant to let some of you know the exact results of my CT scan after the MDT meeting yesterday but I woke up with in excruciating pain in the right hand upper quadrant. After waiting for several hours for the pain to subside I was forced to ring the GP for advice. She told me to go to A&E immediately, which I did. I was petrified.

Long story short-I was seen by 3 different Doctors and given 3 different diagnosis. I was eventually moved to the surgical assessment ward with suspected gall stones. After blood tests and the other usual tests the senior doctor decided it was the gall bladder pressing on a new tumour at the front of my gall bladder. The doctor said it was nothing I should worry about and to liaise with the oncologist at my next appointment. They had my latest scan results on the computer. Apparently there has been a slight increase in the size of a couple of tumours in my peritoneum. A decrease in size in another and this new one at the front of my my gall bladder. The tumours in my liver have increased slightly. By the time I left the hospital at 1.30am I was totally confused. Still in excruciating pain but advised to take Oramorph and Paracetamol. The CSN who rang whilst I was in A&E said it wasn't as bad as it sounds and the Carboplatin will help reduce the tumours. I have a face to face appointment with the oncologist March 26th and starting chemo again March 30th, which is much sooner than expected. I'm still confused but the pain has subsided somewhat so I'm more upbeat today.

Sorry about the saga but I thought it might help any ladies who may have a similar experience.

Love to you all

Angela xx

[Laurasdaughter]

Dear Angela,

It is great news that your chemo is starting soon. i'm so sorry about all the pain you're going through. You are an incredible survivor. Oramorph is good; it really helped my mother and it will help you.

Love,

Jane

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to Laurasdaughter]

Bless you dear Jane, it's amazing how you can still find it in your heart to think about the ladies who loved your mum, Laura, so much. Thank you for your good wishes

Loads of love to you

Angela xx

[delia2]

Hi Angela. Thank you for the update but your experience sounds brutal as well as frustrating and scary. I had gallstones when I was younger and the pain was horrendous. I hope the chemo shrinks that new tumor as well as the rest. At least you know what the problem is now. Take good care of yourself in the meanwhile. xx

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to delia2]

Hi Delia, the senior doctor didn't think it was the actual gallstones causing the problem. More the gall bladder pressing on the tumour. I still don't think I've had the answer. The pain has eased today so the Oramorph is kicking in. I'm hoping I don't have to take it for much longer. I'm always worried we can become immune to morphine before we really need it. Love from Angela

xx

[Lyndy]

Oh how horrible and scary for you Angela.... give yourself a pat on the back and take it easy xx

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to Lyndy]

It was scary Lyndy and I think that's part of our lives now. Every problem is huge. Fear and anxiety never really leaves us. I'm calmer today but still confused. Love from Angela xx

[Pianoplayer731021]

So sorry that you went through all that pain. Hope that the chemo will take care of your tumor. I had my gall bladder removed 6 years ago and it was very painful. Take care, Angela xx Donna

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to Pianoplayer731021]

Thank you for replying Donna. I mentioned removing the gall bladder to the doctor yesterday as I'm always in fear of a gallstone escaping but he said we will not be removing your gallbladder with your condition, meaning cancer I assume. He assured me it was the gall bladder pressing on the new tumour causing the pain. I'm still not convinced. Love from Angela x

[Pianoplayer731021 in reply to Gemimablackvelvet]

My gall bladder was inflamed and I had one stone. Very painful as it was an emergency. It’s too bad that the dr. won’t remove the gall bladder with the tumor. You can live without a gall bladder. Doctors are funny when it comes to a surgery. I know that a different surgeon removes gall bladders than an oncologist. They don’t want to interfere with another dr.’s field of expertise. It can be so frustrating when it comes to the medical issues with doctors. Anyway, hope things go smooth for you. Sending a hug, Donna 😊🌸

[JustKBO]

Ah Angela I’m so sorry you had to go through all that. Thank goodness your appointment with the onc is not too far in the future and then you can get going with the Carbo. Big hugs. X

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to JustKBO]

Thank you KBO. Yes I feel very lucky about the speed of the appointment. Almost looking forward to the Carbo challenge.Love from Angela xx

[JustKBO in reply to Gemimablackvelvet]

BTW it’s Maria. X

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to JustKBO]

Ahhh that’s much friendlier than KBOLove from Angela Maria xx

[RainbowC]

Oh what a lot to deal with! I hope the painkillers keep the pain under control, and the chemo kicks the tumours out. Do let us know how you get on x

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to RainbowC]

Thank you Rainbow, I feel things are more under control today. Although I'm still confused.I'll keep in touch

Love from Angela x

[Jacky5]

Dear AngelaI'm so sorry to hear you've had such a rough time...you must have been absolutely exhausted.

I'm glad you're feeling a little better now and hope you have the pain under control . Glad you're able to start the chemo quickly too.

Do keep letting us know how you're doing.

All the best and hoping you're able to get some rest and regain your strength.

Liz.x

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to Jacky5]

Thank you Liz, it's been a traumatic few weeks really. One thing after another. Maybe this is the beginning of a much calmer time. It makes me wonder where we all find such strength when we need it. Love from Angela x

[Sashay2020]

I sure wish you hadn’t had a day that truly went beyond crazy. Excruciating pain and waiting in the ER sounds pretty miserable. And having three doctors trying to figure things out. A gold medal to you for getting through it all! I hope you tolerate your upcoming chemo well and that it will prove effective. Sashay

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to Sashay2020]

Thank you Sashay, I have to say I'm still not convinced I have the right answer. We have to put our trust in the experts I suppose. The pain has eased thanks to Oramorph

Love from Angela x

[Hidden]

Hello Angela - so sorry to hear you have been having such a rough time, but glad to hear you are not in as much pain. Good luck with your chemo on the 30th.

Love Lyn x

[Permafrost]

Hi Angela, what an ordeal for you it’s so difficult when you sift through different options. Well done you for picking yourself up ready for next round of treatment. I start my third course of chemotherapy tomorrow dreading it but will take some of your courage and give it a go. I hope you cope well with your next round best wishes Diane x

[SUE7777]

Hi Angela, That sounds like a really awful day I'm so sorry. I'm glad your team are onto the problem. Don't worry about the morphine they won't let you take too much and you won't be immune you need it at the moment and that's what it's there for, I find taking it scary. I hope you soon get sorted out. Take care Sue xx

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to SUE7777]

Thank you Sue, I just worry that covering a pain is not getting to the bottom of it. 🤦‍♀️Love from Angela x

[SUE7777 in reply to Gemimablackvelvet]

Hi Angela, That's completely true but in this instance until you get treatment which will get on top of it the pain relief will help. Take care and all the best Sue xx

[LesleyGB]

What a frightening and confusing time for you! I hope your pain is under control now. Wishing you all the best for the start of your chemo and your Onc consultation.x

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to LesleyGB]

Thank you Lesley, the pain has eased but I’m still not convinced I’ve had the right answers. I’m having a research day today. Not ever so pleasant but interesting for we Healthunlockers

Love from Angela x

[Cheryl4677]

Sorry to hear you have had such pain and worry. Hopefully you can have the pain controlled and the chemo will help to reduce the pressure you are feeling. Good to see that the surgeons took time to consider at didn’t rush you into theatre to remove your gallbladder. Best of luck Angela. Will be thinking of you.

Cheryl

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to Cheryl4677]

Hello again Cheryl, the pain is better now but I’m still not convinced anyone knows the answer. 🤦‍♀️ Feeling less frantic today. Love from Angela x

[win_56]

Oh Angela so sorry to hear all trauma you are going through and I hope you'll get a proper diagnosis to all this pain soon as sometimes the not knowing us worse than the knowing. Keep us informed and I'll be praying for you and fingers crossed you'll feel better when you start chemo and kick this back into touch. Xxx

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to win_56]

Thank you Win_56 I will keep you all informed and thank you for your prayers, I'm feeling less frantic now but still confused about the 3 different doctor's opinions.

Love From Angela xx

[Ruebacelle]

On the other hand you could have the gall bladder removed ... and they cd get rid of any tumors lying about that are operable. That's what happened w me I had an occlusion and they fixed it and found a wee tumor that showed up on the pet scan but wasn't big enough on its own to operate. Good luck and really sorry about the pain.

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to Ruebacelle]

That's Really interesting Ruebacelle. Thank you. I did actually suggest this to the Surgeon on Monday. He said he wouldn't take out the gall bladder because I had cancer. (he wasn't a gynaecology surgeon) I will certainly mention this to the Oncologist when I see him next Friday March 26th. I have 2 tumours in 2 separate sections of my liver too which I will also mention. The gall bladder and the liver are very close aren't they! Every time I ask about surgery I'm told it will not extend my life expectancy. I'm 77 now but I'm told ageism is not the reason but I do wonder!!!Thank you again,

Angela x

[Ruebacelle]

Of course if they do major evisceration the gall bladder along w appendix will go

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to Ruebacelle]

Sounds like a brilliant idea Ruebacelle !!! Love Angela x

[Summergold2]

Hi Angela was wondering how you are doing since chemo is it having the desired affect? Thinking of you sending prayers and wishes for healing!

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to Summergold2]

Hi Summergold, beautiful user name x I’m ok really 2nd of 6 Carbo last Tuesday. Little bit queasy Wednesday and today but manageable. I’ll be having the dreaded CT scan beginning of June so will have a better idea about the “desired effect” then. Just wishing and hoping like all of us.

Hope you’re ok with you’re treatment. I’ll look back to see where you are with that.

Thank for caring

Live Angela xx

[Summergold2]

Hang in there I have one more treatment of Avastin next month and then a pet scan at the end of the month 2 ct scans one in August and one in January of 2021 showed no change which I was thankful for as my Ca 125 rose from 2 to 50 seems it is hanging at 44 and the doc is happy says stable so pet scan will show what is going on in the micro sense as ct can only see 1 cm...at least that’s what I was told . Keep fighting hard charger!

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to Summergold2]

I will. I haven’t asked for my CA 125 result from last week. I’m not sure I want to know just yet. Love Angela x