lapararoscopy

[Ova104]

I have a complex cyst probably 7.2-7.4cm and have been told that I will need eventual laparascopy. I am back 23rd of July again for another tvultrasound to check how it is. The gynae/surgeon has done watchful waiting with me since my diagnosis as he knows I am a carer for my mum and I have no one else at the moment as my carer has moved on recently!! Well she let me down as I fell one night and got a concussion and she didn't come yet had no excuse. I thought if she is carer for my mum then it is better to find out now she is unreliable. The one time I needed her to go to the doctor she wouldn't come to help me. Fortunately my friend came and I had to bring in my mother with me. ~The carer was years in our home as my dad had parkinsons so I feel she love bombed us and it was all fake. It is funny how you get to your 50s and sometimes you don't want to acknowledge a doubt you have about someone and then the reason for that doubt reveals itself!

So now I have no one just me and have to find someone else. My mum is 87. I have gone for a few opinions. I trust one consultant more than the other but still keeping a second opinion along side. The second opinion frightened me the other day saying that if I leave it too long it could become laparatomy which is major surgery. To be honest any surgery is major surgery. Just because you are out the same day doesn't mean things can't go wrong.

My questions: Is there a limit to the size of a complex cyst before it gets too big and can't be removed by laparoscopy? I am terrified of any surgery and just wishing the whole thing would go away.

No one ever answered me on whether they got got rid of a complex cyst? I have endometriosis for years.

Did anyone ever try natural ways of shrinking cysts? Hormone balancing, heat, castor oil packs, chaste tree berry, inosital, black cohosh, don quai, vit D (mine is too low), Iron (also too low taking iron again to see would it increase). I have high estrogen last bloods, it was normal before this but I am 53 so it is probably fluctuating. But probably driving the condition. Last CA125 was 9 - to be repeated in July.

Also would welcome your experiences on laparoscopy with complex cyst...terrified of being left in a worse state. Can take the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Both opinions are suggesting removal of right ovary, right fallopian tube and obviously the cyst. First opinion said they do not think it is cancer, second opinion said they could not guarantee until it comes out.

Thanks, have spoken to some great people on here. xxx

[Fluffyjumper]

HI Ova104

I don’t know what the size limit is for laparoscopy. All surgery is scary. If you have a laparoscopy then you are only likely to be in hospital overnight or may go home the same day.

You didn’t describe the level of care your mother needs. Would it be possible for her to go somewhere else for a night or two if you have to stay in hospital and she couldn’t spend a night at home alone or with another friend or relative to look after her at home?

I had a laparotomy because my tumour grew to 42cm. I was in hospital 3 nights. I returned to my parents house. My father was 90 and my mother 87. I ordered food and other shopping online, froze meals before I went into hospital so cooking was easy, had a family friend help with hoovering etc. My parents needed help with everyday activities but I didn’t need to lift them and we took taxis for their medical appointments whilst I couldn’t drive. It all took a fair bit of organisation but we managed.

They often can’t confirm cancer or not until after surgery but most cysts are benign.

[Ova104 in reply to Fluffyjumper]

my mother needs full time care she is 87. I think she would be very upset going out of her own home. Memory issues. I need to get a carer. Wow 42cm was it long growing that size? Wow you are brilliant to get through that.

[Sunsetime]

hi Ova 14, surgery is scary and with your mum to care for too must be daunting. I had a laparoscopy to remove one ovary and fallopian tube, ovary was about 5.5 cm . This was to help with diagnosis. I had keyhole surgery as a day patient . The day after the op I was a bit sore , but recovered well in a few days. Everyone is different and I didn’t have caring responsibilities to consider, but found post operation very manageable, good luck and best wishes xx

[Ova104 in reply to Sunsetime]

I just read your profile it was ovarian cancer? Was it a complex cyst. Yes my mum is full care 87 memory problems

[Sunsetime in reply to Ova104]

Hi , the language complex cyst wasn’t used , and described as mixed with solid components. During the laparoscopy biopsies were taken from other areas of concern and ovarian cancer was confirmed. wondering about outcomes of testing can be overwhelming and for me once I knew the outcome although scared able to plan .Every one is different you don’t know yet what the outcome is , you may not have ovarian cancer and not knowing can be more difficult . sounds like further testing will give you some clarity . It must be so difficult worrying about your mum , I hope new carer support is found soon. Best wishes xxx

[SopSinger]

It's really important for you to be worry-free before your surgery, as that will help your physical recovery too. I can recommend Christie's care for in-home care - they have many dedicated, kind, reliable carers. They were wonderful looking after my mum with dementia and put up with all sorts of cr*p from her! They are not cheap (care this quality can't be cheap) but if you could afford a week or two, that might help. christiescare.com/

[delia2]

Hi. I don’t understand why this isn’t being evaluated as cancer and treated. I get your concern about your mother but if you get really sick you will be no help to her at all. Get it out with the day surgery but it needs to be biopsied. Surely if you get into the hospital a social worker can help sort out your help situation? I don’t want to scare you but I had a similar cyst and it was stage 3 b OC. Please act now.

[Ova104 in reply to delia2]

Delia was it solid or not solid do you mind me asking some detail on it. Was it multi occular? How are you now stupid question? I see your chemo was rotten? Oh I know trying to juggle so much at moment I always put myself back burner. I am back in july for tv ultrasound if I can find carer it would be good for any hospitalisation. Social workers don't really sort carers in Ireland.

[delia2 in reply to Ova104]

Hi. Mine was the same size as yours and described as complex with a solid component and septations. Can you be referred to a gynecological oncologist?

[Ova104 in reply to delia2]

thanks so much. they said mine is multi occular with septations but no solid component last time on mri but I am seeing ovarian cancer gynae for repeat tv ultrasound in july...

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Good afternoon Ova104,

Thank you very much for your post. I can see that you have had many supportive responses from our forum community. I am messaging as I am part of the support services team at Ovacome and I wanted to let you know that we are here if it would be helpful to talk things through. Our support line is available Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm and you can contact us by calling 0800 008 7054 or by emailing [e-mail]. We’re here to respond to queries, provide information, help prepare for upcoming appointments or just have a talk about anything that’s on your mind.

We do have some general information about ovarian cysts and I will share a link to our leaflet on this here: ovacome.org.uk/what-are-ova... . However, I would encourage you to also speak with your consultant about your questions, if you haven’t done so already, so that they can answer you taking into consideration your own individual situation. We would be really happy to help you to prepare for that conversation if that would be helpful.

You mentioned that you are a carer for your Mum and that you are currently looking for a carer. I was wondering if you are accessing any support at all? I can see that you are based in Ireland and I have found some information about support for carers that I will share if you if it is something that you would like to look into: hse.ie/eng/services/list/3/... This website also includes a list of carer support organisations: hse.ie/eng/services/list/3/... .

I hope that this information is helpful. Please know that we are here to support you so do get in touch if there is anything that we can help with.

Best wishes,

Cathryn – Ovacome Support

[Ova104 in reply to OvacomeSupport]

Oh my goodness Cathryn I will read this and look at this tonight. So helpful. I lost the one carer I had recently so not a good time to lose some support. Everyone is amazing on this site, they give me hope and sometimes a reality check to deal with things. I had to change consultants twice just not answering questions but I think I have found one now who seems to understand where I am coming from about being afraid as sole carer for my mum of 87 or being left worse off. I have my next appointment towards end of July and it would be great to know how to prepare and to find some support (carer in the meantime). I would love to reach out to you I totally didn't see you have a helpline. Talking really does help there is too much going on in my head.

[Ova104]

Hi Ovacome support, should I be worried last few days a lot more pelvic pain and just taking paracetemol but not doing much for it. Feel drained. I tried heat at night but that didn't seem to make it better. I would like to add my sleep has been poor my mum has been up a lot in the night to toilet so I was getting up each time. Do you have a number relevant for Ireland or jus 0800 number for UK?

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team in reply to Ova104]

Dear Ova104,

I'm sorry to hear that your pelvic pain has increased and that you are feeling so drained. It could be worth giving your GP a call to make them aware of how you're feeling. If your symptoms worsen to the point where the pain is severe, we recommend visiting A&E. We don't have a separate phone number for Ireland, just our UK support line number (0800 008 7054). I understand that calling this number may add a charge to your phone bill, so if you prefer, we can arrange a 1:1 Zoom conversation with you? If this would be of interest, please email [e-mail].

Best wishes,

Alice - Ovacome Support

[Ova104]

I am hoping it is just ibs the bloating is so uncomfortable and the pain...it feels like bad period pain all the time. I might ring GP again. I had a flare up 3 months ago so don't know if stress has triggered this. I hope it isn't ovarian torsion start they warned me about I could get at any time...please no. A one to one zoom call would be great. I have so many questions before my next apt..

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team in reply to Ova104]

Good morning Ova104,

Thank you very much for your message. I am really sorry to read how uncomfortable the bloating is and about the pain you are experiencing. To echo what Alice said, it is really important to seek medical advice as soon as possible to identify what is causing these symptoms for you.

We are unable to give medical advice, but we would be very happy to arrange a Zoom call at a time that is convenient for you to help you to prepare for your next appointment. If you would like to arrange this, please send us a private message on the forum with your contact details and availability and we can arrange this for you. Alternatively you can email us on [e-mail]. Our support service is available Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm.

Best wishes,

Cathryn - Ovacome Support