Just looking for a bit of support while i wait.... - My Ovacome

My Ovacome

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Just looking for a bit of support while i wait......

mrsconn46 profile image
19 Replies

I have every single symptom of OC, going for scans on Sunday but i am soooo scared, ive not told any of my family what the dr suspects, have just told them they are unsure.

I admire you all for coping so well, i guess im just after someone who knows how im feeling to maybe chill me out a bit!

I pray that im being over paranoid and all will work out ok, but i cant seem to get my head into positive mode.

Will i be able to see anything on the screen when they are scanning me which can tell me either way as i know they wont say a thing, i've got to see my dr for results.

I hope you dont mind me posting as im not actually diagnosed with anything as yet, if im not meant to be here, im sorry xxxx

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mrsconn46 profile image
mrsconn46
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19 Replies
BusyLizzie profile image
BusyLizzie

Of course you are meant to be here - you have a concern about OC! Waiting is very hard, all of us who have been diagnosed have been through it. Distraction is the only tecnique I can offer - keep busy! Every symtom of OC has another explanation which is why it is so tricky to spot, so try not to panic (the fact you have found this site shows you are actually coping well yourself!). I assume it is an ultrasound scan you are booked in for. What happened to me was the lady scanning said she could see cysts - but she did not say about cancer. She just put me straight through for a CT scan (so it is useful if you have had a blood test recently). However, it wasn't until they had extracted some of the fluid (I bloated) and it showed cancer cells, that they confirmed it was oc.

Let us know how you get on and we will keep our fingers crossed for you (and our eyes ;-)

Love Lizzie

X

mrsconn46 profile image
mrsconn46 in reply toBusyLizzie

Thankyou lizzie :)

I have quite a large swelling in my abdomen, like I'm pregnant, weeing all the time, bowel movements all over the place, constantly tired, back pain, leg pain and abdominal pain,plus pain during sex, I'm so drained by it all, could sleep for a month! Just hope that after sunday I can get some answers and can be treated and start to get a break from the pain, I should be rattling with the amount of pain killerd I'm taking! What makes it harder is that I have four young children so don't even get a chance of taking it easy! Oh the joys of being a woman eh lol

spanishanna profile image
spanishanna

Hello mrsconn,

I am so sorry to hear of your concerns, but most important of all you must share everything with your family. If you are having a CT scan, no you won't be able to see the pictures. Mine was found by ultra sound, just scanning my kidneys prior to surgery for another problem, I had an immediate response that it looked as though I had o/c. This was followed up by a CT scan and because this was done privately my GP had the results the following day.

When I was told I was dumb struck, there was no emotion, it really didn't sink it at all. Even when I told the family there was pretty stunned silence all round and even undergoing more CT scans and further tests it really didn't sink in.However it hit home when I eventually had surgery and then started on my chemotherapy treatment.

One suggestion is always take a note pad and paper with questions for the DR because you will forget once you are there. Also make notes when he answers your questions. Some people even record the whole appointment as things will go over your head, you will forget things. Always take a family member, or as here in Spain, more than one member of the family with you when you get your results.

Have they taken a blood test a CA125 which is the blood test for o/c ?

It hasn't been confirmed yet, so please try not to worry. I know easier said than done. A friend of mine had all the symptoms and it turned out to be benign tumour, so it isn't always bad news.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Take care.

ANNA X

mrsconn46 profile image
mrsconn46

Thankyou for your reply anna, I'm booked in for an ultrasound, so will be able to check the images, just not sure what to look for lol.

Fibroids carry a lot of the same symptoms so I could be worrying over nothing but the pain is unreal which makes me worry more, as does the swelling!

Time will tell I guess

sarah1963 profile image
sarah1963

Dear mrsconn

There is nothing we can say that can take away the worry BUT we are worrying with you!! AND there is a really good chance that the symptoms are of something else. If (and it is a big IF) it is OC then please take it from all of us that you will get great treatment and come out the other side. We will talk you through it with our combined experience. My 2 boys were young when I was first diagnosed and you would be amazed at what goes completely over their heads.

Please let you know.

Sarah

charlie12 profile image
charlie12

Dear Mrsconn

Welcome to the forum that nobody wants to be in . I'm really pleased you found, but sorry that you are here.

You poor little mite, of course you are scared , you wouldn't be normal is you weren't. Try to distract yourself with anything physical or mentally challenging.If you can get out in the sun and be active between now and Sunday this will help alot.

When you are being scanned you probably won't be shown anything , but if it is "something" then things will happen very quickly , honestly.

However do please, please bear in mind that most cysts are just that and if there is a fibroid there it can complicate the picture.

I completely echo what the other ladies said. Just to add that because you are young enough to have small children and because you have had 4 pregnancies , your risk of OC is lower than an older person without children.

I so hope all goes well for you.

With love

Charlie xxx

Sally-r-abcd profile image
Sally-r-abcd in reply tocharlie12

Hi,

I'm a Radiographer with stage 3C OC, and I just wanted to say an US scan is great for some things, but isn't always specific enough. What I'm trying to say is if it does show something, it may not be able to say what it is exactly, so you may be booked in for either an MRI or a CT scan. This doesn't mean it's bad news, just they want some more information that an US scan can't give. Good luck for Sunday, and I'll keep everything crossed for you.

Love Sally XX

mrsconn46 profile image
mrsconn46

A big thank you to all, it nice to know there are people around that i can talk to without being labeled as a worrier or a hypercondriac!

I've been having problems with my uterus for years, since the birth of my third son in 2006, i went to see a specialist for a laparoscopy but she talked me out of it saying that she thought i had IBS and nothing more, so for the last 5 years ive been suffering in silence, until 2 months ago when i went to bed and was woken by what i can only describe as labour pains, contractions every 3 minutes, woke up in a pool of blood. Dr suspected a miscarriage but that wasnt the case, my husband had a vasectomy 2 years ago and he had another test at that point to ensure it hadnt failed us, which it hadnt, so there was no way i could have been pregnant! It happened again minus the blood about 3 weeks ago, so off i go to the dr again and she checks me over, felt my abdomen and found that i had a bump, asked again if i could be pregnant, negetive tests (x10) and she tells me this! The swwelling is mainly on the right side, which is the side i get most pain. Anyway ,thats where im up to now, took nearly two weeks for the appointment to come through, just a few more days to wait and hopefully it will be pretty soon after when i get the results!

Omg! Im so sorry, im just rambling arent i! oops lol

xxxxx

If it is of any help when I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer I had no pain at all, I had a cyst the size of a very large melon by then I could feel the lump but no pain so had an ulta-sound which did show up on the scan it was then that I knew it was an enlarged ovary the consultant said he would know more after I have had a blood test, I then had a blood test (ca125) CT scan and operation before it was sure. I know of lots of people with ovca that had no pain that is why the symptoms are hard to spot as they are so vague. hope all goes well bast wishes Gwyneth.

They call OC the silent killer as there are not always signs, but you can rest assured that if that is what they think you will be fast tracked. PLEASE share everything with your husband and family ASAP, you need their support, especially with a young family. A problem shared is a problem halved......

As Anna says, always take someone with you for appointments, another pair of ears and memory always help, and questions should be written down so you don't forget them.

We are always here to help and advise.

Good luck on Sunday

Viv

PS

lill profile image
lill

My feeling is that you need to share this info. gently with the appropriate members of your family (ie those old enough to realise what you are going through in terms of anxiety and old enough to be supportive). No one wants to burden their children, but if they are old enough, thinking about you instead of themselves, as a priority is no bad thing - you will be amazed at their response, I think. Good luck.

wendydee profile image
wendydee

Hi Mrsconn

I agree with the advice on here. Just wanted you to know how many of us are rooting for you! With me, it was thought it was fibroids, so I had an ultrasound, the radiographer then referred me for a more powerful scan, then a trans-vaginal scan and a CA125. I was in hospital within two weeks and had a hysterectomy with other bits taken out (ovaries, omentum etc) and it was all so fast I didn't have time to worry too much. My husband had the job of telling my parents, family and friends, which was really hard on him, at the same time as coping with my possible diagnosis. No-one actually said it was OC till after the op though, and I wish I'd prepared people earlier for the possibility. I worked with children for 39 years and know that they appreciate honesty. Something along the lines of " Mummy is having some tests and may have to go into hospital for a while so that the doctors and nurses can make her better, cos she's had a few problems in her tummy". Of course that's not appropriate for older children, but if you stress the positive, that you are going to get better and that you have been having a few aches and pains in your tummy, they will probably cope fine with that approach. They will ask more questions if they ned more info. There is no need to mention your fears about the C word yet, cos your fears may be completely unfounded. I sincerely hope so, but if you need more support, you have come to a brilliant site here!

Good luck on Sunday

Love Wendy

xx

PS. I'm in my 9th year of being in the clear now!

spanishanna profile image
spanishanna

Hi, just want to add another agreement with some of the above comments. I had no pain with my ovarian, only bloated tummy and diarrhoea, which of course was put down to the proverbial irritable bowel syndrome. Diagnosed by a female GP of all people, one would have thought she might have understood and checked for o/c. I didn't know about the symptoms of o/c, as I think it is only these past couple of years or so where women are really being told to check anything abnormal.

I also had fibroids, that is when I had a hysterectomy about 24 years ago.

Again the only pain I had was terrible back pain. Things manifest themselves in many different ways.

You are getting so much support on here mrsconn, good luck.

Anna xx

mrsconn46 profile image
mrsconn46

You ladies have really helped calm down my over active brain :) thankyou so much for your kindness, support and reassurance. Just wish you weren't all here for the reason you are :( no matter what happens with me I wish you all a bit of luck, good futures and happiness xxxx

charlie12 profile image
charlie12

Hi again Mrsconn

I do hope that you are bearing up and that, if you are in the UK , you are getting out a wee bit in the sun and trying to take things easy.

I just want to wish you all the very best of luck for Sunday, fingers crossed you will get the news we all want for you. Not knowing is the worst of all.

I had very similar symptoms and my "alien" was a borderline tumour, which required no chemo or radiotherapy. I have been , mostly , fine since and really well in the last six months. Many many people get over this type of thing , and I'm sure you will too.

Take care and don't forget to let us know how you get on.

With love

Charlie xxxx

mrsconn46 profile image
mrsconn46

Thankyou charlie, I'm doing better although the nerves are kicking in now lolk, been making the most of the sun for sure! I live on the sea front and have walked the 3 miles to my boys school and back along the beach today, was gorgeous!!

Will update on sunday IF I get told anything ;)

Xxx

mrsconn46 profile image
mrsconn46

Well, i went for my scan on Sunday and im still none the wiser as to whats going on. The sonographer said all appeared normal, despite me being in agony whilst she was pushing the probe around my tummy.

I need to see my dr at the end of the week once she has the results and will more than likely be sent for a laparoscopy. Had this whole seario a few years ago when the pains started and instead of doing the lap, they consultant told me it was IBS and to not go ahead with it, i took her advice and have regretted it ever since.

Hopefully this time i wont get talked out of it and will finally get some answers!

Thanks again for being around, sending me your kind words and thoughts

xxxx

charlie12 profile image
charlie12

Dear Mrs Conn

This is really great news, the sonographer would not have said that all appeared normal if she wasn't fairly sure. Try to be as assertive as you can be with all concerned from now on, bring somebody with you if you can and write everything down. Remember you have a right to a second opinion if you are in any way dissatisfied with the care or advice.

With very best wishes for the future

Charlie xxx

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ

You cannot see the screen during the scan. It is an Xray and you are alone while it is done. That is not as bad as it sounds, it is quite short and I have had so many I could practically do it myself.

I was diagnosed 2 years ago when I found I could not eat during a cycling holiday in France. Horrible shock! (I paid £1600 for that holiday!).

I was fast tracked into treatment. Do tell people what is suspected a little support makes it so much more beartable!¬ When they told me it was incurable my daughter & I clung together in the atrium of Jimmie's in Leeds and howled in unison! then we went to Cafe Rouge and "ate" steak & chips!

Do take someone with you to appointments as a second pair of ears. My daughter and sister have been fanbtastic. If you are diagnosed with OC it is important to stay positive. Put nothing off! Enjoy each day as it comes.

I go to the theatre, cinema or opera at least once a week! I am continuing my piano lessons (I started learning 13 years ago at the age of 58 and when I play the piano still wins), I have embroidered loads of coasters, pictures, cushions etc (keeps me from dwelling on things when I am feeling tired and need to sit down) my grandsons get hand embroidered cross stitch cards for birthdays & Christmas, and I am thoroughly enjoying life (despite having been told the new tumour has not responded to thye 2nd round of chemo and I may need another op or radiotherapy).

When I feel really down I remember my friend who has Parkinson's and is now confined to bed, has started to halucinate and can barely eat or make herself heard! There are worse things to have than cancer and any one of us could be run over by a bus or have a heart attack and die before the cancer takes its toll.

I asked my onc about "the end" and whether I would be zonked out on painkillers and his reply was "providing there are no major invasions of other organs most people 'just fade' ". Sounds OK to me - I must get round to aquiring the chaise longue! LOL Can't see myself in Barbara Cartland make up and a pink feather boa somehow but I could do a geriatric version of La Dame aux Camelias - I always fancied myself as Violetta in La Traviata - now if I can just organise the loss of about 50 years & 50 lb and someone could just arrange for Placido Domingo to be in attendance bring it on!

My biggest disappointment is that I have regained most of the 3 stone that I lost in the 1st 3 months. As I told my GP "If I had to have cancer there was a positive side to it!" I had not been a size 16 for almost 30 years! now I am back to an 18!

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