I'm so scared....ovarian cancer.

[Chickenwings85]

Posting here aswell as in the health forum as I'm not sure how active it is there...
I'm 33 years old with one child over 5. I've been bleeding for 6 weeks now, it's like the second day of your period and it's a constant flow. I've had blood tests and the CA125 blood test which came back within normal range but I'm aware that its not the most reliable source and many people don't have raised levels who do have cancer. I've had an ultrasound and an internal ultrasound which picked up a cyst on my right ovary that's just over 5cm by 4cm by 5cm roughly the cyst was once very small and I was told it would disappear on its own however it hasn't. At the scan they had great difficulty in finding my left ovary and after around 5 minutes of searching they found it hiding. I have pain and discomfort during and after sex (we often have to stop because of the pain is too much). I get full easily and feel constantly bloated, I have a consistent dull ache in the ovary area with sharp pains often, I feel sick, have nausea, dizzy, the tiredness is off an other level and im finding normal day to day tasks exhausting and draining, I have

awful lower back pain for as long as I can remember, the tops of my legs ache and hurt. I was diagnosed with IBS around 4 months ago and I avoided certain foods to find out my trigger however I was still having bowel issues despite not eating or drink the things which trigger me.

At my last doctors appointment (last Wednesday) she has put me through for an urgent referral to the hospital to be seen within 2 weeks otherwise I would be waiting until March Plain the possibility of cancer was mentioned. I'm not sure what the point of my post is but I know there will be others who understand and would have gone through the same thing.

I've been there. Age 29, I realised something just wasn't right and my abdomen felt, well, wrong.
I was referred for an ultrasound, which was abnormal, then an MRI, which was also abnormal and I ended up having a left sided removal of a large 9 by 15cm tumour around my ovary, the fallopian tube, left sided lymph nodes etc on Christmas Eve 2006.
It was a malignant tumour of the ovary but surrounded by quite a large, non malignant cyst, if you see what I mean.
It was all staged etc for spread during the surgery and, luckily, the surgery got it out and I have had need for no further treatment since then.
It was a very scary time, major surgery, time off work, uncertainty for months.
Talk to people about how you are doing. I was given a Macmillan nurse who was hugely reassuring and my surgeon was excellent. He was very matter of fact and no bullshit - he also appreciated the fact I was a nurse so didnt talk down to me like some are prone to do.....

But my point is, get support and use it. Stay away from Dr Google and remember, it isn't always the worst outcome.
Stay positive (and I do mean that in a non patronising, happy clappy way)

Thanks for your reply Big. I know what you mean about being positive - believe me I really am trying SO hard. I can't stop thinking about my daughter, if it's the worst case scenario, why should she have to deal with something like that it's not fair on her. They've said I will be seen before 20th December and someone will call me to arrange an appointment and then go from there.

How old is your daughter?
No, it's not fair, it really bloody isn't. One of my lecturers at nursing college once said that cancer is just something that happens, it's something abnormal that just happens to cells after a certain point.... everyone will get cancer of something if they live long enough. I remember dwelling on the fact that I was only 29 and who the fuck had decided I had lived long enough to warrant bloody cancer at 29? But ultimately, it's just bum luck and nothing I could have done or not done would have affected me getting this tumour.
Sounds daft but I took some comfort in the fact that if I did need to have all my reproductive bits removed then it was better I got it than someone who desperately wanted children (I never wanted children and that has never changed).
Dont let your imagination run wild at this point and I understand that is hard, especially in the dead of night when everything seems inevitable.
Keep a (reasonably) sensible head and deal with what you know, when you know it.
Symptoms like that can be any number of things, not necessarily cancer. It's possible, yes, but not a foregone conclusion.
Professionals are there to help you if you get a less than desirable diagnosis and this includes dealing with telling and supporting a child.
But equally likely, it will be something less serious.
Try and keep a level head till your appointment.
Again, I know this sounds flippant and easier said than done but, as before, I have been there. It's not easy.....it's shit. I know that.
Please let me know how you get on.
X

Totally understand where you’re coming from. Just wanted to share my experience with you as it had a positive outcome. Very similar to you period wise although no pain for me but abdominal swelling

Sorry hit post by mistake. Will finish what I was trying to say in next post!

Had the CA125 test which came back raised. Ultrasound found massive 30cm diameter cyst. Consultant said likely to be cancer, totally panicked. Had the Macmillan nurse speak to me, did my own head in by reading google (really, don’t). Had a laparotomy to remove cyst which was malignant but hadn’t spread any further so no other treatment required. They removed one ovary in the end although had prepped me for a full hysterectomy. My only advice would be to agree to them removing whatever they need to take. My view was I’d rather be alive with no bits than take a chance on anything coming back.

That was 10 years ago now. All been generally okay since. I would say try not to worry but I know that’s impossible. I really hope everything works out for you x

I’d rather be alive with no bits than take a chance on anything coming back.

This. Completely this.

Thank you everyone for your comments. I completely agree about wiping the bits out. If it comes to that I will happily let them remove what they need to just as long as I'm healthy and alive to see my daughter (8 years old) grow up and to not have to deal with something so awful. My main worry is and always be about her.
I'm trying hard to remain positive and not think too much but it's just so hard, this appointment can not come quick enough.

Hello OP, the waiting is the worst, isn't it? For appointments, for scans, for results...
It's so hard to block it from your mind, I know. If you're not sleeping, can you watch something light and mindless on TV or DVD? I watched 'Friends' endlessly, and did so many crossword puzzles and Sudoku, all to keep my mind from running away with troubling thoughts.
I hope you get through this horrid time and get some positive news soon.

Thank you Oneinamillion that's so kind. Actually everyone has been really kind on my post so I must thank you all. I will update as soon as I know anything.

Having a normal Ca 125 is a really good sign - most women with a normal one , don't have ovarian cancer . People who do have ovarian cancer would expect to have a Ca125 reading through the roof - mine was 30,000 when I was diagnosed ( normal is below 35). I know they say the Ca 125 isn't the be-all and end-all, but it's a damned good indicator .

I know it's awful waiting - I had a huge one and only had to wait 24 hours to see the gynaecologist but it felt like years. Sending you best wishes for a good outcome.

Just wanted to say I’m so sorry you’re going through this I really hope you get good news soon.

As you've been diagnosed with IBS I'd say many of your symptoms are related to that.

Imo it doesn't sound like ovarian cancer - sending you loads of love just in case

Have you tried the cancer support thread in General Health OP? It's for people waiting for results too. They're lovely over there.