Waiting for a rapid referral cancer assessment appointment - come hold my hand!

[HolofernesesHead]

Hello, as my thread title says, I'm waiting to see the gynae oncology team next week as my GP suspects ovarian cancer. I know it's relatively unusual in pre-menopausal women but it's complicated for me as I have Crohn's Disease. I've been having really terrible stomach pains since July which I knew weren't part of my normal Crohn's problems, so I went for an ultrasound in Nov which showed that my spleen is enlarged, and again in Dec which showed a 6 cm cyst on one of my ovaries. Oh, and gallstones too. Nice!

I'm having lots of pain in my stomach (esp. in the lower abdo and on the left where my spleen is) ann am taking painkillers a lot . I'm also soooo exhausted - I got sent home by one of my tutors today who even offered to drive me home, bless him. It's like I've been run over by a steamroller, physically - I'm just completely wiped out. I've been feeling a bit low emotionally today as I hoped I'd feel better after going to bed super-early yesterday but still woke up this morning feeling rubbish. I'm a postgrad student and normally really passionately love my work but am just not able to function very well at all. Also feeling like a bit of a substandard mother to my 2 fantastic dc.

So if anyone feels inclined towards a spot of virtual hand-holding while I wait to hear what's what, I'd be v. grateful!

I'm glad you're a tad better this morning

IME, anti-sick tablets should work fairly fast - a few hours at most. But, and its a big 'but', there are different sorts and some work better than others. Hopefully the on duty GP will be able to help, though I suppose its hard to treat symptoms when you're not sure what the cause is

Enjoy the box set!

I got a boxed set of Cagney and Lacey to revisit an old favourite! 'Twas fabbo.

Wow, Cagney and Lacey, there's a name I havent heard in a while!

How was your weekend Holo? Has the sickness reduced? Hope you've managed to eat something.How long now until your appt?
I can highly recommend Frasier,Criminal minds and Dexter for box sets. I love the medical ones too for some reason(brings out the hypercondriac in me probably) but i'm guessing medical dramas might not be what you need right now!

Hi Halo

Whens your appointment? Take it easy and be kind to yourself. I hope your appointment brings good news.

How old are your dc?

Hello! my weekend has been all right, thanks, Salad. Last night I slept for 11 hours and woke up feeling so much better for it :) I haven't even taken any pain killers today :) the nausea hasn't completely gone away but it is much better. I have absolutely no appetite, though.

My appointment is tomorrow (gulp), Mustletoe. I am a bit nervous but plan to watch 'Call the Midwife' and other such TV to take my mind off it. DH has the day off work, so that's good. The dc are 7 and 9. They know I'm going to hospital but are pretty used to hospitals and my going to hospital for my Crohn's so they are not concerned, which is
exactly how I want it! :) they had a sleepover last night so are a bit off today (you know when dc get ratty and overtired) so they are having an early night - probably just as well for everyone!

Getting a good night's sleep always helps, and it must be a relief that the pain isn't as bad.

Will be thinking of you tomorrow - hope you get a thorough diagnosis and treatment plan as soon as possible.

Know what you mean about fractious children after wake-overs sleepovers!

Hope you get another good rest tonight (hug).

Fingers crossed for you Holo, but, I have to agree with others who've been through and emerged the other side, somehow this waiting for a diagnosis is the worst part. Once you know what it is, then you focus on the next bit of your treatment and seem to manage it all better.
Of course, it is perfectly possible that you won't get a cancer diagnosis (IME, Cancers rarely hurt - that's why they used to be such big killers - you don't know they are there), however, if it comes to that, there are plenty of people around to hold your hand. You will get through it.

Thank you all for your lovely supportive posts!

Backforgood, I really hope it is something else. Dh and I were chatting earlier, speculating as to what they might find... It might be a new mutation of my Crohn's Disease, although I think from my various medical journal reading and internet trawling that although that's possible, it presents differently...or it might be a stomach ulcer, or it might even be glandaular fever (although isn't that diagnosed by blood test?)...who knows? I just want to get tomorrow over and done with now, tbh.

Good luck for tomorrow. Hope it turns out to be something that can be treated easily.

Am still thinking of you Holo and will be rooting for you tomorrow. Fingers crossed it's something easily sortable.

Thank you for your thoughts!

Well...! It isn't ovarian cancer. Phew! What they thought was a cystis in fact a fibroid. So that's really good news.

But...the GP is still worried and has now put me on the urgent referral list for the gastroenterology clinic, so I should get an appointment from them in the next few days.

So it's not nothing, but it's not ovarian cancer. Which is good, isn't it. I'm just shattered now - the adrenaline that woke me up at 4am this morning has somewhat worn off, and I want to curl up and sleep! I have done absolutely no college work for a week now and am getting behind, and stressed about it - I might try and do some writing tomorrow. And today of all days, a relative has told DH that they are 'absolutely furious' with me because I forgot to pass on a message from them to DH. . Which is a whole other thread, really. Grr.....families....

Am so glad you got some good news. Will keep you in mind for future appointments. Been thinking of you today.

Can you get an extension from college?

Ignore arseholes annoying family members, although, why did your dh even tell you?

Your DH should have told the relative he was furious with the insensitivity Unbelivable!

Good news and good luck with the rest of your tests. X

Ooh excellent news !! Am so very pleased for you. Sorry you're not through in every way, but no cancer's fantastic.

Ignore the family stuff. Take the night off from it all and celebrate.

Good news. One day at a time. That's one less worry.You must be shattered. Try not to over do the work. You are still not well and you need rest and TLC.Any idea how long you'll have to wait for your next tests?

Thank you! Yes, I am shattered. You're right, Salad, rest and TLC are still needed. I'm just writing an email now, asking for an extension on my essay...fingers crossed! If they don't give me it, I'll go and vomit all over their Welfare Office. Or somehing like that.

Family stuff...grrr....I have written an entirely, faultlessly polite, courteous email to said relative, apologising for my infraction. Of the moral high ground does feel good!

If I could drink, I'd be in the mood for champagne tonight. I'll have to settle with elderflower...

What a difference a day makes!

Yup

I've had another phone call this evening, from the gastro consultant's secretary - I am going to see the gastro consultant tomorrow morning! I am so pleased to be able to see him so soon, and really really hope that he might be able to help. So, another day, another doctor!

Thinking about you today.Everything crossed for you.

Hope you get some more good news today Holo, and they find something minor is wrong with you and can easily treat it. Great you got a fast appt.

Thanks Salad and Dee!

Well, I've seen the gastro consultant this morning, and had a chest X-ray and a CT scan on my abdo and pelvis this afternoon. I can still taste the weird iodene in the back of my mouth! So far I have been told that:

It's not pacreatitis

It's not ovarian cancer

It's not Crohn's-related

It is a 'cause for concern.'

Hopefully we might know more when the doc gets the CT report...in the meantime I need to drink gallons of tea to flush out the iodene!

Ok well at least they are ruling things out one at a time.Hopefully you'll hear soon what the next course of action is.
Never tasted iodene but I'll take your word it that it's disgusting! Get back to your box sets, in bed if you can! My favourite place!

Lots of pluses then! Hope the tea helps.