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Original poster

I'm being tested for cancer

114 replies

Justusemyname · 13/05/2015 13:54

I have been told I'm not going through an early menopause but the GP sent me for a blood test to check for ovarian cancer and the letter has already gone to hospital for a scan to check for cervical cancer. I'm very calm. Wondering if I'm being denial, stupid, or best way as I've no idea what is going on yet. I'd like to talk to people about their emotional feelings rather than physical if anyone would like too.

OP posts:
Thymeout · 17/05/2015 20:03

I guess he'd want them out so he can have a thorough look at them. And they're obviously not doing you much good at the moment. Neither is an imperative on its own, but together, on balance, they add up to a green light for removal? A lot of medical/surgical decisions seem to be related to some algorithm or something these days.

Triliteral · 17/05/2015 20:54

Just, I am very sorry, I feel this has all got a bit off topic. I only outlined my case to explain how I could relate to being tested for cancer. Thanks though to those who have offered insight.

Thymeout, your first suggestion: that he wants them out so someone can have a thorough look at them fits exactly with what the ENT stated. It is the fact that I have skipped a very long queue that concerns me.

Obviously any melanoma is bad. Another primary would be much better than a secondary. I have read that it is not impossible for a secondary melanoma in the tonsil to present as a cutaneous melanoma, but I have no image of that. I am also aware it is extremely rare. Despite logic telling me I'll be fine, mentally I'm still finding it tough. I don't want to derail Just's thread any further though, so please could we get back to dealing with the psychological difficulties of having a potential cancer diagnosis / tests hanging over you.

To everyone else who is awaiting tests and results, I hope that you all get through okay. Just, it's at times like these that you sometimes find out who your real friends are. I hope your husband looks after you well. He sounds as if he is doing his best to help. Thanks.

Original poster
Justusemyname · 17/05/2015 21:07

Tril, no apology needed love. Happy for this thread to be used by anyone in anyway they want. This week I'll get the results. How weird is that? My life could change. If I'm lucky and I'm well I need to get someone to help me overhaul my life. I need to lose a stone, start eating fruit and get exercising again. I've not for a while as have injuries. No excuse though, there must be something I can do.

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Triliteral · 17/05/2015 23:06

Hey, I could do with doing all those things too. Mine will have to wait til I've recovered from my op though. Currently cycling. Trying to keep it up till I have to stop. Would your injuries prevent that? I know DH cycles when he can't run. Please do keep us updated with your results.

Original poster
Justusemyname · 18/05/2015 07:37

I haven't cycled for years. The seat is really uncomfortable and the bike needs a bit of work on it. It's my back and hip I've injured so I'm not sure how I'd get on but I'll try once the bike is sorted.

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Original poster
Justusemyname · 19/05/2015 07:58

Can you have physical symptoms if unconsciously worrying?

I've had a little bleed and a lot of pain so panicked a bit. Going to feel an idiot if I'm okay.

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Triliteral · 19/05/2015 16:31

I suspect sometimes you can. In addition, frightening clinical signs can turn out to have causes that are quite benign. Regardless of that I think a degree of panic is absolutely normal when faced with both pain and fear. Not too long to go now before you get some results and then hopefully you will know what you are dealing with. Hang in there.

Original poster
Justusemyname · 19/05/2015 19:32

Thank you.

I've had a few phone calls today and a lot of information to take in - not health related - and it has been tough. I'm drained. I just want to know and then I have to wait for a scan date for a second possibility.

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Weebirdie · 19/05/2015 19:51

Just, is there anything we can help you with in regard to other stuff you have going on in life?

Thymeout · 19/05/2015 20:01

You're bound to be anxious and you need to take control by not doing the things that make it worse. No google. No getting ahead of yourself, catastrophising. Don't think any further ahead than the next appointment.

Keep telling yourself that it'll be OK until someone actually says that it isn't. And even if that happens, it's not the end. Just the beginning of making you better.

And if the waiting looks as if it's going to go on for some time, with further tests, and it's beginning to interfere with normal life - eating, sleeping, do consider medication, as I suggested upthread, to get you back on track.

Easier said than done, I know. But trying to take control of the situation does make you feel less in a spin.

Weebirdie · 19/05/2015 20:08

Its true about taking control and empowering yourself.

Its what Ive done.

I have my report upstairs in my bedside table and I made the decision to not check it and see the size of the cyst I have on my ovary, and neither have I googled anything else about them.

I know its small, and Im assuming small means less than the 5cms in diameter that would have warranted immediate investigation rather than rescanning in 3 months. I also trust my Dr so until I have more to go on Im not going to fill my head with anymore scary information that Im not qualified to understand properly anyway.

Its really helping to do it this way.

Original poster
Justusemyname · 19/05/2015 20:28

Weebirdie- thank you. That is so kind of you. One thing I'm not allowed to talk about and one is a police matter so I daren't but thank you. Tbh I've lived with it a long time and I just plod on usually but occasionally it gets me down.

Thymeout - I've surprised myself by not googling and I haven't worried that much but as things have been happening these last couple of days that have made me think, I'm a bit more scared.

OP posts:
Weebirdie · 19/05/2015 20:36

Just, Im sorry you constantly have something going on in your life that makes everything else that so much harder.

xxxx

Original poster
Justusemyname · 19/05/2015 20:58

I know. It's ridiculous. Some will be resolved this year though and hopefully that will be the end of it.

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Weebirdie · 20/05/2015 04:11

Fingers crossed :)

Original poster
Justusemyname · 20/05/2015 08:04

Thank you.

I might get results today so am feeling a bit stressed.

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Thymeout · 20/05/2015 09:14

If it's the Ca125 blood test, I hope you won't be given the result without someone explaining to you how hit and miss it is at your age. It can be raised for all sorts of reasons and each individual has their own 'normal'.

It's only really useful during and after treatment to indicate progress, and not always even then.

There's a thread on this which illustrates this point.

Good for you in staying away from Google! And for you, Weebirdie, not reading the letter. One of mine said I was being investigated for some v rare ovarian cancer which I turned out not to have. I could have done without seeing that in print. I think they have to put 'cancer' to justify the 2 week referral.

Original poster
Justusemyname · 20/05/2015 10:57

It is that one and I will be ringing the receptionist to ask for the results. Trying to keep busy...

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Original poster
Justusemyname · 20/05/2015 11:03

I was going to ask you what questions to ask the receptionist and then I remembered they won't answer any. I'm feeling quite sad I only have you guys and no real life friends to talk too. One is busy, one is self absorbed, one is at work and the other I don't want to worry. Need more friendsSad.

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Original poster
Justusemyname · 20/05/2015 11:04

All we get at our surgery is everything is fine or what I don't know as usually I've been fine. They won't explain the results. They just say you're fine, bye.

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Thymeout · 20/05/2015 12:33

If it's any help, mine was 130. It's 'meant' to be below 30-35. It can be 8-9,000.

TopDoc shrugged and said, 'Normal for you. The tumour was rubbing against other organs and causing inflammation.' Pity I didn't see him for 2 weeks after I was given the results.

When are you getting the scan? Is the GP waiting till you've had the scan and bloodtest to decide whether to refer you?

Honestly, please don't worry before you have to. If she were really concerned, you'd be on the 2 week pathway. Lots of innocent reasons for your symptoms.

Original poster
Justusemyname · 20/05/2015 12:36

The scan is for a possible cancer somewhere else and I haven't had the letter yet with the date.

I have had a blood test already for ovarian cancer and being sent for a scan for cervical cancer.

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winnybella · 20/05/2015 12:54

Justusemyname- when was your last smear? And were you referred for colposcopy? Because ultrasound can be a fairly useless diagnostic tool for cervical cancer. Mine was missed and as hard as the radio doc was trying to find it ( and the colposcopy doc even wrote down the location of the lesion on the referral) she couldn't. Apparently ultrasound is not great for cervix related stuff, MRI would be much better. And tbh colposcopy would be the first thing to do, if you were investigated for cervical cancer.

Thymeout · 20/05/2015 13:36

Was the scan a transvaginal ultrasound? It should have said on the referral.

That's the usual protocol for ov-ca. Or it could have been u/s pelvic area. They can't diagnose ov-ca just from a blood test.

Original poster
Justusemyname · 20/05/2015 14:09

Sorry, I did answer but it isn't there

My smears are up to date but I'm not sure when I am next due. I used tomato yearly but now it is three yearly.

I don't remember what the referral said.

He was concerned about ovarian so ordered a blood test and was concerned about cervical so ordered a scan. That's all I know.

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