CT results show swollen lymph nodes or shadows?

[WildFlower84]

I have posted before...but here is a brief story about myself.

I am 24 years old. I was diagnosed with having a borderline malignant serous tumor in August. I had a laparotomy performed on me and my doctor removed my left ovary, fallopian tube and the 12 cm tumor. Pre surgery my CA-125 was 260. One month after surgery it was 94 and two months after surgery it was 174. After having an ultra sound and finding nodes on my right ovary and having an elevated CA 125 they decided on operating once again...but this time by laparoscopic surgery. On Monday I had my first CT scan and my test results came in today.

They found several lymph nodes that were swollen/enlarged. She said it could mean numerous things. It could be a shadow, or they could be swollen because of my recent surgery, or because the cancer had infact spread to my lymph nodes. If the cancer has spread to my lymph nodes this means I will have to go through chemo. My heart just sank when I heard this... But I know they can't know for sure until they operate. I'm just shocked...but not sure how to feel. Because they are not rushing me to the hospital so it can't be too serious right?

My doctor also said my nodes on my right ovary are larger than they were from my last ultra sound which was about 2-3 weeks ago.

I guess my question to you all are what questions do you suggest I ask? Or what experiences can you share? I am so new to this I am just confused and do not know what this all means!

[hopeshell]

I went back to your old posts and it looks like you are seeing a gyn/onc although he didn't perform your original surgery.  Is the gyn/onc the one who is treating you now?  If not, you need to get in to see him ASAP.   All the test results you are indicating lead me to believe that your original tumor may have had some higher grade components other than the borderline.  I hope the gyn/onc is the one seeing you and operating.  

I am really sorry and lets just hope and pray the nodes are only a result of some other infection or post surgical condition.   I wish I could say that a lack of urgency on the part of the doctors rules out cancer but unfortunately, it doesn't.  The important thing is that you get the surgery quickly and Melissa posted some very true things in the post above.  There is no way to sugar coat this situation because it does stink and you are very young.  But, you can make it!  

Even if it is a malignancy causing the nodes to get larger, don't give up!  God will give you the strength to get through each and every part of your treatment.  If your tumor was truly borderline, even in advanced cases where they have affected the nodes, the prognosis is good.  And, they commonly do recur on the ovary that hasn't been removed.   I would ask the doctor to clarify the surgical processes in relation to your future fertility.  A good gyn/onc should go through the whole process with you.  I'll be praying for you and just hang in there!

Shelly

[melissam8484]

I wish I knew more and could help!  One of the things that I find hardest personally is not knowing.  Once I know I can adjust to what will happen, but I find it very difficult to deal with uncertainty.  

I'm not sure even what you can ask if it's a situation where they won't know until surgery then it might just be that they won't have answers for you until then.  

I wouldn't be shy about asking what needs to happen next and pushing for that to happen soon.  If it's best to get into surgery ASAP then by all means push to have that happen.  

Personally I like to know as much as possible, but I know not everyone feels that way.  Looking into what kind of chemo you might have - hearing other folks experiences and advice for how best to go through that...  you might not ever need chemo, but if you do you'll at least have a better idea what you're getting yourself into.

No matter what it's hard news to get.  If you can do something relaxing - go outside to a beautiful place or take a bath by candlelight or eat your favorite meal - that always helps me.  It also helps me to admit how scared I am and just let myself cry it out for a bit.  

My prayers are with you.  Keep posting and let us know when you find out more!