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3132895 tn?1343621122

Scared Beyond My Ability To Cope

Hello, I'm 37 years old and have recently been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer (as of last Friday). I have a tumor that, according to my CT Scan results, is 30cmx30cmx20cm. I have an elevated amount of Ovarian Cancer cells from my pap smear and a higher cancer cell result from a rectal smear. These symptoms of chronic pain, irregular heavy periods, stabbing burning pain in my groin (right side) and just under my right rib cage have been going on for months. They said they could see my left ovary but not my right, so they're assuming that the tumor is coming from there. Because it's so big, they're having a hard time actually knowing, and are concerned that it may be from somewhere else due to the elevated level of rectal cancer cells. Does Ovarian Cancer spread quickly? If so, can it spread to the rectum and if it does, what are my chances for beating this?
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Avatar universal
Been thinking of you. How did all go?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Today being the 16th, hopefully you are post op and have a few more questions answered.  Glad you found a specialist team as that is the only way to go.  Hang in there.
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136849 tn?1327321510
Bless your heart sweetie.  My thoughts and prayers are with you, that you get through surgery safely and with good results.  I think you are in good hands and it sounds like you have an awesome medical team, that is so important and you, yourself, and even though no one is prepared, sound ready to fight this beast head on.  But hey, you don't know.  It is what it is.  I am not a religious person, but it's in god's hands at this point.  This is scary, no two ways about it.
I always say, one thing at a time.  You need to get thru surgery.  Be prepared for the worst, that's how I went into surgery, but I was 39 and had two kids, I at that point, wanted everything out, I didn't want anything left behind.  Menopause did not scare me, a football sized tumor did and the possibility of cancer did.
FIRST, get through the surgery, heal.  No matter how young and strong you are, this surgery is tough, it will feel like a truck ran over you, and your guts will feel like someone used them to jump rope with them, to be blunt.  But you will heal and get strong and then deal with what ever is presented to you, hopefully, nothing.
I hope you get a chance to check back and let us know how you are doing and keep us updated on your status.
Wish you the best and will keep you in my prayers!!
Jane
Helpful - 0
3132895 tn?1343621122
Hello Jane,

I learned a lot during my visit with my Gynecologic Oncologist this passed Tuesday. He told me that my CEA levels are really high (329.0) and my CA-125 is also elevated (83.9). Because there is the presence of this massive tumor, he said it is giving off hormones or proteins that give off a cancer 'vibe' so to speak.

He also told me that the tumor looks suspicious as does my appendix (which is enlarged). You are correct, when my Gynecologist called me on the 3rd of August with the results of my CT Scan, she told me about the mass and the high tumor marker and CA-125 levels which she said indicate the presence of cancer somewhere in the body. With no other explanation at the time, I truly am at a loss as to what I was supposed to think. Having never been through this before, I truly thought that, that was my diagnosis. She only said she was sorry, and that they would do everything they could to get me through this. I have faced cancer in my family before with my Mom and Dad. Mom passed away from complications related to her rare sarcoma two years ago April. Dad is a survivor of three years (Prostate Cancer). I have an Aunt and an Uncle (on Mom's side) with Colon cancer, diagnosed within a year of eachother within the last two years.

My Gynecologic Oncologist did say that if this turns out to be a cancerous mass, that there is a strong possibility that Lynche Syndrome is responsible, especially considering my family history of cancer diagnosis within the last four years. This alone is concerning to him.

But now that I know that this mass may be pre-cancerous, even benign and whatever has been developing may have been caught early, I am not afraid anymore. I'm optimistic, and hopeful. So my surgery is scheduled for next week Wednesday on the 15th. During surgery, my Gynecologic Oncologist will know the results of the tumor's pathology. Decisions will then be made regarding my girly parts. No matter what, the tumor and appendix are coming out.

Thank you for letting me know about the steps, happily I now have a Gynecologic Oncologist, a date for surgery and a Hope that this may yet end well. I'm also a realist, and having watched Mom slowly fade away over a nine month period, I know that this could also be very serious. Either way...I'm ready!

God Bless,
Jeana
Helpful - 0
3132895 tn?1343621122
Hi :)

There is a Cancer Research Center on Premesis, and it's voted number one in the region by the National Cancer Association. They will be doing all the testing on my tumor to determine its pathology, type of cancer, and best treatment for it. I suppose it can't hurt to broach the topic with my Oncologist. My Gynecologic Oncologist is all over this like white on rice, and has been very up front with me as to how this is going to proceed. I'm no longer afraid, but have actually obtained a great sense of mental, emotional and physical peace. Acceptance has taken hold. Now that I know what it is, and what the possibilities are, my determination to FIGHT has gripped with a vengeance. My attitude is that I have cancer, but cancer does NOT have me. As a fashionista and crafter of all things shiny and twinkly, I will know just how to make bald a fashion statement all while keeping it elegant and me :p I've already been looking at wigs that would suit my personal style and tastes, and have begun designing scarves and head wraps. It may seem big, but why curse the mountain for the shadow it casts, or for its perceived mammoth size. I will climb because I have to, I will cling to God because there is no greater power than His, and I will rely on my friends, family, church group and support groups to lift me up and visa versa.
Helpful - 0
3132895 tn?1343621122
Hello,

My surgery is on Wednesday August, 15, 2012. My right ovary is the tumor 30cmx30cmx20cm. It is causing an elevated CEA count of 329.0, and my CA-125 is elevated to 83.9 - My Gynecologic Oncologist feels that there could be a good chance that the tumor may be borderline, but that my appendix looks just as suspicious as the tumor.

We will know staging, cell type and the type of Ovarian Cancer after surgery. With an elevated CEA associated with an Ovarian Tumor, he said that it could be Mucinous Ovarian Cancer. Since the hospital I am going to is also a Cancer Research Center Pathology will be determined during surgery. Depending on the Pathology of the Tumor, this will determine if I will keep my female parts or not. If the tumor is benign I lose the right ovary obviously, but will be able to keep my girly parts. If it's anything else, everything will come out in addition to debulking and staging. No matter what, he's removing my appendix as well as the tumor, and anything else that can come out that looks suspicious.

I have full trust in my Gynecologic Oncologist, as he comes highly recommended and was recommended by my Gynecologist who is now part of the team.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello I have breast cancer but I can give you crucial tips on chemo.  When you have surgery, ask the surgeon to send a piece of the tumor to Rational Therapeutics in California.  They can test the live tissue against many chemos to see which one will work best THE FIRST TIME.  You may have to pay for this but it is one thing I would do for sure.  contact the lab online and ask them for instructions for your surgeon.  
I prayed for you today
Helpful - 0
155056 tn?1333638688
Please take your test results to a GYN/Oncologist.  

Ovarian Cancer cells cannot be detected in a pap test, pap tests only test for cervical cancer.  As for cells in a rectal smear, that probably is not happening either.

Technically, Ovarian Cancer can only be detected through a biopsy, which usually happens during surgery.   There is a blood test, a CA 125 but that cannot detect ovarian cancer and is best used as a guideline for women that are recurring.

The size of the mass/cyst/tumor does mean it is cancerous.  The symptoms you are having are probably related to the mass, but, that too does mean that it is ovarian cancer.

If Ovarian Cancer is suspected, you need to be seen by a GYN/Oncologist, they have 3  years additional training and studies show that there is an increased survival rate when they do the surgery.

Please let us know how things go.
Helpful - 0
136849 tn?1327321510
I know it's hard, but first of all, take it easy.  We are all here for you.  Make sure, please!! that you are seeing an gyn/oncologist, this is CRUCIAL.  #2, I don't believe they can see ovarian cancer cells from a pap smear.  They can only confirm a diagnosis of ovarian cancer from surgery and unfortunately from a cyst/tumor of this size, surgery is the only way to go, and the only way to confirm cancer, and to obtain the proper staging.  My original cyst/tumor was just a bit smaller than this, but not by much, so I understand.  It's natural to be scared.  I was terrified, and I read way too much on the internet before my surgery which scared me even more, so maybe it's best not to.  Be informed, but there's no need to terrify yourself.  Again, you need to consult a gyn/oncologist, I can not stress this enough.  You only have one chance in getting this right.  You can not be diagnosed with OVCA by a pap smear, cat scan and rectal smear.  It may be "suggested", but you need surgery.  
Please keep us updated.  There are alot of here that can answer questions and give you support.

Jane
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
First of all Im so sorry you are going through this. Have they staged your cancer? And are they doing surgery? What is your CA 125?
Helpful - 0
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