Very scared and alone

[mama2sofi]

Hi, my problem is that I am almost positive I have ovarian cancer. I had abnormal bleeding, nausea, dizziness, back pain, stomach distension, bloating & pain, seriously painful lower left bowel mvmnt cramps (sorry tmi), mornings I wake up and feel like I never slept, and I've gained 12lbs in 3 months. I have a little 2yr old girl and the thought of leaving her is enough to send me into a panic - but if I were diagnosed I think my life would stop and my world would turn black. I dont have health insurance right now so I am freaking out more at every day that goes by.  What do you think?  Do these symptoms line up pretty much with what others have experienced?

[mama2sofi]

Does anyone know the cost of a pelvic CT scan?

[mama2sofi]

Thank you so much for your posts.  I have been so encouraged and will go in this or next week to get the scan done.  The reason I opted for the scan over the ultrasounds was because if the ultrasound picks up something then they'll have to do a scan anyways to verify what it is and on top of that the ultrasound doesnt see as much as a scan does - so I thought I would skip a step and get the best test done to clear as much worry as possible.  I have been praying a lot lately and will keep everyone here in my prayers as well.  When I find out anything I will post on this thread.  Thanks again!

[crecco]

  You definately need to be having this checked out and do not put it off. If by chance it should be cancer, the earlier you catch it the better. Yes, it is a very scary though, but if you can catch it early, then you will be here with your daughter for a long time.
  You live in IL, so I know that you can go to the local Dept. of Human Resources (aka. public aid) if you need to. If they wont help you at first, and you are dx with cancer, then go right back and they will pick up medical bills the you have aquired in the past month.
  The sooner you find out the better, if for no other reason, to ease your mind.
Chris

[marie3B]

Have you gone in the the ER?  My oldest daughter has no insurance, but when she is having a problem she goes to OSF Emergency.  They have a financial charity program where bills can be written off for the indigent or payment plans can be arranged.  I agree that waiting is not the best plan.  I am sure Chicago must have a charity hospital. If not zip down here to Peoria. You need to get diagnosed.  After you do you can breathe a sigh of relief.  There are many other things that could cause your symptoms.  I wish you the best Marie

[ireneo]

I was thinking the same thing - a transvaginal ultrasound is much cheaper and does a good job of seeing what's going on in there. Depending on how the cyst (if you have one) is located, it can put pressure on a nerve running down your leg and you'll feel some pain. If it's any comfort, I had a cyst the size of an orange and it was NOT cancer. Certainly there must be a clinic in your area that does ultrasounds and they offer payments on a sliding scale. I see this is bothering you a lot - physically and emotionally. See about getting it checked sooner rather than later.

[msjazz]

Try not to freak out, hopefully you can get your scan. In the meantime try to drink lots of water and fruit juices,avoid salt,. Try to eat healthy, vegetables and fiber cereals.Don't do any heavy lifting if you can avoid it. It could even be a disc problem, there are so many possibilities.
If you have inflammation anywhere it could give a false positive on the ca125, Can you take advil, it is good for pain and inflammation. Be sure to eat when you take one, it can gives some people tummy aches.
Hope you feel better soon.

[TrudieC]

Please try to get your CT scan done as early as possible.  A transvag and abdominal ultrasound can also help and is likely much cheaper if you need to pay for yourself.  This will at least get the ball rolling for you.  I had very similiar symptoms (even the leg issues) and initially was sure I too had ovarian cancer.  The knowledge I learned from these ladies plus the efforts I took to push to get the tests I needed done quickly helped me to relax and stop the panic feeling.  I did just have a very large ovarian cyst that was not cancerous and am recovering from surgery to remove it.  Please, please, please, don't wait for the insurance and fnd another way.

[mama2sofi]

I am not sure if this is just bad timing or a coincidence, but last night after I was finished posting here I layed in bed and a shooting pain went down my right leg and began aching  ... so I took a shower and went to sleep - I woke up this morning and the pain is still there.  It's on the outer part of my right thigh and radiates to my knee.  

[mama2sofi]

The reason I said I felt alone is that I can not talk to any doctors about this until I have the insurance because it would be financially devastating to my family were the worst to happen - but also my extended family isnt big on personal issues and the few close friends I have I dont want to lose because I am freaking out.  My husband doesnt want to talk about it other than to tell me how I should be feeling because it's hard to hear my morbid thoughts etc... plus I cant get upset in front of my daughter.  I know something is terribly wrong, but I dont have anywhere I can go until my health & life insurance is in place.

[mama2sofi]

I am in IL and should have a CT done this month.  I am just afraid what I will do with the results.  My symptoms line up so much with O.C. that I would be amazed if it were something else.  I know I shouldnt jump to conclusions, but my gut feeling is pretty bad.

[Jan214]

If you do have ovarian cancer waiting is not going to improve anything.  The earlier you catch it the better your odds are of beating it.  I have been depressed over this at times, but my world has never turned black and you make it through each day the best you can.  I try not to think to much about dying, but with 3c that is a very real possibility.  You can't let not having ins stop you from finding out what is going on with you. The odds of you having cancer are slim to none, but for your sake as well as your daughter's you HAVE to find out what this is NOW.  Every state has some provision for uninsured people and you should call your local health dept as MsJazz suggested and find a Dr ASAP.  My mom died when I was 7 but that was back in the day when they couldn't do a thing for this cancer.  Don't wait, as your little one will be the one that suffers the most.  If you will list your city and state I will find out for you what options you have. Please do that and I will find out whatever I can as quickly as I can.
Jan

[mama2sofi]

I am in Chicago.  I am trying to get health insurance this month so I can have a CT scan.  I dont think I have a family history although because of adoption I dont know anything about my dads side.  I will know soon though - my doctor said that within a day or 2 of my scan he can have results - I plan on knowing something within 2 weeks if everything is OK with the insurance app.  I had bloodwork done a few weeks ago that showed all "levels" of whatever were normal - although I dont think he did a Ca125 (<-?) test, I think he tested for diabetes and other things, but not cancer.  

[msjazz]

You don't say where you live. If you are in the u.s. there should be some kind of free or low cost clinic for uninsured. Maybe your local health department. The ov. cancer symtoms are so much like sypmtoms for other things, it is often overlooked. Unless you have a family history of cancer, the odds of ovca are not that big. It could be so many things, you do need to find a dr. and find out exactly what is wrong. It could be ov. cysts which are 87% benign but can cause these symptoms and pain.
Do contact your health dept and see if they can offer some assistance. Best wishes.