Aa
Borderline
Hello,
I was diagnosed with a Borderline Ovarian Cyst (tumour?) on my left ovary, a month ago. I have a couple of worries: firstly, I have seen a gynae/onc specialist and a bowel specialist (it is thought that it is stuck to the bowel), but because of their summer holidays, they cannot be together to operate until 20 August. This is frightening the life out of me because I just think of this thing growing inside me. Also, I have suffered with IBS for the past 5 years, so a lot of the symptoms I have experienced are the same as those associated with this condition. I seem to have symptoms that range from back pain, pain in the lower and upper left side, pain across my body (just under the breasts) and also the usual IBS symptoms, including being terribly tired most of the time. The pain here is akin to menstrual pain and is in degrees. Is this similar to anyone else, and can anyone tell me if it is safe to wait another 5 weeks until surgery? I had a hysterectomy 15 years ago and I am 54.
Sorry, that all seems terribly disjointed when I read it back! I hope someone can help, because I am very scared.
Thanks, Elaine
I was diagnosed with a Borderline Ovarian Cyst (tumour?) on my left ovary, a month ago. I have a couple of worries: firstly, I have seen a gynae/onc specialist and a bowel specialist (it is thought that it is stuck to the bowel), but because of their summer holidays, they cannot be together to operate until 20 August. This is frightening the life out of me because I just think of this thing growing inside me. Also, I have suffered with IBS for the past 5 years, so a lot of the symptoms I have experienced are the same as those associated with this condition. I seem to have symptoms that range from back pain, pain in the lower and upper left side, pain across my body (just under the breasts) and also the usual IBS symptoms, including being terribly tired most of the time. The pain here is akin to menstrual pain and is in degrees. Is this similar to anyone else, and can anyone tell me if it is safe to wait another 5 weeks until surgery? I had a hysterectomy 15 years ago and I am 54.
Sorry, that all seems terribly disjointed when I read it back! I hope someone can help, because I am very scared.
Thanks, Elaine
Hi Elaine,
Yes...waiting is terrible!!!! I had urinary urgency (tumor was pressing on bladder) and pain as my main symptoms. I had increased pain with menstruation as well as general cramping and back pain. I am three years out now and am doing ok. So sorry you have to wait it out until Aug.! Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Shelly
Yes...waiting is terrible!!!! I had urinary urgency (tumor was pressing on bladder) and pain as my main symptoms. I had increased pain with menstruation as well as general cramping and back pain. I am three years out now and am doing ok. So sorry you have to wait it out until Aug.! Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Shelly
Hello Shelly,
No, my first surgery will be on 20 August when both specialists will work together to remove the tumour and sort out the bowel too. I have had a really in-depth MR scan (one and half hours), and a trans-abdominal/vaginal scan also. Their diagnosis is based on their experience, I assume, as both guys agree. Although, as you say, they can't be 100% sure until the surgery.
I can't ask for them to do the surgery an sooner because of their holidays - the gyn/onc guy is on holiday right now, and then the bowel guy goes when he returns! It seems a bit late to switch to somebody different, and I really want these guys to do it as they are both at the top in their field.
It's reassuring that you had to wait for four weeks, even though it must have been hell for you. Can you tell me if you had similar symptoms? Also, how are you now?
Elaine
No, my first surgery will be on 20 August when both specialists will work together to remove the tumour and sort out the bowel too. I have had a really in-depth MR scan (one and half hours), and a trans-abdominal/vaginal scan also. Their diagnosis is based on their experience, I assume, as both guys agree. Although, as you say, they can't be 100% sure until the surgery.
I can't ask for them to do the surgery an sooner because of their holidays - the gyn/onc guy is on holiday right now, and then the bowel guy goes when he returns! It seems a bit late to switch to somebody different, and I really want these guys to do it as they are both at the top in their field.
It's reassuring that you had to wait for four weeks, even though it must have been hell for you. Can you tell me if you had similar symptoms? Also, how are you now?
Elaine
Hi Elaine,
How did they determine it was a borderline tumor? Did you already have surgical removal? The only way to accurately diagnose a borderline tumor is surgical removal because invasive ovarian cancer looks very similar. I understand how you feel and wouldn't want to wait five weeks either. I had a similar situation when I was dx with ovca three years ago. It was about 4 weeks from my first appt. with my gyn/onc until my surgery. It was also in July!
You do want to be sure to have specialists remove the tumor attached to your bowel so that you don't end up with more complications. You have done the best thing by having a gyn/onc be in charge of your care. If he thinks it is fine to wait, then it probably is. But, sometimes the doctors just rely on their assistants to coordinate all. You may be able to get a sooner surgery by switching to another gyn/onc in his group who doesn't have vacation plans. Or, perhaps there is another bowel specialist who can assist. Tell them about your increasing physical discomfort and concern for waiting. It is worth a try.
If it doesn't work out to have a sooner surgery then you will know you did all you could. It is better to wait and have the gyn/onc than to proceed sooner without one. Sometimes, there is no other option! Waiting is very stressful! Good luck to you! Keep us posted!
Shelly
How did they determine it was a borderline tumor? Did you already have surgical removal? The only way to accurately diagnose a borderline tumor is surgical removal because invasive ovarian cancer looks very similar. I understand how you feel and wouldn't want to wait five weeks either. I had a similar situation when I was dx with ovca three years ago. It was about 4 weeks from my first appt. with my gyn/onc until my surgery. It was also in July!
You do want to be sure to have specialists remove the tumor attached to your bowel so that you don't end up with more complications. You have done the best thing by having a gyn/onc be in charge of your care. If he thinks it is fine to wait, then it probably is. But, sometimes the doctors just rely on their assistants to coordinate all. You may be able to get a sooner surgery by switching to another gyn/onc in his group who doesn't have vacation plans. Or, perhaps there is another bowel specialist who can assist. Tell them about your increasing physical discomfort and concern for waiting. It is worth a try.
If it doesn't work out to have a sooner surgery then you will know you did all you could. It is better to wait and have the gyn/onc than to proceed sooner without one. Sometimes, there is no other option! Waiting is very stressful! Good luck to you! Keep us posted!
Shelly
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