Well, I am having medical challenges now. I have had symptoms and pain for nearly three months. I will not go into detail, but I would go to google, webmd, etc... and put in my symptoms. The results were always the same and it wasn't good. So I bit the bullet and went to my GP. She examined me and took all kinds of samples and did some tests. Everything came out clean. I remember saying, "Fantastic", then she said, "No, not great! This worries me more." She referred me to a Urologist and a Gastroenterologist.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to my Urologist who happens to be my Gynecologist so he is a Urogynecologist. He did an ultra sound and another surprise, there were several cysts in the left side of my pelvis. Now I have to go to an imaging center and get the 3D ultra sound in mid September. He wanted me to wait that long to see if the cysts shrink on there own. In the meantime, he had me do a blood test to check for Ovarian cancer. I said how could that be, you removed them a few years ago? I did not know this, but one can still get Ovarian cancer even after a hysterectomy. Apparently there are little cells leftover that can become cancerous. Anyway, the test came back negative thank God.

Now on to the Gastroenterologist and guess what? I have to have a colonoscopy on the 2nd of September.

As I said, the waiting is the hardest. I have no idea what awaits me. I am a little scared because my dad's cancer spread to his stomach and his mother died of stomach cancer. Of course, if it's IBS, I can live with that, I am just trying to rule out anything dangerous.

Does anyone have any ideas? Anyone have this kind of experience?

Thanks,
Cathi

Cathi, try not to get worked up. Easier said than done. But this comes from a cyst growing kinda gal.

I had a cyst the size of a grapefruit removed from my ovary - well they also took the ovary. I have cysts all in my breasts and none of them are malignant. I had a cyst removed from the top of my foot, and one from behind my ear. Honestly, all have been benign.

I'm just glad you chose to go to the doctor and rule everything out. Please keep us posted.

Cathi, I have done many a self diagnosis through the internet. Some were correctr and some not. The internet can drive you nutso, what that concerns. Hope you stay on the positive side...most of the time it's nothing seriouis.
I am sending healing thoughts your way!

I just went with a friend to have a fatty cyst removed from
a breast of hers. The growth was benign. Prayers and blessings,

Sorry it took me awhile to get back and respond.

Dotsie, I would probably not be as worried so much if my dad didn't go through this same situation this time last year, coupled with my grandmother, his mom, having had this kind of cancer. In all honesty, I dread the procedures more than I do the results. I have had cysts before, in fact, I had both a tumor and cyst in my ovary before, both of them benign. I am glad you responded because I was thinking it could just be a fatty type tissue. I think that is what cysts are for the most part. I don't know.

Edelweiss, I agree with the fact that the internet can send us on a brink of mass confusion. The only reason I even checked in the first place was because I was hoping I would find something simple and didn't have to go to the doctor. I don't like going to the doctors at all and I am one of these people who will wait until something is pretty bad before I go. Ironically, when my husband does this, I get on his case and reprimand him for not going to the doctor. He is having his challenges too with his a-fibs. So far, the new medicine he is on is working better, but I fear he will need another ablation.

Thanks Jabber for letting me know about your friend. I had a lump last year under my arm. It turned out to be a side effect from the flu shot. I only had the flu shot so I wouldn't get sick and thus not be able to spend the time I wanted to with my dad because of his immune system.

I'll keep you ladies posted.

Thanks and Cheers,
Cathi

Prayers and blessings Cathi!

Gods blessings to one and all!

I am soooooooo like you with checking out symptoms online, Cathi. For the most part, we have the NHS Direct here which allows us to do just that and if uncertain, can call in to speak to a nurse on duty who would give further advise.

I had colonoscopy in the recent past and honestly, I found the procedure more embarassing than alarming. I pray all goes well with yours. And, I understand very well one's concern in view of genetics. But, in a way, it helps because you know what symptoms to look out for and when one suspects that a pattern is there, one can seek early treatment for it. The part of the legacy of the generation before us is that we can learn from their experience. I pray and hope all turns out well.

Hi Ladies,

I have an update. You're right Lola, it is embarrassing, but the doctor found nothing there. I would like to add though, even worse than the embarrassing part is the prep you have to do the day before. It is awful and IMO barbaric!

Unfortunately, there is some grim news attached to this. I went to have the 3D ultrasound yesterday and the cyst is larger now and, as my doctor put it "there was a solid component to it" Because he is uneasy about that, I have been referred to a Gynegology Oncologist or whatever the title is. This explains about the pain I am experiencing.

I will not know until Monday when my appointment is because this particular doctor and his staff are on vacation this week. Understandable, everyone needs to take a vacation sometime.

You are right Lola, we can watch out for our symptoms based on genetics and what our family experienced in the past. If it wasn't for that, I would probably not have done anything about this and just chalked it up to muscle pain.

Thanks so much ladies for your support. Ironically, I am not scared because I always have hope. It's the waiting that is the hardest.

I love you all alot!!!

Cheers,
Cathi

Thanks for the update, Cathi. I almost missed it because it's pages behind in Active Topics. Were you able to see the specialist on Monday? Hope you're feeling much better and pray you keep well.

Cathi, any news?

I'm just seeing this too. How about an update?

I saw the doctor this morning, it was the earliest I was able to see him.

Well, I have an ovarian tumor 3 inches in diameter. I am going to have abdominal surgery on Oct 6, and then they will do a biopsy. The doctor's prognosis is a good one. He told me he is 95% sure the tumor is benign.

Here is the odd part and apparently this is more common than we think. I had a hysterectomy 7 years ago and both of my ovaries had been removed. However, there is always a remnant and it can still produce ovarian tumors even after they've been removed.

I am just relieved now that I am not in limbo, and knowing what direction to go.

I love you all alot!

Cheers,
Cathi

This is great news. I"ve never heard of such a thing, but it's so good to know it's rarely malignant.

I once had an ovarian cyst the size of a grapefruit. They ended up removing one ovary because it was so entwined.

How wild that it's there and your ovary isn't?

Still sorry you have to have surgery, but I guess we have to look at the bright side - right? What a year it has been for you!

You are not kidding. I told my boss today that I would try to come back to work earlier than the recommended 6 weeks, and she said she would rather I took the entire 6 weeks off and come back 100% better. So, I started thinking, I could get upset and have the "oh whoa is me" kind of an attitude, or I can actually take this opportunity to get some rest and regroup. It is the only way I am able to do this without feeling guilty. I really wonder if these situations are there for this purpose...something to think about.

Quite frankly, I dread dealing with MetLife(short term disability) more than I do the surgery, LOL!

Richard and I are going to Blacksburg tomorrow night to see Sofia and Zoey this weekend. I wanted to tell Sofia in person. I wanted to wait until I had more information before I told my mom. I didn't want her in any kind of panic. She is ready to come back home anyway.

I love you all alot!

Cathi, God's speed on your recovery and I do hope you take the time to relax and enjoy home. You've had such a hard year. Reflect, read, watch old tear-jerking movies, call friends, write! We will be thinking of you and praying that God guides the surgeon's hands. I've had the same thing before, like a hundred years ago, so I know how you feel, trust me! But it will be fine. I just know it!

Cathi, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I just had a bunch of tests done and they found a cyst on my ovary as well. Have to go back in 3 months. So I have a little taste of your anxiety...haven't we done this before? Journeyed through similar stressful situations together? I believe we'll both be fine and am sending warm positive thoughts and healing energy your way! Keep us posted.

Grateful for the blessings that it is benign and for a kind-hearted boss, Cathi. You only have one chance to heal well, and your boss is wise to counsel a full rest.

Eagle, are you scheduled for surgery as well? Do keep us posted as well.

Cathi, thank you for updating us. This is such an important topic and I'm sorry you've had deal with the physical and emotional pain. I wish there was an earlier detection method and less invasive surgery. I'm also glad that your doctor recommened the 3D ultrasound - so many insurance companies like to deny testing, which can interfere with a patient's diagnoses and recovery. Blessings,

Wow Eagle, it is ironic isn't it? You and I being diagnosed at the same time...not being the first time this has happened... We have to be connected somehow. Please keep us posted. My prayers are with you. Speaking of prayer, I've been thinking, God doesn't allow anything to happen to us that we cannot handle. He must think we are pretty strong women, and when I choose to look at it that way, I am privileged that He values our strength. I know this sounds crazy for some people, but it keeps me going.

Lola, thanks for your unending support. We are so blessed you are here.

Mustang, you are right. The symptoms I have been experiencing since July, mimick the symptoms for Colon Cancer. It was my GP, a boomer woman herself BTW, who was persistent with me to go and see 2 different specialists. Since I have had a hysterectomy and both ovaries removed, the last thing I thought it would be was my ovary. There is a name for what I have, it is called Ovarian Remnant Syndrome. So it is imperative to continue going to your gynecologist regularly even after everything has been removed.

As for my workplace, this is one example as to why I cling on to this job no matter what. I have seen people leave this co only to come back 3 months later because there isn't too many other places to work like ours.

Thanks ladies for your well wishes. I am in Blacksburg this weekend to see Sofia and Zoey. I didn't want to tell Sofia over the phone about this and this is the last weekend before surgery I had to do this.

My mom is trying to come back early from Greece. She has been ready to come back anyway, that's a different story in itself. Our family has been good to her, but as she puts it, "I am too Americanized" So anyway, I finally told her yesterday about my situation. I didn't want to tell her while I was still in limbo.

I love you all alot!

Cheers,
Cathi

Jawjaw, your majesty, I keep thinking I am going through a second hysterectomy, LOL. I really need this rest in all honesty, and I definitely want to catch up on some things that I want to do, but kept putting off. I have been doing more crafts such as crochet, knitting and I am dabbling in knitting crocheting with beads. We have to wear badges at work, and I wanted to wear something nicer around my neck for the badge. So I took some yarn and beads and crocheted a necklace, added the ring on it to clip the badge. Well now I've been getting requests from others at work for some. I also made a cell phone cozy, which I use for my mp3 player, and to my surprise, I am getting requests for these as well. So now I will be able to fullfil these requests.

I love you alot!

Cathi

Girlllllllllllll....you're on to something! Why not make up a dozen of each of these items, and try your hand at selling them at the local flea market...??? Just a thought. In this town, I would think the necklaces for the badge would go over big time. We are a technology town, and everybody here wears a badge.

Others have suggested this to me, and it has crossed my mind. I will see how things are after the 6 weeks. By that time, we will have so many craft bazaars, so the timing will be perfect.

That was another irritating factor. I like to wear long necklaces, but the other badge necklace I had was getting in the way. This way, I kill two birds with one stone!!!

When I get a chance, I'll take a picture of them and post it in the craft section. I'll try to do it sometime next week. It doesn't take long, it's just that I forget to do these type of things. I just finished my daughter's afghan and now I am trying to finish Zoey's. I had to stop in the middle of them for the summer time. I'll post Zoey's when it is done, I did hers with a Tunisian Crochet Hook. I like it very much, it's like weaving.

Cheers,
Cathi

Such talent...I'm so jealous (in a good way).

Cathi, your crocheted beadwork sounds awesome...I know a few people who would be interested. If you ever have some to sell, let me know.

As far as the cyst goes, I only just got the news this past week. We have to book the follow-up exam for December and then go from there. Hopefully it's just a cyst! I'm not going to anticipate or worry about it. I've had fibroids most of my life (it was the reason I was given for not being able to have children). They're still there too but I've had them so long I don't know what impact they have on me anymore.

Anyway, I'm just thinking about you and your upcoming operation and praying that all goes well. We HAVE been through a lot together in the past few years, haven't we. We'll see each other through this too. With love!

Hi ladies,

I just came home yesterday from the Hospital. The right ovary I was suppose to have removed 5 years ago did not get 100% removed. This is common when done by laparoscopy. Anyway, it was a cyst the size of a grapefruit that grew from half that ovary. I am relieved it is out and my back is not hurting me anymore either.

Anyway, I wanted to let you all know how it went. I had to spend 5 hours in the recovery room because I was low on potassium and they were trying to administer this to me without burning me too death. That really hurt, but they managed to dilute it to a point where I couldn't feel any pain.

Oh well, hopefully I can take advantage of this time off work, and hopefully I will have the opportunity to spend some time with my sisters here!

I would love to call and talk to some of my sisters. If you want, you can PM me your phone number and I will call.

Thanks to all of you who prayed for me, God heard you! He is good all the time!!

Love and Hugs,
Cathi

Speedy recovery and I am sure you will use the time to connect with friends..read some books and heal

Cathi, such good news. I'm glad you're home safe and sound, and join in wishing you a restful, pleasant recovery. I hope your days are full of rejuvenating relaxation, friends and ever-increasing sense of well-being. Celebrating you!

So glad that all of this is behind you. Relax, put your feet up, and take care of yourself.

Glad to know all is done and dusted, Cathi. Did you have a lap procedure again? Nonetheless, remember the mantra: "Do not lift or tug" for the first few weeks in order that you heal well and do not bring about adhesion. Also take plenty of pineapple juice for its healing properties. Rest, rest and more rest.

Hope you feel better soon...

Lola, pineapple juice? I've enver heard that one. Very good. I'll try to remember it.

I have heard of this before. I had a friend who was on this diet and part of it was to take one day a week and eat nothing but pinapples. This was suppose to cleanse your system of toxins. I remember because she would talk about tomorrow being a pinapple day and she sounded as enthusiastic as a moose would during hunting season.

I am starting to feel better and tomorrow I go to the doctor and get my staples removed, Yay! I really have to remember not to go and overdo anything, even though I feel like I could go on as normal. I am not use to this and I feel like there is something I could be doing. What is it about us women? I am actually feeling guilty for not doing any kind of work!

I will say this and hopefully I am right. When I stand up, I can actually stand up straight and not feel that shooting pain I was feeling in my lower back. This must've been the problem, I am very relieved all the way around.

I love you all alot!

Cheers,
Cathi