So. My doctor is sending me to a specialist on Monday. She says she doesn't think that it is cancerous, however she thinks it might be too big to go away on its own. She said I might have to have surgery. I feel numb, and these are the thoughts going through my head:
I'm scared
I'm scared of surgery
What if it is cancer
What if they have to take my ovaries
Is it ok to be scared?
How scared is it ok to be?
How am I going to deal with really big things in life if I can't handle this one without breaking down
I don't feel strong
and i don't feel like I am handling this as well as i could
Alright ladies, hit me, i need advice. Anybody been through this? Anybody have any words of wisdom?
Ultrasound Yesterday Discovered a 5cm ovarian cyst
Hi lilsismj
How old are you? A 5 cm ovarian cyst is large but not necessarily big enough to remove surgically, especially if you're premenopausal and you're not experiencing symptoms. They might just want to take the wait and watch approach and do another ultrasound in 6-8 weeks, especially since ovarian cysts enlarge and shrink depending on where you are in your cycle.
If you're over the age of 50, they still will probably want to monitor the cyst rather than remove it. Do you have a family history of ovarian cancer? They can always do a CA-125 test. This measures the protein released from cancerous ovarian tissues but some doctors don't rely on this test since you can get a lot of false positives.
Your doctor already said she doesn't think it's cancer. If she had any doubt, she would have said something like, "Well, it's difficult to tell... let's see what happens..." Doctors don't go reassuring patients too often unless they're pretty darn sure. Being wrong would put them at risk for a lot of lawsuits these days!
I know how scary this is... They found a 6 mm simple cyst in my breast last year and I have had to go back twice to have ultrasounds on it to make sure it hasn't changed. So far, so good. It has actually shrunk in size, validating that it's just a cyst that fluctuates with my cycle.
I think it's okay to be scared. BUT, not scared to where it's the only thing you're thinking about. And you are dealing with this... Maybe not like you'd like, but you're dealing with it. You're going to the doctor and being proactive about it all. Not dealing would be not going to the doctor, not following up with appointments, not educating yourself about the condition, not knowing your options, not taking care of yourself, and so on... You are strong!!! Weakness would be what I just mentioned above and it would be the result of fear. But being fearful and proactive at the same time is okay. Just don't let your fear keep you from doing what needs to be done. Please update us when you see the specialist. Take care!
Celeste
How old are you? A 5 cm ovarian cyst is large but not necessarily big enough to remove surgically, especially if you're premenopausal and you're not experiencing symptoms. They might just want to take the wait and watch approach and do another ultrasound in 6-8 weeks, especially since ovarian cysts enlarge and shrink depending on where you are in your cycle.
If you're over the age of 50, they still will probably want to monitor the cyst rather than remove it. Do you have a family history of ovarian cancer? They can always do a CA-125 test. This measures the protein released from cancerous ovarian tissues but some doctors don't rely on this test since you can get a lot of false positives.
Your doctor already said she doesn't think it's cancer. If she had any doubt, she would have said something like, "Well, it's difficult to tell... let's see what happens..." Doctors don't go reassuring patients too often unless they're pretty darn sure. Being wrong would put them at risk for a lot of lawsuits these days!
I know how scary this is... They found a 6 mm simple cyst in my breast last year and I have had to go back twice to have ultrasounds on it to make sure it hasn't changed. So far, so good. It has actually shrunk in size, validating that it's just a cyst that fluctuates with my cycle.
I think it's okay to be scared. BUT, not scared to where it's the only thing you're thinking about. And you are dealing with this... Maybe not like you'd like, but you're dealing with it. You're going to the doctor and being proactive about it all. Not dealing would be not going to the doctor, not following up with appointments, not educating yourself about the condition, not knowing your options, not taking care of yourself, and so on... You are strong!!! Weakness would be what I just mentioned above and it would be the result of fear. But being fearful and proactive at the same time is okay. Just don't let your fear keep you from doing what needs to be done. Please update us when you see the specialist. Take care!
Celeste
"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Jesus Christ
Matthew 6:27
Thanks Celeste,
I really appreciate that and I think it goes to the point of Lucinda's -- i may not do it perfectly, but I'll do alright. I am able to still work, laugh, but I have my moments of fear. I guess I need to let that be ok. If I fear the fear, it will only get worse. And honestly, my greatest fear is this sending me into an emotional spiral, ruining all the progress i have made.
I am 29 (30 in 17 days) and haven't had kids yet. That's another concern. I hate waiting. But when we pray for patience, God sometimes gives us opportunities to be patient and the faith that everything will work out as it should.
I really appreciate that and I think it goes to the point of Lucinda's -- i may not do it perfectly, but I'll do alright. I am able to still work, laugh, but I have my moments of fear. I guess I need to let that be ok. If I fear the fear, it will only get worse. And honestly, my greatest fear is this sending me into an emotional spiral, ruining all the progress i have made.
I am 29 (30 in 17 days) and haven't had kids yet. That's another concern. I hate waiting. But when we pray for patience, God sometimes gives us opportunities to be patient and the faith that everything will work out as it should.
Ok time for some deep breathing...innnn outttttttttt....innnnnnnnnnnnnnn outtttttt.
Now you know what it is and you can go from there. I can't tell you how many times I've had cysts on my ovaries. I'm surprised you haven't been having a lot of pain. Mine were always painful, sometimes I couldn't even stand up straight....going on the pill has helped that.
At any rate, it's ok to be scared. It's scary to anyone at first. This is a NORMAL REACTION...don't feel that because you are having these feelings that you aren't strong or won't be able to handle other situations...that is simply not true. Like the pp said, your dr said that he/she doubted it was cancer. That's a good thing. Trust me if they thought it was something extremely serious or life threatening your butt would be having other procedures right about now. So let's go through your list.
Your scared...already mentioned above.
Your scared of surgery...most people are. But, if it it does come to this and it stops the bleeding and makes you feel better, its well worth it no? Besides, you haven't crossed that bridge yet, so save it for another day.
What if it's cancer...what if its not? Again another bridge you haven't gotten to yet, save it.
What if they have to take your ovaries... you said it was one cyst right? Worst comes to worse if you have to have surgery they just take the one ovary. You can still function just fine with the one...heck woman can function w/o any.
Is it ok to be scared? Damn skippy it is! Like I said above, this is normal!
How scared is it ok to be? However scared you need to be in order to cope, but like pp said, don't allow it to consume you.
How are you going to deal with big things...I answered that I think.
I don't feel strong...sure you are strong! You wouldn't be posting here if you weren't. You just need some re-assurance.
You don't feel like you are handling this as well as you could...how did you expect to handle it? Say YAY ME and skip away smiling? haha Don't beat yourself up sweety.
((((((((HUGS)))))))))
Now you know what it is and you can go from there. I can't tell you how many times I've had cysts on my ovaries. I'm surprised you haven't been having a lot of pain. Mine were always painful, sometimes I couldn't even stand up straight....going on the pill has helped that.
At any rate, it's ok to be scared. It's scary to anyone at first. This is a NORMAL REACTION...don't feel that because you are having these feelings that you aren't strong or won't be able to handle other situations...that is simply not true. Like the pp said, your dr said that he/she doubted it was cancer. That's a good thing. Trust me if they thought it was something extremely serious or life threatening your butt would be having other procedures right about now. So let's go through your list.
Your scared...already mentioned above.
Your scared of surgery...most people are. But, if it it does come to this and it stops the bleeding and makes you feel better, its well worth it no? Besides, you haven't crossed that bridge yet, so save it for another day.
What if it's cancer...what if its not? Again another bridge you haven't gotten to yet, save it.
What if they have to take your ovaries... you said it was one cyst right? Worst comes to worse if you have to have surgery they just take the one ovary. You can still function just fine with the one...heck woman can function w/o any.
Is it ok to be scared? Damn skippy it is! Like I said above, this is normal!
How scared is it ok to be? However scared you need to be in order to cope, but like pp said, don't allow it to consume you.
How are you going to deal with big things...I answered that I think.
I don't feel strong...sure you are strong! You wouldn't be posting here if you weren't. You just need some re-assurance.
You don't feel like you are handling this as well as you could...how did you expect to handle it? Say YAY ME and skip away smiling? haha Don't beat yourself up sweety.
((((((((HUGS)))))))))
"If you want it, you got it... you just have to believe....believe in yourself" Lenny Kravitz
Absolutely!!! This could very well be that opportunity! And the "suffering" now is His way of making you seek Him out.But when we pray for patience, God sometimes gives us opportunities to be patient and the faith that everything will work out as it should.
You're 30? Try not to worry too much. Statistically, ovarian cancer is EXTREMELY rare in women under 50. Your hormones are still active at age 30. Hormones are what protects us women under 50 from certain cancers. As my 53 year old mother would say, "My hormones are out of wack!" I'm not looking forward to menopause but until then, I'll try to keep healthy and do what is in my control to prevent certain cancers: eat right, exercise, avoid excessive alcohol, avoid stress, and not smoke. The rest is up to God. Take care, hun! You'll be fine.
Celeste
Last edited by Celeste1 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Jesus Christ
Matthew 6:27
Glad to hear that it's only a cyst. They found cysts on both of ovaries about six months ago. All they did was give me an anti-inflamatory med and monitor them, the doc said it usually takes six months before they go away. Ovarian cysts are very normal for women. Be glad that it isn't fibroids which can grow as big as baseballs....my friend had to have one removed. You'll be fine. This was my first time having them too and I was really scared and sometimes they can be painful, but after realizing that everyone that I knew had them, I felt alot better. Just know that this is just one of those women issues that we have to go through, they are not dangerous at all. Just irritating 
Hi, I am 27, nearly 28, and I went to the doctor on Saturday to test thyroid and generally get checked out.. Had been getting stomach pains and spotting last few months.. Doc sent me in for a scan and he say a cyst or something. Said what worried him was it looks like a hard swelling, which could either be that it is deeply embedded or a tumour. Then tells me not to panic and come back in two weeks for another scan and an internal scan as well. Now I am sittings, its been three days and its driving me mad with worry. I know these things are usually benign but I am still stressed, especially since it didn't look like a cyst. How bad are tumours? About the size of a golf ball.. Why do I have to wait two weeks - is he hoping it will change size? Its a scary thing this..
Hello Kayare,
From my experience...and just my experience...I would assume that if you doctor thought it was something really bad...he would already have you back, not waiting two weeks. If anything I would take that as a good sign.
My doctors had me wait to see if the cysts would pop on their own, but only for a few days, which the baseball sized one ended up doing.
Relax dear heart. From going in and having all the tests, these things seems as common place as sneezes. I know it's scary, but put it out of your mind to the best of your ability. Again, if it were an emergency, he would have you in right now!
From my experience...and just my experience...I would assume that if you doctor thought it was something really bad...he would already have you back, not waiting two weeks. If anything I would take that as a good sign.
My doctors had me wait to see if the cysts would pop on their own, but only for a few days, which the baseball sized one ended up doing.
Relax dear heart. From going in and having all the tests, these things seems as common place as sneezes. I know it's scary, but put it out of your mind to the best of your ability. Again, if it were an emergency, he would have you in right now!
I had a 33 and half pound cyst removed .It was so huge looked like i was 10 mons preg after i just gave birth the month befor that , and i was pregnant when they found my cyst too . I had my first born when i was 32 during a routine ultrasound for preg they found an ovarian mass is what they called it. That was in oct 1987 my son was born in jan 1988 he only weighed 5 lb one ounce. Then i had surgery when he was 3 months old and they took out a 33 and half pound ovarian cyst and they were still able to salvage the right ovarie and then 3 years later got preg again and had my daughter in 1991 i was 35.Now im 52 and i still have both ovaries.. so please try not to worry i know its easier said than done
thanks rose
thanks rose
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~HealthyMe~
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