Cancer Community

I can understand how much fear and anxiety you must be feeling.

I believe that these are all questions you should write down and take to your doctor. Begin taking detailed notes so you can research, ask the right questions and find the best treatment for your body.

Here is a conversation I found from the Women's Health Community. Several years old but might have some additional information that can help:

http://forums.webmd.com/3/gynecology-exchange/forum/9

Haylen

thanks for the link.....interesting to read and helpful...i found out today that my complex cyst is size of a lemon but doc said to wait 3 more wks to get another ultrasound cause these can go away by themselves ....or i can get surgery next wk....i opted to wait i guess , not sure what to really do at this point , maybe second opinion cause i did ask if he could tell me more about the ultrasound and he said no it says could poss be endometria cyst or hemmoragic cyst but not conclusive and what about cancer ? he said there are no ways of testing for it ...i asked bout CA125 he said not the way to go ...i asked about more intense test to look further into the cyst , he said repeat ultrasound 3wks , thats it....or start pill next cycle . but thats a month away so i wish i could of gotten more set answer as to what kinda cyst i really have and if its cancerous or not .....before i would opt for surgery .....i guess he will c if it grows or shrinks next ultrasound but isnt there more tests he could of done to determine more of whats going on with me than just a ultrasound done by radiologist ? i guess its a waiting game ...thanks for the info , greatly appreciated hope all is well with u

Waiting game is not fun. But if you feel it would be helpful, I encourage you to seek a 2nd opinion. I always think that being proactive with your own health is a good thing - best of luck to you!

Haylen

thanks, i guess second opinion could help....i just dont want surgery if its not cancer for it just to poss grow back again yet it if is cancerous and there is a way to find out before surgery then i would want to know....are there tests to find this out? i had laperoscopy 20 yrs ago for cysts , not complex just cyst and over the last 20 yrs they have come and gone ....but came back none the less , so i only would get surgery if necessary....

That is a question for the surgeon. They should be able to tell you if that is a possibility and how common (if at all) the return of a cyst is.

Be sure to manage your stress during this time!

Best,

Haylen

hi haylen, i called my PA yesterday , she is very knowledgable and helpful and i trust her so i asked her opinion in this situation and she said a second opinion would be very good , also that surgery should be last resort only because i have tons of adhesions /scar tissue in my belly , pelvic area from 20 yrs ago when i had my laperoscopy and it was so bad they couldnt even see my appendix so goin in and pokin around could be dangerous being adhesions stick to organs etc.....she said these cysts can go away on their own but another opinion from a doc i trust and has some experience in the feild of expertise would b good.....so i made appt to see old obgyn that did my other surgeries 20 yrs ago not that 36 yrs of experience makes surgery any less dangerous in any case but he was very thorough doc and i value that during that surgery i had then he left that area where my appendix was alone instead of trying to take out and putting me at risk.....i know any doc is capable of mistake but being i have other issues going on besides this cysts i would want to remind him of the last surgery and how i would expect the same care now ....the first doc i saw im sure was good as well but when i mentioned the adhesions he was like oh well things can happen during surgery that are always risky....and that just doesnt sit right with me....he should have said he would take precaucions or care now knowing this is a risk not just a basica laperoscopy but more complicated ....organs sticking to each other and tissue sticking together is not easy no matter how steady a hand at surgery you have ,,,ya know , so anyways my concerns are there but i will get another opinion .....right now i have revised my diet fresh veggies raw foods and fresh juice , vitamins need to take better care of me cause i am my moms caregiver and that can stress me out....she has pre alzheimers disease . thanks for ur replies

Good for you for taking care of yourself! It will be good for you and your mom for you to manage your stress. If you need some additional ideas check out the WebMD Stress Management Center.

We also have a Palliative Care Center that has good information and resources for caregivers.

Best to you and please continue to ask questions and advocate for your own health!

Haylen

hi haylen, just wanted to let u know i decided to cancel my appt with my old obgyn this wed and wait....i have to wait till begining of april for my second ultrasound with the first doctor i saw to see what the cyst is doing ...if it shrunk or got bigger or changed in any way.....i will have my hubby go along cause my appt is right after my u/s to discuss further options or treatment or maybe none if it has significantly improved....but i am scheduled for a second opinion anyways end of april with a new doc i found on line that will take my insurance which my old doc who i really wanted to go to did not....as much as i wanted to go to him i just dont have the income to afford the payments...so i discussed this all yesterday with my family and they said i can always try to get in sooner with second opinion doc after my u/s date .....this new doc was referred by family friend he is into holistic meds a surgeon and obgyn and nutrition vegetables etc ....conventional but has a open mind as to treatments and has helped our family friend with her obgyn needs and took care of her hystarectomy as well....she really believes in him and likes his manner....so i figure why not give this doc a shot and c what he says....i have to wait longer than i would like to but maybe it will be worth it....until then im still juicing and eating well im not on my 5 day to wellness and im feeling bit better actually ....yesterday had cabbage and pot soup and 3 large salads with nuts and berries and a large juiced drink of all veggies and greens...im really trying to make an effort to help myself , do you know of any sites on here or other wise that can be supportive of my journey? ps got mom eating well too....ill keep ya posted

Good to hear that you are taking care of yourself!

I hope the new doctor will work out well for you! Here is a link to the WebMD Healthy Eating & Diet Center with lots of information - not just for losing weight. And you can find many slideshows with great info about health and wellness here:

WebMD Slideshows

Best to you and please check in again -

Haylen

hi haylen they had a cancellation at 2nd opinion obgyn and so i took it ...he is a obgyn and surgeon and has other degrees in other medical areas as well. and alt med......he sent me for CA 125 and i told him my feelings on that with the false pos result for many women and if it was necessary ...he said he will be looking at the whole picture and my history and will take it all into consideration before giving me his opinion on whats happening with me....he said the test could b beneficial cause it shows diff factors he will be looking at ....cant remember what they were , scientific words....but to take it none the less....so i took it on thrs morning....and should get a result either mon or tues this week...also seen a dr for my appendix cause that side was tender and achey just to get checked to see if it was being affected by the cysts in my cervix or another one i have in that area.....took more blood wrk and stool test kit....etc.......will keep ya posted thanks

hi haylen , just wanted to let u know how i made out...they took an mri closer look inside my pelvis...the left complex cyst has shrunk down from 5.8 cm to like 3.4 or so ....which i was glad however they found a complex cyst on my right ovary as well that they didnt see before but could of been there hiding behind intestines they said...its same size 3. something and hemoragic and has a hemorragic sac on top of it as well that didnt absorb itself back yet but my 125 test came back within normal limits and obgyn says he feels im not in any danger just rest and heat pad and we will watch it over next few months ....thats about it... he said just manage the pain but there isnt anything else really to do ....the pill but with my history and family history he feels i should do with out it for now....thats it in a nutshell , how r things you way? keep n touch

Whew!

Since you posted in the cancer community, I assume that was your concern! I'm sorry about the pain but glad you have test results!

Sunny and breezy in Southern California - not going to complain! Hope you have a pain free day today -

Haylen