topic Waiting for results in I've just been diagnosed

Waiting for results

Dianna58 — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 01:40:57 GMT

Hi all

I am a newbie to this site.
Last Tuesday I presented myself to emergency hospital with pain in abdomen.
Doctors thought it appendicitis, had a ct scan with contrast.
The doctor came back and told me I had a huge mass in abdomen, ovarian cancer and liver cancer. My world was shattered.
Was transferred to gyno hospital and stayed 3 nights. Had a fluid biopsy last week and to date I do not know what I have. The waiting is terrible.

Re: Waiting for results

Colin81 — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 02:52:04 GMT

Hi Dianna58,

You are quite right the waiting is terrible, you will have to endure many things especially waiting, some experiences will be unpleasant etc. but each treatment or procedure is part of the way forward do not give up hope no matter what.

You are not alone, this group you are now part of have pretty much experienced everything to do with cancer, go forward, meet the obstacles head on, ask as many questions that you like from us, someone has been there before you. Try and stay positive as much as possible, there will be moments when all seems lost, grieve for the parts of your life that seem gone, cry when you need to, but always look forward to getting better.

It took me 18 years to be finally free of my cancers, I waited on all the results, I waited on every Dr's opinion (still do on both of them), waiting seems to be a large part of what we have to do and will continue to do.

If you can get into a routine, I always (still) take a small bag with me, water, treats, favorite book etc, note-book (for your questions for the Dr, write them down when you think of them at home, there is no such thing as a dumb question). We (I) tend to forget things when the Dr's start talking as we (I) get easily sidetracked when they throw something else into the conversation. I always took a bag (my wife called it an 'expecting' bag) kept it in the boot of the car, it contained underwear, wet pack (shaving, tooth paste etc.) and other things for when they say you have to stay in hospital, which happened a lot for me. Just makes it a bit easier if its convenient and all there.

Whatever they tell you it can always be worse, try to stay as positive as you can.

Thinking of you

Colin

Re: Waiting for results

Dianna58 — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 03:08:40 GMT

Hi Colin

Many thanks for your reply.

Once I know what I have then I can wrap my head around treatment and surgery.
At the moment it’s the unknown.
Forums are great to share stories and feelings.

Re: Waiting for results

Dianna58 — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 01:11:54 GMT

Thanks Katekat

Will post my diagnosis once I know

Re: Waiting for results

Catty — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 07:21:23 GMT

I know how you feel, I had a similar story. Pain in the stomach area and scans showed it was kidney cancer. I had surgery about a month later and that has been nearly 2 months ago. It feels like it has been forever and I still feel up in the air with what has to happen.
I wish you the best of luck with your results. Take your time to just process this and read the literature on this website. Ppl here have been so kind and informative in sharing help and advice so reach out to all of your support networks 🙂

Re: Waiting for results

Dianna58 — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 07:47:28 GMT

Hey Catty

Hope you get your answers soon and many thanks for your kind words.
The waiting is the hardest of all as I’ve mentioned..

I will have a lot to process once given a diagnosis.. then a plan.

The support I’ve been shown is amazing.
Thank you

Re: Waiting for results

Dianna58 — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 09:31:03 GMT

Hello all

Today I had my mammogram and it came back as an old cyst. Great I was not fussed.
I am now in a private hospital getting accessed.
Let’s hope I can get treatment ASAP.
Next reply will be an update.
Thanks to all.
xx.

Re: Waiting for results

Dianna58 — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 00:50:19 GMT

Things are moving quickly for me.
Monday I have a pep scan

Tuesday I see surgeon he had to do a liver biopsy under sedation.
Then chemo starts

Liver biopsy done in hospital still under investigation. Don’t know what category of cancer it is on ovaries.
Nevertheless I am being looked at in the private sector.

For all reading this post I was told by a nurse in the public sector chemotherapy was going to cost me tens of thousand of dollars this is untrue. My oncologist was so mad about misinformation by nurses. Not the first time he has heard this from patient.
My journey is beginning and I am positive me and my family will see it through. I think of my adult children and husband . Don’t want them to worry. So that gives me strength

take care all.
until my next update.
xx.

Re: Waiting for results

Colin81 — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 03:11:12 GMT

Hi Dianna58,

Glad to hear that your treatment is progressing, chemo's not much fun but sooner you start the sooner you will finish. I found that the first few doses were not to bad but 4,5 or 6 were tougher, don't give up.

I had all my treatments through the public health system and essentially it was free of charges although it sometimes did cost for medicines dependent on what they were and where they were bought. It did cost me 'several hundred thousand' in lost income for all the time off work but the enormous amount of tests and confinements in hospital over the years did not. If I had had to pay for all treatments (the chemotherapy is the price of a small car) I certainly would not be hear now.

You should talk to your GP or the social services at the hospital for any assistance that may be available to you, not just money but actual help in transport, accommodation and other things, I used the accommodation at Concord several times (at a nominal fee) and I know there is some out of Westmead as well, many services are available, but you should ask. It is going to be hard enough doing chemo and could lighten the load somewhat with extra help.

We are all with you on this.

Colin

Be positive, go forward, face all these trials head on.

Re: Waiting for results

Dianna58 — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 22:57:37 GMT

Hi everyone

Update

I have stage 3c ovarian cancer with a mass

So far I have entered 8 weeks into chemo with seven more weeks to go.

Once everything has shrunk they will remove all my girlie bits and more ...then continue with another 3 months of chemo.
It’s a long road ahead but I take day by day and try to stay positive.
The survival rate is 50 /50.

I ask myself how long is a piece of string.
If anyone has this cancer would love to hear from u.

Re: Waiting for results

Dianna58 — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 05:49:59 GMT

Good afternoon all

It been 3 months of chemo treatment I have my last single dosage on 30 April 2021

On 18 may I have surgery to remove all girlie bits. Recovery 3 6 weeks. I will take it day by day. Chemo will commence 2 weeks after surgery. Fun and games.
Stay positive all.
hugs

xxx x

Dianna

Re: Waiting for results

mensana — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 13:20:11 GMT

Good luck with all that. It must be good to know that a lot of it is behind you even if there is still some way to go.
Take care.

Re: Waiting for results

Dianna58 — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 07:08:36 GMT

Hello all

I am now entering 7 week recovery after hysterectomy and debunking. All went well

I’m into 6 weeks of chemo with 7 weeks to go.
cancer markers is 8. WOOO. GOOD NEWS.

Can’t wait to finish.

take care all

Re: Waiting for results

Dianna58 — Wed, 04 May 2022 06:36:38 GMT

Hello all

I cannot believe it’s been a year since my diagnosis

My oncologist put me in remission as he indicated.
All my friends and family said I breezed through my treatment and operation

I agree as well

No one tells you the side effects after finishing chemo

I was left to work it all out myself.
Best wishes to you all on your journey.
❤️❤️❤️❤️

dianna