Welcome to the group. So I was diagnosed in May this year. Think I was probably late to the party in realising something was wrong. My stomach became very bloated and very solid to the point I was struggling to breath. Turned out I had 8 liters of fluid in there. I try to think back now to if there were any other symptoms but if there were I don't remember them. How are you feeling? Have you had a CA125 test before?
I’m new to the group too and awaiting diagnosis. I started suffering with sciatica pain and piles like symptoms in the summer. Things didn’t get any better and had a feeling something wasn’t right. Saw my GP st the beginning of October who did the 2ww cancer referral to the colectomy team. Had a pointless 5 minute telephone conversation a week later, the outcome was ‘small camera’ and that was that. The following week I paid for a private appointment, will most probably be the best money I have ever spent. He saw me 2 days later and did a full internal of my rectum etc. He said he could feel a mass pushing against my colon which was giving me the constant feeling of needing to poo. He took me on as a nhs patient and got me an urgent ct scan and said he would take over from wherever the initial consultant got to. The following week I had a ct scan and a flexi sigmoidoscopy. The ct scan showed a suspicious cysts on my left ovary. Thankfully the flexi came back clear. My consultant requested an urgent referral to a gynae consultant and an mri. I had my mri and met with my new consultant last week who thought it was ‘chocolate cysts’ caused by endometriosis but needed to confirm once my mri results came back. She called Friday to say the mri showed suspicious complex masses on both of my ovaries and with a CA reading of 119 would indicate OC. I’m now waiting on a full chest ct scan and then she will present my case to the MDT a week tomorrow.
So sorry to hear his Debbie. My symptoms were similar to yours. I am 66 and had always been fit and healthy. I had terrible stomach pains - I thought it was IBS. Then i had diarrhea every day for a week. Then my abdomen became distended. I went to A & E, had a scan and they found I had stage3/4 cancer. I had also had litres of fluid in my abdomen that I have had drained twice. I start chemo on Monday....
Sorry to hear this. It is such a worrying time... I always feel, however bad, once it has been diagnosed, you can move forward with the treatment. Keep positive xxx
I was diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago with a clear cell ovarian cancer - for two weeks my symptoms were bloating and acid reflux, you can read my story by clicking on my name. I realised these symptoms were not normal for me, and went to my GP at 2 weeks of having the symptoms. Tests and referral to Gynaecology snowballed from there on the 2 week cancer protocol. My CA125 at the time was 212 today it hovers around the mid twenties and is normal. I have just passed 12 months of finishing treatment and I am now in remission.
The CA125 test is a marker and is taken into account with other tests such as scans, unltrasound and how a person presents. Also, there can be other reasons, not cancer related that can raise CA125 levels.
Please come back and let us know how you get on tomorrow. There is always support here whenever you need it. In the meantime, I shall be thinking of you and I really wish you all the very best.
A very warm welcome to you both too, and I am sorry to see you finding yourselves here.
A cancer diagnosis raises alot of issues and questions and there is always support here from people who understand the path. Please come back and let us know how you are getting on. You don't have to do this alone.
All the very best to you both and sending you both vey supportive ((Hugs)) xxx
How are you getting on? I hope things are improving for you after all that you have been through. There is always support here if you feel you need it.
Hi Ourgirlinthenorth, I am ok thank you how are you? Found out on Friday I will be going on to a maintenance drug from December 1st so a little daunted by what may be to come but hopeful too.
Glad to hear from you. Yes, it is natural you will be feeling a bit daunted about the maintenance drug - I have come across a few ladies on here on different ones, there is some experience about on this which may help you. Once you have more information you may find you can get your head around it more, I usually find this helps.
It is just over one year since I finished chemo, I am still dealing with some of the side effects athough manageable. I am currently having treatment for an inflamed lower bowel, although cause isn't known, I have had a lot of chemo over the last couple of years, it is thought this could be a possible cause, the important thing is it is being treated with medication. I am still being closely monitored for the ovarian cancer, I am due a ct scan and blood test next month for this - I still get daunted by this.
I am really pleased you got in touch, do let me know how you get on when you start the new drug. If you want to talk some more or have any questions I shall help where I can. You can always message me as well if you want.
