Tired and Confused

I have posted about my symptoms and issues in a couple of other people's discussion boards but I finally think I should start one of my own.

After 2 months of pelvic pain, lower back pain, heavy periods, digestive issues, bloating, tenderness, shooting pains down my legs, and lower abdominal lumps my doctor finally ordered a CT. I had it Friday. The doctor ordered it looking to see if there was anything like endometriosis, fatty cysts, lipomas, ovarian cancer, or normal ie worsening of my IBS. During the CT the microphone was on in the other room and I heard the technician say to her assistant, "Do you see that right there, oh that poor girl." I turned and looked at the window and the microphone light quickly turned off. When the assistant came back in the room I got the sympathetic look that anyone who has ever had something bad happen to them gets, you know the tilt the head, nod, and sigh. It annoys me, makes me laugh inside and think of Friends reruns, and worries me as to what they may have seen all at once.

Well a week and a half before I had the CT I started noticing small spots of pink blood on the toilet paper. Tonight I felt like I was having the worse IBS symptoms in years during my period, though I wasn't, when I went I had horrible diarrhea and had blood clots in it, I had three wipes full of decidedly red blood. This change concerns me greatly. Is this something anyone has had as a symptom of ovarian cancer or am I know looking at something else entirely now?

My doctor will receive the CT images and report in a few hours and hopefully I'll soon get some answers, but in the meantime I'm in pain and am exhausted but cannot sleep, so I'm write in part to ease my worries.

Thanks for everyones support on the past few boards, you are all in my prays.

By dragonflynan
Posted June 8, 2009 at 10:13 am
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I am sorry you have had to go through so much before the CT was ordered and had to hear the technician and not know what was going on and have to worry until now.

I have always found it best to expect the worst so if that should happen, you will be somewhat prepared. And if it does not, great! I have no idea what the CT scan will mean; however, you will finally have answers and a plan - something concrete to focus on.

You will be in our prayers and please know you have a lot of support here.

By AJ70
Posted June 8, 2009 at 11:12 am
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I am so sorry that you are going through such pain, discomfort, and anxiety!! It is a horrible place to be, waiting. I did not have any blood in my stool or diarrhea as symtoms of my ovarian cancer........and blood in your stool and diarrhea can be related to other things besides cancer. I am glad that your doctor ordered a CT to look into the other symptoms. If they do find anything suspicious in pelvic area I would highly recommend that you ask to be sent to a gyne oncologist (if they don't automatically send you) ...I hope and pray that the CT results bring you some answers and some peace. I know it isn't easy........this is a great place to come, there are a lot of wonderful people on this site who can offer support, advice, and inspiration.

Take care and let us know how it goes.........

Amy

By FavoriteAunt
Posted June 8, 2009 at 12:54 pm
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I'm so sorry you are having such a hard time and I don't blame you for feeling the way you do. Not knowing, always wondering and waiting - it takes its toll on all of us.

I never had symptoms like that when my ovca was diagnosed. I've had IBS, but never in connection with ovca. Hopefully, your doctor will be thorough and answer all your questions and get you some help quickly. Try not to jump the gun on what it might be - though overhearing that conversation would have upset me too. Just be prepared for anything and know that getting the answers and help for you is the most important thing. I do hope you get good news and some relief. Please let us know what happens. Prayers and good wishes to you.

By mikecalginia
Posted June 8, 2009 at 1:26 pm
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Ms. ACutee-2;

My heart goes out to you, especially with those two technicians. It shows a lack of professionalism. Accidently leaving on a mcrophone on is not only unprofessional, it is cold hearted. The only professionalism they did show is not telling you what they found, however in this situation maybe they should have.

My Mom has gone through chemo, surgery and radiation, ending in February. She is still having abdominal problems. After reading your email, I was very insistent in getting an appointment with her oncologist. You may have saved another's life just by revealing this unhappy scene.

We go Thursday. I hope my Mother will not go through the same situation. She may be tough on the outside, but I've seen some tantrums and pouting that I've never seen her do.

I will be thinking of you during Mom's appointment and hoping whatever those technicians saw is something that will be curable. You sound like a "Warrior in Teal" woman like my Mom!

By dwm26
Posted June 8, 2009 at 3:17 pm
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Some of the solutions that they make you drink before the ct scan have sorbitol in them, for me sorbitol= gas and diarrhea which can iritate hemroids. So put off worry about your latest symptom it may be nothing

By acutee-2
Posted June 8, 2009 at 11:56 pm
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Thanks everyone for all the advice. The doctor did not call today, so I'm calling him in the morning to find out those results.

Just to clear up any confusion, I do not have hemorrhoids and never have. I was shocked about the blood in my stool since I have had several rectal exams over the pasts months, that all were normal.

Hopefully everything will be relatively normal again soon.

By verlinda
Posted June 9, 2009 at 8:09 pm
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Acutee,

I'm sorry you're having to go through this. Where did you have your test done? I don't know about private offices, but a hospital has to allow you to have a copy of your test. You request it through medical records and must present a picture ID and show some forms. I never have my testing done at my oncologist's office: I always go to my local hospital. Last year a private diagnostic imaging office opened in our town. They are wonderful. They know I'm a cancer survivor, so if I ask, someone will look at the imaging right then and come out and give me a preliminary report. They are very cautious about making sure I have enough testing, but very kind.

By acutee-2
Posted June 9, 2009 at 8:33 pm
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I stopped into the doctor's office today. He was able to see me and reviewed the CT with me. He says the CT shows lumps in my intensentines and along the outside of them. He said for the most part they look benign but there are some solids so he is sending for a colonscopy. He said they don't explain the pain, but they are no issue unless I've had blood in my stools. He was more concerned once I said I have had that problem and it seems to be getting worse.

After my quick visit I went to my gastro. and he is going to give me a consult Friday.

By kalo555
Posted June 9, 2009 at 10:52 pm
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It is frightening when you are feeling miserable and playing the waiting game until all the tests are in. I am so angry about how the technicians reacted, but keep in mind, they are not doctors and they are normally not the professional that reads the tests and makes the diagnosis. You are taking all the right steps and although it is scary, it is far better to have everything checked out so that you and your doctors can come up with the proper solution to your problems. Knowlege, although scary , is everything and the sooner you know what is going on the better. My prayers for good health are with you. Stay strong and positive.

By acutee-2
Posted June 15, 2009 at 1:57 am
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Hi everyone. I got the CT results. Alright to sum up the results I have diveritculosis, specificially I have "diverticula spread through the entire colon". I may have polyps but some areas were unclear due to "large intestinal folds". I also have endometriosis. Yes, I do have cystic ovaries as previously noted but still they are no big deal. The blood in stools have increased and is a mix of dark, bright red, and clots. I also now have a mucus. I have schedule a colonoscopy for next Thursday.

It's weird at twenty to hope for hemorrhoids but that is really the best outcome. The other options are a form of colitis, a fissure, polyps, or colorectal cancer. Nothing will be ruled out until July 9th when the results of the colonoscopy come in.

That's the update. No ovarian cancer here, yippee, but now I am looking at (since it the currently the most likely) colorectal cancer, boo!

I will post another update in July but I will be switching to a more appropriate board in the meantime. Thanks for all your support, I would have never gotten this far without all of you.

You are in my prayers.

By lovemnms
Posted June 15, 2009 at 8:57 am
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Oh, the unprofessional technicians!

I've encountered one when I was 3 months pregnant. I was having some problems and went in for an ultrasound. While performing the ultrasound thetechnician said to me, "are you pregnant?" I don't see anything or hear a heartbeat."Those words hit like a brick.

I did have a miscarriage but I would have preferred to hear it from my doctor who has a wonderful bedside manner. I think technicians need a few courses in bedside manner and zip the lip!

Take care and thoughts and prayers are with you.

lovemnms

By Amethystmd2559
Posted June 15, 2009 at 2:06 pm
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I do hope you have good news in July, it can't be fun waiting to hear a diagnosis when you think it could be cancer. I overheard the nurse in the recovery room telling someone I had peritoneal carcinomatosis, and that I had not been told yet. I thought to myself, "Well, idiot, I have now!" That is how I found out I had low grade serous carcinoma. The doctor came in with that long, sad face to tell me, but I was already prepared.

Techs and nurses do need to be careful about how loud they are and what they say. Of course, my nurse may have thought I was still out from anesthesia.

Think positive! I have always been one to take things as they come and deal with them, I don't feel sorry for myself, others have it much worse than I do, and I always look for the silver lining. There is a reason we are in this fight, and quite frankly, I would rather it be me than my mom, sisters, daughter or granddaughter.

Bobbie

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