[Bowie’sLady]

Hi there,

I haven’t posted for quite awhile on PC because Ive been so very physically ill. Far more than my other chronic pain issues unfortunately. However the last 5 months have triggered my bipolar, ptsd & being prone to major depression very badly. However now that I realise that my actual mortality is possibly at risk? Depending on my biopsy after surgery makes me realise just how much that I really want to live despite the physical issues that I have. I will explain what’s happening below.

I’ve had constant pain on the LH side of my abdomen for about 5 months now & it’s become so so severe. As well as almost constant nausea, bloating and vomitting. I can hardly eat anything much at all now either no matter how healthy or small my meal is. I’m only able to eat around half a small bowl of stir fried vegetables because my stomach mostly tolerates healthy food far better mostly. Ive lost a lot of weight so quickly and have gone down 4 womens clothing sizes in less than 5 months.

After telling my GP over and over about all my unbearable symptoms that are literally keeping me awake at night, she finally sent me off to have a CT scan on my lungs and entire abdomen around a fortnight ago. What they found is a large mass over my left ovary bigger than the ovary itself. Measuring 8cm x 5cm x 4cm. Its called a multiocular cyst and is more common in post menopausal women, like me. Lol Im trying to stay positive but its really not easy. As its causing me so many constant physical problems.

I only found out just today that Im finally seeing a surgeon on the 5th Nov and then my surgery is scheduled for the the 12th Nov. So my family and I are all hoping, praying and waiting for a positive outcome in the end. The waiting and notknowing is the hardest. It’s as if someone has clicked on a pause button like a movie that is my actual life that I once had.

This has all made me realise why my mental health has gone down hill so badly lately. It would to anyone imho in my situation. However all of this has made me realise just how precious life is and that I really don’t want to die just yet. I’m 56 years old and hope to live long enough to at least see my adorable young grandchildren grow up.

Anyways I hope that everyone here is doing quite well and that life isn’t as hard for whomever reads this. I’m not writing this for sympathy but perhaps there may be others here whom are in the same position as me here? If so, I’d really appreciate hearing from you. Along with any advice that anyone here may have too.

“No matter what struggles life throws at us
We have the will to over come it
With compassion, happiness and love”
- My own quote here.

Take care everyone,

Love Bowie’s Lady:love

[TunedOut]

Originally Posted by Bowie’sLady

I only found out just today that Im finally seeing a surgeon on the 5th Nov and then my surgery is scheduled for the the 12th Nov. So my family and I are all hoping, praying and waiting for a positive outcome in the end. The waiting and notknowing is the hardest. It’s as if someone has clicked on a pause button like a movie that is my actual life that I once had.

Wow, I wish you didn't have to wait until Nov 12th--especially because you are in so much discomfort. I will be hoping and praying that the surgery is able to resolve your condition. I am glad your family is there for you. People can be a good distraction sometimes.

[bpcyclist]

Wow, I am so sorry you have all this going on, @Bowie's Lady. Thank goodness you have a diagnosis that should be able to be dealt with successfully in the operating room (or theater, as you might say). Still, your surgery date is kind of a long ways off. Is there a plan to get you to that date without suffering so, physically? I certainly hope so.

My physical health has been pretty good so far. It is the mental side I struggle so much with. Having to deal with both simultaneously must be overwhelming at times. Sending you positive vibes. Hang in there. You can make it Nov. 12th. And things will be better.

[Bowie’sLady]

Originally Posted by TunedOut

Wow, I wish you didn't have to wait until Nov 12th--especially because you are in so much discomfort. I will be hoping and praying that the surgery is able to resolve your condition. I am glad your family is there for you. People can be a good distraction sometimes.

Thanks for your support. I hope that it all goes well too. I’m trying not to worry about it but it’s hard not to at the same time. I’m lucky that my family are always here for me. Yep people can be a great distraction but lately Ive been too sick for visitors much, apart from my 2 adult children & grandchildren too.

Some days lately I’ve been too sick to see anyone apart from my beloved husband of course especially as I don’t want to frighten my young grandchildren either if they saw me at my worst.

Take care my friend
Bowie’s Lady

[Bowie’sLady]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

Wow, I am so sorry you have all this going on, @Bowie's Lady. Thank goodness you have a diagnosis that should be able to be dealt with successfully in the operating room (or theater, as you might say). Still, your surgery date is kind of a long ways off. Is there a plan to get you to that date without suffering so, physically? I certainly hope so.

My physical health has been pretty good so far. It is the mental side I struggle so much with. Having to deal with both simultaneously must be overwhelming at times. Sending you positive vibes. Hang in there. You can make it Nov. 12th. And things will be better.

Not much of a plan has been put into place to be honest. Especially as I’m not seeing a surgeon until 5th November. I’m on opioid painkillers for when the pain gets too severe but then they make me constipated. Which then leads to more pain & severe abdominal cramps. Along with not being able to eat much and vomiting where maxalon no longer works. So I’ve been given some small tablets that melt on your tongue which are much stronger and more effective for preventing vomiting.

Yeah my surgery date is awhile off. It’s because we don’t have private health insurance and even though we have Medicare that covers every Australian, it’s under strain just like the NHS in the UK & the waiting lists are often so long bcos less & less people can afford private health insurance anymore.

My Dr had to fight just to get me in that soon believe or or not? They expected me to wait even longer! So I’m thankful to her for that!

I’m just trying to take it just one day at a time. That’s the best that I can do atm. I’ll be ok in the end hopefully but it is affecting my mental health now as in major depression.

I’m sorry that you struggle so much with mental health. I’m glad to hear that your physical health is good though which is such a blessing. I’ve been struggling with various physical health issues & operations for nearly 20 years now & Im so sick of it.

Sometimes I don’t know which is worse? Depending on the intensity of a mental health episode or the physical diagnosis and/or symptoms at the time? And of course they both impact upon each other too!

Thank you for all your support & good vibes and I’m sure I can hang in there till Nov. 12th.

I’ll stay in tough to let u know how Im doing ok! Hope that your doing well atm mentally? Feel free to send me a msg anytime.

Take care
Bowie’s Lady

I think your quote is wonderful, Bowie's Lady. Thanks for sharing that!

Your pain and related struggles sound so rough, but at least you finally know what's going on and have a date, albeit a little while from now, to look to. I hope that before 2020 you will be celebrating a great relief. I can't speak for you or everyone, but for me, the relief from pain (mental or physical) can help make me forget it to a degree. You sound very strong. That's so important!

[*Beth*]

Hi Your situation is heartbreaking. I'm sorry you're having so many miserable physical symptoms.

I want to share something with you. I am also 56 and in 2014 I was found to have the same type of ovarian cyst you're having surgery to remove. It also was large; far larger than my ovary (the surgeon told me it was the size of an orange). Very oddly, I did not have extreme discomfort (to this day I don't understand why). I was not fully out of menopause, but close.

After the ultrasound I was scheduled for surgery. I knew that there was a chance that I might have cancer. For some reason I felt fairly at peace with whatever I was going to face. That said, I certainly did not want cancer.

The surgery was smooth (the destroyed right ovary with the cyst was removed, as were my Fallopian tubes). Everything was normal. No cancer, nothing odd except the cyst itself. I healed well, felt much better, and went on through a normal menopause.

Have you had the CA-125 blood work yet?