Well, Dr. Rhode was amazing. She really thought about how to treat my issues. The choices were to have my right ovary removed (the cyst has pretty much destroyed it) and both my tubes or a complete hysterectomy. I have chosen the first option. I will still have some estrogen which I know is risky but I also need to be able to use my bones in the future. Here is the plan: First, I will have one more ultrasound on the 19th of November to see what the two cysts are doing. If Harry (the 8 CM cyst) isn't behaving then will be in surgery on November 21 at IMC in Salt Lake City. The doctor will take biopsies and determine whether the cysts are cancerous. If everything looks normal then it will be an in and out surgery with a few days of recovery. It can be done laproscopicaly. If there is any cancer involved then....I get to have that lovely hysterectomy. The recovery is about 6 weeks. I will also have biopsies of other areas in my gut (so much fun). Now if my ultrasound shows that the cysts are behaving and going down naturally...NO surgery (YEAH!!). Let's hope for this. I am doing pretty well. There isn't any pain involved so that is a positive.
I also had an MRI of my brain because I had a constant pain in my right side in the back. I was so worried that my breast cancer had traveled to my brain. It was a stupid sinus infection. Did you even know that you could have an infection in the back of your head? I am now on antibiotics and that was the most expensive sinus infection ever. I would always regret it if I didn't get it checked and I did have a brain tumor. That would be horrible.
My Support System
I have the best time with these guys
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Results
Well, more confusion. My inhibin A is elevated to 115, normal is 97. Also, my big cyst (8 cm) is a complex cyst. This is what I found about them. Complex ovarian cysts are very rare but they can cause many serious problems and complications, including emotional isolation because of the condition.
My doctor is referring me to an gyn. oncologist is Salt Lake City. Really, another oncologist? This CANNOT be happening. I am sure that it has to do with my tamoxifen. I guess the specialist will be able to decide when to operate, how and why. If they go in and something isn't good, they will take my whole ovary out. If it is cancer, then I will lose both ovaries. This totally sucks. Can I really have this bad of luck? I guess last week was nice because I was busy and I didn't know about all of this crappy news. Ignorance is bliss sometimes.
I am still happy, I love my life. I just wish that my family could catch a break. I don't know if my kids can go through this again. They need a regular mom who cooks pancakes in the morning and whistles while she is cleaning the house. Normalcy would be nice people.
Causes of Complex Ovarian Cyst
Complex ovarian cyst, unlike a functional ovarian cyst does not start during the normal function of a menstrual cycle. The cause or causes have not been identified. There are several risk factors known to be associated with its formation:
- genetic predisposition
- early onset of menstruation (younger than 12 years)
- history of irregular menstrual cycles or previous ovarian cysts
- hypothyroidism
- obesity or increase in upper body fat
- infertility and infertility treatment (clomiphene or letrozole)
- tamoxifen (for treatment of breast cancer) *BINGO*
My doctor is referring me to an gyn. oncologist is Salt Lake City. Really, another oncologist? This CANNOT be happening. I am sure that it has to do with my tamoxifen. I guess the specialist will be able to decide when to operate, how and why. If they go in and something isn't good, they will take my whole ovary out. If it is cancer, then I will lose both ovaries. This totally sucks. Can I really have this bad of luck? I guess last week was nice because I was busy and I didn't know about all of this crappy news. Ignorance is bliss sometimes.
I am still happy, I love my life. I just wish that my family could catch a break. I don't know if my kids can go through this again. They need a regular mom who cooks pancakes in the morning and whistles while she is cleaning the house. Normalcy would be nice people.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Wow, Super Emotions this Week
First, I will start with the good.
The first Cedar City Power in Pink race/walk was a success. We raised $2600.00, all to go towards the local ladies affected by breast cancer. I love these ladies so much. Cancer sucks and it can take so much from a family. I have to say THANK YOU. THANK YOU to everyone who gave, supported, participated and helped make this day a success.
The Denim Day at ICSD was also a huge success. It was fun to wear pink, wear jeans and have fun to support our local ladies affected by breast cancer.
The bad. I have debated whether or not to write these things. I have always been honest on my breast cancer blog. I never hid anything. If it can help someone else going through breast cancer, then I will do it. About 7 weeks ago I had an ultra sound to check up on my ovaries because of my medication and because breast cancer is linked with ovarian cancer. Well, they found two 4.5 cm cysts on my ovaries (one on each). I had the CA125 blood test done, it was negative. That is good. I was told I could either 1-have a hysterectomy or 2-wait 6-8 weeks and repeat the ultra sound. I elected to wait. I don't want to lose my ovaries. They are important for a woman, especially one that is only 35 years old. The doctors feel that my tamoxifen is causing the cysts. I researched the link and it is very high. Well, I went on Friday because it had been 7 weeks since my ultrasound. I also didn't have enough to do that day (sarcasm). As I was putting the t-shirts together for the race about 4:00 PM, I received a call from the doctors office. My right cyst is now 8 cm and the left has shrank. I was told to go to the hospital for some blood work. I went right over and now I am waiting. I took a picture of all the tests that were ordered because the only word I understood on the paper was "tumor". So now I wait. I enjoyed the race and forgot about my panic for one day. The lady who took my blood said that I should know what the blood shows by Monday. I have also been told that they are being very cautious and not too worry. It is hard for me not to worry. I was 33 years old, nursing a baby, living life very full when I was diagnosed with stage 3C invasive breast cancer. Cancer has forever altered me. I am living everyday, thinking that maybe the cancer could creep back on me.
For now, I would just like to get the cyst drained. Anyone out there had to do this? I don't want to lose my ovaries, I don't want to be out of work for 6 weeks. I don't want to slow down. I don't want to change.
Even with these things I am happy. I know that things are going to be okay. I know that I have a heavenly father who loves me and wants me to be happy. I am so very blessed with a wonderful family and with friends who love me. I will push on and I will not fail.
The first Cedar City Power in Pink race/walk was a success. We raised $2600.00, all to go towards the local ladies affected by breast cancer. I love these ladies so much. Cancer sucks and it can take so much from a family. I have to say THANK YOU. THANK YOU to everyone who gave, supported, participated and helped make this day a success.
The Denim Day at ICSD was also a huge success. It was fun to wear pink, wear jeans and have fun to support our local ladies affected by breast cancer.
The bad. I have debated whether or not to write these things. I have always been honest on my breast cancer blog. I never hid anything. If it can help someone else going through breast cancer, then I will do it. About 7 weeks ago I had an ultra sound to check up on my ovaries because of my medication and because breast cancer is linked with ovarian cancer. Well, they found two 4.5 cm cysts on my ovaries (one on each). I had the CA125 blood test done, it was negative. That is good. I was told I could either 1-have a hysterectomy or 2-wait 6-8 weeks and repeat the ultra sound. I elected to wait. I don't want to lose my ovaries. They are important for a woman, especially one that is only 35 years old. The doctors feel that my tamoxifen is causing the cysts. I researched the link and it is very high. Well, I went on Friday because it had been 7 weeks since my ultrasound. I also didn't have enough to do that day (sarcasm). As I was putting the t-shirts together for the race about 4:00 PM, I received a call from the doctors office. My right cyst is now 8 cm and the left has shrank. I was told to go to the hospital for some blood work. I went right over and now I am waiting. I took a picture of all the tests that were ordered because the only word I understood on the paper was "tumor". So now I wait. I enjoyed the race and forgot about my panic for one day. The lady who took my blood said that I should know what the blood shows by Monday. I have also been told that they are being very cautious and not too worry. It is hard for me not to worry. I was 33 years old, nursing a baby, living life very full when I was diagnosed with stage 3C invasive breast cancer. Cancer has forever altered me. I am living everyday, thinking that maybe the cancer could creep back on me.
For now, I would just like to get the cyst drained. Anyone out there had to do this? I don't want to lose my ovaries, I don't want to be out of work for 6 weeks. I don't want to slow down. I don't want to change.
Even with these things I am happy. I know that things are going to be okay. I know that I have a heavenly father who loves me and wants me to be happy. I am so very blessed with a wonderful family and with friends who love me. I will push on and I will not fail.
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