My turn for a favor

[KarlaB]

I talked to my step mom this morning. She has been doing some doctoring. They found a growth the size of a grapefruit. They have not ruled out cancer and she for sure has to have a hysterectomy. She is in her 40's. They originally had a date set for the surgery, but they have now told her she needs to go to Mayo. Her app't there is on Friday and we don't know yet when her surgery will be. Please say a prayer for her. I can't get her out of my mind. :(

[kat]

How scary. Both of you will be in my prayers. Keep us posted.

[AnnW]

Sending up thoughts your way!
Is it a fibroid? It is not uncommon to have them in your 40's and for them to be large..they are not cancerous, but they are painful.


btw..your sm is young!

[KarlaB]

Thanks gals!

Ann - Thanks for the info. Would they know right away if it was a fibroid? Like would it be obvious? They did some blood test and her numbers came back high, so that's why her hometown hospital is sending her to Mayo - they want an oncologist present in case they discover cancer when they open her up. :( The only good sign is that they didn't think they saw any "spores" connecting to anything else. Yea, she is young. My dad just turned 59 and he married a young pup the 2nd time around. :newwink:

[AnnW]

Karla...uterine fibroids are pretty easy to detect, you can feel them in a pelvic exam and also see them with ultrasound at that size. She would have also been having alot of pain and bleeding. Where is the growth?

your dad is pretty young too! :)

[Brichard]

Sorry to hear about her bad news. :(

But, my mother had to have a hysterectomy around 1984 and she was about the same age. She has been cancer free ever since!

Here is to hoping your news is good.

I learned a litte about counts by reading the Lance Armstrong book. If the counts are exceptionally high I think they want to rule out that it has spread to other areas of the body. Obviously the Mayo clinic is one of the, if not the best place to receive treatment.

I hope it is isolated and that the hysterectomy is a success.

[KarlaB]

Originally posted by AnnW
Karla...uterine fibroids are pretty easy to detect, you can feel them in a pelvic exam and also see them with ultrasound at that size. She would have also been having alot of pain and bleeding. Where is the growth?

your dad is pretty young too! :)

I believe the growth is by or on one of her ovaries. Because of it's size they can't tell if it's connected or not. She had been having a lot of cramping. They also said she looked like she was ready to have her period again even though she had just gotten done with one. (sorry guys!) I was so out of sorts when we talked that I don't remember exactly how she described it, but they said it's like she is always carrying around an "extra" period! Weird, huh? They also said she has lots of scarring although she has never had children, a miscarriage or abortion so they will be looking into that also. I am trying to stay positive - it's just so hard not to worry and I just feel so bad for what she is going thru. :( Thanks again for your info and support, and for letting me "talk" about this. :)

[KarlaB]

Originally posted by Brichard
Sorry to hear about her bad news. :(

But, my mother had to have a hysterectomy around 1984 and she was about the same age. She has been cancer free ever since!

Here is to hoping your news is good.

I learned a litte about counts by reading the Lance Armstrong book. If the counts are exceptionally high I think they want to rule out that it has spread to other areas of the body. Obviously the Mayo clinic is one of the, if not the best place to receive treatment.

I hope it is isolated and that the hysterectomy is a success.

Thanks Brichard. Glad things turned out for your mom. :)

I feel the same way about the Mayo Clinic and am really glad she will be seen there. My fil doctored there last year and he had a wonderful oncologist! Thanks for your positive thoughts and info on the counts!!

[AnnW]

If they think it's in the ovaries, that would explain them doing the blood test..it's a CA134 (I think that's right) and it's used to detect ovarian cancer. Mayo is great.
Hang in there sweetie!!!!

[KarlaB]

Thanks Ann. That must be the test because she knew what it was after going thru this with a friend a few months ago and she mentioned that it was a test for ovarian cancer. Before they got the results they scheduled surgery in her town and when they got the results said she had to go to Mayo. :( Thanks again for all of your help. Posting here today has helped me tremendously.

[AnnW]

No problem..that's what we are here for.

This place really is amazing..I know it's been a godsend for me.

[Ryleigh]

Lots of {{{{HUGS}}}} and :angel: prayers :angel: coming your way!!! What a stressful time for your family. Keep us posted.