Hi all,
My mother had breast cancer 20 year's ago. I rang the nhs helpline and spoke to the nurse about my concerns. I mentioned that I'm waiting for surgery for a fibroid. When the Gynocologist did my scan if there was any problems with my ovaries he would of picked it up wouldn't he..?
Apprently there's a link with breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
I'm terrifed now and don't know what to do..
Please help
Regards
Tezi x :cry:
Hi Tezi
I'm sure your ovaries are fine. The scan would have shown any enlargement of them which could be indicative of problems - so stop worrying.
The link you are talking about is between breast cancer and ovaries - these produce a hormone which may exacerbate an exisiting breast cancer, and this is why they are sometimes removed as a precaution, (if you have had breast cancer - which you haven't!), so you have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. These are the sort of questions you can ask when you go for your preop. visit.
Take care and don't panic!! 
Katie x
Hi Katie,
Sorry to be such a pain..but I've become sooo depressed with this whole thing..
They keep delaying my operation...I've already had 5 Zoladex injections..I've been told I can't have more that 6 injections..
The waiting is killing..I've been waiting since December.. My origional date was end of Feb now it's likely to be in April..maybe even May
I'm scheduled to have a hysteroscopic mymectonmy which involves removing the fibroid through the cervix..I know this is a skillfull operation.
The surgeon who is mean't to do this for me is having surgery himself..
I'm worried that they may get some other less experienced surgeon to do my operation..
I need to have my operation by April because I can't have any more injections after I've had 6
I'm really stressed and worried
I really appreciate your help
Tezi x
Tezi - Please, please stop worrying
I am 52 and both my Nan (who died of secondary bone cancer due to breast cancer many years ago (in her sixties)) and my Mum (who was diagnosed in 1996 and is okay) had breast cancer and I to have had a breast cancer scare.
In March 2004, I was diagnosed with a massive fibroid (which had started to calcify), which resulted in a hysterectomy in the October.
Despite everything, and although 2 lots of medication (plus injections which resulted in the symptoms of the menopause as an interim measure), I still managed to participate in a charity trek to Machu Pichu and go to Rome and Trinidad & Tobago for holidays.
Please stay positive, I know that the delays are not helpful and very stressful, you will be okay.
Regards
Lin
Patient Admin
Hi Tezi
Oh, poor you! The waiting is just the worst bit and so frustrating particularly as you have been having all the pre op. injections - it really is very inconsiderate of your surgeon to need surgery himself - whatever next!! Bet he didn't have to wait!!
I'm quite sure though, that if one of his colleagues has to operate on you, he will be just as good. A myomectomy is a very straightforward op. - much simpler and less traumatic than an actual hysterectomy.
Be strong and do try not to worry! Hope you hear something very soon.
Katie xx
Hi Katie,
Thanks for your support
I really do feel like I'm going mad
I should get a call back from the surgeon's medical secretary about a possible date this...
I read up on the internet that you can't have more than 6 injections of zoladex because of the long term risk and damage..
Surely they have to operate on me in April or early may time because of this factor
My last injection will be end of march thank god..
Sorry for going on about it..but I don't know who to talk too..no one from the nhs is helping me
Tezi x
Hi Tezi
If you don't get a call from your consultant's secretary soon - call her, and keep pestering until you have an answer. I'm not sure what sort of gap it is possible to have between the final injection and the operation - but they will know - and they must give you an answer. Good luck and hope you hear something very soon.
Katie xx
Hi Katie,
I didn't think there was a gap between the final injection and the operation..
No one is telling me anything
Tezi x
Hi again Tezi
Keep pestering them until they give you an answer.
Is your GP sympathetic - maybe he will chase it up for you?
Do try not to worry - I know that's easy for me to say - just remember though, Tezi, it's not life-threatening - it will all work out in the end and you will wonder what on earth you were worrying about!
Take care
Katie xx
Hi Katie,
My GP is not very good really
I asked him about my injections..he said you will keep having them until the operation date
I've had 5 already and I know that the Zoladex drug is licensed only for 6 months..
If I don't hear anything back from the hospital I will call them back next week
Thanks for your help
Tez x
Hi Katie,
I got a letter this morning from the hospital..I've got a hospital date for my operation Friday 25th April It's another 6 weeks away..At least I got a date and it's with the senior surgeon..which I'm releived about.
I reckon I will need one more zoladex injection on the 31st March..Which will be my 6th one..Then I will have around 4 weeks to wait until my op..do you think that will be ok? I don't think they would give me another injection just before my op...do you? I tried to ask his medical secretary..but she's useless
Another question: On my appointment letter, it said that I had to ring 1 and half hours before my operation to make sure there's was a bed available..apparently sometimes there can be emergencies in the last 24hours and a bed may be taken...I hope this dosen't mean I have to wait weeks again for another operation date or does it mean I may have to wait later in the day in case of the emergency...What do you think in your experience?
Sorry to go on Katie..I'm pretty depressed with this whole thing..It's taken over my life and relationships..
Regards
Tezi x
Sorry Katie
Another quick question: It didn't mention anything about a pre-operative appointment on my operation letter..Will I receive another letter in 4 weeks times..? Or should I ring the medical secretary and find out from her...?
Thank you so much for your help
Regards
Tezi x
Hi Tezi
Well, that's good news - at least you have a date.
All NHS hospitals seem to ask patients to ring first to ensure there is a bed, just in case they have been filled by an emergency. We'll just keep our fingers crossed that there is one available - there should be - but sometimes patients do have to have ops. re-scheduled. Really annoying when one is all keyed up for surgery - so hopefully this will not happen. The sooner your op. is over and done with the better!!
You were told that you would have a pre op. appointment a week before surgery - if you haven't heard anything about this it probably would be a good idea to give them a ring. I'm sure you will receive a letter soon though.
I would imagine that it would be fine that your last injection would be at the end of March for your op. on 25th April - again, when you go for your pre op. appointment you can check this and any other questions you have.
Just out of interest, Tezi - I did note a posting in this site yesterday from
someone called Sam Jeans, a UK Fibroid Expert. She is obviously very knowledgeable about the latest techniques etc. and she mentioned a patient info. site called Fibroid Network on line. It sounds as if it might be really useful to you.
Hope this answers some of your queries! Do take care and as I am always saying, TRY NOT TO WORRY!
Katie xx
Hi katie,
Thanks for getting back to me sooo promptly
If there was an ermergency and I didn't have a bed in the morning..How long will it be until they reschedule..please don't tell me it will be weeks..
If they delayed my operation..Wouldn't I need another injection..? That would be 7 injections..I will be putting my health at risk then..
Sorry I must be driving you mad..your the only person that listens to me
Tezi x
Hi Tezi
I'm only too happy to help you if I can. I almost wish I could have the operation for you and spare you the worry!!
As it's a gynae op. and therefore a specialist field hopefully there is more chance of a bed being free for you - but unfortunately it just can't be guaranteed. I know it's a real pain, but that's the NHS for you!
Obviously, IF it was delayed they would have to take into account that you have had the full course of injections - they are not going to do anything that will put your health at risk, Tezi.
Take care
Katie xx
Tezi
I had the same injection as you, although be it for only 2 months but I still had the same questions to ask them, as the waiting list at the time was long.
The only thing they could tell me was that if I went past the 6th injection, I would become a priority, that is in Hampshire so hopefully the same applies to your area.
Regards
Lin
Patient Admin Team
Hi Katie,
I went to the doctors today because I experience some bleeding from my bowel..I didn't think nothing of it but he's reffered me to see a specialist..
Can't beleive it as if I haven't got enough to worry about
How long do you think it will take for me to receive an appointment..
Doctor said I should receive a letter at the surgery this week and then I had to ring a telephone number to make an appointment..
I don't think he has said it's a urgent refferal
Any help or support is really appreciated my friend
Regards
Tezi x
Hi Tezi
Oh, you could have done without that!!! :roll:
But don't worry - I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. GPs have to arrange further testing for any bowel bleeding just in case. In the majority of cases it's simply due to haemorrhoids (piles) or small polyps in the bowel, both of which can be easily treated.
The waiting for an appointment varies with each region so it's difficult to say how long it will be for you - and I can't imagine you need to be seen urgently - it's purely routine. Hopefully, it won't be too long!
Take care and keep smiling
Katie x
Hi Katie,
You are not going to beleive this..I went to my nurse last week because I received a annual smear test invitation..Casually mentioned that I saw spots of blood on my toilet paper after going to the toilet. She spoke to the doctor and now I've been reffered to see a damm specialist..I didn't expect that...Friends tell me it's just piles..
Anyway I've been given a date 22nd April and my fibroid operation is on the same week 25th April..
I heard that the specialist can do invasive tests on your bowel and that theres a risk of perforation which could be life threating! I'm asbsolutly terrifed now Katie!
When I rang the nurse to book the appointment she said it will only be a short consultation..I just don't want anything to jepodize my fibroid operation..
Cant beleive whats happening to me at the moment
Tezi x
Oh dear Tezi - it could only happen to you !!
But there is still nothing to worry about!!!
I am almost certain that the blood you saw would have been from piles - particularly if it was bright red. But it is only sensible that you have it checked out properly.
When you go for your consultation on April 22nd the specialist will want take a full medical history and examine you rectally. It is possible that he will also want to use an instrument called a sigmoidoscopy which will enable him to see your lower bowel a bit more clearly - but I very much doubt whether he will do this on your first visit.
Be sure to tell him about your planned surgery on April 25th (which I know will be one of the first things you tell him anyway!!) - this will not be affected by the bowel problem - it will go on as planned.
He may want to follow up the initial consultation with a further investigation at a later date (ie. when you are recovered from your op.), but I am pretty sure that your bowel problem will be a minor one and easily dealt with.
Best of luck and try not to get too uptight about it - you will be fine.
Take care
Katie xx