SarahPants' Journey:

GPs and Gyno nurses blew me off three times before listening to what I really had to say. One Dr., after finally getting me an ultrasound, said that the tumor looked like it would just go away on it's own and that I didn't have to worry about anything. Another just said that the pain was just from a bruised cervix, and another diagnosed my lower back pain with "most likely a static nerve issue." It was ridiculous! I knew something was wrong- this problem was getting progressively worse over a year- but because I was only in my early 20s no one took me seriously... blahh!

I decided to seek out help from another Dr. at the advice of a NP from my school. She sent me to get another ultrasound- which ended up being a pretty frightening experience and then immediately referred me to a GynoOnc.

On the day of my scheduled surgery, while I'm sitting in the pre-op waiting room with my husband, I get a call from my Dr. telling me that the surgery is canceled because the insurance co. hasn't processed all of my information yet. I had gotten married two weeks prior, had filled out paperwork for the switch before the wedding- and now it was canceled! Poop! We'll have to wait to reschedule for another two weeks :(

Omentectomy, debulking primary tumor, multiple lymphnodes taken, multiple biopsies of kinds- eep!

My recovery posed as problem to my employer- I'm a music teacher.

Dr. told me that he was able to remove the primary tumor and the secondary that was on my bladder! Yay! I have to go in to have ultrasounds/bloodtests every couple of months. Also- he said that my left ovary was ok- and that I probably could have children!!! Ahh! This is so exciting because I just got married in August. We don't want babies yet- but having the option is one of the best things I've ever heard.

Had my first ultrasound since the surgery. Bad news- there appear to be tumors on my previously healthy ovary as well as the side where the surgery was performed

It is time to get a second opinion. Dr. A has referred me to another oncologist at MGH. I will be seeing him tomorrow.

We will be seeing a fertility specialist to see if I'm eligible for IVF. It's possible that I will be ovaryless after my my next surgery. HRT? So many things - too many things to think about.

I just had my second surgery on Monday (April 2). They removed two tumors from my left ovary as well as new lesions in my uterus. I must have the most nimble and crafty surgeon, because he was able to spare some of my left ovary and didn't take the whole thing. This gives me a little bit more wiggle room to try to conceive a child or prepare for IVF with my own eggs. I feel incredibly fortunate that he's a master with fertility sparing surgery.