CA-125 is a protien that is a so-called tumor marker or biomarker, which is a substance that is found in greater concentration in tumor cells than in other cells in the body. In particular, CA-125 is present in greater concentration in ovarian cancer cells than in other cells. Normal values can be argued, however most labs show values of less than 35 as normal. (My baseline was 9 and has been around this level ever since.)
My CA-125 level was 12 in October 2010. With everything going on right now, I was nervous to have my CA-125 drawn last week. But I did. I was called today with the results...May 2011 my level is 10. This is reassuring at least with everything that is going on with my ovaries right now!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
I got a date with a robot....
June 23, 2011
That is the day I will say goodbye to my uterus and ovaries via robotic surgery. I will be doing more research and will update periodically. Right now I have to focus on the next sugery which is actually boob related.
Food for thought: If a girl gets a push present for pushing out a baby from her uterus, what does a girl get for removing the whole uterus?
That is the day I will say goodbye to my uterus and ovaries via robotic surgery. I will be doing more research and will update periodically. Right now I have to focus on the next sugery which is actually boob related.
Food for thought: If a girl gets a push present for pushing out a baby from her uterus, what does a girl get for removing the whole uterus?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
I'm good with definititions....
I had a second ultrasound yesterday....the perks of working for radiologists and the art of persuasion at its finest!
During this ultrasound, the tech also found a small hyperechoic lesion on my left ovary...that's right the left ovary. The lesion on the right ovary was still present, essentially the stable in size since my ultrasound a month ago. Dr. S read the ultrasound (he is who ruled out the hemmorrhagic cyst on the last ultrasound) and found that the tiny (5 mm) lesion on the left was actually present back in October as well. As for both the right and left lesions, his differential is either a dermoid or a teratoma. Essentially the same things. ***Complex cysts often containing fat, hair, skin cells. They are typically benign. When found in the ovaries they most likely need to be surgically removed as they can cause torsion of the ovary causing severe pain and circumvent the blood flow to the ovary. ***
So the recommendation is that the right ovary must be removed. So I am back in the same situation. If I'm taking one, let's do it all. I'm sure I will be getting more information as the day goes on, so I will keep everyone posted.
During this ultrasound, the tech also found a small hyperechoic lesion on my left ovary...that's right the left ovary. The lesion on the right ovary was still present, essentially the stable in size since my ultrasound a month ago. Dr. S read the ultrasound (he is who ruled out the hemmorrhagic cyst on the last ultrasound) and found that the tiny (5 mm) lesion on the left was actually present back in October as well. As for both the right and left lesions, his differential is either a dermoid or a teratoma. Essentially the same things. ***Complex cysts often containing fat, hair, skin cells. They are typically benign. When found in the ovaries they most likely need to be surgically removed as they can cause torsion of the ovary causing severe pain and circumvent the blood flow to the ovary. ***
So the recommendation is that the right ovary must be removed. So I am back in the same situation. If I'm taking one, let's do it all. I'm sure I will be getting more information as the day goes on, so I will keep everyone posted.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The long story...
For those of you wanting more information on my genetic status and mastectomy, here is the original blog!
www.starspbm.blogspot.com
www.starspbm.blogspot.com
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
No shoes, no shirt, no problem.....
No babies, no periods, no problem.......This is my Mike's theory. I can't really disagree with it.
However, I have been having a hard time dealing with this emotionally. I'm not quite sure what I want to think. I don't want more children....hands down, this is not a concern of mine. I also don't want to face menopause at 29, this concerns me greatly. It kills me that I can't have an MRI to get a more definitive answer on just how long I can put this off. It is another 4 weeks off work. It is more anesthesia (which doesn't agree with me whatsoever).
In response to Robyns concerns: Yes, I have my CA125 blood draw every six months. I have always been told to not put a great deal of faith in them though, more to be used as a marker. Regardless, they have all been fine. My theory is that if they are going to go in and remove one ovary and tube, I would rather it all be done at once. I knew at some point after my mastectomy I would have an oophorectomy, I just thought I'd be done with my mastectomy first. I am not concerned with having more children and I have alwasys known a BSO was in my future.
However, I have been having a hard time dealing with this emotionally. I'm not quite sure what I want to think. I don't want more children....hands down, this is not a concern of mine. I also don't want to face menopause at 29, this concerns me greatly. It kills me that I can't have an MRI to get a more definitive answer on just how long I can put this off. It is another 4 weeks off work. It is more anesthesia (which doesn't agree with me whatsoever).
In response to Robyns concerns: Yes, I have my CA125 blood draw every six months. I have always been told to not put a great deal of faith in them though, more to be used as a marker. Regardless, they have all been fine. My theory is that if they are going to go in and remove one ovary and tube, I would rather it all be done at once. I knew at some point after my mastectomy I would have an oophorectomy, I just thought I'd be done with my mastectomy first. I am not concerned with having more children and I have alwasys known a BSO was in my future.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Where it all starts....
Everytime I would try to speak to my GYN regarding a prophylactic oophorectomy, she would not discuss it. She said I was too young, only had one child, and unmarried. There was no convincing her that I did not want more children. I am dating someone with two of his own. I have a great 5 year old girl, I really don't want to start over. She still was unwilling to even present it as an option. So I had let it go for now. I knew I would have to find a doctor who was knowledgeable enough to understand my genetic situation, however I thought I would get through the mastectomy first....
On April 21 I had my normal six month surveillance ultrasound expecting everything to be normal, a few cysts here and there like always. Apparently, that would be too easy. The ultrasound tech found something on my right ovary that was initially described to be a hemorrhagic cyst, however the radiologist could not rule out a neoplasm. (I work at the imaging facility, so I was watching all of this unfold first hand.) My mother sees an amazing GYN oncologist, so I made an appointment. In the mean time, my radiologists reviewed my films and ruled out a hemorrhagic cyst and also found that it was present on my October ultrasound and had grown significantly in size since then. It could be a fat containing mass, or a more significant neoplastic process. There is really no telling without an MRI, which I can't have due to my tissue expander for my mastectomy. Therefore, May 11, I saw Dr. G for my consultation for a prophylactic oophorectomy (or maybe not so prophylactic at this point). At the appointment Dr. G did review my films, unable to make a determination herself as well. She recommended that I have a total hysterectomy, salpingo oophorectomy soon. She said that since I had already had my breasts removed, it would make hormone replacement therapy much easier. So this is where I stand right now. I will have to have a hysterectomy, salpino oophorectomy before my mastectomy ordeal is over.
On April 21 I had my normal six month surveillance ultrasound expecting everything to be normal, a few cysts here and there like always. Apparently, that would be too easy. The ultrasound tech found something on my right ovary that was initially described to be a hemorrhagic cyst, however the radiologist could not rule out a neoplasm. (I work at the imaging facility, so I was watching all of this unfold first hand.) My mother sees an amazing GYN oncologist, so I made an appointment. In the mean time, my radiologists reviewed my films and ruled out a hemorrhagic cyst and also found that it was present on my October ultrasound and had grown significantly in size since then. It could be a fat containing mass, or a more significant neoplastic process. There is really no telling without an MRI, which I can't have due to my tissue expander for my mastectomy. Therefore, May 11, I saw Dr. G for my consultation for a prophylactic oophorectomy (or maybe not so prophylactic at this point). At the appointment Dr. G did review my films, unable to make a determination herself as well. She recommended that I have a total hysterectomy, salpingo oophorectomy soon. She said that since I had already had my breasts removed, it would make hormone replacement therapy much easier. So this is where I stand right now. I will have to have a hysterectomy, salpino oophorectomy before my mastectomy ordeal is over.
A quick backstory
I am BRCA 1 +. My family history is widespread with breast cancer throughout the women on my materal side. My grandmother also had ovarian cancer. In late January 2011, I underwent a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy to reduce my risk for breast cancer. I have been using surviellance methods to keep close track of my ovarian cancer risks. Including CA125 every six months as well as pelvic and TV ultrasounds every six months. Over the last year I have had more ultrasounds than normal due to a question of polycystic ovarian syndrome, so I have been quite sure everything was going along smoothly.
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