I realised I abandoned my blog after breaking the news that I was worried about a cyst that was discovered on my left ovary after my CT scan. Oops!
Well, what happened?
As this news was divulged the same week we were going on holiday, we wanted to get some more answers rather than being left out on a limb for a couple of weeks. We called our IVF consultant for information regarding my case so we could present this to the gynaecology oncology department at the QA hospital who have now taken over my care. Very luckily for us, Dr I, our IVF consultant offered an ultrasound to investigate further. This all took place the day before going away on our break.
I was very nervous arriving at Dr I's office. Thankfully, we went straight in to her consulting room so she could perform the ultrasound. Deep breaths and sweaty palms emerged, and the ultrasound commenced. Dr I had a good look, looked longer and kept looking. Nothing. Dr I couldn't see any cyst, in fact the ovary that we thought would be deep fried and crispy from radiotherapy was actually working. I won't go into any further detail, but it all looked quite normal. Dr I couldn't find any reason to be concerned.
Dr I proceeded to write a report regarding my inner workings to hand to the consultant at the QA. This appointment would come after our holiday (which was fab by the way, apart from a norovirus which cut it slightly short - urgh).
So, the appointment with the gynaecology oncology department came and I handed over the report. The consultant was pleasantly surprised by the results but want to give me an MRI scan just to be double and triple sure that all is good in the ovary department. I didn't feel like I was
Ok, all good so far..we think.
Met Dr B my oncologist last Monday week to discuss the rest of my CT scan results. Again, all he mentioned was this enlarged cyst on my ovary and that was the only concern. I was discharged from his jurisdiction, my next stop was the MRI scan.
The MRI came around last Tuesday. That was interesting to say the least! If you've never had an MRI all I can describe it as like being in a coffin with a car alarm blasting away for 30 minutes. I did have earphones in...Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas" was on the playlist. All I wanted was the scan to be over! I've had worse procedures but it is quite claustrophobic and disorientating.
So once that was done, all I had to do was patiently wait for my results, which came today.
I got to meet another Dr B, this time a gynaecologist, oncologist and Antipodean. A very upbeat chap who had a warm smile. We sat down and he explained that the cyst I sometimes have and sometimes don't have is a very boring and harmless cyst. My bloods show that my CA-125 was only very slightly elevated, but Dr B wasn't concerned at all as I'm a pre menopausal woman, apparently it's very common to have this marker slightly elevated in younger women around certain times of the month. The MRI showed no signs of any secondary bowel cancer or primary ovarian cancer. Gulp!
I'M OFFICIALLY IN REMISSION!!!
Dr B said he would like to see me in two months just to have another ultrasound on the cyst and have some bloods taken to check the CA-125 levels then it'll be routine scans every 6 months. Dr B then gave me a big smile, shook our hands and wished us a very happy Christmas.
What a complete contrast to this time last year! I'm so utterly relieved, I'm cancer free for now and I always hope to be.
Thank you everyone for supporting me through my blogs. My family, friends, new friends who have been through this journey too and most of all my husband Paul.
Paul, you've been my rock. I love you.
I'm going to end this blog now. I want to move on, but never forget my journey with cancer.
Thank you for reading.
Hayley x
