Worried about Ovarian Cancer

A hysterectomy sounds menacing, but truly it is not a big deal! Many women today have it done after they are over child bearing age, simply to limit the probability of various types of gynecological cancers. Mine was done on a Friday, I went home the following morning and needed no medication. The scarring is minimal. Good luck!

Because of the size of my uterus, I will be cut open from pubic bone to belly button.

JMac, I had postmenopausal bleeding and cramps which led me my gynecologist. Within days after an endometrial cancer diagnosis I was at Mayo Clinic where, I had a radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo oopherectomy (fallopian tubes and ovaries also removed). I did not have any pain prior to that but with a diagnosis of endometrial cancer it was the right decision. I have had friends who've had longstanding pain and discomfort as you've had. One of my friends was pain-free within hours of awakening from her hysterectomy and was so greatly relieved. So, with that, I'd like offer encouragement that your pain will disappear and that will be a great relief. I understand your anxiety and fear. It's a very natural response. It sounds to me that you've consulted the physicians best equipped to help you through this. Please let us know as you proceed and know that all of us are wishing you the best. naturegirl5

My gyn oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester is Dr. Amanika Kumar. She is empathic, answered our many questions, was responsive, and her whole team was awesome. I wrote her a thank you note after my surgery - I've never written a thank you note for anything like this in the past but I was so moved by her care and expertise.

I found one lymph node swollen under my armpit and a lump. I was prescribed antibiotics for it. While waiting for the lymph node swelling to go down, five swollen lymph nodes were found near my groin. One on the right side and four on the left side. The lymph node swelling under my arm subsided. However, the swellings near my groin have not. My obgyn wants to do an ultrasound. She wants to rule out ovarian cancer. All of my testing has come back negative. I have not had the CA125 test. Ever since she stated cancer my mind has been on over drive. I have been so worried. Prior to my visit, I had no symptoms. Now my stomach feels bloated. I am urinating frequently and I am having muscle aches. I don’t know if I am experiencing side effects from the Dulcolax I took two days ago, I have anxiety, or if these symptoms are being caused by an underlying concern. Am I being a worry wart?

Let’s wait for the ultrasound and let’s see if they want to biopsy one of the lymph nodes in the groin.
Take a breath, I have been through something similar but a little different. I know the feeling when they say cancer. But she said rule it out, so go with that.
Thinking of you as you go through this. You are not alone, a whole community out here for if you need it %, keep us posted.

Hi my name is Jacqueline I was diagnosed w/ Low Grade Serous Carcinoma Ovarian Cancer stage 2b March 17th 2025 no one in my family has any cancer- I’m the first. I just had surgery total hysterectomy and debulking as it spread to other organs. Surgery got everything he could see - they now suggest I do 4 rounds of chemo and or hormone therapy- I just started an new job and my fear is if I do chemo it won’t work as this type is chemo resistant and I won’t be able to perform my work I am the sole provider - has any of you had positive results from treatments? Alternative medicine?? Thanks for your and help

@jacquelineb68 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect and to our Gynecological Cancers Support Group. We are a supportive group of women that will provide you with empathy and support.

Your diagnosis is very recent and while it may seem like a whirlwind of appointments and procedures it's good that your hysterectomy and debulking occurred so quickly.

I understand your worry about starting new employment and your fears about chemotherapy and being able to perform at work. I am tagging a few of our members who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. They will share their experiences and I hope will have something to share about how they did while on chemotherapy.

@jenelleseaman
@cipnsue
@amywells
@egins1208

What kind of chemotherapy is suggested by your oncologist? Also the names of hormone therapy?

Although you started a new position I'm assuming you needed to take time off for your surgery so your manager/employer knows about your diagnosis?

Thank you for your support
my new company I didn’t start until after I had all the surgery, so I did not tell them about it for fear that they wouldn’t hire me. The first two weeks are home working in front of the computer, which are fine. I will be out in the market at the end of May And then working from home so no, I didn’t tell them yet because when we started all of this, the doctor believed that it was benign and it would just be an easy in and out, and I would be done with it once I woke up from Surgery was when the doctor said that he was wrong and I do have cancer and it had spread at that point. I still hadn’t started my job but had signed all the papers, to start remotely on the 24th. So I haven’t told them yet because I was worried they wouldn’t hire me now. I’m probably going to have to share with them something depending on my treatment. They suggested chemo Paclitaxel and Carboplatin - Letrozole for hormone therapy

Hi Jacqueline,
I suggest you tell them as soon as you feel comfortable to do so. With paclitaxol you will lose your hair, so it will be fairly obvious anyway. I have high grade serous recurrent ovarian cancer. I started at stage 3c. I have never had hormone therapy, it doesn’t help my type of cancer.
I have been tested and have no genetic mutations. There’s skin cancer in the family, but no ovarian or breast cancer. I’m the first too! My oncologist calls me his Champion- I have been going through chemo for quite a while. My next treatment is tomorrow. I’ve found that the first couple of days after chemo are okay. Days 4 and 5 are when you will probably feel the worst. Then you start to feel better. It takes about a week. Carboplatin makes you feel nauseated so I’m given anti nausea tablets. Take them even before you start feeling sick, get ahead of the wave. After that week, you can function normally. The other problem is that the treatment is cumulative, so you will get worse after each treatment. You will get anaemic, so you get very tired.
I have continued to work while on chemotherapy. I am a teacher. I’ve taught my lessons, and then had a rest in a recliner or gone home to lie down. You have to figure out what’s best for you, just be flexible.
Let us know how you go. I’m praying that the chemo takes care of any cancer that remained after surgery.
Jenelle