I recently had my CT prior to my 6 month follow up onc appointment. I peeked at the CT report (the one sealed up with the ‘ to be opened by referring Dr’ tape.. does anyone not open it?). All I read was ‘No evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease’. I skimmed over the rest , not concerned about the ‘adnexal cystic lesion’.
Next day My oncologist calls me direct (ominous) re my abnormal scan, & wanting some further imaging done. I was booked for a pelvic ultrasound & PET scans. I had the ultrasound & got the report & all looked okay to me ( fibroids, cysts but nothing scary). The PET scan went direct to the onc.
I went to my appointment cautiously optimistic that I would be all clear....
My onc said there were several hotspots of ‘ peritoneal & mesenteric nodal disease’. He recommended Hipec.
I totally trust him & I said yes.
He already had me ‘ squeezed in’ at the Hipec Drs & I went straight up to their rooms. I met with the 2 Drs & a nurse.... If I get the thumbs up at the next weekly team meeting I should be operated on in the next month. They said they are operating with curative intent.
I’m sad the cancer is back ( or maybe it was always there, I just didn’t know).
stage 4 feels like a big jump from 3c
I hope that when they open me up the pci is low ( they think it is under 5). A stoma is possible .. one if the hotspots is in the rectouterine Douglas pouch.
The situation sucks but I feel lucky that I had the cyst & that my onc ordered the PET. At least we have caught it now, & my hospital has Hipec experts.
The surgery is big & I know the recovery will be long. The nurse said don’t expect to do anything for 6 weeks. My only hospital & surgery experience is of the laparoscopic lar which is no comparison ....it all seems a bit daunting.
On the bright side I put on a few kilos over the festive season. Dr hipec said he could take care of that for me
I got a bit slack over the summer with exercise so I’m stepping it up a bit now.
If anyone has been through this & has any advice for the preparation or recovery please I’d love to hear it.
Hope everyone is having a lovely Easter.
The weather is gorgeous here, I’m enjoying the ocean while the water is still warm. Dogs are happy, twice daily walks are back!!
Since I’m going to lose all this weight I’m enjoying my food too & 4 days off plus chocolate... does it get any better?