Hi jackban,

I'm sorry to read about the difficulties you've been having, although it's good to hear you've got an answer and a plan in place.

I know things are hard at the moment in terms of waiting times. Things are gradually returning to something more like normal although there is of course a bit of a backlog. I can certainly understand how you feel where you say you feel a bit let down, but hopefully it won't be as long as you think for a date for the appointment.

Wishing you all the best,

Ben
Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi, not sure if you've had your surgery yet?  I've just had a borderline ovarian cyst removed 4 weeks ago. It was 30cm diameter by the time it was removed (22cm when I had my MRI). Covid issues have made it much harder but I got there in the end. Hope your surgery went well

Thank you for replying. I had my surgery on the 17 July. I am surprised how well I felt afterwards. I'm not back at work yet but hope to return by the end of this month. My cyst came back as borderline and it burst when they were removing it. I have to be checked in 3 months then every 6 months for 5 years but it's not cancer and that's the main thing. Hopefully you will get a good result and I wish you a speedy 

Oh that's so good... I had my surgery on 7th august. My cyst was borderline and also burst when they were removing it. My results are borderline, but have yet to see the oncologist so not sure what checks I'll be having or whether they will want to do amy more surgery. I was very relieved it wasnt cancer... I didn't know there was such a thing as borderline so have found it a little confusing. Thanks for replying hope you are fully recovered soon... x

I didn't know about borderline either and I'm still unsure what it means. I don't need further surgery or chemo so that's good. Did you have everything else removed also. Did you have a laparotomy? My scare seems to be healing well but it's still a bit sore 

Yes I had a midline laparotomy. They took my right ovary and fallopian tube, but nothing else. It was only the tests after surgery that showed it was borderline, so unsure whether they will want to do another surgery to remove other ovary womb etc. What about you? I'm still very sore too on my scar and inside sometimes. I think my body still very much recovering... my bowels didnt like the surgery much!!! It's taking some time for everything to settle down. We are lucky not to have cancer, still, I find it hard to understand the borderline. I I have a ton of questions for the oncologist when I get my appointment!

That's a big surgery, wow, great you have been so positive through it all. I wish they'd taken all mine out, but the doctors didnt think it was anything harmful and borderline wasnt mentioned. They only took the one ovary. Now I wonder if they will want to take more. It was a big surgery because of the size of the incision so it's been a big event for me, I've never really had anything wrong with me before. I'm proud of how I've managed it and felt able to put trust in my consultant who has been brilliant. Amazing surgeon. It made all the difference. I've been amazed by how brilliant everyone has been with me. It's hard to have surgery with covid, going to appointments alone and not bring allowed visitors... so we've done well! Being off work for a long time is hard... but you'll get back into it. I've only had 6 weeks so far but even that feels like a long time. It is good to chat... if you learn more about borderline cysts please let me know. 

Hi, I hope you're both starting to feel better.  I've just discovered I have a cyst which is 18 x 15cm.  I was referred by my doctor on a 2 week referral (suspect cancer), however after speaking to my Consultant for the first time yesterday he does say it looks benign to him, which is a slight relief.  He did say it is what he would call a borderline cyst, and explained that if it was left it could turn cancerous.

My consultant is referring me for an MRI scan and then he will decide the next steps, although he did say it looks like it will require open surgery and it will be about 4-6 weeks before I have the surgery, although things seem to be moving a lot faster than they've told me.  

I'm a bit concerned about getting around afterwards as I live in an apartment which is on the 1st and 2nd floors and also it's half term coming up and I have a 9 year old at home (her dad will have to work and I've no other family  close by).  Did you manage the stairs okay after you were discharged from hospital?

Hi, sorry to hear you're going through this... that sounds very similar to my experience and timescales. YES I am feeling lots better than I was. Hopefully going back to work next week! In terms of getting about, you will find it a little hard at first, just because it can be a bit painful, but they make sure you can manage stairs before they discharge you . And they gave me loads of pain medication which really helps! I saw a physio in hospital who helped show me the best ways to get in and out of bed, and made sure I could manage coming up and down stairs and that helped a great deal. I didn't find stairs too bad to be honest I was quite surprised, it was no more difficult than walking around at first, it just hurts a bit and I had to take it slowly. For me the most difficult thing was getting into the bath to have a shower, I needed help the first couple of times, but after that was fine on my own. I didn't have a bath for weeks as it was too difficult to manage the sitting down and standing back up. I found it really helpful to have someone at home the first week after my surgery, just to do things for me, bring me things, help me get about, so if you dont have someone at home I would see if there is someone who could be with you for a few days, it's just easier and nicer. But honestly you will be fine. I was surprised by how able I was to do things... the nurses had me out of bed from day one, and even though it did hurt it was the best thing to get moving (very slowly and a bit at a time)... I've been amazed by how well the body heals! I really hope you gg a date quick, let us know how you get on, Annie x