Hi Antoniamaria and welcome to Cancer Chat.

It's great to hear your ovary and the germ cell tumour were removed successfully although I'm sorry about the anxious wait you now have for your biopsy results.

Our community know just how tough this time can be so you are not alone and hopefully it won't be long until some of our members stop by to offer you their support and advice.

If you feel it may help to talk any of this through with one of our cancer nurses whilst you wait, you can do so from Tuesday onwards on 0808 800 4040. Their phone lines are open between 9a.m - 5p.m and they'll do all they can to answer your questions and put your mind at ease.

We're thinking of you Antoniamaria and will have our fingers crossed your biopsy results bring good news when the time comes.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Antoniamaria , hope you’re feeling well and I hope this can all be over for you soon. How have you been getting on since your surgery?

I am in a slightly similar situation and have been told I have a 9cm cyst on my right ovary. I will have to have surgery next month to have it removed along with the ovary, fallopian tube, appendix and omentum. Did you also have those removed? 

The nurse told me they suspect it’s a Germ cell tumour but when I spoke to the consultant, she said they were unsure.

I feel so nervous and anxious about having the surgery and the whole recovery process. I was told I would be off work for 6 weeks and 3 months of taking it easy, no driving, household chores etc. I don’t know how to prepare myself for all this :(

Hi Sa! Thank you so much for replying to me! You must be feeling so anxious but I totally understand how are you feeling.

Did the doctor say why they suspect a germ cell tumor? Mine was because of the size (on the bigger side) and I had raised cancer markers on my blood tests. However only the biopsy results will tell if it is cancer or no.

Everything so far was located on the cyst, because it was so big it damaged my ovary so they removed that too. Nothing else.

It was very nerve racking to prepare myself to go into surgery, but once I was there the team was so incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. My hospital is famous for it’s top doctors so I felt very prepared. Every step of the way I was explained my results, the surgery, the blood tests etc

So my big advice is to really ask every question that is on your mind to your doctor so that you feel confident going into your surgery. They can’t say for sure it is germ cell because they have to take it out first, but they should still tell you why they think that might be. It’s not fair on you to leave you guessing. 

i am now 18 days post op, and I feel really good! I was never really in pain, just very uncomfortable the first 5 days. You will get a lot of pain killers so you won’t be in pain. You can walk the next day, go to the loo, etc etc it was a lot easier than I thought. You’re younger than me so it will be even quicker for you!

Once at home you will have to take it easy, rest, go on gentle walks etc but it will quickly feel very normal again.

Im here to talk to you anytime!:)

Thank you Antoniamaria , it’s great to hear you’re recovering well and not in too much pain. That’s gives me a bit of confidence too.

No, the doctor said they were unsure of what the cyst is. It was the nurse that told me they suspect it’s a Germ Cell tumour. 

I also have a raised CA125 but other cancer markers came back normal. All the scans have shown no other signs of concern. I’m hopeful for the best possible outcome and like you said in your original post, I just want to go back to living my life and not have this hanging over me.

Take care hun and I hope with each passing day, you feel better and back to your old self x

Hi Antoniamaria , how are you?

I met with the lead surgeon yesterday and he gave me a good overview of the procedure. I was happy to hear he will not be removing my omentum or appendix.

He mentioned the possibility of having an epidural, did you have one during your surgery?

Hi there! I’m doing good thank you and glad to hear you have been given a good overview!

The smaller the operation is, the easier you will recuperate.

they did give me an epidural (I had one for my c section to give birth to my daughter so I knew what to expect) it’s an injection in your back that numbs the area so you don’t feel any pain. It is really good that they are offering this to you because this means a lot less pain post surgery!

take good care!