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Andrea Barnett Budin · 12-21-2007, 08:40 PM

Just to let you know,THERESA -- I COVER ALL BASES. I go ev 6 mnths for a transvaginal pelvic sonogram to hear that my ovaries are beautiful. Even at my age, they can still be visualized by a good, probing Radiologist. I have to go to NY for this test as in Fla techs perform the procedure and aren't as aggessive. They claim they can't see my ovaries. You have to dig, unfortunately. A Gyn signs off on the readings here.

This leaves me feeling I have not had a thorough exam. I have no symptoms of ovarian (ie extremely bloated belly that requires draining of fluid in the hosp) but I derive comfort from this assurance. I do have sharp pain in my lower right abdomen often. So I have reason to check, for the insur co. It could be scar tissue from my tram flap reconstruction sugery.

IF I had typical symptoms of ovarian, I would insist upon a CA125 (which is abld test/tumor marker), which I know has many false positives, but that would be something I would want w/symptoms and/or something suspicious in my sono. The normal range is 0 - 35. If you are in the 100s, you have a problem. This test may not be covered by insur, yet is akin to men's PSA for prostate ca, which is covered. $75 at a GPs office, $125 at a GYNs office. Many feel it should be required as an annual mammog, an annual PAP and HPV for all women. Some well-knowns are lobbying for this for us as I type...

So, this is my method of *dealing* w/that thought you are having, which I can reate to. In my head, a hormonally driven bc is akin to a hormonally driven ovarian ca. I was ER/PR borderline to begin w/ in '95. I am now ER/PR-. I find this regular preventative procedure comforting. There is no greater compliment than -- Your ovaries look beautiful! Just IMHO...

Even if you had your ovaries removed -- you can have ovarian ca! This is astonishing but true. IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be dx when in fact it is far more serious.) I have IBS, so I exhibit typical *symptoms* of ovarian regularly. I believe in TAKING CHARGE of my health care. Knowledge arms us and empowers us. I am very proactive, as a 4th stager I must be. I do not believe I am over-reacting, but want to stay on top of all possiblities.

Be well, my friends...
Andi

12-21-2007, 08:40 PM	#6
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	Just to let you know,THERESA -- I COVER ALL BASES. I go ev 6 mnths for a transvaginal pelvic sonogram to hear that my ovaries are beautiful. Even at my age, they can still be visualized by a good, probing Radiologist. I have to go to NY for this test as in Fla techs perform the procedure and aren't as aggessive. They claim they can't see my ovaries. You have to dig, unfortunately. A Gyn signs off on the readings here. This leaves me feeling I have not had a thorough exam. I have no symptoms of ovarian (ie extremely bloated belly that requires draining of fluid in the hosp) but I derive comfort from this assurance. I do have sharp pain in my lower right abdomen often. So I have reason to check, for the insur co. It could be scar tissue from my tram flap reconstruction sugery. IF I had typical symptoms of ovarian, I would insist upon a CA125 (which is abld test/tumor marker), which I know has many false positives, but that would be something I would want w/symptoms and/or something suspicious in my sono. The normal range is 0 - 35. If you are in the 100s, you have a problem. This test may not be covered by insur, yet is akin to men's PSA for prostate ca, which is covered. $75 at a GPs office, $125 at a GYNs office. Many feel it should be required as an annual mammog, an annual PAP and HPV for all women. Some well-knowns are lobbying for this for us as I type... So, this is my method of dealing w/that thought you are having, which I can reate to. In my head, a hormonally driven bc is akin to a hormonally driven ovarian ca. I was ER/PR borderline to begin w/ in '95. I am now ER/PR-. I find this regular preventative procedure comforting. There is no greater compliment than -- Your ovaries look beautiful! Just IMHO... Even if you had your ovaries removed -- you can have ovarian ca! This is astonishing but true. IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be dx when in fact it is far more serious.) I have IBS, so I exhibit typical symptoms of ovarian regularly. I believe in TAKING CHARGE of my health care. Knowledge arms us and empowers us. I am very proactive, as a 4th stager I must be. I do not believe I am over-reacting, but want to stay on top of all possiblities. Be well, my friends... Andi __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...