Need your prayers

[GabiandVi 34]

Very sorry to hear your story. You are in my thoughts. Hopefully it will be as you say, a false positive, and my energies are spent wishing for that.

About removing the ovary, if you decide to go that way as a precaution. My mother had a hysterectomy after her 8th child. At that point, they could only find one ovary. They don't know if she was born with only one or if something happened to it along the way, but she managed to conceive 9 times that she knew about and deliver healthy babies 8 times. My neice was born with a kink in her fallopian tube which was filling with blood and looked like a tumor. It was discovered when she was in utero and so my SIL was induced early. The kink/blood bubble was the best case scenario, but the infant lost her ovary. This may have been what happened to my mother's as well.

Just so that you know that you only need one ovary to produce all the hormones and, if you want to, to conceive.

[Nutty 2]

I am sorry to hear about your cancer scare. I hope that all the tests come back negative.

I understand your problems with the the costs and paying out of pocket. It is cheaper in Malaysia than the USA by leaps and bounds. In USA, even if you get covered by insurance they may exclude pre-existing conditions or make you wait to cover you. I think it would be better to stay in Malaysia and have your husband pay the medical bills. Just wait and get the all clear!!!

My prayers are with you and that all your tests come back negative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nita&Assaad 0]

I am sorry what is happening... My prayers are with you!!!

Inshallah everything will be fine!!

Nita

[ammike 0]

Im sorry for this.

You will be included in my prayers!!..

Our plan was for me to visit the US within this few weeks and stay as long as the I-94 allows while waiting for the immigration process to complete. But, something unexpected happened, we might have to change our plan.

Two weeks ago, I went for a surgery to remove the ovarian cysts and the doctor found some hard cells on my left ovary. He did a biopsy of the hard cells and the pathology report came back saying that the biopsy expressed two of the cancer tumor markers. That threw us off our plans!

While I am still recuperating and the wounds are healing, a series of blood tests, scans and scopes have been scheduled to identify malignancy, if there is any that presents. So far the tumor marker tests on the blood samples all came back fine, and the CT scan did not detect any malignants. I have scheduled a colonoscopy and gatroscopy next Tuesday and possibly a mammogram after that.

The gynecologist who did the ovarian cystectomy suggested a second surgery to remove the left ovary as a preventive measure and go on to remove the whole reproductive system if it's confirmed to be ovarian cancer. I have sought the second opinion of another gynecologist and talked to a friend who is an oncologist, both of them think it's too drastic to do that (remove the left ovary) when there is no evidence of malignancy. They suggested further screenings and a few monitoring measures be done regularly.

I have sold the business that I used to run and in the midst of disposing the furniture and car. While it's heart wrenching to see my hard work in the past few years is going down the drain to pay for the medical expenses. I am aware that I only need the money when I am alive. :-) I am also aware that cancer is curable and it's possible to live a long and productive life after cancer.

Medical expenses are much lower here compare to the States, but I have to pay it out of my pocket as I am not covered by health insurance. So, there is this discussion between my husband and I about the possibility of getting treatments in the states. He possibly can get me on the health insurance through his work, but we are not sure the coverage, the window of non-coverage period and the condition that is considered pre-existing.

But, first thing first, I would like to request you to pray for me. Please pray for a clear diagnosis, hopefully it's like what the pathologist suggests: sometime the tumor marker expressions can pull false alarms!

[Todd-Leah 0]

Still hanging here.

Done more tests and scans this whole week. They are basically just defensive measure to make sure they is no trace of malignant in any other parts of the body. Thank god there is no malignancy found in any of the tests and scans.

Basically I am back to the culprit that starts all this inquiry - the pathological report that says expression of certain antigens that usually associate with certain cancer was found on the slides.

I consulted the Oncologist - Obn & Gyn to ask him more questions, he agrees it is not an easy decision to make (to remove the left ovary as preventive and diagnostic measure). I was about to ask him whether we should go back to scrutinize the significance of the pathological report. He voluntarily suggested to get me the slide so I can ask another pathologist at a different hospital to look at it, for second opinion. I do not know why he voluntarily suggested that, other than he is being a doctor who cares and keep the best interest of his patients, and all of prayers, please continue to remember me in your prayers.

Pray that this is just a scare, not the real big C!

Leah

[Todd-Leah 0]

I do hope that all will be cleared up soon, and that you will find a clear diagnosis soon- cancer free.

I know this must be so upsetting, but please try to stay as positive as possible, after all there is no cancer now so far, right? I'm not sure what a "cancer marker" is, but it sounds like its just questionable, right?

That being said, I will say that I do have my husband on my medical insurance at work right now even though he is not living here now... I thought it would make sense since he does spend time here visiting until he gets his green card, and he doesn't have dental insurance in Canada so we are getting some work done for him now. There was nothing on any forms about pre-existing conditions that I filled out for him. Basically, he is my husband so he is going to be covered... Plus, you don't have cancer now if I'm understanding correctly (hopefully) and so it's not a pre-existing condition anyway I would think.

I wish you the best... In my opinion, I would get your husband to cover you in the US since it will give you more options.

All the best to you...

Lily,

My husband did get out of his procrastinating mode and got me on his work insurance last week. I believe I will be officially on his insurance in a week time.

Yes you are right to say I do not have a pre-existing condition yet, there is doubt of cancer (due to the expression of some antigens) but there is no evidence of malignancy, the only way to be 100% sure is to remove the lest ovary and test. If the test is negative, I am being cutting up for nothing, if it's positive, god forbids, there will be more treatments needed.

Leah

[Todd-Leah 0]

Am pleased to hear there's no stomach cancer. The mammogram is no big deal, you'll be fine ..... it's quite simple and takes all but 10 minutes.

Do they have the blood test in Malaysia which shows up cancer flags ?? Do ask, they don't use it in England very often, but your country may be different.

The thing with now getting negative results, is trying to convince yourself that they are true following the maybe/possibly ..... I really appreciate the wierd and strange range of emotions you're going through right now .... just hang in there girl. Many prayers are with you.

SarahJayne,

You are right, the mammogram is no big deal, quick process too.

Actually, have gone through all the blood tests under the sun, they are called tumor marker tests here. They all show negative results. But, they really are just for peace of mind, these tests are actually not good indicators, are known to give false negatives and false positives.

I think you understand the roller coaster ride since you have gone through the same scare recently. One minute I am so sure I should go for a second surgery to remove the ovary, next minute I am not too sure it's a good idea or the pathologist can read too much into the slides, there is really nothing to worry!

Thank you for praying and please continue to pray that this is just a scare !!!

Leah

[Todd-Leah 0]

Hi Leah,

I've said a prayer in your name for all your tests to come back negative for cancer. Stay strong and active on your care.. you are doing your best.

There is one thing I read on your post that keeps me thinking.. your original plans to come to the US and wait for the process here.. I am not a lawyer, but have read enough posts to know this may not be a good idea as it can bring problems with your ongoing case. Have your husband check very well on this as well as add you to his insurance policy. If you both decide that you would want to come to get further testing and/or treatment, then an expedite would be another approach to get your case processed faster and you can come on an immigrant visa. Needless to say.. it is alot to process now, but your hubby can start checking on this so u can concentrate on your health. I am sure there is ppl here that can offer their opinion on this. Please keep us posted on the results

Kitty,

Thanks for the prayers and kind words.

I understand what you were saying about the going to the US during the visa process. We have talked to the embassy people in Kuala Lumpur via emails and phone, they told us that visiting will not have any negative impact on the visa process, so long I don't overstay, they said. Of course there is always this lingering fear of being turn away at the POE!!

Not sure about the expedite process, if I have time to find out more details, may go that direction. As paperwork is not my husband's strength, it's better not to ask him to do it. :-)

Leah

[ManilaIdaho 2]

Prayers are more powerful when a lot of people are praying together.Rest assured that I will be among them who'll be praying for you.

Stay strong.God bless you.

[Betty and Rey 0]

Remember the power of positive thinking!

Keep your spirits high and know that

you have others here praying for your

speedy recovery as well...

Although I imagine it's easier

said then done, but try to stay

positive!

[Todd-Leah 0]

Our oncologist friend wrote a referral letter, so I sent the slides of the biopsy to his pathologist friend for a second opinion. Can you believe it? Both of them do not charge me!

On the other hand, I have a little time today, so I emailed the US consulate to ask whether they would consider my situation as medical emergency and allowing us to do a DCF. At first, the guy who replied the email said my husband can file K3, it's faster. I directed him to the CSC processing time on the USCIS's website, he then talked to "the officer" and replied saying "the officer" agreed to look into our case on humanitarian ground.

So, now they said they would consider letting us file a new I-130 with the embassy, with a few conditions:

1) evidence that my husband has filed I-130 with USCIS (NOA1 will do probably?)

1) medical records(no prob, I have a folder full of them)

2) evidence of my husband's previous stay in Malaysia (no prob, he has two work authorization stamps in his passport)

3) my husband has to come here to file the petition at the embassy in person, and stay here for up to two weeks to settle all the paperwork and then he can go home while I wait for the approval.

Now, we have a dilemma. My husband just started a new job in Jan 2008, he doesn't have any vacation time until the late fall - Oct or Nov. If he leaves his job to come here for two weeks, we are not sure if he will still have the job when he goes back ! In our current situation, it's rather crucial that he has the job, as I am covered under the health insurance provided by his employer. We can't afford any medical care in the US without the health insurance. Since he went back there in Oct 2007, it has taken him more than a year to find and settle into a job that provides medical benefit. I am not sure he is ready to lose it !

I wrote back and asked whether my husband can courier the passport or the documents to the embassy and/or talk to them on the phone, set up video conferencing or something along that line. I do not know if I am asking them to bend over and do things that are completely out of their standard routine, but we would not know unless we ask for kind consideration.

Who knows these kind souls at the embassy are part of our answered prayers ?!! :-)

Leah

[americag1234 0]

Hi there, I am very touched by your story. I will pray for you and your family. Remember this, with God all things are possible. Just remember to always believe and trust and have faith because God is always with you. In scripture it says "If God is for you, then who can be against you" God bless and I believe you will be back in the US with your husband. God bless and have a blessed day.

America

[ohmy 0]

God Bless you and you are in our thoughts and prayers.

[Todd-Leah 0]

Just an update of my medical condition.

I wanted to thank everyone who prayed for me. The report from the second pathologist came back yesterday, there is no mention of malignancy whatsoever. I am very thankful that it's just a scare and for the answered prayer: that the first pathologist might have read too much into what he saw on the slides thus suggested the possibility and further investigation of cancer !!

It's due to divine intervention as many people like you who prayed for me that I am saved from a second surgery and removal of left ovary unnecessary. It's unlikely a common practice or a usual procedure for the doctor to suggest getting the slides for the patient to go for a second opinion at a different hospital, thank god for a gynecologist who cares and keeps the best interest of his patient instead of his pocket. (He earlier recommended a second surgery based on the first pathologist's report, but all the scans and scopes do not find any malignant, so he voluntarily suggested to look at the pathologist's report again and requested the slides for me.)

Now that I am cleared of this cancer scare, am getting ready to leave for the US with the B2 visa once I am recuperate from the surgery earlier. We won't be going through the DCF that mentioned in earlier posts, as we don't feel right to do DCF under medical emergency when there is none now. (Though technically, so long I don't show them the second pathologist's report, it's an unknown situation that needs further investigation in the US. :-))

Leah

Edited May 4, 2008 by Todd-Leah

[ManilaIdaho 2]

That's really a good news.glad you're cancer free.God is really good all the time!!! Good luck to your trip to the US.God bless.