As some of you may remember, I have been having some bleeding since soon after being put on Megace at the beginning of February. I saw my GP earlier this week who was keen that I had a scan to check out that it was down to the Megace and not down to anything else. As I was having a CT scan anyway yesterday (my 3 monthly check), he just confirmed that that covered the pelvic area and then sent a letter to my onc to express his concerns.
Anyway, got a message today to say onc wants me to have a transvaginal scan. Must admit I am panicking a bit that this is because the CT scan has shown up something (not due to get results until next Friday) - think it is more likely though having got my GP’s letter, he just wants to make doubly sure. What does everyone else think? Could do with some reassurance really as we go into the long weekend and I can’t contact anybody to get any more information!
And has anyone had one of these scans? Does anyone know what is involved and what it actually checks for? Must admit it doesn’t sound very pleasant!
Thanks Kay
Hi Kay
I think a transvaginal scan is one where a probe (like a smallish dildo) is inserted into your vagina. . Somehow it is then able to scan the whole gynae/pelvic area…ovaries, womb etc. I had one when I was being investigated for ovarian cysts about 9 years ago…it didn’t hurt.
Its horrible worrying over a holiday weekend…always seems so long…I hope your scan goes OK and that all your results are as good as they can be.
best wishes
Jane
Can’t help with knowing what to expect on that one - but it sounds like everything is being done to ensure you have the best attention. It’s always a pain waiting for such results - not knowing is often worse than knowing! Try and put it to the back of you mind (easier said than done) - and enjoy the weekend.
Open a bottle of wine - if that’s helps!
Take Care - thinking of you - Geraldine
Hi kay
I have had one - Jane is right it doesnt’ hurt - I was quite tense about the whole thing as well and it definitely didn’t hurt…you just feel a bit awkward .
I think it they are just being extra careful here -CT scans have better resolution than ultrasounds - otherwise we would all be having ultrasounds on our liver. It seems to me its more likely that nothing showed up on CT but he wants to check by rummaging around with ultrasound as well.
Its so difficult when the mind goes into speculation mode…,
love
cathy
Hi Kay
Gosh we now worry about everything dont we?
I had one of these scans a few weeks ago. I thought i was only having a ultra sound but she wanted to do a trans vaginal one.
Theres nothing to it, infact the probe hardly goes inside you, much easier than a smear.
They are extra careful with us and so they should be.
Hope everything is ok.
I do know the waiting game have an appt for the rapid clinic on Wed, but determined to enjoy the bank holiday and family being here.
Hug 4 U
Ruthx
Hi Kay
I’ve had 2 scans like this.
One in early pregnancy when I had a bleed and one the other month - in preparation for oophorectomy - think that it just showed everything in its place ie ovaries
I panic at the slightest - had a failed smear the other month cos I just tensed up soooooooooo much.
The probe is not that bad - they even put a condom on it!!! 
- it really isnt as bad as a smear!!
Massive hugs for you
Love Anne xx
Thank you all so much for your advice/comments/help. This morning I thought I was dealing ok with everything and had convinced myself that they were indeed just being extra careful. Have had a lovely day going for a walk with hubby around the Devils Punchbowl. But hearing the news about Allie when we got back, has really upset me and am feeling very down tonight.
Scan is now booked for Thursday and see onc on Friday evening for the result of that plus the CT scan and blood tests I had last week. At least I know now that it won’t be too bad having it done - have had plenty of smears in my time.
Lots of love to all of you
Kay
Hi Kay
I am keepin everything crossed for you for Thurs and Friday. I know you must be feeling really worried about it, but easily said I know, try not to focus on it and enjoy the weekend as best you can.
Yeah, know the news about Allie has knocked us all for six. When I logged on and found the email I knew before I opened it and was absolutely gutted and got myself in a bit of a state actually.
Although we only met Allie once, feel we all knew her really well and she wouldn’t want you to be upset but to remember that lovely lunch we spent with her and how we laughed about Mr Wallce.
Try to keep smiling Kay, and you know where I am if you want to talk - anytime, I am here. Might not be much help, but you never know.
Lots of love and cuddles
Dawn
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Thanks Dawn. Just think I had a big panic last night with the awful news about Allie. I feel so sad about Allie but it is also such a reality check for us all. And I always find waiting for results so difficult (as I now we all do) and with this extra scan, it just felt last night really bleak. Anyway feeling a bit better this morning and more philosophical about it all. What will be will be and worrying about it won’t make any difference.
About to go out with David to the garden centre etc and then going to do some gardening for the first time in months! Hopefully the fresh air will do me good. Also learnt from my stress workshop, that gardening definitely helps combat stress - knew that anyway but it was good to have it confirmed!
Will probably email you later - hope you are doing ok today and have something good to do planned with your “muppets”!
Lots of love
Kay xx
Hi Kay,
Just wanted to let you know that a transvaginal US is probably one of the easier, even dare I say, more pleasant tests that we are subjected to!!!
It definitely does not hurt, and is usually pretty quick.Having a cervical smear done is much worse. I have been having them every 6 months since I started Tamoxifen 6 years ago. The longest one took 20 minutes when I had a very thorough technician checking out a uterine polyp that was present. But usually it takes about 5 minutes.
It is very useful in measuring an increase in thickness of the uterine lining which probably the CT that you had doesn’t do.
A long probe that looks like a dildo is used. They place a condom over it with some KY jelly and gently slide it in.
I hope that I have been able to reassure you a little.
Let us know how it goes,
Penny
Hi Penny
Thanks for the info re the internal scan - it certainly sounds much easier (not sure I’d go as far as pleasant!!) than MRIs, CTs and indeed a cervical smear. So should be a “doddle” now I know what is involved.
Must admit I am still concerned about what it might show. Think once you have mets you tend to assume anything “abnormal” might be new spread but am aware there are lots and lots of potential reasons for the bleeding, none of which are sinister. At least I see my onc the following day for these results and the CT and blood tests, so won’t have too long to wait.
Think I read on another thread that you too are waiting for scan results - hope yours are ok too.
Kay xx
I had one when I had bleeding - turned out the coil I had was in completely the wrong place and the strings had disappeared. It also showed up two small fibroids and where they were.
so it was useful in pinpointing why I had all the problems
I didn’t find it at all difficult compared with one I has previously where I had to drink loads of water and ended up feeling I was about to burst
Mole
Kay
Just wanted to wish you luck for tomorrow - am sure it will go OK, and as everyone seems to say, it shouldn’t hurt, just not very nice if you know wot mean. Keeping everything crossed for Friday too and hopefully all the results you get will be good news for you and all of us, waiting to hear.
If you need me, remember I am here waiting to speak to you if you want.
Take care and sending lots of love and hugs
Dawn
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Just back from the hospital and scan was ok really - a lot lot easier (as everyone has said) than many of the other procedures I’ve had over the last few years.
It showed no sign of tumours but did show a thickened lining of the womb which evidently is why I’ve been bleeding. Not sure what the implications are of that - was told the onc would talk to me about it tomorrow when I get my blood test and CT scan results. So just have to be patient…
Thanks again all for the info/support you’ve given me.
Love Kay x
Hi Kay,
Thinking of you tomorrow - hope all is good news
lots of love Jacquie
Hi Kay
yes thinking of you tomorrow, glad they just came out and told you what they saw there so you know whats going on there> hope everything gos well,
love
cathy
Realised that I had never posted to say what had happened about the “thickened” womb lining - have been more focused on the poor scan results and starting chemo again.
Onc couldn’t explain it at all as Megace is a synthetic progesterone and this is what they would normally use evidently to treat a thickened womb lining post menopause. So am waiting to see the gynaecologist - he feels she will probably want to do a d & c. And coming off Megace evidently frequently causes bleeding, so am waiting for that to start again!
Sometimes think there aren’t many bits of me left that haven’t been closely scrutinised…
K x
Kay - Best of wishes for tomorrow - starting chemo again isn’t easy to face but I guess once you are started you’ll feel more in control. With regard to your womb I don’t know what to say except that the last thing I would want is to start all the grief again!
Geraldine