Hi.

There are so many doctors involved and test concerning my mother, I am getting very confused.

A CAT scan showed possible cancer in one ovary and her CA-125 was over 700. Another cancer blood test was "very high" too. We have a good medical college in our state and we have a consult with an oncology gyno next week. We have an ocologist and gyn herein town but they said we need the specialist for this.

Other scans show a thickening in her omentum and her peritoneal (sp?) showed probably metastis. Her vaginal wall has thickening too. Brain and bone scans have been clear.

She is 74 years old and was diagnosed with Giant Cell Arteritis in Feb 2004. Since that time she has been on Prednisone and they have been unable to stabalize her inflammation. Her Pred. dose goes as high as 60 and they can't get it under 20 without her blood work going bad. Her abdomen has been greatly distended for at least a year now and the GP and Rheumatologist that she sees regularly have just told her to eat less. She is very weak and tired.

The elephant in the room is no one will say for sure that she has ovarian, or any kind of cancer for that matter. All her tests have been stat and she is also scheduled for a PET scan next week..

Am I in denial? Do all these test results scream yes it is cancer and I am just not listening.

Advice would be greatly appreciated. I am "in charge" of her health care because of her state right now and I feel helpless and stupid

I don't have all the answers for you but I wish I did. Any amount of waiting is very difficult. You could call her regular physician and ask directly whether it is likely she is looking at a cancer diagnosis. You may want to ask if the thickening of the omentum is likely due to the metastisized cancer. They won't ever tell you for sure what the problem is until after further evaluation, but may be more honest with you.