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Rick, Lori, Caitlin and Nick Fernandes are die-hard Patriots fans and enjoy tailgating at Gillette Stadium.



           What It Means to

           Get a Second Opinion




                                                                   But the visit with her ob-gyn did nothing to reassure
              C        aitlin and Nick Fernandes held hands and   them. “Very large” turned out to be 22 centimeters—the
                       waited for the black and white image of
                       their baby to appear on the monitor. At the
                                                                 size of a soccer ball. The cyst had encapsulated Caitlin’s
                       last ultrasound, all they’d seen was a tiny   left ovary. It would have to be removed, and hopefully it
           blip on the screen. Today they hoped to hear a heartbeat.   wouldn’t burst in the process because if the fluid inside
           Instead, the ultrasound tech gave them disappointing   the cyst gets into the body it can cause lifelong pain
           news: the pregnancy had not progressed. Caitlin would   and fertility problems. Her ovary could not be saved.
           almost certainly have a miscarriage. She should follow   The left fallopian tube would also have to come out.
           up with her ob-gyn in a week.                         Surgery should take place as soon as possible—within
             But the couple didn’t even have time to process the   a couple days.
           sad news because of what the ultrasound tech said next:   Caitlin’s mind swirled with questions. How is this
           “There’s also this.”                                  happening? How can there be such a huge dangerous
             Pointing to the screen she showed them a large black   thing inside me without me knowing? Do I have cancer?
           mass with lines running through it. “It looks like a very   “Will you do any testing while I’m on the operating
           large cyst.”                                          table?” Caitlin asked.
                                                                   Her doctor replied that she would not test the cyst

           A Cyst the Size of a Soccer Ball                      while Caitlin was under anesthesia, explaining that if the
                                                                 results indicated cancer, she might be tempted to remove
           Caitlin and Nick went home and tried not to worry     more than was necessary. In her stunned state, Caitlin
           while they waited a week for the appointment with     heard the phrase “possible hysterectomy.”
           Caitlin’s ob-gyn.



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