First 3 month follow-up with gyn/onc

Sisters,
I was unable to sleep the night before my first follow-up appointment (20th of Jan.) from nervousness (on top of my usual waking since surgery) so I'm exhausted. But an update...My exam went well and everything is healed nicely. I was surprised that I only had a pelvic exam...no pap. I just thought there would have been something else done since my hysterectomy was due to cancer.
I asked about symptoms of recurrence and was told that bleeding or unusual discharge are two signs. Also, a CT scan which I will be having closer to my hysterversary, would also indicate a recurrence.
While I thought the exam would be more complex, I will have to be satisfied, but cautious til my next appt. in April.

Love and hugs to all,
Kiki

Great news, Kiki!
So glad your checkup went well!

K9

Hi Kiki,
So very glad to learn that you are healing well and your first follow-up went well. I recall that I had more trouble sleeping around the 4-5 month post op markand things did not became normal, including sleep and energy level, until after my 6 month anniversary. Hope things get better in the sleep area soon; if not, perhaps your doc might prescribe a sleeping pill until they do.
s, peggiesue

Kiki23 I also had my appointment yesterday with my oncologist. Great news. My CA125 was a 4.6. No change since my last chemo in October. My visit to gyn/onc was Dec 20. He also did a pelvic but no pap test. I also thought that was wierd. My prayers are still with you. My next appointment is May 12, the one year anniversary of when I got out of hospital from my hysterectomy and cancer diagnosis.

Hope the scootch was as good as that news was!

Pap smears only pick up cervical cancer, or, rarely, vaginal cancer. Endometrial cancer is not the same thing and cannot be picked up with a pap smear.

I am so glad to hear that both of you had good checkups.

I had my check up on Monday, 18 months out from treatment. I can tell you that it gets easier. I was a complete wreck before my first few appointments after treatment. I couldn't sleep, I was a grouch with everyone for a week before, I was just so scared. That has largely gone away although I am still nervous when I go to the appointment.

Best,
Janie

I'm new to the board and have just been more or less lurking and reading posts.

I am so glad your checkup went well. I have mine next month (1st one- 3 months out). My GYN told me she will do a Pap smear because the type of cancer I had has a nasty habit of also appearing in the cervex.

It is scary but it is better than not going and the doc knows what to look for. I just wonder how acurate the Pap smears are though. I have heard horror stories about them not being read right.

Any one have thoughts on this?

Jean

It's a little odd that a pap wasn't done at your exam. I went yesterday for my 4th 3 month checkup after surgery for endometrial cancer. I've had a pap at every one. The explanation given was that the most likely place of recurrence is in the upper vaginal area and the pap (more correctly, the vault smear) would pick it up early. It's possible that the area was still inflamed and therefore would give abnormal results due to inflammation or something like that.

Why don't you call the Onc to see whay a pap wasn't done. It could ease your mind.

Denton56 -- Yes, the pap is used for monitoring endometrial cancer recurrences since they tend to reccur in the vagina.

Linda