newly diagnosed

Well, here I am to introduce myself, to learn about this disease and to receive and to offer others support as I learn more.

I learned 3 weeks ago that I have a 4cm tumor on my cervix. The shocking news sent me into a tailspin and I have been back and forth to doctors on almost a daily basis. The bottom line is that I will be operated next week, on 5/19; radical hysterectomy.

Fear and grief periodically overtake me. I don't know how advanced the cancer is yet, what stage or cell type. I don't understand all the terminology as yet. I'm taking it one day at a time.

It's pretty freaky being a part of this community.

Welcome Lantana,

The waiting is the awful part, and believe me, we know how you feel. You will be so glad you found this site. Everyone is so understanding and supportive. Maybe your tumor will turn out to be benign. Are you having a gyn/onc do your surgery? They are the experts when cancer is suspected. Remember to relax and take good care of yourself after surgery and keep us posted when you feel up to it.

's

Hi Lantana, and to Cancer Concerns. I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but I'm glad you found your way to us.

How was this discovered? It sounds like you've seen tons of doctors; have you seen a gynecological oncologist yet? They are the best trained doctors when it comes to gyn cancers. If you havent' seen one yet, I urge you to do so before your surgery.

Fear of the unknown is a very big issue here. I had it pretty easy, I suppose, because I had complete faith in my doctor, who pretty much laid it all on the table for me, so I knew many different possible scenarios...and that made a world of difference in my mindset.
I hope you have such a relationship with your doctor.

Freaky, maybe...a cancer support board wouldn't be my first choice of hang-outs....but this is a great community for support and information. You're in the right place!

In the meantime, have you discovered our pre-op forum yet?
There you will find all sorts of info and support regarding your upcoming surgery.

Best,
K9
ps..Lantana, Cricket brings up a very valid point...how do they know this tumor is malignant?

As the others have said, I hope that a gynecologic oncologist is doing your surgery. They are the doctors to have do surgery when cancer is suspect. Hopefully, your tumor will be benign. Good suggestion to go to pre-op too. Over there you can ask any question and get answers. Also why not pull down the Hyster Sisters Quick Links at the top? They have great information there as well. This is a great community.

Hi ((Lantana))

Of course none of us would chose this forum and it certainly can feel :freaky" etc. at first ; but you'll find some of the finest, caring, supportive, intelligent women anywhere right here.

As several ladies already have suggested and almost all here without exception will say, please have a gyn/onc at the least ready to take over your op should cancer be found. I too of course hope the tumor is benign. Please do make use of the other forums and things like the "check lists", etc. which may help you get through, at least, the surgery more easily.

I will be keeping you in .

s, peggiesue

Best wishes to you Lantana - it is such a terrible time. I hope that you will find that as time goes on the fear and sadness and anger fades and you feel as though you can live again.

I assume that because you are booked to have a radical hysterectomy that your doctor has done biopsies to ascertain that this is malignant (a cancer), although I will hope for you that the disease is not advanced further than your cervix.

Please listen to the other women when they encourage you to make sure that a gynecologic oncologist is doing the radical hysterectomy.

Please let us know how you are going, and good luck for next week

Hi Lantana

although I'm sure you'd rather be anywhere but here, I'm happy you found us. Strength in numbers!

I'm one month out from my cervical cancer diagnosis and I feel what you feel. It's an awful roller coaster for sure.

What helps is asking questions of all the wonderful women here. It has helped me feel better, although I'm still scared, it certainly is comforting to know you're not alone in this.

Although I know you are scared about the surgery, it's better I think to get it taken care of quickly. Waiting is the worst...

big hug!

Hi Lantana,

All I can say is welcome fellow Long Islander. Everyone else gave you wonderful advice and words of wisdom.

Where on LI do you live and what hospital are you having your surgery at? We might even be using the same gynecological/oncologist. You are having one perform the surgery for you, I hope.

I am from Massapequa and had my surgery at North Shore in Manhasset.

Hope to hear from you soon.
Rosalie

Lantana:

I am so sorry about your diagnosis. A cancer dx is usually something that will leave you in shock for a while. I had thought that I would never need to hang out at a website like this, but at this hang-out there are the most wonderful and supportative people that you will ever have the opportunity to meet. I hope that you take advantage of everyone's knowledge and caring; it will make the journey less scary and lonely.
I also want to add that I hope that a gyno-onco is performing the procedure because they are experts in cervical cancer. I wish you the best and please keep us updated on your condition.
________
L- endo. 1(b), 3: TAH/BSO

I haven't been online for a couple of days. Soooo busy between my daily life concerns of kids and work, and then adding doctor and hospital appointments.

Your replies to my posting leave me speechless. Thank you all for your interest and supportive words.

I guess I should have been more specific about the tumor that was discovered by my gyn. I did have a biopsy and this 4cm monstrosity is definitely malignant. In my mind it is a monster trying to destroy me. I will not go without a fight. I do agree that the faster this thing is out of me the better. The day is coming closer and closer for my surgery. It's only 4 days away. As I count down, I will keep in touch.

My greatest fear at this point is not so much the hysterectomy (although that in itself is nothing to look forward to, especially since the ovaries have to go too and my hormones will go crazy afterwards). My greatest fear is that when my doctor, (who by the way is a gynecological oncologist), samples the lymph nodes in the abdomen, he will find more evidence of cancer.

I had breast cancer several years ago, but the tumor was tiny and I needed no further treatment. I felt so lucky. I'm not sure I'll be so lucky this time. I always have had my paps throughout the years. I was late this year, of all years, and had it done at a year and a half instead of the usual yearly pap. How could this thing have grown so big in so short a time?

I have to focus on things one step at a time. Can't think about the "what ifs"... Get through the surgery...hear what the doctor has to say afterwards.