endometrial cancer anyone?

I'm 44 and had to have TAH. On Nov. 7th I had a d&c because the doctor saw a polyp on a sonogram. The pathology report said the polyp was cancerous. I had the TAH on Nov. 11th with a gyn/oncologist assisting. both the gyn and gyn/oncologist felt 'good' about the cancer and did not feel it was necessary to take out my lymph nodes. The pathology report came back good from my uterus. The doctor said there was only precancerous cells on the uterus so the cancer was confined to the polyp and therefore confined to the uterus and I don't need to have radiation or chemo. I am so thankful and grateful to God for this good news but why can't I relax and stop worrying that I am not 'safe'. My question is has this happened like this to anyone else?Maybe if I hear it has I can feel 'normal'? Thanks.

Congratulations on a great report. While I did not have your kind of cancer, I can relate to the not feeling safe. Once we have a diagnosis of cancer, even when we are told it is gone, we still think it is going to come back. For some it does come back and for others it does not come back. As time goes by and you have good checkups, the feelings lessen. I usually don't think about it coming back until I am close to a checkup. So yes, I think the feeling is "normal."

Sit back and enjoy your Christmas celebration.

s
Jane

Hi fuschia5

I also had a dx of endometrial cancer, had a LAVH/BSO plus some lymph nodes removed to sample for spread. The pathology came back with less than 50% invasion of the uterine wall and clear lymph nodes, no further treatment required. The GYN/ONC said the risk of re-occurence was low and the 5-year "cure rate" about 95%.

As far as I'm concerned, I am on a plan for 5 years worth of follow-ups because there is that niggling 5%. I just try to make sure that the negative thoughts don't take over my life. We have to keep moving forward to maintain our sanity.

I found that the thoughts of cancer have been less frequent as time passes, and every time a negative thought intrudes, I thank the powers that be that I had great medical treatment, superior doctors and a good pathology report.

Now that I've made a short reply long, I think you are very normal for your stage of mental healing.

Best wishes for a smooth recovery and healthy 2006!

Hey Fuschia,

We're so lucky to have this diagnosis because it's so curable, but that doesn't stop the worrying. I finally had a meltdown a few weeks ago and the fears have diminished a lot since. My first post-op cancer check is 1/25; I'm trying to postpone my worrying until then and enjoy the holidays.

One of the sisters on this board commented that she doesn't want to be an 85-year old woman bitter and resentful because she wasted her life worrying about a recurrence! This thought has helped me a lot to set my fears aside.

Also, it helps me when I'm fretting to think that instead of worrying if it comes back, to think what if it doesn't come back, because the odds are much, much higher that it won't. So I should be thinking what if it doesn't come back.

We'll be with you on your journey. I've said the cancer kicked my butt in Round 1, but the rest are mine!

Hugs,
Pearl

A cancer diagnosis does change how you think. I know I don't feel as safe in the world as I once did. On the plus side, I hope I never take my health for granted and live more in the present.
I have heard that the "cancer thoughts" fade with time. A friend of mine has past her five years mark and never thinks of it anymore.
I still cannot bring myself to buy tickets for concerts that are a few months down the line. I'm almost superstitious about it.
This feeling better pass soon or I'll never get good seats again!!!

Fuschia,
My surgery was in Jan of '04; almost two years ago. The onc/gyn tested lymph nodes and did an abdominal wash and both came back negative & I had internal radiation 4 times just to be extra cautious. Still every three months when checkup time comes around that old "cancerhead" pops up. I'm sure as time goes by it will get easier but in the back of my mind that doubt will probably never fully go away; maybe that is good because it keeps me more aware of changes in my body.
One thing cancer has given me is an even greater appreciation for my family and friends and the ability to not sweat the small stuff.

Jean

Fushia
You could be telling my story. My endo ca (stage 1a, no further treatment)was discovered during a d and c to remove a polyp....to everyone's surprise my gyn found endo ca. I had a hyst with a gyn/onc a week later. This was over 3 years ago....I had been having horrible periods, in between gushers....My gyn said this was typical for a woman nearing perimenopause....she did a sono which revealed what she thought was a polyp....She assured me that a polyp was very common in perimeno and that I didnt fit the profile for uterine ca.....Boy were we all surprised.
I go for check ups every 6 months....I have to admit that I get a bit nervous, nothing like it was in the beginning about two weeks before the appt....I dont think the dx was ever off of my mind the first 2 yrs but I can go days without it even crossing my mind now....That is a good feeling.
A cancer dx does change you....It changes who you are. ..it changes how you look at your life, the world, family and what is important. I can not speak for others but I will never be the same person that walked into that out patient clinic to have a simple polyp removed and walked out with a ca dx....Thank God it was caught very early.....
If you have any questions please ask....Chris

Hi Fuscia, I just got the same diagnosis and my TAH/BSO is scheduled for the 3rd of January. My gyn/onc thinks surgery will be the only treatment necessary, still, until I find out for sure what the final path shows, I'll be worried, too. I'm glad yours came out well. Isn't it great to have such good support and the benefit of all those who have been there?

UK Yank

*Hi Fuscia, It has been 6 years since my surgery for endometrial cancer. My Dr. didn't feel it was necessary to remove any lymph nodes either. He said it was just in the early stage. I didn't have any treatments and every thing has been great since. I was 51.
The fears will subside with time. We were VERY lucky.
Candy

Hi, As you keep hearing your feelings right now are very normal. Having a cancer DX is very scary and its not easy to forget it was there and time is needed to overcome the uncertainty we all feel. You got a very good report and endometrial cancer which usually is slow growing has an excellent cure rate with surgery alone. As time passes you will begin to relax and worry less and less.
Having cancer also can make us re-evaluate what and whom are truly important in our lives and perhaps even think more about it's meaning; etc. and this can be something good coming out of a bad thing. Wishing you a continued smooth recovery.
s, peggiesue