Cervical Cancer Stage 1

Hi everybody!! New to this site not sure where I should post this question I have..........I have been waiting for two months to see an gyn surgeon who can deal with my cervical cancer. Should I be worried? I was told cervical issues can develop rapidly. That it isn't a slow process? Have I been misinformed?

Also, if you don't keep your ovaries and you can't take hormones.......what do you do ?

I have an appointment on the 8th of May and have a million questions for him, but am curious now LOL !


Thanks, Melanie

and to Hystersisters MiniMoe

First of all, please be sure that you are being seen by a gyn/onc. They are the only ones who should perform any gyn cancer surgeries. If you have to wait to see a gyn/onc, it is worth it.

Most of us cancer patients do not take any HRT. Everyone deals with that in a little different way. In my case, I have hot flashes, but they are manageable.

Keep us posted on how you do. We are here to help 24/7.

MiniMoe,
What kind of cervical cancer do you have? It is usually slow growing, but mine was not. Why are you having to wait so long to see a gyn/oncologist? Do you live in Canada?

SQuamous cell cervical cancer is not hormone driven so you can take some hormones after surgery.

Be sure to write down all of your questions and take the list to the gyn/oncologist. Make sure he answers all your questions. It would also be helpful if someone went with you for another pair of ears.

Best,
Janie

Hi MiniMoe - I would be uncomfortable waiting so long to see a gyn/onc. The cancer I had was also fast growing, but, as Jane said, most cervical cancer grows slowly.

I will not take HRT; I know that others do, though. It's an individual decision. The hot flashes I experience are very uncomfortable. I began taking Black Cohash (an herb) for them and I have fewer of them. Many women report complete relief from menopausal symptoms after taking this herb for a couple of months.

Keep us posted about your condition.

I agree with the others - 2 months is a long time to wait, especailly as you are going to need further tests pre treatment.

I have just started on HRT - I'm 38 and high risk for bone trouble (used to be a dancer) and various other issues so for me it was a simple decision. I take tibilone (livial) which is slightly different to most HRTs, but I'm not sure it's available in the US. I've only been on it for 10 days so it's not made a huge difference yet, but the hot flushes (flashes!) seem to be less frequent already.

Z x

I agree as well, 2 months seems like a very long time to wait - I was originally scheduled for mine 2 weeks after the results of my cone biopsy (I already knew I had cancer about a week prior to that, but my gyn wanted to perform the cone to be sure that it was invasive, since my ECC/punch biopsies were inconclusive). And I felt that the 2 weeks was a long time; luckily my MIL had some connections and pulled a few strings for me to see a gyn/onc in one weeks time. After that, things moved very quickly. From what I could tell, they don't like to let this go on longer than it needs to (and rightfully so).

Are there many gyn/oncs in your area? Maybe if there are very few, they are really busy with patients and it's difficult to be seen quickly? I would see if there is another doctor that you could get in to see sooner. I am in agreement that this type of cancer *usually* grows slowly, but that isn't always the case. And after your initial appointment, there are going to be further diagnostic tests (it will vary, I had a chest x-ray, bloodwork, CT scan and cystoscopy in my case) --- those will take even more time before you begin treatment.

Please keep us posted and let us know how you're doing.

Thanks for the responses. The reason I am having to wait so long is because I am outta work so I depend upon our state Insurance and its like they drag their butts because I am not a high priority insurance. It is awful I feel that way but Ido. As for the kind of cancer am not sure yet. I will get that answer on the 8th. The place where I went to was just so they could refer me to a gyn surgeon. As for gyn oncologist I am not sure he is that. I have never met this Doctor........I am flying blind. The community where Iive doesn't even have an oncologist they all travel. The healthcare here is horrible as far as in our little area. I have to drive an hour and a half to get to this new Doc so we will see. I appreciate the advice and will make a list of questions to take to this Doc.


Melanie

Hi Melanie - The waiting must be driving you crazy. I'm so sorry you're having to wait. I'd like to say that you should call someone and demand an appointment tomorrow, but I wouldn't know whom you should call. I know your appointment is only five days from now, but five days can seem like twenty-five when you know you have cancer. in there!

Who staged the cancer?

My little town has oncologists and gynocologists, but the ob/gyn I saw told me they are not qualified to deal with cancer. Therefore, I drove 5-7 hours one way (depending on if I want to fight big-city traffic or not) to a gynocologist/oncologist for the surgery and treatment. I still go there for follow-up treatments and will until I hit the five-year mark because they're more qualified to deal with a gyn cancer.

Shoot for the best treatment you can get, Melanie. Don't let them give you second-best.

Take care,

Thanks for the support and I am trying to find the best doctor qualified to help with my situation but the dr list is limited also because of the insurance it bites honestly.

The cancer was staged by the second gyn I had went to after the first one told me he couldn't help me anymore. He had done the ablation of the uterus supposedly along with a dnc and a lap to figure out what all was in there. But after the surgery he told me it was too complicated of a procedure. I think he did that because the next day after the surgery infection had set up and he had to remove the stitches the day after surgery because they were so tight and infection was in there. So it was another doctor in the big town and she did her own tests and came up with cervical cancer stage 1. The doctor who did the surgery didn't come up with it and I honestly don't know how he missed it. But anyways..........I will post what the dr. tells me on Monday. But I have a feeling he will want to do his own tests and blah blah.............you know how it goes......

Thanks for your support. I really appreciate having somewhere to come and talk about these issues. My family isn't close so all I have are my kids and my foster parents...............

Melanie

I sympathize with you. I, too have had long drives to get good care in the big city. (I live on an island and have to take a ferry and then drive two hours). It is worth it, though. I am on my third doctor. I got referred to a cervical cancer specialist by my OB-GYN but it was a two month wait so I pushed and ended up getting referred to an excellent female GYN-ONC. Hang in there. It is tough waiting. I meet my GYN-ONC tommorow . (We have had a lot of phone consultations because I live so far away and I feel my questions got answered, which is really important.) Good luck!