Endometrial Cancer

I have been posting on the Hysterectomy Options and Alternatives forum. I was scheduled for a D & C & Hysteroscopy last week because of post menopausal bleeding. I went to the Dr. today to get the results of that and the doctor told me that I have stage 1 endometrial cancer. He mentioned something about a tumor, but I don't remember exactly what he said. I was so upset at that point.

He said that I will need my uterus, cervix and some lymph nodes removed. I had my tubes, ovaries and my appendix removed in 2003, so those are out. He is referring me to a cancer specialist.

I have so much going through my head right now, which I am sure a lot of you can relate to. I am so thankful for this site. I found it after I had my previous surgery. It is comforting to communicate with ones who know where I am coming from at this point.

I am worried about the diagnosis, but also about my job, bills and etc. But, now that I have had time for the initial shock to settle in, I realize that my health is most important right now and that the other things will just have to fall into place.

I am also realizing how thankful I am right now that it was discovered early on. I had been having bleeding for some time and switched dr.'s when time for yearly exam. I am so thankful that I decided to do that. My pap and breast exam came back ok. But, the bleeding is what initiated the further testing.

Well, sorry this is long and thank you for listening. I just needed to vent.

Tatermist03

I could have written your post... I think this is the first sign (many times) of endo cancer for us post menopausal women... I had my spotting for about a week.. Scheduled a pap (it came back normal) so he did the D&C/hysterscope a month later...came back endo...
Pap in late November07 -- hyst late Jan 08.
What I would like to say is that I wish I would have seen a previous post.
I ended up with malignant cells in my wash .. Both doctors feel that may have come from the hysterscope. It puts pressure on the uterus and sometimes forces cells out of the uterus & thru the tubes.. This upgraded me from stage 1 to stage III because the cells were found elsewhere.
I don't mean to scare you ... just inform you aand hopefully everything has been caught early and you will need no further treatment... Feel free to p.m. me if you like..

The only thing that I would hope could come from us getting this, is that the gynes would inform women about this... If you get some spotting come in... I had no idea that this was a sign of cancer...

When that doctor says, "you have cancer," we all know how gut-wrenching (emotionally and physically!) that is....It is so hard to get through those first few days after diagnosis.

Take things one step at a time...many of us will be chiming in here to help you out. Your doctor has done the right thing by immediately referring you to a cancer doctor.

Now you need to concentrate only on getting through that appointment and exam, and listening to what the doctor has to recommend. Take someone with you to the appointment if you can...a spouse, sister, friend...if you can. Tell them their only "job" is to listen hard to what the doctor has to say because, well, we are all slightly numb with worry when it's us with the diagnosis.

Then when you get a date for surgery, you worry about pre-op tests, etc., and getting your "ducks in a row" at work and at home to prep.

Then, and only then, you worry about the actual surgery and the followup diagnosis.

We will be here for you...to hold your hand, give you shoulders to lean on, and ease your worries.

Keep us up on things as you go along. Keep in mind how many of us have had really lousy diagnoses and have made it through. You will too!!!

Tatermist03,

Good for you that you were able to sit down at a computer and share your story so soon. You are a strong woman.

My only symptom was one incident of spotting. An endometrial biopsy was unable to retrieve enough tissue for a diagnosis because my cervix had toughened with age so I had a D&C with hysterscope. However, when I had my hysterectomy, the gyn onc did not find any indication that cancer cells had spread anywhere. He took only 6 lymph nodes - 1 from the left side and 5 from the right side, where I had a cyst on the ovary - the cyst turned out to be benign.

Before my surgery, the gyn onc was talking about the possibility of internal radiation, but after surgery, he told me no further treatment would be needed. After surgery, my tumor was downgraded in severity, from a grade 2 to a grade 1-2. The gyn onc also told me the possibility of a recurrence was "extremely rare." I have had no complications from surgery and was released without restrictions two weeks after surgery. In many ways, the outcome has been much more positive than I expected.

I now understand that I must take good care of myself first. I have been changing my eating habits - still working on the exercise - and concentrating on my faith and stress relief. I believe these approaches will help to strengthen my immune system and lessen the possibility of a recurrence.

There is a good web site, cancerandcareers.org, that provides a lot of info about managing your job and cancer. The insurance forms are particularly helpful.

In response to Pattie O's comment about spotting, my neighbor has told me that she is telling my story to all of her friends and family, to emphasize how important it is to deal with spotting. That makes me happy.

My only "bumps in the road" have been that my insurance - a major, major carrier - has so far denied my hysterectomy on the basis of medical necessity, which I find almost laughable. The other bump in the road has been the attitude at my office, but in actuality, the people there are only being themselves - I just chose to overlook it before.

Wow, I have rambled on but I hope you have found some of this information helpful. I hope it will be a comfort to know that you are in my prayers - I found prayers of family and friends to be a tremendous support through all of this.

No matter your outcome, there are many hystersisters here with a wide variety of experiences and tons of knowledge to share. It is such a blessing to have them. They are wonderful role models and truly an inspiration because of their spirit and love of life.

I am sure you are in a state of shock right now as we all have been there... hearing the C word just sends us reeling...at first..trust me things will get better...

Cheryl

Everyone on this forum knows the shock and world-changing experience of a cancer diagnosis. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer after a D & C in late April '08, after years of spotting between periods (and my gynecologist telling me that I shouldn't worry about it). It took a new gynecologist for me, too, to be concerned about the bleeding and follow up with tests. You are doing everything right in consulting a gyn/oncologist. I found this part -- the weeks after the original diagnosis and before surgery -- very difficult emotionally. I'm glad that you're here -- this forum is full of wonderfully supportive, knowlegable, and couragous people who will see you through this, as they have done and are doing for me.

take care,
Regina

Welcome to the "club" -- and I'm sorry you've had to join!

I had my TAH/BSO a year ago. I was pre-menopause (42 years old) with abnormally heavy periods. An ultrasound found what looked like a benign polyp, but after a hysteroscopic procedure to remove it, the lab results came back early stage endo cancer.

My surgery and recovery went much more smoothly than I'd expected, and I wish you the same. Glad you found us! We're here for you.

LAVH on the 12th for the same thing. It was very hard before the surgery and the ladies on here were wonderful to be so encouraging. I am still finding my way. You will be able to do this and it will be good that you did. We will be praying for you and let us know how you are doing.
Jeanie

Hi Tatermist03,
A cancer dx is always scary and off course the illness affects many aspects of our lives. You are so wise to focus on the only issue that really matter now - getting back to good health. You have an intelligent gyn who immediately is sending you to a cancer specialist. As you've probably heard, early stage endometrial cancer often is cured by the surgery alone and I am hoping this will occur for you.
Don't hesitate to come here with any questions, etc. as you'll see there are many women here who've dealt with this cancer. Pls let us know how your appointment with the cancer specialist goes; I hope you develop good rapport as having confidence in one's doctor can be so important. I'll be keeping you in thought and prayer.
s

Thank you so much Peggiesue. I'll tell you this last week and a half I have lived on this site. When I feel down, I come here and read and it makes me feel better.

I just heard from my Dr. office today with my referral. I go July 28 to see the oncologist. The first choice he had for me wouldn't take me cause I am self pay so he is sending me to a different one who will take self pay. I am checking with different places to see what financial help there is out there for me.

I am trying to keep a positive attitude going into this. I still feel kinda numb like when I think about my diagnosis. It is still hard to believe, but after coming here I realize this is more common than I ever thought. Sometimes when i think about things, I start to cry for a bit then I get past that. It is like my emotions are all over the place.

I am going to return to work tomorrow. I think this will be good for me to get back into a regular routine. They have papers for me to sign for medical leave and etc. This way I can go to dr. appts right now and not have to worry about attendance issues.

Thanks again and I just appreciate everyone here so much.

Tatermist03