Newly Diagnosed Endometrial Cancer grade 1-2

My name is Valerie. I'm 32 years old.

I've just been diagnosed with Endometrial cancer, after being watched for endometrial hyperplasia since January of this year. It's been a huge blow that the hormone therapy I thought was working successfully after a clean biopsy in May didn't work.

It's been graded at Grade 1, with a small amount progressing towards Grade 2.

I was thrilled to find your website as I've been feeling quite alone after getting the news. I met with my ob/gyn today who answered many questions and will be meeting with the gyn oncologist next week before having a hysterectomy sometime before the end of the year.

I look forward to the support of women who've been down this path already as I'm just beginning this journey. I welcome any thoughts or suggestions you might have.

Although I did not have hyperplasia, it sounds as if you and I have the same type of cancer. I had no symptoms other than one episode of spotting in January which led to tests and my hysterectomy two months later. As you can see from my signature, I had excellent results, and my gyn onc told me that was because the cancer was caught early.

My tumors were classifed as grade 2 before surgery and the gyn onc told me I might have to have internal radiation. They were downgraded after surgery and I needed no further treatment. I was told that the chance of recurrence was extremely rare.

It sounds as if you are doing all of the right things by keeping on top of your health inssues and consulting with a gyn onc regarding your surgery. I was a candidate for the daVinci procedure and cannot say enough good things about it. I had no surgical complications or after effects and was fully released without restrictions two weeks later. I requested copies of the surgical and pathology reports and found them to be very interesting reading.

What I was not prepared for, and what I found the most difficult, is that the healing process itself takes a long time. I am almost nine months post op and finally beginning to feel as if my energy and stamina levels are about back to what they were before the surgery.

To strengthen my immume system going forward, I am working on a regular exercise program, eating more healthfully, enhancing my spiritual life and using tools such as meditation to counteract stress. I am trying to wrap my head around the idea that putting myself first is not a cardinal sin, but necessary for my good health.

As others have said, "welcome to the club no one wants to join." However, I have found that dealing with cancer has made me stronger as no other experience has. I know you will be hearing from other hystersisters shortly, as this is a very supportive place.

I hope and pray for the best for you. Please be sure to keep us posted on what is going on with you.

Hopeful:
So sorry that you have to join our club, but you will find more info here than anywhere on the outside... As Gerry said, these cancers are usually found very early and the quite often the surgyer is"curative". Hoping and praying that this will be what happens with you.

Valerie,
It is so difficult and scary to hear the word cancer but you have been diagnosd early and that is very important. Both my gyn and my gyn/onc told me when I got my "suspect" endometrial cancer DX 5 plus years ago that it was the type to get if cancer struck,as symptoms appear early and thus it is removed before it can progress to a higher stage and this also means often surgery alone can be the full cure. Although I was a 1B, I did not need further treatment and this summer I reached the wonderful 5 year mark. Many individual factors are weighed before the docs make a decision to use chemo or radiation.
As you gyn is doing, my gyn immediately consulted with a gyn/onc; I also had a consult with him. Within 5 weeks of the dx- and I stalled for 2 of these being in denial- my surgery was done.. The gyn began the surgery but gyn/onc came in and did the necessary additional procedures including an abdominal wash and check of lymphnodes. They both visited me in the hospital but the gyn/onc gave me the final DX also reassuring me things looked very good, etc. In fact he said if I wanted I could go to my gyn during my 5 year follow-up appointments which I did (she works very closely with him on many cases.) I saw him once when I had symptoms that disturbed me thinking a recurrence might be there.
As your dx is cancer, I 'd suggest you consider having the gyn/onc do the entire surgery; they are the experts and that is what we want with cancer. I would have had the gyn/onc do the entire surgery if I knew cancer had definitively been there.
Pls come here with any questions and/or when a hug might be helpful. We've been there and done that and are here for you. Also someone always seems to be around just about 24/7 if you have a sleepless night, etc. I'll be keeping you in prayer. Pls keep us updated.

Hello Valerie. I'm sorry you are having to experience a cancer diagnosis. I've had second stage breast cancer (25 years ago), and most recently an endometrial cancer diagnosis. I had a d and c for post menopausal bleeding and that pathology indicated complex hyperplasia with atypia, so I was scheduled for a total abdominal hysterectomy with removal of tubes and ovaries. When final pathology came back, I was upgraded to endometrial cancer, stage 1a, grade 1. As was already mentioned, early stage endometrial cancer is highly curable and the surgery is often the only treatment. There is usually close follow up for five years, with frequent vaginal swabs and periodic other tests. No one wants to hear the "c" word, but surgical treatment alone gives a very high non-recurrence rate. It is doable, Valerie.

I'm almost seven weeks post hyster and I am making a good recovery. Of huge importance is taking it very easy following your surgery so that you heal well. There are loads of tips on this site and many women who are lovingly supportive, so ask away if you have questions. For me, the period of time leading up to the hysterectomy was the toughest---nervous anticipation. It's a good time to be in touch with sisters here who know what it feels like. We'll want to know how you are doing along the way too!

My very best wishes to you, Valerie and a gentle hug.

Barb A.

Hi Valerie
Add me to the other ladies who are doing well after treatment for endo cancer. I was diagnosed in March 2006 and it was grade and stage one and I too was told it was a "curative"operation at such an early stage so I required no further treatment. I am pleased to tell you that I just had a check up in November and all is well. I thought the end of the world had come when I was diagnosed but I am at ease with it now and the experience has made me stronger. Good luck-I am sure you will be fine!
uk lady

Valerie,
When I was diagnosed with endo cancer I thought it was a death sentence, I was so scared. My DH & I met with a GYN/ONC and it was explained that caught early endo cancer is curable usually with only surgey. In my case I did have internal radiation as a follow up; that will be five years ago this January and I'm doing great.
While this may not be the best place to meet women the women you meet here are the best, they will be here to support you and answer any and all questions you might have. Let us know how you are doing and I'll keep you in my prayers.
Jean

Thank you ladies for your words of encouragement. They really help to calm me as I wait to get a surgery date scheduled. I keep telling myself that things could be much worse... most of the time it helps, but the rest of the time I'm still pretty overwhelmed by the combined blow of losing my chance to bear children and the cancer diagnosis.

I'm trying to keep myself busy... both with things to prepare for the surgery and with things to keep my mind off of the news and try to act "normally". I've already learned so much that I wouldn't have thought of, by exploring the site.

I still have lots of questions. One of them is: Is there anything you wish you would have asked of your doctor beforehand?

I would ask-is it possible to have a baby first and then have the hysterectomy? That is not so mad as it sounds. I have heard of this before because endo cancer is so slow growing. The other question I would definitely ask at your young age is-do you have to take my ovaries? (that is if they have said they are going to) I was 54 when I my TAH/BSO and there was absolutely no sign of any spread to my ovaries but they were taken anyway. I have wished every day since then that I had been told of the consequences as I may have chosen to keep them.It is a hard ride without them I am sorry to say!
uk lady

I have to agree with UK lady on that one... I was just "told" that I would have to lose everything, cause the cancer would likely go there if they left in the ovaries...
I have gained a bit of weight, my skin is dry and I swear I can hear my bones creaking now. Also I have some issues with bladder control now that I never had. I just keep telling myself it is the "New " me. I did ask about heart-health cause estrogen does keep a woman's risk of heart disease down...