Told last week I have endometrial cancer, stage 1..in shock!

Hello,

I am new to hs pages. I found you guys years ago when I had heavy bleeding and fibroid the size of an orange. At that time, I became sick with influenza and had to cancel. Since menopause came within the next year or so, I did not reschedule. I have a private practice and do not have sick time (what's that!!

Last Friday I received the results of my endometrial biopsy. I had unusual bleeding and went in a week ago. The PA told me I have endometrial cancer, stage 1. I am still finding it hard to believe, as I am healthy, do yoga, eat well. I know my mother had "stomach cancer", and she died at age 42. She did not tell me much, and didn't answer questions, so I don't know if she had uterine cancer. I do know she waited a very long time before going to the doctor, so was probably in later stages.

Anyway, I am scared. Scared of surgery, scared of the "c" word and finding myself examining shower gel labels, lotions, cosmetics, and throwing out diet soda and plastic water bottles.

I will see the doctor today and find out my surgery date. I look forward to being part of the forum. I found it very helpful years ago and refer my clients to the site often.

I would appreciate any help with using the site, finding out how to prepare for the surgery, and anyone else who has the same dx I do. Thanks

Ann

Geez, you guys, I have never seen so many emoticons in my life!!!

Hi sweetheart

I had the exact same diagnosis as you in March 2006.
I was scared too. I heard the word "cancer" and I thought my world had come to an end. Like you I was very fit and healthy and it came as a huge shock.

Well firstly, if you are going to get cancer then early stage endometrial is the "best" one to get because it is sooo curable. You may have already been told this-how the fact that the uterus is such a thick muscle and that in the early stages the cancer does not penetrate the walls.

It is still a dreadful shock though and at present you may not be able to take this on board as much as you will after your surgery.

Within a week of diagnosis,( by biopsy and sonogram) I had an MRI scan. They injected blue dye into my tubes and ovaries to check it hadn't spread. I think this is normal procedure. Within a week of that I went in for my surgery, which invoved a total abdominal hysterectomy and also removal of ovaries and tubes.

I recovered really quickly and went home after 5 days. I then had to wait for the result of the staging and grading and it came back as grade one and stage one.
This meant I required no further treatment, No radiotherapy or chemo-just regular check ups.

I was not allowed any HRT afterwards because the cancer was estrogen fed so I went into a pretty severe surgical menopause.
Last March I went for my 6 monthly check up and was signed off by the surgeon as cured-after only three years-isn't that marvellous?

He put me on a low dose patch but my body has rejected it-I cannot tolerate too much estrogen now, but I actually don't feel I need it any more apart from a little vaginally along with testosterone for libido.

I have gone back to my healthy lifestyle. I swim three times a week, walk and cycle and I feel fine

You will be fine too-I am sure.

If you want to ask me anything else please feel free to do so. There are quite a few other ladies here who have had the same diagnosis as you and I and mostly they are doing fine. Hopefully they will be along with some more reassurance.

Good luck with the surgery and keep us posted


uk lady

Hi Ann,
I don't have the same dx, just stopped by to wish you good luck. Take care! We all know on the CC forum how scary it is to get the cancer dx.

Hugs to ya. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Ann,

Stopping by to give you big HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!

I am thinking of you. Please keep us posted!

Tracy~

Ann -

Wow does this bring back memories. My 1 year hysterversary will be 11/24/2009. I received my unexpected news of endometrial cancer after being diagnosed from my D&C on 11/3/2009 so you can see how quickly things moved. 3 weeks from diagnosis to surgery.

I was in the same shock that you are now so I am sending you huge right now.

Things you might find helpful....you can have laproscopic surgery. This is contrary to what some Drs say. Mine was done via the daVinci robotic system. It is best if the surgery is done by a gynecological oncologist because they are trained in both female anatomy and the cancer side of things. Some gyn oncs allow you to keep your ovaries, although mine did not. Some are saying now that for early stage cancers that it is okay, others say that the cancer is estrogen based so they want the ovaries removed...research and ask your doctor about it. Although my Dr. took my ovaries he understands quality of life issues and although he would have preferred that I stay off of hormones for 2 years the surgical menopause was taking its toll and he has allowed my uro-gyn to prescribe low dose vaginal estrogen and low doses of testosterone.

We are here to help you through all the emotions and questions.



G.

Hi there, I was you last February.
Endo biopsy showed Grade 1, I believe you mean grade, because they cannot stage it until your surgery.
One thing is that with grade 1, your risks of having an advanced stage is quite low. Grade is how the cancer looks under the microscope, with grade 1 being closest in appearance to the original cell type and grade 3 least resembling it.
I hope your visit today answers your questions,
Best wishes
Janet

Add me to the list sending you healing vibes and good wishes.

I was in your shoes in July, and just finished preventative radiation treatment yesterday.

My mother also died young (53) of what I thought was stomach cancer. I was only 13 when she died, so no one was sharing details with me. I learned 4 years ago that it was colon cancer when my brother had to have his bowel resectioned due to so many pre-cancerous polyps.

Anyway, while surgery and any associated treatments are not fun, they are very doable and you will come through this even stronger than you were before.

I am sorry that you have to join our club, but you won't find a better place for advice, Hugs, and just a place to vent. Most of us have experienced what you are going thru, so please feel free to come here 24/7... Someone is usually on here.
The only thing I want to add, is please take the time to make sure a gyn/onc is at least present... There have been stories, of people just having their gyne do the surgery and then needing a 2nd staging surgery... This can be prevented. I waited a month to get a gyn/onc on board and it was well worth the wait.

Hi Ann. I had a total abdominal hysterectomy with removal of tubes and ovaries last Oct. 29, for complex hyperplasia with atypia. When pathology came back, it was stage one, grade one endometrial cancer. I did very well with the surgery and recuperation and am so thankful that my cancer was caught early enough not to require further treatment. I am being followed closely with frequent office visits, vaginal cuff smears, CT scans and chest x-rays. The chance of non recurrence is high at early stage and low grade, but vigilance is necessary.

I had a long wait between finding out the need for surgery and having the surgery done, and the wait was the hardest part of the whole thing. Please continue to write and if you have specific questions, ask away.

I'm sorry you are part of our "club", but once the shock of the diagnosis is done and you have a treatment plan, you will be taking all the right steps toward good health. I'm thinking about you and wishing you well!

Barb A.