Pre Cancer cells found after I decided to have a hyst...

Hello All.

Thank you for listening, here are my disjointed thoughts:

I originally intended to literally skulk around on this site. My doctor and I had decided that a partial hysterectomy would be the best thing for me about a month ago. I'm 32 and for the past two years I've had bleeding problems with seemingly no cause. After exhausting limited options due to a mis-shaped uterus, we had settled on hysterectomy. UNTIL... My last pap came back pre-cancer. Now I just need to reach out. I just had a biopsy and am waiting for the "type" or severity of pre-cancer/cancer. Who ever said when the doc says the "c" word your brain shuts off was right! She had this paper with acronyms on it to explain the severity of my PAP results and at the bottom of the page in big letters below my test result was CANCER. (Really? Was that paper necessary?) I just sat there with my paper "towel" covering me waiting for her to do the biopsy, not sure what to say and shivering. (It was a really cold room!) After a less than pleasant biopsy, I now wait. I go between wanting to talk to friends and family and to not wanting to worry them. Part of me says...okay, well you were going to have a hysterectomy anyway, just take the cervix too... The other part of me is freaked out... I'm 32, this doesn't make sense.
I know many of you have been where I am and I thank you for being here, supporting each other.

That's all I have for now...

Tschuss

(((GiddyupBoo)))

We're so very sorry you're dealing with this but glad you found us!

The "good" news is it sounds like things have been caught early when they are most treatable -- even curable.

Has your doc mentioned seeing a gyn/onc (gynecological oncologist)? They are the experts for gyn cancer/pre-cancers, and we strongly recommend them. After all, you want the very best for your health!

Hang in there, sweetie! We know it's all very scary and overwhelming. Just remember, lots of us here made it, and if we did, SO CAN YOU!!


monami

I too hated to see the word CANCER on any of my medical records . You will be better off if you see a GYN/ONC, I force myself to use the word Cancer when sharing my experience with friends and family, You see their eyes glass over . No one likes THAT word, I am 6 mos post surgery and try to have positive thoughts about my future Good Luck and keep the faith Kiele

to the forum no one wants to join but where you'll find many kind, supportive ladies who will do their best to help you. The "C" word always is frightening to hear. It looks like you've caught things very early which is very important.
I also strongly recommend you at least have a consult with a gyn/onc, the cancer specialists.. Pls don't hesitate to ask any question or come here anytime as someone seems to be around just about 24/7.

Thank you ladies for your support!

When I go back for my test results I will ask my GYN for a referral to the GYN oncologist. I'm sure I'm not the first one to feel this, but part of me thinks that I am telling my OBGYN "I don't trust you" if I ask to see the oncologist, especially if it ends up being less than a high grade pre-cancer. That said, I see the need for a specialist since my own OBGYN is much more "OB" focused. I'm usually the only non preggers patient in the waiting room! That and she had to rush out after my biopsy for a delivery...

Many blessing to you all

Hi GiddypBoo-
I can relate to your fear of the "C" word. I had a routine Pap and my regular doctor called me with the results saying high grade abnormal cells. She immediately referred me to an GYN/Onocologist. He did a biopsy on the first visit and when the results of that came back he decded a LEEP procedure should be the next step. I had all the faith in the world with the doctor, I figured he was the specalist after all. I had the LEEP and it came back showing CIN III going all the way to the edges of the cervix. He told me that I had a couple of options; one being close monitoring over the next several months or a total hysterectomy. He personally felt that the close monitoring was a little risky due to the edges of the cervix being involved. I decided to go with the hysterectomy and am totally happy with my decision. I had a RALH on June 22nd and the pathoogy report came back with NED(no evidence of disease) and I am so relieved. We caught it before things progressed any further
My recovery has gone very smoothly- minimal pain. It is hard to remember not to do too much! I was very appreciative of all the recomendations I read on this site: have GAS-Ex on hand as well as stool softeners. I did some shopping and have a few pairs of pants with the wide stretchy waistband which are a real lifesaver.
Hang in there, we are all here for you. You have found this site which is such a tremendous help while going through all this.

GiddyupBoo -

You are not being disloyal to your Dr. you are being protective of your own health. My perspective is "it's my body and I have to live with the results so I want an A team on my case".

Ob-gyn's are more focused on pregnancy and delivery; gyn-oncs are focused on female reproductive cancers. They are trained in what to look for and what procedures to do to get a full staging of your cancer. Also they are best versed in the cancer follow-up.

Also after this point you may decide that even once you are beyond a gyn-oncs care that an ob-gyn isn't the best fit for you and you find just a gyn.

Check out the "Give me a second" campaign at this link if you need any additional reassurance or motivation.

http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...d.php?t=408484



G.

Hi Giddyupboo, Quick story, I had a very nice female GYN (my first female ) as my old gyn md had retired , I started using her when I first saw menopausal bleeding in 2006. After many visits to her and D&C and other tests done in her office much to my surprise the Cancer head appeared after she had just said to me "you do not have cancer and u will not die from this " Weird but true . She then sent me to GYN /ONC. another female . She did my surgery and has been following up with checkups. Anyway long story short I never ever heard from my gyn doctor again . She delivers many baby!s in the hospital and also does surgery!s . I had even sent my daughter in law to her for her last baby. I thought we had some kind of relationship ,and maybe I expected too much from her . I do not know Bottom line .Do what is best for you and your recovery.. AND I do like my gyn/onc very very much and trust her to the right thing by me . Her office staff is great too !!

When I received the phone call from my gynecologist regarding my endometrial biopsy, she asked me if I wanted to be referred to a "cancer specialist". Heck, I didn't know! I was in too much shock. By the end of the conversation, however, she did refer me to a gyncological oncologist. That was a good thing, and a responsible decision on her part.

After joining this forum, I became even more confident that this is where my care should be given. I'm still waiting for the final pathology report from my hysterectomy 07/01 and while I know the gyn onc has no responsibility for what that pathology shows, I am confident in his care and any future decisions that need to be made.

I also can't imagine being in surgery and having to "call" for a gynecological oncologist as the result of the initial pathology. In my case, the endometrial biopsy showed focal areas suspicious for adenocarcinoma - the initial pathology report at surgery confirmed it was cancer. I'm so relieved to have been in the hands of a gynecological oncologist whose trained eye knew what to look for and make informed judgement calls.

I hope you get the referral to the gynecological oncologist (gads, I have a love/hate relationship with that label!).

Good luck.
Suzanne

Your asking for a referral to a specialist is not disloyal or sending any message other than you want the best for your health. Not to make light of the situation, but asking for a gyn/onc is no different than asking for a neurosurgeon or a gastroenterologist or a cardiologist. They are specialists in their fields just as a gyn/onc is a specialist in female reproductive cancers.

I was fortunate in that after a D&C and hysteroscopy confirmed I had cancer, my gyn was the one to call a gyn/onc and scheduled the surgery when he was available. They did the surgery together.

I now see my gyn/onc regularly and only saw my gyn 2 times after my surgery - both times for post-op check-ups. After the second check-up by her, she told me that I'd be seeing my gyn/onc from then on.

Hugs!