Surgery Jan 21

I am new - as of tonight - and it has been terrific reading various "posts." I, too, am a bit scared although I am "older" 56 and don't have any reproductive fears. After an endometrial biopsy, D&C, etc., etc. I believe "complex hyperplasia with atypia" is the diagnosis. I see the GYN for pre-opt this week and the oncologist next week. My greatest fear is not the hyster but. . . the C word. The future is scary!!

Good luck to all!

X,MC

Hi MC.

The diagnosis of cancer has been scary for all of us but we are strong women here for each other. No one understands more of what you are going to be going thru than women who have been there already.

Chemo is definately doable. DO NOT watch all those depressing TV movies. They are soo unrealistic and scary. MY oncologist told me from the start, that there is no reason to be sick anymore with all the different meds on the market today. Also, do not believe everything you read on the internet. We are all individuals and not statistics.

Will an oncologist/gynocologist be performing your surgery. Please make sure that he or she is. They are the absolute professionals doing the job right the first time.

Keep in touch.
Rosalie

My GYN will be doing the procedure with a GYN/ONC. I have not met the oncologist yet, but will next week. My neighbor tells me he is very good - he did a procedure for her. After the hysteroscopy, my GYN showed me the pictures and said, "I don't know what those white areas are." I believe those "white areas" are the atypia. However, my GYN originally said (in early December) it should be done immediately and then said he couldn't get the two doctors, hospital, etc. arranged until Jan. 21 and the oncologist said delaying until then would not be "life threatening." I am still not sure what this means. Do they know the "complex hyperplasia with atypia" is cancer or is it on the borderline? Will the hysterectomy be it or will chemo, etc. follow? My family, on my mother's side, has a long and terrible history of cancer. My husband keeps telling me they won't know until they operate. He is also not good with sickness - his or mine!

Thanks for replying!!
Mare

Unfortunately the only way to determine if complex hyperplasia with atypia has turned to cancer is to operate. It is good that you have a gyn/onc participating in your surgery. I am "older" too and had the same dx. My gyn on her own said she would have a gyn/onc to assist and I spoke with him before the surgery. I also got 2 other medical opinions since I had hoped to avoid surgery. Cancer albeit a low grade one was found and both doctors concluded that given medical factors pertaining to my case, I only needed the op, not even lymph nodes had to be tested. They did make a vertical incision to be prepared to sample lymph nodes. The gyn/onc spoke in detail with me after my final path report came in and explained everything very well so I am as confident as can be in their call. I do have 3 month checkups for the next several years as a pecautionary measure.
I know it is difficult to think one might have cancer but, as many have pointed out, endometrial cancer, particularly when found in early stages, has a very high cure rate and often the surgery alone is the cure.
You mention your husband is not good with sickness, please have him accompany you to your pre-op session so your gyn can explain that this is major surgery and he will have to "be good" this time and help you during your recovery.
I will keep you in my ers. peggiesue

Dear Peggiesue,

Thank you so much for your reply. You have already answered some of my questions including why a horizontal and vertical incision would be necessary. However, I have two more questions: How long was it before the final pathology report? (I was hoping for a "final" report at the time of surgery.) What is entailed at the 3 months' check-ups? Is this a regular exam, blood test, biopsy? I have frequently heard of these regular check-ups, but I don't understand what they entail.

Thanks bunches!
Mary

Hi MareC, Glad to be of a little help.Re your two questions, I have an answer re the path report but do not know what is done at the 3 month checkups since my first one will be later this month. I suspect this may vary from patient to patient depending upon the stage of cancer, the doctors, etc. Perhaps some of the ladies who are/have undergone these checkups will kindly share their knowledge. We may need to start a new thread to get replies from ladies who may not be reading this one?

Given a pre-op dx of possible cancer, an initial path report, which can change somewhat, most likely will be available immediately after the surgery; the surgeon(s) will be working with pathology during the op to help them decide how to proceed, etc. I received my initial, tentative path report on surgery day (think the gyn brought it up because my husand was present and very concerned, etc.); she repeated the report results the next day and told me the final path study would be available in a couple days. On post-op day 4 (note: my stay was prolonged due to breathing probs and fever and 2 very cautious doctors) when my gyn/onc visited he brought the final report and we spent considerable time going over it. I suspect timing to receive the final report will vary by hospital/doctor/pathology dept, etc. Since the path report contains terminology which may be confusing for a lay person, you probably will want to go over it carefully with your doctor too. Please feel free to email me or respond here if you have any other questions.

I believe it is very important to try to remain positive both pre and post op. For me, realizing that the Lord always is with us and would be even while I was on the op table provided much comfort and peace. I will keep you in my ers. Blessings, peggiesue

Again, thank you. Tomorrow is my pre-op appointment with the regular gyn; the 12 is the oncologist.

X,
Mare

Mare,
I too have has the same diagnosis as you. I am only 35 and have chosen to try to treat this with Provera for the next 3 mos. Then follow up with another D&C.

I also was concerned about the possibility of finding cancer if they operated and how you really don't know until they get in there. By the way, I found out that tid bit of knowledge from the very wise ladies here. I still am shocked that my doc did not tell me that little tid bit... But at my age, I just don't want surgery right away.

Every one has to make their own decisions and do what is best for them. I also agree with the person that says to bring your spouse with you to the pre op meeting. I am a firm believer that the more you know, the better you are prepared to deal with the situation at hand.

These ladies have been a great help and source of support and information. Isn't it good to know we are not alone?

I will be thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. Keep us posted on how things are going for you.

Yes, that C-word just chills me, too. I don't know what I would do without this board. I am thinking of all of you ladies who are waiting results of operations & lab results. As for me, I know that I am reading too much internet info. The fact that my hemorrhagic cyst is 11 cm has me so scared, since I read that cyts larger than 10cm are more than likely malignant. Still haven't gotten the doc's report from yesterday's u/s. Why can't I just relax and wait until I know something. Yesterday I was relieved when the tech told me what kind of cyst it was. But on further investigation, I found that my age, 55, and the size make a huge difference in my odds. Oh, I guess I'd better just buck up, eh?

I know what you mean by wanting to "research" and then thinking "Did I really want to know that?" I still think knowing is better. With all of the specialists and different testing situations it seems we need to be the ones filtering the information from so many sources. But aren't we lucky to live in an age when we can know as much as we do?! Good luck with your test results. I am on hold now until the 12th for the oncologist pre-surgery appointment. My main job now seems to be to avoid getting a cold. I would go reside in a bubble if that were an option to avoid the possibility of having to delay surgery!! And. . . about that bucking up. . . kinda difficult!!
X,
Mary