my journey

LA123

EZLiving66 said:

Wonderful news!!

I had a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer after a needle biospy.  When they removed the lump there was absolutely no sign of cancer.  After checking and rechecking the test results, they told her she was cured although they will watch her carefully because of breast cancer in the family.

I have sooooo happy for you!!

Eldri

Thank you EZliving66!

Thank you for your prompt feedback EZliving66, and believe me when I tell you that, while my experience has been quite miraculous (in my view),  my heart and prayers are with all the wonderfully brave ladies battling this disease.  While we cant always control what goes on within our bodies, a positive atttitude and fighting spirit is half the battle, and from your postings, I can see you are a warrior yourself. :0)

Sandy3185

LA123 said:

vaginal ultrasounds..

I had an vaginal ultrasound weeks before my UPSC biopsy diagnosis, the ultrasound came back clean, so unfortunately this cancer is not caught early via ultrasound, I think the PAP is perhaps the only tool available that sometimes, but not always indicates abnormalilty. I do hope they eventually develop some other way to catch it early.

ultrasound

I went to my doctor because of vaginal bleeding and he sent me for an ultrasound. The ultrasound did detect an abnormal thickening. My gyn did a D&C because of the suspicious ultrasound and I was diagnosed with UPSC both in my uterus and my cervix. I have seen many on this site who also had suspicious ultrasounds and were found to have uterine cancer. It is a good tool but like the PAP doesn't work for everyone.

LA123

Sandy3185 said:

ultrasound

I went to my doctor because of vaginal bleeding and he sent me for an ultrasound. The ultrasound did detect an abnormal thickening. My gyn did a D&C because of the suspicious ultrasound and I was diagnosed with UPSC both in my uterus and my cervix. I have seen many on this site who also had suspicious ultrasounds and were found to have uterine cancer. It is a good tool but like the PAP doesn't work for everyone.

Ultrasound

Interesting how I told my oncologist it was hard to believe I had just been diagnosed with this cancer as I had just had a normal results transvaginal ultrasound  (I used to get one done annually for a bening condition called adenomyosis, a thickening of the myometrium). I guess I was pulling straws and hoping that he would tell that that that meant the cancer must be in its early stages, but his response was that the clean ultrasound was no guanantee of anything.   I stiill feel frustrated that something like this could begoing on inside you and there are no symptoms and reliable tools for early diagnosis. The most common symptom is pos-menopausal bleeding, where does that leave all the pre-menopausal patients? I had absolutely zero symptoms. I have made it my goal to increase awareness of gynecological cancers among my girlfriends.

Ekucz

Same story as yours

my story began this Nov with an endometrial biopsy that came back with uterine serous. I too had same radical surgery, 43 lymphnodes, partial omentum removal, uterus, cervix,tubes, ovaries. I had no bleeding prior or any other symptoms. The biopsy was just because of a slight thickening after a trans vag ultrasound for possible pelvic varicose vein. My surgeon has also said no further treatment. everything was totally benign! He says it's rare but the original biopsy must have got it all. It's only been 6 weeks since the surgery and I can't help thinking either original biopsy was wrong or cancer is still lurking. I guess I'm supposed to have ca-125 blood work screenings. Had one before surgery and I was at 6. Anything below 35 is normal I guess. It's been a year for you and I wonder are there any new developments or info you can share? How are you being monitored?  this is so surreal. 

Thanks ekucz

TAyers

Miracle

This is incredible, I believe miracles can happen and you sound like one of them. Thank you Jesus...

Charissa

Hello, Lucy.

You are such a wonderful, loving, and intelligent woman. Your story is so inspiring and should be told over and over again - so all have hope. My situation is closest to Hopeful162 - grade 3, stage 1a.  However, because all lymph nodes, and other parts removed came back clean of the cancer spreading, they chose not to have me undergo chemotherapy.  Instead, they recommended five brachy therapy treatments. I agreed to do three.  I had a CT scan three months after the initial surgery. It came out clean. They scheduled my next one for six months.  That scan will take place in March 2017.

In the meantime, I will see the radiologist or oncologist every three months.  Sadly, my Gyn oncologist quit and I have been referred to a new one, who I will meet in March.  Being diagnosed with grade 3 uterine cancer and not undergoing the common treatment, does cause one to question each ache and pain experienced after surgery. I'm grateful to be under a routine surveillance vs. simply waiting for a symptom to arise - which doesn't always happen.

Happy New Year!!

Kaleena

Similarities

Hello,

Your situation is confusion to say the least but I am happy with your outcome.   If you look at my bio you can see there are some similarities.   In brief, I was told I just had endometriosis and needed a hysterectomy but after hysterectomy they found it.  Had the normal treatment of chemo and only brachytherapy.  Then approximately 5 years later a biopsy came back positive.  After surgery it was negative (although they did find one lymph node with positive with microscopic cells).   I didn't do any treatment.  Its just been a wait and see.

After my hysterectomy and before my recurrence, my doctor retired.   That was a nightmare.   I ended up seeking 3 other doctors until I finally found one that I like.   The first doctor I found wanted me to have chemo right away and then surgery and indicated that I would have a permanent colostomy.  I never felt comfortable with that doctor as he never even examined me.  He always had his PA do it.   The second & third doctor (who were together) indicated that it couldn't be operated on and I should start radiation.  I finally found a great doctor who indicated it could be operated on and after all that the mass was negative.

This is all good.  But the hardest thing I found about this situation is seeking medical help when you feel something isn't right.  Everyone pushes it off onto the other doctor.   The PCP doesn't do PAP smears, my gyne/onc only deals with gyne problems so if you are having some digestion problems well....., I have a urologist who is great but is only for kidney (I was sure the high BP I got was when my kidney was decreasing - it was hard to convince my PCP - however after my surgery (ureter reimplantment due to blockage) my BP is back to normal.   

I believe my symptoms are all related - presently I am gaining weight for no reason and I keep mentioning it to my PCP.   I always pass my tests, but I feel it has to do with my mass I still have.  (long story).

Anyway, I am glad your outcome was great!   Be vigilant in your care because only you knows whats going on.  Most doctors only goes by the book, especially with new patients, so be vocal about your care.

My best to you,

Kathy

LA123

Thank you for your kind words and great advice Kathy

Thank you Kathy, your words are very encouraging. I agree with you that we need to be vigilant, we know our bodies best, sometimes doctors make you feel as having dealt with cancer in the past does not warrant the need to increase vigilance. Hang in there and keep on keeping, this is a battle that is fought every day, by making healthy choices in our diet, by learning more about our conditions, by being strong advocates, by sharing our stories with others who may be overwhelmed after their own diagnosis. There is hope, you and I, as well as countless other brave warrior ladies out there are proof of that.

Best wishes to you on your journey...

Lucy