Like HESTKP, I was recently diagonsis on 3/9/2012

JVN_03092012
JVN_03092012 Member Posts: 13
edited March 2012 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
On March 9th I received a call from my Gyno's office that I had appointment with her at 11:15 that morning. I had a vaginal ultrasound and biopsies done on(3/2) following my routine check up the week before. Knew a phone call telling me I had an appointment could not be good.

Today was to be my first visit with the oncologist and 4 hours prior I received a call that my appointment was cancelled due to the Dr's plane being delayed and it would be the following Tuesday before it could be rescheduled. I thought I was handling the diagnosis well so I am not sure why I fell apart after I got off the phone with the scheduler. I could not even remember what time she told me.

I have been doing a lot of research on the internet and had all my questions written down. The big thing is trying to understand what the lab report means. The Final Diagnosis reads:
WELL DIFFERENTIATED ENDOMETRIAL ADENCOCARCINOMA WITH SECRETORY FEATURES

Anyone knows what this means or what things in the lab report I can look for to help me determine what stage I might be in.

I am post-menopause and age 53. I am considering requesting the lymph nodes be removed even though my gyno said she did not think it would be necessary. The oncologist is only one of two who currently doing the robotic surgery in my area. Looking for any information on how long of hospital stay to expect and how soon I can return to work.

Comments

  • pakb56
    pakb56 Member Posts: 141
    #2
    Differentiated
    This link gives a pretty good explanation of differentiated cells www.differentiatedcarcinoma.com

    Like you I am post menopausal (56) but my cells are poorly differentiated. My stage is 3c due to the presence of a cancer cell in one lymph node.

    I understand trying to understand what the lab report means. I have had mine for over 3 months and I still go back and look at it--each time focusing on a different aspect and what it means.

    After I received my diagnosis, I think I cried for 2 weeks straight. There is so much fear both for what you know and what you don't.

    I totally understand you falling apart when your appointment is cancelled. It is just another delay in your having a course of treatment.

    I had two surgeries. The first on November 20 for my hysterectomy, tubes and ovaries. The second was on January 16 for the lymph node dissection. The reason mine was done separately was because my initial 2 biopsies both came back negative so my regular gyn did the surgery. The lymph node dissection was done my the gyn/onc.

    For my hysterectomy, it was an overnight stay. For the dissection, the gyn/onc wanted me to spend the night but I told him to let me go home. So he did.

    As you will find by reading through the posts, there are both similarities and variances in the treatment we receive. Hopefully, you will have faith in your gyn/onc and their abilities and planned course of treatment for you.

    3 1/2 months after getting my diagnosis, I have (at least for now) come to terms with having cancer. I went through they "why me" until I started reading about others and came to the conclusion "why not me". Cancer is evil and does not discriminate when it comes to who is affected by it.

    At the infusion center, the pediatric infusion center is adjacent to the adult. There is a wall of pictures which by rough estimatation looks like at least 500 photos of kids that have or had cancer. Talk about a reality check.

    You are probably going to be quite unsettled at least until your doctor's appointment next week. I will pray you find some peace while waiting.

    Take care,
    Pat
  • JoAnnDK
    JoAnnDK Member Posts: 275
    #3
    pakb56 said:

    Differentiated
    This link gives a pretty good explanation of differentiated cells www.differentiatedcarcinoma.com

    Like you I am post menopausal (56) but my cells are poorly differentiated. My stage is 3c due to the presence of a cancer cell in one lymph node.

    I understand trying to understand what the lab report means. I have had mine for over 3 months and I still go back and look at it--each time focusing on a different aspect and what it means.

    After I received my diagnosis, I think I cried for 2 weeks straight. There is so much fear both for what you know and what you don't.

    I totally understand you falling apart when your appointment is cancelled. It is just another delay in your having a course of treatment.

    I had two surgeries. The first on November 20 for my hysterectomy, tubes and ovaries. The second was on January 16 for the lymph node dissection. The reason mine was done separately was because my initial 2 biopsies both came back negative so my regular gyn did the surgery. The lymph node dissection was done my the gyn/onc.

    For my hysterectomy, it was an overnight stay. For the dissection, the gyn/onc wanted me to spend the night but I told him to let me go home. So he did.

    As you will find by reading through the posts, there are both similarities and variances in the treatment we receive. Hopefully, you will have faith in your gyn/onc and their abilities and planned course of treatment for you.

    3 1/2 months after getting my diagnosis, I have (at least for now) come to terms with having cancer. I went through they "why me" until I started reading about others and came to the conclusion "why not me". Cancer is evil and does not discriminate when it comes to who is affected by it.

    At the infusion center, the pediatric infusion center is adjacent to the adult. There is a wall of pictures which by rough estimatation looks like at least 500 photos of kids that have or had cancer. Talk about a reality check.

    You are probably going to be quite unsettled at least until your doctor's appointment next week. I will pray you find some peace while waiting.

    Take care,
    Pat

    staging and surgery
    I would have been a total MESS if my initial appointment had been postponed for a WEEK! Don't these doctors understand what that does to us?

    Will you have someone with you at the appointment next week? It is a good thing to have another set of ears and perhaps that person could take notes. You may not be in the right frame of mind to do so.

    Until you have surgery and your tissue is analyzed by a pathologist, stage cannot be determined. Grade can be determined by a biopsy, though.

    Don't assume you will have robotic surgery. Many doctors prefer the "full cut" as they think they can feel more. My doctor told me that she would never have found my cancerous lymph node if she has been using robotics.

    Best wishes and please keep us posted.
    JOANN
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #4
    JVN
    You need to be seeing a GYNECOLOGIC oncologist. Not just any old oncologist. If your doc is not one, I would seek one out. you can find board certified docs online.

    Hugs and prayers to you. Waiting is a form of torture for us. Try to distract yourself with loving friends and fun things.

    Mary Ann
  • JVN_03092012
    JVN_03092012 Member Posts: 13
    #5
    Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement
    Yes, my husband is going with me to see the Gyno Oncologist who is considered the best in my area. I guess I just can not really believe it is cancer let alone that it may be worse then my regular gyno let on. And yes, my son has participated in 4 day 465 mile run the past 8 years to raise money for St. Jude. I have been blessed to tour the Memphis hospital a few times. It is remarkable how these kids react to thier cancer. Something I need to remember in the next week.
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #6
    JVN_03092012 said:

    Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement
    Yes, my husband is going with me to see the Gyno Oncologist who is considered the best in my area. I guess I just can not really believe it is cancer let alone that it may be worse then my regular gyno let on. And yes, my son has participated in 4 day 465 mile run the past 8 years to raise money for St. Jude. I have been blessed to tour the Memphis hospital a few times. It is remarkable how these kids react to thier cancer. Something I need to remember in the next week.

    St Jude
    With brownie points with St. Jude thanks to your son, you will be just fine!!!

    ((((more hugs))))) Mary Ann
  • pakb56
    pakb56 Member Posts: 141
    #7
    JVN_03092012 said:

    Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement
    Yes, my husband is going with me to see the Gyno Oncologist who is considered the best in my area. I guess I just can not really believe it is cancer let alone that it may be worse then my regular gyno let on. And yes, my son has participated in 4 day 465 mile run the past 8 years to raise money for St. Jude. I have been blessed to tour the Memphis hospital a few times. It is remarkable how these kids react to thier cancer. Something I need to remember in the next week.

    All of us here have started
    All of us here have started down this same road. That does not make it any easier for you but know we are here for you if needed.
  • pakb56
    pakb56 Member Posts: 141
    #8
    Doctor appointment
    Wishing you the best at your doctor appointment today. I know it has probably been a agonizing week of waiting.

    Keep us posted.

    Pat
  • JVN_03092012
    JVN_03092012 Member Posts: 13
    #9
    pakb56 said:

    Doctor appointment
    Wishing you the best at your doctor appointment today. I know it has probably been a agonizing week of waiting.

    Keep us posted.

    Pat

    Thanks pakb56 for remembering. WAIT is the new 4 letter word
    Appointment got moved up a day but WAITING seems to be something I need to get use too.

    After 1-1/2 hr wait from my appointment time to get back into a room my blood pressure which normally is low was 163/100. Wonder why. But I do like the doctor, he said my tumor is a G1 and slowing growing which is good. Because surgery is not schedule until April 23rd (partial due to easter and he being on vacation). Which I understand but I want to just get the surgery over so we know what stage. I am having robotic surgery which means just an overnight stay and he is taking everything including the lymph nodes(less opportunity for re-occurrence). He said I could start working from home the next day after getting home but my family and close co-worker persuaded me into taking the 2 full weeks off which is the norm just in case.

    I have need a CT scan, chest x-ray, ekg and blood work prior to surgery and while his scheduler warned be it may be Thursday before she could get around to schedule them on Friday afternoon I called and she now hopeful she will have the time to work through the pile I am in on Monday or Tuesday. WAIT some more, at least if they were scheduled I would feel I was getting somewhere.

    I am not coping with having to WAIT. Surgery will be 6 weeks 3 days from diagnosis. Is this a normal length between diagnosis & surgery?
  • debrajo
    debrajo Member Posts: 1,095 Member
    #10
    JVN_03092012 said:

    Thanks pakb56 for remembering. WAIT is the new 4 letter word
    Appointment got moved up a day but WAITING seems to be something I need to get use too.

    After 1-1/2 hr wait from my appointment time to get back into a room my blood pressure which normally is low was 163/100. Wonder why. But I do like the doctor, he said my tumor is a G1 and slowing growing which is good. Because surgery is not schedule until April 23rd (partial due to easter and he being on vacation). Which I understand but I want to just get the surgery over so we know what stage. I am having robotic surgery which means just an overnight stay and he is taking everything including the lymph nodes(less opportunity for re-occurrence). He said I could start working from home the next day after getting home but my family and close co-worker persuaded me into taking the 2 full weeks off which is the norm just in case.

    I have need a CT scan, chest x-ray, ekg and blood work prior to surgery and while his scheduler warned be it may be Thursday before she could get around to schedule them on Friday afternoon I called and she now hopeful she will have the time to work through the pile I am in on Monday or Tuesday. WAIT some more, at least if they were scheduled I would feel I was getting somewhere.

    I am not coping with having to WAIT. Surgery will be 6 weeks 3 days from diagnosis. Is this a normal length between diagnosis & surgery?

    Wait
    Waiting is my nemisist also. I just LOVE the Friday appointments, waiting Sat., Sun., anxious for Mon. only to find out it is a monday Holiday for the lab people! Can only say it seems like a long time to me. I had to wait 2 1/2 months before I was cleared for surgery because the found a 95% calfication of my aortic heart valve, so I had open-heart surgery first! They put me on Xanax and then my MD took one look at me and promptly put me on prozac also. This cancer stuff is taken in baby steps with a few large leaps pnce in a while. Try to hang on and get meds if you think they will help you. Best debrajo
  • pakb56
    pakb56 Member Posts: 141
    #11
    JVN_03092012 said:

    Thanks pakb56 for remembering. WAIT is the new 4 letter word
    Appointment got moved up a day but WAITING seems to be something I need to get use too.

    After 1-1/2 hr wait from my appointment time to get back into a room my blood pressure which normally is low was 163/100. Wonder why. But I do like the doctor, he said my tumor is a G1 and slowing growing which is good. Because surgery is not schedule until April 23rd (partial due to easter and he being on vacation). Which I understand but I want to just get the surgery over so we know what stage. I am having robotic surgery which means just an overnight stay and he is taking everything including the lymph nodes(less opportunity for re-occurrence). He said I could start working from home the next day after getting home but my family and close co-worker persuaded me into taking the 2 full weeks off which is the norm just in case.

    I have need a CT scan, chest x-ray, ekg and blood work prior to surgery and while his scheduler warned be it may be Thursday before she could get around to schedule them on Friday afternoon I called and she now hopeful she will have the time to work through the pile I am in on Monday or Tuesday. WAIT some more, at least if they were scheduled I would feel I was getting somewhere.

    I am not coping with having to WAIT. Surgery will be 6 weeks 3 days from diagnosis. Is this a normal length between diagnosis & surgery?

    And wait more...
    This whole waiting game is painful. Our sense of urgency doesn't seem to be the same as the doctor. I had my lymph node dissection after my hysterectomy. It was 6 weeks between seeing the gyn/onc and the surgery.

    Keep in mind that even though your surgery is robotic, everything inside is still being removed the same as any other surgical procedure.
  • CindyGSD
    CindyGSD Member Posts: 190
    #12
    JVN_03092012 said:

    Thanks pakb56 for remembering. WAIT is the new 4 letter word
    Appointment got moved up a day but WAITING seems to be something I need to get use too.

    After 1-1/2 hr wait from my appointment time to get back into a room my blood pressure which normally is low was 163/100. Wonder why. But I do like the doctor, he said my tumor is a G1 and slowing growing which is good. Because surgery is not schedule until April 23rd (partial due to easter and he being on vacation). Which I understand but I want to just get the surgery over so we know what stage. I am having robotic surgery which means just an overnight stay and he is taking everything including the lymph nodes(less opportunity for re-occurrence). He said I could start working from home the next day after getting home but my family and close co-worker persuaded me into taking the 2 full weeks off which is the norm just in case.

    I have need a CT scan, chest x-ray, ekg and blood work prior to surgery and while his scheduler warned be it may be Thursday before she could get around to schedule them on Friday afternoon I called and she now hopeful she will have the time to work through the pile I am in on Monday or Tuesday. WAIT some more, at least if they were scheduled I would feel I was getting somewhere.

    I am not coping with having to WAIT. Surgery will be 6 weeks 3 days from diagnosis. Is this a normal length between diagnosis & surgery?

    The waiting...
    I can't answer whether it is normal to wait so long between surgery and diagnosis because I waited so long to go into the doctor in the first place that I ended up almost having to have emergency surgery. Into the hospital on a Saturday and surgery on Tuesday, July 4th weekend 2011. They would have done the surgery on Sunday but they wanted a urologist to participate (can't remember why) and he wasn't available until Tuesday. The only reason I mention all of this is that its probably the "knowing" that is the worst and if you had waited six more weeks to go in to see the doctor, it probably wouldn't have made a difference.

    I did have to wait to start my chemo. I see some people start it as soon as 4 weeks after surgery but my doctor had me wait for eight weeks. Then I had to wait to restart it after radiation...there is a lot of waiting and it doesn't get better. Sometimes I think that is the most stressful part.

    Take care,
    Cindy

Discussion Boards