Odd/possible TMI question

The sad truth is that there is currently no screening test for this cancer and you are not alone wondering why they weren't finding this sooner when you had the symptoms you had.

I had pelvic ultrasounds twice in the two years before my cancer was diagnosed and they didn't show anything wrong either. I was 59 and still hadn't started menopause, but my doctor was taking a wait-and-see approach because late menopause is a thing. I've had longer and heavier than normal periods all of my life and still no one ever told me those were all risk factors for this cancer. Until there is a screening test for this cancer (and there may be one in the pipeline) this is the reality we and our doctors have to live with. I just wish there was more education out there for it like there is for other cancers.

My daughter was recently diagnosed with PCOS and is being managed by an endocrinologist for it. You may want to get a second opionion about whether or not you truly have it because it's really important to get the metabolic component of it under control ASAP if you can. It is another risk factor/cause for this cancer.

You are probably feeling a bit in shock right now and you may want to consider taking someone with you to your doctor appointments. You are going to get a lot of information thrown at you and a second pair of ears and memory really helps. Write down any questions you can think of so you have them to refer to. Also ask for copies of all of your lab, biopsy, surgical, etc. results. They come in handy when you end up seeing multiple doctors and referring back to for yourself when you can't remember all of the details of whats been happening to you.

Sorry you had to find us here, but welcome, anyway.

I'm glad you husband will be there with you.  The waiting is the hardest part- it truly is and believe me- there is a LOT OF IT.  The best thing you can do is know that and start finding ways to cope with it by doing fun things while you can, treating yourself and your family to special time, take up a hobby that you have wanted to do, find a great book series- anything that will keep you occupied. 

I'm sure your family is very worried but they are also coping with not knowing what to do or say especially since none of you really has any good information yet.  That will come after your surgery when you get the pathology report back.  That can take some time- see- waiting.... lol

We're here for you.  We've been where you are.  These are great ladies with tons of amazing stories of help and hope!  One day at a time- it's all we are asked to live and all we get to live- treasure them!!!  No one knows how long they have and I think that is one of the blessings of these taps on the shoulder- you realize just how very precious each and every moment of time is that you have with those you love.   (((HUGS)))

MeinMissiissippi, please know you are not alone.  Please let us know how everything goes and that you can ask ANYTHING here - really - scroll through some of the old posts.  

You will find a lot of support on this site for sure. I remember coming here with questions when I was diagnosed in Dec. of last year. Like you I always prayed for people that had cancer, but when it is you, it is different, and it will change you forever in how much more compassion you have to others that have it. All I want to do now is help others through it! Praying for a good outcome when you go on the 14th for your surgery!

I was not diagnosed right away, either.  Had a PAP that was clear and the fluid I was leaking was assumed to be a bladder issue, so I had a surgery for that! Grrrrr  Anyway, a few months later, I started having high blood pressure out of nowhere, and putting two and two together, since my bladder was not the problem I asked for a Gyn visit.  It was all a whirlwind from there. Anyway, it sure sounds like you are closer to catching it than many, and I pray you will do well with everything that they do to help you.  The high blood pressure can be helped with meds, btw, that's the last thing you need right now.

MeinMississippi said:

Thank you so much , Cindi!  I

Thank you so much , Cindi!  I'm so confused by all this staging and grading and whatever else they make us go through for this process!  I thought the doctor told me I was in stage 1, but my head was just spinning yesterday!  When I got there my blood pressure was 177/103. My surgery is August 14, so I guess after that we will know exactly what the deal is. Thank you for being so welcoming and comforting. I feel much more hopeful, but doctor did tell me we wouldn't know if I need chemo/radiation until after surgery. Thank you so much again. Xoxo

MeinMississippi, hope your surgery went well today. Sending positive, healing thoughts your way! Kim

MeinMississippi said:

Thank you so much , Cindi!  I

Thank you so much , Cindi!  I'm so confused by all this staging and grading and whatever else they make us go through for this process!  I thought the doctor told me I was in stage 1, but my head was just spinning yesterday!  When I got there my blood pressure was 177/103. My surgery is August 14, so I guess after that we will know exactly what the deal is. Thank you for being so welcoming and comforting. I feel much more hopeful, but doctor did tell me we wouldn't know if I need chemo/radiation until after surgery. Thank you so much again. Xoxo

Hi!  I am new to the group as I was just diagnosed with uterine cancer a little less than a week ago.  I have already gotten a lot of positive, upbeat responses from several members of this forum, but now have been looking over some of the other posts people have made and ran acrosss yours.  First of all, how did your surgery go?  How long will it take to know for sure what your pathology report was?  In your post, you mentioned your doctor felt you were in stage 1, but how were they able to determine that since I thought you had to have surgery to know for sure what stage you are in?  I never had uterine bleeding, but did have an usually thick endometrial lining of a little over 17cm, which lead to my D&C, which lead to a cancer diagnosis.  At first I as told two polyps were removed and it was believed that was the cause of my thickening, but the pathology report showed it wasn't so simple as just having polyps.  I was told the cells were well differentiated, which is supposed to be a good sign as opposed to having cells that are poorly differentiated, but I was never given a grade of what my cancer was, but was told it was believed to have been caught early and I pray that is true.  Of course I won't know for sure if I will need treatment until after I have surgery and as of now, I still haven't even met with the GYN/Oncologist yet.  I know the only way to know for sure what my prognosis will be is after the surgery.  Did you find the surgery to be rough?  I have had surgery before, but only when I had my two c-sections years ago and gall bladder surgery over 10 years ago.  I know there is pain and discomfort from surgery since I experienced it, but having a hysterectomy is very different so I am ot exactly sure what to expect, especially since I am not sure how it will be done at this point.  How as your hysterectomy performed?  Anyway, I hope you are feeling better and hope your pathology report comes back with good results.    Take care and be well!

Staci

StaciLynn said:

Hi!  I am new to the group as

Hi!  I am new to the group as I was just diagnosed with uterine cancer a little less than a week ago.  I have already gotten a lot of positive, upbeat responses from several members of this forum, but now have been looking over some of the other posts people have made and ran acrosss yours.  First of all, how did your surgery go?  How long will it take to know for sure what your pathology report was?  In your post, you mentioned your doctor felt you were in stage 1, but how were they able to determine that since I thought you had to have surgery to know for sure what stage you are in?  I never had uterine bleeding, but did have an usually thick endometrial lining of a little over 17cm, which lead to my D&C, which lead to a cancer diagnosis.  At first I as told two polyps were removed and it was believed that was the cause of my thickening, but the pathology report showed it wasn't so simple as just having polyps.  I was told the cells were well differentiated, which is supposed to be a good sign as opposed to having cells that are poorly differentiated, but I was never given a grade of what my cancer was, but was told it was believed to have been caught early and I pray that is true.  Of course I won't know for sure if I will need treatment until after I have surgery and as of now, I still haven't even met with the GYN/Oncologist yet.  I know the only way to know for sure what my prognosis will be is after the surgery.  Did you find the surgery to be rough?  I have had surgery before, but only when I had my two c-sections years ago and gall bladder surgery over 10 years ago.  I know there is pain and discomfort from surgery since I experienced it, but having a hysterectomy is very different so I am ot exactly sure what to expect, especially since I am not sure how it will be done at this point.  How as your hysterectomy performed?  Anyway, I hope you are feeling better and hope your pathology report comes back with good results.    Take care and be well!

Staci

Hi StaciLynn - I am new to this group and just saw your post today. I had laparascopic hysterectomy in June for endometrial cancer. I was discharged from hospital the next day and recovery was uneventful. Stage 1, grade 1, endometrioid cell type so no need for radiation (or chemo). I'm 63. My kid sister (age 61 in two weeks) hasnt been so lucky. She had hysterectomy (open procedure) in 2014 and made a good recovery. Radiation followed. Mets diagnosed last year, treated with 6 cycles of chemotherapy- which we learned in mid-August didn't work. Now she's in palliative care at home and I'm her caregiver. Good luck to you.