Just diagnosed

Welcome to the club no one wants to belong to.  This is a great place to come.  The ladies here are great at sharing information and giving  support and comfort.  First  don’t spend much time with Dr. Google.  Most of his information is very out dated.  New treatments are coming all the time.  I was diagnosed over 5 years ago with stage IV Serous Papillary Endometrial Andocarcinoma. I have been on treatment most of that time, I have many more good days than bad, and most important, I am still around and leading a pretty normal life. I did not go shopping on Black Friday, but I did cook Thanksgiving dinner for my family..

take a deep breath you are not alone we will be with you.

Hugs and prayers,Lou Ann

Hi! I was the same way, when I was diagnosed I immediately made some research online. For some reason I never saw this website before/while I'm going through my treatments.

It does really help with first hand experiences, though the Doctors always say "Each individuals are different, our body reacts differently with the treatments, just listen to your body".

Here's my story... I hope it helps

My journey with Endometrial or Uterine Cancer started last year October 2016 at 41 years old.

I was diagnosed with Grade 3 FIGO stage (pT3a N1 and IIIC1) – Endometroid Carcinoma

MY SYMPTOMS:

I noticed the changes in my menstrual cycle probably 2 years ago or so. The symptoms were prolonged and heavy bleeding for 3 weeks I only had 1 week off to rest and my menstruation or bleeding starts again. Light hot flashing at night or even during day time, and my period will start and end with watery, pinkish discharge.... none of which made me think anything was wrong. Though I recall too that I always experience menstrual cramp or dysmenorrhea.  I never consulted a doctor, I thought it was just normal to have cramps. I also feel bloated and gassy most of the time and back pain too.  I feel tired all the time, just woke up and after few hours I always feel that I need to sleep again.  When I bleed, it's like peeing, I need to change my pads almost every 5 or 10 mins, a lot of blood clots too.

April 2016 – I had my annual check-up and I mentioned to my doctor that I have unusual bleeding.  She recommended that I need to get a “Transvaginal Ultrasound” which I delayed until October (yes, I know my bad).

September 2016 – My bleeding worsens

October 05 2016 – I had Transvaginal Ultrasound

October 06 2016 – I had a call from my provider and I was advised to see a Gynecologist A.S.A.P.  The nurse said that they saw abnormalities from the Ultrasound.

October 11 2016 -  I had Gynecology visit and took a biopsy sample.  Gynecologist told my she doesn’t like what she see from the sample taken.

October 14 2016 – I received a call and was told that I have Endometrial Cancer – Grade 3 (it means my cancer is very aggressive) and again I was advised to see an Oncologist A.S.A.P.

October 21 2016 – I met my Oncologist and he explains everything I need to know and after the visit I had CT Scan (to check if the cancer has not metastasize).  After 2 hours I received a call from my Oncologist and told me the good news that the result was negative, and I can proceed to my surgery.

October 28 2016 -  I had “Hysterectomy – Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy” by Laparoscopic Surgery.  I stayed overnight and was discharged the next day.

RECOVERY was great.  I was given all meds for pain - I avoided taking Hydrocodone regularly instead I take Tylenol in between because Hydrocodone makes you Constipated and after the surgery you don’t want to get terrible constipation.  (NOTE: I took Magnesium Citrate a day before the surgery to clean my gut.  A friend of mine who had Hysterectomy told me it is better to have a clean gut before surgery) and it really helps.   Also, I was given a stool softener, Senna-Lax and Osmotic Laxative which never worked for me, I took Prune juice and I did the great for me.  As we all know it is very important to pass “GAS” and “Poop” after the surgery.  Sorry it’s TMI but I have to share it .  It also help that you drink a lot of water, yes I’m an advocate of hydrating yourself.

I am so thankful my recovery went well…within 2 weeks I don’t need any pain meds anymore.

November 05, 2016 -  the dreaded news that everyone don’t want to hear….. the cancer stage.

I was diagnosed with Grade 3 FIGO stage (pT3a N1 and IIIC1) – Endometroid Carcinoma

After recovering from the surgery, I went through genetic testing which determined if I have Lynch Syndrome – a mutation in a gene that causes colon, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. Praise God it came out “Negative”.

December 20, 2016 – I started my 1^st Chemotherapy treatment. The unimaginable pain started on the 3^rd day after treatment.  It was the most painful experience I ever had.  My whole body is in pain, joints were aching.  It lasted for 2 days.  During those days I couldn’t eat.  I tried my best to at least eat a piece of toast with butter, made some smoothies with chocolate drink (I mixed different berries or fruits).  Probably after 6 or 7^th day, I’m back to normal appetite.  Oh boy I am soooo hungry.  I wake up in the middle of the night and eat!!!! My hair starts to fall on 2^nd week.  I read that it’s better to get rid of hair or entirely shave it. And I DID!  Never regret it.  I wear bald, NO WIG!  Yes I am proud to be bald . (NOTE: I drink prune juice too before and after treatment because chemo drugs make you constipated too). I hardly took my nausea pills.  I am very thankful that I don’t have any other side effects.

1^st treatment – body pain and joint aching 100%

2^nd treatment - body pain and joint aching 75%

3^rd treatment - body pain and joint aching 40%

4^th treatment - body pain and joint aching – NONE 

My treatment was every 3 weeks. My blood platelets started to go down on my 3^rd treatment.  My 4^th treatment was delayed for a week so as my 5^th and 6^th.

My last treatment ended up on April 2017.  My doctor asks me if I want blood transfusion because my blood platelets was so low.  I said I still feel fine and If I needed it I will tell him.

I recovered well with my Chemotherapy treatment.  I never limit my diet.  I eat anything I wanted to give my body enough strength to go through the treatment.  BTW my hair never stops growing throughout the treatment, but I need to shave it every day otherwise it will fall off then grow again.  So, I decided to start growing my hair on June 2017.

June 2017 – I had 28 rounds of Radiation treatment.  Side effect was diarrhea.

3 weeks after the last treatment, I’m back to my normal like with minimal side effects like my joints are weak and occasional diarrhea (it depends what I eat -  so I avoided foods that triggers diarrhea).

September 2017 – My CT Scan and CA125(blood test) came out clean. Glory to God!

I feel fantastic as I write my experience today (November 28, 2017).  My journey was never easy but my positive attitude and faith in God is the reason I’m alive. 

If you are diagnosed of any cancer.  Don’t panic or be afraid.  Surround yourself with great friends and family.  Educated yourself through the internet, not to make you feel worst but read some uplifting stories. 

Life is great.  Everything happens for a reason.  There’s always great purpose.

Lesson Learned:  I don’t like going to the doctor.  But of course, after I was diagnosed, I advocate for endometrial cancer awareness and genetic testing by sharing my story at my Facebook page.  I am thankful to help some of my friends and given them enough courage to go to the doctor.  I also shared a video I got from YouTube about Endometrial Cancer.  The doctor said IF you notice some changes in your menstrual cycle, don’t wait too long to have it check.

I want to welcome you to our wonderful support group.  Your story is very simmilar to mine. I too had hodgkins liphoma earlier in my life. I was 20. I did chemo and radiation and the doctors told me I had as much of a chance of getting cancer again as any one else does. I took that as good news an got on with my life. I didnt look back except to help others going through cancer.  

In April 2016 i had a biopsy and found out i had uterine cancer.  The thing that prompted me to go to the doctor was blood clots.  I never got those.  I had no idea that was a sign of cancer.  I just didnt want blood clots while i was working.  I was totally shocked and didnot want to believe i had to do chemo or radiaton again when they told me i needed to after my hysterectomy.  Trust me i was angry to get cancer again.  I dony know what your doctor said but my onconogists believed i got uterine cancer because of all the radiation i got fom my hodgkins lymphoma cancer. I had stage four lymphoma and i remember i had a total of ninevwreks of radiation back then.  I did have a month break between those weeks.  My treatment plan for my uterine cancer did not include radiation(other than bracytherapy) because of all the radiation i did.

Maybe yours will be different because you didnt have as much.

I just want you to know i feel for you.  You will beable to make it through. My advice would be to not avoid your feelings.  Come here and processes them

  Thats is what got me through all the feelings. You are not alone.

Best of luck as you go forward.

Janae.