How soon is soon?

There are lots of answers to your question.  One of the things we have all discovered on this discussion page is that we are all different.  And there are no firm answers to most questions about each case compared to another.   You can read my story on my blog.  I was early stage after 4 months from first symptoms.  Others had no symptoms at all.  Don't try and second guess your actions.  You are pretty prompt according to your story.   Good luck on your biopsy

This cancer has so many variables that impact it, that it really makes no sense to look back at what you could have, would have, or should have done. There is no screening test for uterine cancer like there is for breast or cervical cancer, so just don't beat yourself up about acting quicker.

This cancer is generally not a fast grower. We've all had to deal with waiting for diagnosis, referral appointments, and ultimately treatment. That's been the hardest part for everyone who's come here before you. You've found us now, so we'll be here to help you learn about, understand and cope with whatever comes from this point forward. We've got you. 

I started sppotting beginning December. I waited because I had to renew my insurance and beginning January I went first to my primary physician. Maybe a mistake. But she sent me for ultrasounds and I had a thick lining of the uterus. Then I went to gynecologist and they attempted a biopsy. It was January and they waited three weeks to tell me they didn’t have enough tissue. Long story short, I had the D&C March 21. Diagnosed March 27 with adenocarcinoma type 3. I had the hysterectomy April 15. It hadn’t spread. I was lucky. Stage 1A, type 3, I’m getting three brachytherapy treatments because it was so aggressive.  

I think your timing is pretty fast. My gynecologist said three to four months might mean they would catch it on time. Of course you never know. I hope you get your results fast. I got mine in 6 days when they found out it was cancer. I was supposed to get them 2 weeks later. 

whitby2773 said:

You are all so kind - thank

You are all so kind - thank you so much.  The thing that's overwhelming me is that it seems as tho nobody ever walks away, fully healed.  Everything I read is recurrence, recurrence, complication - on and on.  I'm just feeling overwhelmed that my whole life from now will be cancer.  if I'm wording that offensively, my sincerest apologies.  It's just what I'm wondering at this point in time.

You have to keep in mind that the people who post here are primarily those who need support. Some of us stay to pass on what was done for us, but many only check in occasionally or go on with their lives. It kind of skews what you read as being all doom and gloom, but there are plenty of success stories here even with advanced or aggressive forms of this cancer.

The truth is that the science has changed and is still dramatically changing in just recent years. Even with a stage 3a, grade 3 cancer I may actually be cured. It's just sometimes hard to believe it, but it helps as more time passes.

You are in a fragile phase right now with a lot of uncertainty, so it's going to be hard not to be anxious or depressed, especially when well meaning family and friends are going to want to share their 1st and 2nd hand war stories with you. Try to remember that their experiences may be outdated as is much of the information that you are going to read on the internet is. Each persons circumstances are so unique that what happened to others is not necessarily what awaits you. 

Your life is going to change a bit if you get a positive diagnosis. Getting from suspicion, to diagnosis, and then through treatment can consume the better part of a year of you life. You'll definitely have a new normal, but that won't necessarily be a bad thing. I think a lot of us feel like having cancer has actually had some positive impact on us as hard as that may be for you to imagine right now. It's not an easy journey when it's all in front of you, but you won't be making it alone.

MAbound said:

Skewed

You have to keep in mind that the people who post here are primarily those who need support. Some of us stay to pass on what was done for us, but many only check in occasionally or go on with their lives. It kind of skews what you read as being all doom and gloom, but there are plenty of success stories here even with advanced or aggressive forms of this cancer.

The truth is that the science has changed and is still dramatically changing in just recent years. Even with a stage 3a, grade 3 cancer I may actually be cured. It's just sometimes hard to believe it, but it helps as more time passes.

You are in a fragile phase right now with a lot of uncertainty, so it's going to be hard not to be anxious or depressed, especially when well meaning family and friends are going to want to share their 1st and 2nd hand war stories with you. Try to remember that their experiences may be outdated as is much of the information that you are going to read on the internet is. Each persons circumstances are so unique that what happened to others is not necessarily what awaits you. 

Your life is going to change a bit if you get a positive diagnosis. Getting from suspicion, to diagnosis, and then through treatment can consume the better part of a year of you life. You'll definitely have a new normal, but that won't necessarily be a bad thing. I think a lot of us feel like having cancer has actually had some positive impact on us as hard as that may be for you to imagine right now. It's not an easy journey when it's all in front of you, but you won't be making it alone.

I totally second MABound!! I've posted it several times on this site that you have to take it with a grain of salt. The women who have an easy time and are cured with surgery, aren't on here anymore and they're in the VAST majority. The ones who tend to stay are ones having problems or have the more aggressive forms of uterine cancer. 

How many women have come here for advice at the start of their journey, find all they need is surgery and scheduled checkups and we don't hear from them anymore?  LOTS!! And that's ok! We're all happy for them!

Love,

Eldri

This is not that long a delay.  You still probably caught it early on, will probably be fine.  You don't even know yet if it's cancer.  Try to keep busy, distract yourself with things you like to do.

This forum is self-selected for people who have more advanced, more aggressive uterine cancers because we're the ones looking for help and support, rather than just having hysterectomies and going on with our lives.  So don't worry that you're situation is dismal - it's probably not.  And feel free to come back here for support if you need it.

Hi Whitby & welcome to the best support group of women for cancer!

You have already received many good replies from the pros. I would just like to add I am one of the blessed VAST MAJORITY who was diagnosed with stage 1/grade 1a back in 2012. I only required surgery & recommended follow up appointments for 5 years.

I have had no reoccurence.

I had a history of multiple UTIs with spotting for years. I had heavy bleeding the last few years before menopause. I started spotting after my mother's death in 2009 about a year into menopause. I attributed it to my UTIs because the spotting was light, and only occurred when I had one.

Fast forward to 2012. I passed a HUGE puddle of blood. Something told me this was a problem. Was seen by my regular gyn who did a biopsy and called me within the week to confirm it was cancer.

The oncologist I saw assured me it was the garden variety, easy to treat kind of cancer BEFORE surgery...which I found out later was unusual because they need to perform surgery to determine the grade. But thankfully he was right!

There is a lady on here by the name of Suzanne who also had an early diagnosis. She was more active on here when I joined. I prayed I had her kind of cancer...early...and I did!

I pray that you will receive good news, but if you do that you are in the vast majority. If not, you will receive awesome support here from the survivors and heroes.

Kathy

whitby2773 said:

Today seems to be a 'heart in

Today seems to be a 'heart in my throat' kind of day.  Like everyone, I'm sure, I just want to get a diagnosis.  It bothers me that the ob gyn was actually able to SEE 'fluffiness' (her word, and I'm sticking with it!), tho I've also read that Type 2 is more likely to be smooth.  So maybe it's a good thing - I have no idea.

I completely see what you all mean, in that there are so many permeatations with this - all i really can do is wait.  I have a very medically conservative ob gyn, but - my word! - she sounded grim when she told me it was her opinion that I most likely had cancer.  

Ugh.  I'd love to go and throw up with the nerves of all this!

How could she see "fluffiness"? Did you have ultrasounds? You say your D&C is next week.