Complex Hyperplasia with Atypia/**New Diagnosis Post Op - Endometrial Adenocarcinoma Stage 1-A

NoTimeForCancer said:

Miss Heather, is anyone going

Miss Heather, is anyone going with you to the consult?  Someone good at notes so you can sit and pay attention and they can just be your scribe?  A second set of ears might be helpful with everything that will be discussed, and your questions you want to ask.

Oh yes....my husband and my friend!!  I figure between the 3 of us, we’ll get it right!!  I imagine it going something like this....please take it out....they put in for the authorization...wait for the approval and schedul!!  Hopefully, it will be that quick!!!

Northwoodsgirl said:

Scheduling and timing

HeatherLynn707, Seems like most gyn/oncologists are scheduled out about 2 weeks so don’t be surprised. You may want to contact “member services “ at your health insurance company and ask if the surgeon, hospital, anasthesiologist and even radiologist group are “in-network “ with your plan benefit package. Some of us incurred unexpected ”out -of-network “ costs because although the hospital and oncologist were “in-network” the radiology, anasthesiology, pathology groups practicing within the hospital were NOT “in-network “. I experienced  situation and paid thousands of dollars out of pocket. There has been some new legislation introduced at the federal government level to make this scenario transparent to us as health care consumers. Your Oncologist won’t know specifically who the individual anasthesiologist will be but they certainly know the name of the anasthesiology group who staff’s the oncology surgical cases.  The reason they can’t tell you a specific name is because the surgical schedule won’t be determined on the day you see your oncologist for your pre-op consult. I hope you are still managing OK through all you are going through. Keeping you in my prayers that you will not be diagnosed with cancer. 

((Hug))

Lori

Thanks Lori for the great information!!  I will be sure to ask these at my appointment assuming we get straight into scheduling since I already know what I would like to do!  I also received word from a friend of mine who's a nurse indicated that I have the best doctor in town!!  She said he is amazing!!  

Hello all!!  Met with the oncologist gynecologist today.....radical hysterectomy scheduled for 10/25.  Happy with my Dr. and my staff!  I did a ton of research and my Dr. indicated that I was an easy patient and honestly anticipated my questions!  Not too excited about the amount of bowel prep.....oh and....my surgery is set for 3:30pm .  I will starve!!  Oh well, I wanted the first available!!  Pathology will be performed during procedure and if cancer is found, he will go back in and take lymphnodes.  He Indicated that lymph nodes looked suspect, he will take them also for pathology.  He did indicate with my history and symptoms, finding cancer may be likely but he won't be sure until he is in there!  da'Vinchi approach with the option to go open abdomen if needed.  Will keep you all posted!  Thanks so much for all if you're support!!  Fight on!!

LisaPizza said:

A question to check with your

A question to check with your gyn onc is whether he/she actually recommends a radical hysterectomy, or whether that is maybe a misunderstanding. The terms can be confusing to the uninitiated. A total hysterectomy means the cervix is included. A radical hysterectomy removes the uterus/cervix, but also the parametrial tissue (tissues around the uterus), and has more complications or harder recovery ... for example, many go home woth a temporary bladder catheter. Fortunately, normally for endometrial cancer we get a total hysterectomy, whereas the radical hysterectomy is used for cervical cancer. I guess it comes down to differences in the way they grow and spread.

 

Removal of the ovaries is not actually part of a hysterectomy; it's named as a separate procedure that may or may not be done - oophorectomy. These days that's generally a salpingo-oophorectomy (salpingl means removing the tubes and not just the ovaries), because it looks like ovarian cancer actually starts there. So you have to ask to be sure exactly what is beong removed or not, and to what extent. Removing the ovaries is another area with debate, and there is evidence for not always removing them.

 

Same with lymph nodes. There's not a consensus on removing lymph nodes. They often will not sample any (assuming they look normal) if the introperative pathology doesn't show any cancer. If it does, they weigh things like grade and depth of invasion to determine how aggressive to be. Some docs take only a few (I only had 5), some take dozens. It's  balance between finding any spread, and causing possible lymphedema, so there's not one right answer. The trend now is toward sentinel lymph node biopsies.

 

But again, you won't know what's planned if you don't even know what to ask. And it may all be mute because chances are you don't have cancer ... but when they find out, you're under anesthesia and it's too late to take part in the decision-making or at least be prepared for the possibilities. You'll see all these types of surgery on your consent form. as "possible", just in case, but that shouldn't be the first time you hear about it, and you shouldn't have to decide without time to understand.

 

Some docs explain all this without prompting, and some just make their judgment call and only answer the questions you ask.

LisaPizza!

So my surgery is scheduled for 10/25.  My onc gyn indicated he will be removing uterus, cervex, tubes and ovaries.  They will perform intraoperative pathology while under and if cancer is present, they will remove lymphnodes.  He indicated that if he views any lymphnodes that appear to be suspect, he will remove regardles of pathology findings.  Thanks so much for your input, it was extremely helpful.

Will keep you posted!!

Fight on!!  

--H

Hello Ladies!!

Received a phone call from my Dr. today.....great news!!  They had a cancellation and my surgery date was moved up to a week from tomorrow!  I received the first surgery of the day vs. a 3:30pm surgery time!!  I am excited and terrified all at the same time!  Thanks to all for your support!  So much gratitude!  I am hopeful that this will be the only treatment I need but if not, I know that I am not alone.  They will perform pathology intra operative with a full pathology to follow a couple of days later.  Keeping my fingers crossed and saying a bunch of prayers.  Fight on ladies!!  

 - Heather

ConnieSW said:

Hey, Heather

delighted to learn your good news. 

It's getting close so I am happy!  I am nervous but I know that all will be well!

Fight On!!