Anxious

Hi Connie, I don't know how often your gyn-onc does surgery, but are you on her cancellation list in case someone scheduled to have surgery this week is unable to do so due to Covid or some other unforeseen issue? It may be too late for this Tuesday if she only does surgery once a week, but if she also operates again later in the week, perhaps you could get in a bit sooner. Just a thought.

I know I had less than a week's wait from the time I first saw my gyn-onc to the time I had surgery, and I had an out-of-state second gyn-onc opinion inbetween, which did keep my mind occupied for part of the waiting period. Even so, it felt like a really long wait until my surgery date arrived, so I have a good idea of the stress you're going through.

Don't hesitate to check in and ask any questions you have. Hopefully that will not only give you some answers, but will also help you pass the time until surgery!

All the best,

MoeKay

Connie1950

On the positive side, 1b is a very low stage and it was discovered early, not in your lymph nodes, the ovary mass is benign, sarcoma isn't as difficult to treat as other cancer types and there are more options and you are off your pain medication. Lots to be thankful for.

Blessings and continued good luck

I have high grade serous and when I was diagnosed, I was under the impression that if my cancer has been a Sarcoma that there would be more options to treat me. Find out if your cancer is fast growing or slow growing. If it is slow growing that will help also. You also might qualify for immunotherapy, as I do not with my particular genetic mutations.

Have you had genetic testing done on the biopsy they just took during surgery. You might want to look into that because knowing your mutations might help with treatment also.

Stage 1b is very early, that is a blessing also. Depending on where the tumor is and how many you have and how large it is they might be able to do surgery and remove it and then treatment.

Stay as positive as you can and learn as much about what kind of cancer you have so you can choose to do research if you want to and know what the doctors are talking about during your meetings with them. Be your own advocate.

Blessings to you. Feb11gal

Hi Connie,

You are going to need support through this process of healing and any follow-up treatment. Is your gyn onc at a teaching hospital?

Do you have family and friends to lean on? Are you journaling in Caring Bridge to keep people informed?

There was a ton of good news in your surgery and pathology report: clear margins; no lymph involvement; early stage; etc. Your body knows how to heal.

See if you can get acupuncture. Eat lots of leafy greens (can be cooked in soup). Stay hydrated. Laugh! Before you know it your life will be joyous, again.

One foot in front of the other.

We are here for you.

Hi Connie,

My pathology report indicated that MMMT was a differential diagnosis, but the pathologist ended up ruling it out based on several enumerated findings in his report. For this reason and due to several other pathological findings contained in the report, I requested a second pathology opinion at another institution. You might want to give some thought to having your pathology slides reviewed by the teaching hospital you mentioned above, or by a major cancer center. Here's some information on second pathology reviews: https://www.cancerabcs.org/pathology-2nd-opinions

Since MMMT/carcinosarcoma is very rare, second opinions on both pathology and treatment definitely can't hurt. I got second opinions on both and have never regretted doing so. My insurance paid for the second pathology opinion, but as the article above mentions, you would want to check with your insurer first.

Best wishes for continued healing and good health!

Connie, in May it will be 24 years since my surgery, so I can't recall the specific details. I do remember that I spoke directly to the pathologist a few times asking him questions about his report. He spent a lot of time on the phone with me explaining everything. So I'm not sure if I had him initiate the process for the second pathology review or if I had my gyn-onc start the ball rolling. However, I know that the hospital where I had my surgery forwarded all the slides directly to the second hospital's pathology department. So I would check with your gyn-onc or pathologist. Getting a second pathology review is a common practice, so they would know how to go about doing it. I believe you said you will be seeing your gyn-onc this week, so she may be the easiest one to ask initially.

Good luck!

Dear Connie1950,

I realize that the teaching hospital is far away. I had to drive 2.5 hours (without hitting traffic and there was always traffic) one-way to go to UCSF (University of California San Francisco), a teaching hospital. I lived in a small farming town and the town hospital did blood draws but it was their lousy gynecologist that got me into the pickle. The nearest city had a hospital that I was none to pleased with. I had surgery elsewhere but after getting two second opinions enrolled in a clinical trial at UCSF.

You need someone else to review your pathology report and recommended treatment plan. If they agree with everything, great! Yours is a rare cancer that needs experienced hands helping you through to full recovery.

Best wishes,

Fourbee