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Teemac
Teemac Member Posts: 26
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
I am 30 years old and I just got dignaose with Endometrial Cancer. I have lot of questions and a lot of things I do not understand. I will be going to see a specialist on Oct 1st. To say I am scared is an understament. I found out on Wed since then I have hardley slept and have spent most of the time crying. Family and friends are there for me but they really do not know what I am going through. I love them for trying but I think I will go crazy if one more person says you will be fine when they know nothing about it. My husband and I had just decided we where ready for a family and where looking forwarded to it. I was having some trouble with my periods. My gyno put me on Provera to help stablize my periods. I was not really having any before that. I started the Provera on Aug 1 st 2010. I started my period on Aug 3rd and have been on it ever since. To make a long story short last week I had sever bleeding and blood clots. Wound up having to have a Dnc on friday. The Dr scraped 2.5" off my Utrues. He said everything looked good but they where going to check to make sure there was no underlineing problems. I went back the next Wed and got the results. They where not good and not what my gyno was expecting. He set me up with a specialist but I have to wait for over a week. I have been doing some reserach on line but I have not really found anything for somebody my age. Does anybody know if there is a chance I might still be able to have children? Is a hysterectomy the only option? Had anybody not had to have one? Please if you can answer any of these questions help me. I was also wondering if Endometrial Cancer is the same thing as Uterine Cancer?

Comments

  • llight
    llight Member Posts: 99
    #2
    Hi Teemac,

    I'm sorry you have EC and I understand your feelings. I know how irritating others can be, too, when they try and reassure you; I've maxxed out on that stuff too.

    Endometrial cancer is the same thing as uterine cancer. There are different types of this cancer so you'll want to know what the pathology report said. You want to know the name and type. They can get some idea, I think, from a D&C. Normally with a hysterectomy they "stage" your cancer to see how much it has spread (IF it has gone outside of the uterus) and "grade" it, too, to see how aggressive it is. Here is a website that may help you understand more: href=http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/EndometrialCancer/DetailedGuide/endometrial-uterine-cancer-what-is-endometrial-cancer>http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/EndometrialCancer/DetailedGuide/endometrial-uterine-cancer-what-is-endometrial-cancer

    I'm sorry, I don't know have answers about your chances of future fertility. Please feel free to call and talk to your doctor to learn more. You can, also, ask for a copy of the pathology report. Call ACS if you need help understanding it; they can help: 1-800-227-2345.

    Sorry, again, for your news. Just know there are a lot of great women with a lot of info on this board.

    Hang in there.
  • CaCowgirl
    CaCowgirl Member Posts: 27
    #3
    llight said:

    Hi Teemac,

    I'm sorry you have EC and I understand your feelings. I know how irritating others can be, too, when they try and reassure you; I've maxxed out on that stuff too.

    Endometrial cancer is the same thing as uterine cancer. There are different types of this cancer so you'll want to know what the pathology report said. You want to know the name and type. They can get some idea, I think, from a D&C. Normally with a hysterectomy they "stage" your cancer to see how much it has spread (IF it has gone outside of the uterus) and "grade" it, too, to see how aggressive it is. Here is a website that may help you understand more: href=http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/EndometrialCancer/DetailedGuide/endometrial-uterine-cancer-what-is-endometrial-cancer>http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/EndometrialCancer/DetailedGuide/endometrial-uterine-cancer-what-is-endometrial-cancer

    I'm sorry, I don't know have answers about your chances of future fertility. Please feel free to call and talk to your doctor to learn more. You can, also, ask for a copy of the pathology report. Call ACS if you need help understanding it; they can help: 1-800-227-2345.

    Sorry, again, for your news. Just know there are a lot of great women with a lot of info on this board.

    Hang in there.

    EC & Uc are the same

    So sorry to hear your diagnosis. It can be quite a shock, especially at your age. There is a lot of information here about this type of cancer. Hopefully it was found early & your doctors will be helpful & good communicators.Read all you can & if possible get second opinions. I hope your Doctor doesn't tell you-"This is a good cancer to have" as mine did. Cancer is never a good thing. Knowing the grade is important & staging should be done, too. Prayers are with you & your family. Gather all the knowledge you can, so you can make informed decisions.
  • Teemac
    Teemac Member Posts: 26
    #4
    CaCowgirl said:

    EC & Uc are the same

    So sorry to hear your diagnosis. It can be quite a shock, especially at your age. There is a lot of information here about this type of cancer. Hopefully it was found early & your doctors will be helpful & good communicators.Read all you can & if possible get second opinions. I hope your Doctor doesn't tell you-"This is a good cancer to have" as mine did. Cancer is never a good thing. Knowing the grade is important & staging should be done, too. Prayers are with you & your family. Gather all the knowledge you can, so you can make informed decisions.

    Not in those words exactly
    Thank you both for the advice.

    My Dr did not use those words exactly. What he said was if you are going to have Cancer this is the best kind to have becuase it is the most treatable and has the highest survivor rate. I don't really feel that I can rely on my family to help me make the right decission at this time. I love my husband very much but his father is currently fighting bladder cancer and has not had the easiest time. It is a lot for the family to take in right now. My father-in-law has only been out of the hospital for about 3 weeks after being in for almost a month. During that time he had his bladder removed and rebuilt out of his small intestine. He almost did not make it out of surgery and has had a rough time since then. When it comes to my husband he just wants me to have everything removed and be done with it. I feel that his opion is kinds of cloud due to everything we have been thru with his father. All I have ever wanted was to be a mother. I feel like the family is trying to pressure me into something I am not sure I want. Everything is really confusing right now and I feel like I am dealing with it all alone becuase I am battling the whole family.
  • llight
    llight Member Posts: 99
    #5
    Teemac said:

    Not in those words exactly
    Thank you both for the advice.

    My Dr did not use those words exactly. What he said was if you are going to have Cancer this is the best kind to have becuase it is the most treatable and has the highest survivor rate. I don't really feel that I can rely on my family to help me make the right decission at this time. I love my husband very much but his father is currently fighting bladder cancer and has not had the easiest time. It is a lot for the family to take in right now. My father-in-law has only been out of the hospital for about 3 weeks after being in for almost a month. During that time he had his bladder removed and rebuilt out of his small intestine. He almost did not make it out of surgery and has had a rough time since then. When it comes to my husband he just wants me to have everything removed and be done with it. I feel that his opion is kinds of cloud due to everything we have been thru with his father. All I have ever wanted was to be a mother. I feel like the family is trying to pressure me into something I am not sure I want. Everything is really confusing right now and I feel like I am dealing with it all alone becuase I am battling the whole family.

    What your doc said
    The reason your doctor probably said "this is the best kind to have" is because if caught early the uterus can be removed; it is not an organ that is essential for continued living. It is quite different than your father-in-law's bladder surgery, as you said he had to have his bladder rebuilt. We all need to have a bladder. This is not the case with uteri and hysterectomies; the uterus is removed and there can be no other complications unless the cancer has metastasized.

    I know this doesn't address your psychological needs and wishes to be a mother. You may want to hire a therapist for dealing with this part. See what social services or referrals are available from your cancer clinic/hospital or call ACS. You may want to have a place to safely discuss your fears and concerns with someone who is not family. Also, note, that oncologists are only interested in your continued ability to live and survive without cancer. The way the healthcare system is set up is that you need to have a specialist for every area that this cancer diagnosis touches (psychological, for example).

    I am glad to hear your husband is supportive of possible treatment. There is a wisdom in what he is saying. I know you probably don't want to hear this (please don't shoot me...hehe) but please consider adoption as an option as you're struggling with all these distressing thoughts that are "very understandably" normal.

    I hope my response is not distressing to you. I, too, was very upset and hesitant to have the surgery, etc. Please continue to post and share your feelings and concerns.

    Wishing you all the best,
    llight
  • Songflower
    Songflower Member Posts: 608
    #6
    llight said:

    What your doc said
    The reason your doctor probably said "this is the best kind to have" is because if caught early the uterus can be removed; it is not an organ that is essential for continued living. It is quite different than your father-in-law's bladder surgery, as you said he had to have his bladder rebuilt. We all need to have a bladder. This is not the case with uteri and hysterectomies; the uterus is removed and there can be no other complications unless the cancer has metastasized.

    I know this doesn't address your psychological needs and wishes to be a mother. You may want to hire a therapist for dealing with this part. See what social services or referrals are available from your cancer clinic/hospital or call ACS. You may want to have a place to safely discuss your fears and concerns with someone who is not family. Also, note, that oncologists are only interested in your continued ability to live and survive without cancer. The way the healthcare system is set up is that you need to have a specialist for every area that this cancer diagnosis touches (psychological, for example).

    I am glad to hear your husband is supportive of possible treatment. There is a wisdom in what he is saying. I know you probably don't want to hear this (please don't shoot me...hehe) but please consider adoption as an option as you're struggling with all these distressing thoughts that are "very understandably" normal.

    I hope my response is not distressing to you. I, too, was very upset and hesitant to have the surgery, etc. Please continue to post and share your feelings and concerns.

    Wishing you all the best,
    llight

    Thinking of you
    I know your father in law is ill but right now you need to focus on yourself and your husband needs to help you do that. Someone else will have to step in to help him.

    Most often with cancer of the uterus they do a hysterectomy. Now, I don't know how advanced yours is, but it could be possible to save eggs from your ovaries. Later on you could find a surrogate and have your husbands sperm and your eggs used for children. Other options are adoption but you may not be ready to hear that yet. My sister in law adopted and we love those two kids. The most important thing right now is your life.

    Ask for your pathology report. The specialist will have more information to give you and more tests. There are many times of uterine cancer. My guess is you have endometriod which is the least agressive. Don't be afraid to get a copy of your reports; they are yours. You can even go to medical records and get a copy there.

    You are not alone in this. Let us know what the specialist says. Waiting is often so difficult. We are here with you.

    Diane
  • Teemac
    Teemac Member Posts: 26
    #7
    TUMORS
    OKAY I HAVE A QUESTION. I AM NEW TO ALL OF THIS JUST GOT MY DIGNOSIAS A WEEK AGO. I WENT IN FOR A DNC BECUASE MY LIENING WAS TO THICK. THAT IS WHEN THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE LINING WAS CANCERS. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF CANCER OR ANYHTING I HAVE YET. IT WAS MENTION THAT IT WAS ENDOMETRIAL. I HAVE BEEN REASERACHING AND TRYING TO FIND OUT MORE INFO ON THAT TYPE OF CANCER (WHICH IS HOW I FOUND THIS WEBSITE). A LOT OF WHAT I AM READING HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT TUMORS. AS FAR AS I KNOW FROM WHAT THE DR SAID I DO NOT HAVE ANY TUMORS. COULD THEY BE REFERING TO THE LINING THAT THEY REMOVED AS A TUMOR?

    THANK YOU

    TEE
  • llight
    llight Member Posts: 99
    #8
    Teemac said:

    TUMORS
    OKAY I HAVE A QUESTION. I AM NEW TO ALL OF THIS JUST GOT MY DIGNOSIAS A WEEK AGO. I WENT IN FOR A DNC BECUASE MY LIENING WAS TO THICK. THAT IS WHEN THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE LINING WAS CANCERS. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF CANCER OR ANYHTING I HAVE YET. IT WAS MENTION THAT IT WAS ENDOMETRIAL. I HAVE BEEN REASERACHING AND TRYING TO FIND OUT MORE INFO ON THAT TYPE OF CANCER (WHICH IS HOW I FOUND THIS WEBSITE). A LOT OF WHAT I AM READING HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT TUMORS. AS FAR AS I KNOW FROM WHAT THE DR SAID I DO NOT HAVE ANY TUMORS. COULD THEY BE REFERING TO THE LINING THAT THEY REMOVED AS A TUMOR?

    THANK YOU

    TEE

    Yes
    Yes, your endometrial lining that was removed during the D&C showed cancerous growths or malignant tumors.
  • llight
    llight Member Posts: 99
    #9
    Teemac said:

    TUMORS
    OKAY I HAVE A QUESTION. I AM NEW TO ALL OF THIS JUST GOT MY DIGNOSIAS A WEEK AGO. I WENT IN FOR A DNC BECUASE MY LIENING WAS TO THICK. THAT IS WHEN THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE LINING WAS CANCERS. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF CANCER OR ANYHTING I HAVE YET. IT WAS MENTION THAT IT WAS ENDOMETRIAL. I HAVE BEEN REASERACHING AND TRYING TO FIND OUT MORE INFO ON THAT TYPE OF CANCER (WHICH IS HOW I FOUND THIS WEBSITE). A LOT OF WHAT I AM READING HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT TUMORS. AS FAR AS I KNOW FROM WHAT THE DR SAID I DO NOT HAVE ANY TUMORS. COULD THEY BE REFERING TO THE LINING THAT THEY REMOVED AS A TUMOR?

    THANK YOU

    TEE

    Childbearing comments
    Teemac,

    Found some info for you on childbearing issues. Scroll down to "Contraindications" for comments regarding childbearing. Whole article is good. I recommend reading it.

    href=http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/258148-overview>http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/258148-overview

    Hope this helps.
  • Teemac
    Teemac Member Posts: 26
    #10
    llight said:

    Childbearing comments
    Teemac,

    Found some info for you on childbearing issues. Scroll down to "Contraindications" for comments regarding childbearing. Whole article is good. I recommend reading it.

    href=http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/258148-overview>http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/258148-overview

    Hope this helps.

    CHILDBEARING
    LLIGHT,

    THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION. I WILL DEFFANTLY CHECK IT OUT!

    TEE

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