New development and change in diagnosis

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AnnNYC
AnnNYC Member Posts: 27
edited April 2016 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer last week but what confused me was that a pelvic sono found a 3.3 cm mass in cervical canal.  I wanted to know if one had to do with the other, in other words, did this mean that the cancer from my uterus had broken through to my cervix where it was discovered.  I do not have the results of my PET/CT scan that was done on Friday.

My gyn just called me (yes, a Sunday afternoon -she is dedicated!) and told me that the drs have been going back and forth on my case and while they initially believed it was uterine cancer, they now believe it is cervical cancer.

She deferred to the gyn/onc to tell me tomorrow, but she acknowledged that it looks like it has spread to my lymph nodes.

So, this is an interesting development and sure enough, the symptoms of cervical cancer match up exactly to what I have been experiencing these last few months with the pain in my abdomen and the bleeding.

She also asked me to get a 2nd opinion from a different hospital network and gave me the name of another gyn/onc there.

So friends, I don't even know what board to post on anymore but am so thankful for all your support.  I am continuing on with this journey and will try to be my own best advocate.  Today in church with my husband and little kids, I tried to really breath and relax for a minute.  I haven't been able to relax or calm my mind since Wednesday.  This afternoon, I called and broke the news to my parents.  They were the epitome of parental support and unconditional love.  It was exactly what I needed.  I am praying for all of you and your families on this journey.

 

Comments

  • CheeseQueen57
    CheeseQueen57 Member Posts: 933 Member
    #2
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    Best wishes to you always

    Ann, no matter your diagnosis, the thoughts and prayers of your sisters on the board will be with you always. I declared a moretoreum on the use of the word cxxxxxx on Sundays. The word will not be used in my house on Sundays so we have a little break from saying the word. 

    Good luck to you and God bless!

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,811 Member
    #3
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    CheeseQueen57 said:

    Best wishes to you always

    Ann, no matter your diagnosis, the thoughts and prayers of your sisters on the board will be with you always. I declared a moretoreum on the use of the word cxxxxxx on Sundays. The word will not be used in my house on Sundays so we have a little break from saying the word. 

    Good luck to you and God bless!

    Ann, I'm impressed that your

    Ann, I'm impressed that your doctor is that dedicated. Good for you going forward!

    Regardless of what kind you have, please keep in touch with us. We all have a stake in our friends on this board.

    Take care and I hope we hear back from you after you get the official word...

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

  • Gardena
    Gardena Member Posts: 102
    #4
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    Best wishes, Ann

    Sounds like you have an excellent medical team and a loving and supportive family -- exactly what your situation calls for. This board is full of love and support,  so regardless of what type of cancer you end up dealing w you are always welcome here to share, chat, vent....  or just say, 'hello'. All the best to you~

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #5
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    Hello Ann
    Diagnosis can be

    Hello Ann

    Diagnosis can be very confusing.  I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer.  It was found in the uterus, cervix and the left ovary.  They were unsure of where the primary source was.  They were also uncertain on whether it was MMM(?).   They decided it was endometrial but it was treated as ovarian.   The treatment for endometrial and ovarian are the same, but treating it as ovarian more tests, etc., are approved by insurances. (from what I was told).

    Please note that my diagnosis and treatment was back in 2005.  My sons were 14, 12, and 10 at the time.   Keep your positive outlook.  Also, 2nd or 3rd opinions do not hurt to have.  

    My best to you,

    Kathy 

  • molimoli
    molimoli Member Posts: 514
    #6
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    Sorry you have embarked on this journey,deep breathe often.

    Ann the storm will pass in a little while, Be focussed and don't let fear of the unknown in . fear is fertelizer for arrested lives, Don't allow this diagnosis ,whichever one it is snatch the life out of you,you will be treated, I wish you peace of mind which is many miles away but it will catch up to you ,you will see, after the storm comes a calm always.

    Moli -sending comforting vibes and hugs.

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,482 Member
    #7
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    I'm impressed that your

    I'm impressed that your doctor called you on a Sunday.  I don't think my doctor calls anybody ever!!  As the other ladies have said, no matter if it's ovarian or uterine, you're always welcome to visit with us.  

    This whole cancer thing literally stops you on a dime and you begin a new life with a whole new vocabulary.  Trying to sort out what matters and what doesn't becomes very important both from a mental health standpoint and a physical one.  

    I am very lucky that our youngest is already 22 and a senior in college - no small children at home for me.  I can't imagine how I would feel if I did.

    Love,

    Eldri

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 789
    #8
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    Second opinion for sure

    Hi Ann, from my experience, the diagnosis is one of the hardest parts of this process. I ended up getting three opinions before deciding on a final diagnosis and treatment. I guess that's why they call it "practicing" medicine? 

    Wishing you good luck and the best of health! 

  • AnnNYC
    AnnNYC Member Posts: 27
    #9
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    Kaleena said:

    Hello Ann
    Diagnosis can be

    Hello Ann

    Diagnosis can be very confusing.  I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer.  It was found in the uterus, cervix and the left ovary.  They were unsure of where the primary source was.  They were also uncertain on whether it was MMM(?).   They decided it was endometrial but it was treated as ovarian.   The treatment for endometrial and ovarian are the same, but treating it as ovarian more tests, etc., are approved by insurances. (from what I was told).

    Please note that my diagnosis and treatment was back in 2005.  My sons were 14, 12, and 10 at the time.   Keep your positive outlook.  Also, 2nd or 3rd opinions do not hurt to have.  

    My best to you,

    Kathy 

    That's so great to hear!

    Kathy, I love hearing that people have put miles between them and their original diagnosis.  It's really one of the most comforting things to hear about.  Thank you.

  • RoseyR
    RoseyR Member Posts: 471 Member
    edited May 2016 #10
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    Your Diagnosis and Treatment

    Anne, am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis.  Do you yet know what "strain" of cancer it is?  Or what "stage" it is?  Please be encouraged that I was diagnosed five years ago with Stage IB uterine cancer--a very rare and aggressive strain called "carcinosarcoma" (which used to be called "MMMT), yet here I am, alive and well five years after finishing treatment at U Penn five summers ago.  (Treatment was hysterectomy followed by "sandwich treatment"--three rounds of chemo (taxol and carboplatin) followed by 25 pelvic radiation treatments, followed by another three rounds of chemo.   I didn't even feel sick during treatment because I saw an integrative doctor here in Philadelphia named Steven Rosenzweig (an M.D. from Penn whos studied medicine in Eastern Europe for six years).  He got me through all that treatment with NO side effects beyond lost hair simply by prescribing four or five supplements:

    AHCC (a mushroom supplement that bolsters the immune system)

    fish oil (three tsps a day with meals of Finest Pure Fish Oil by Pharmax)

    a probiotic before breakfast each day called "ProGreens"

    Vitamin D (your blood level should be at least between 40 and 80; many cancer patients are diagnosed with very low levels; anything below 30 makes you more vulnerable to cancer);

    glutamine (a white powdery amino acid that prevents neuropathy, mouth sores, and damage to intestines; I was supposed to take a heaping tsp in a glass of water three times a day starting two days before chemo and continuing the first two days OF chemo during each cycle).

    Curcumin (150 mgs three times a day with meals), a powerful anti-cancer supplement that may also enhance the effects of taxol according to Dr. Aggarwal, a prominent researcher at MD Anderson.

    I also did my own research on cancer and diet and gave up processed food, any kind of sugary treats or refined carbs, stressing whole grains, beans, cruciferous vegetables, olive oil, more fish and eggs as my main sources of protein ONLY organic sources of meat and dairy; berries, oatmeal, garlic, onions, and foods that act as "aromatase inhibitors"--a subject you can Google yourself; aromatase inhibitors help to suppress estrogen, too much of which causes about two thirds of all gyncological and breast cancer.  A book I highly recommend is "Anti-Cancer" by Dr. David S. Schreiber--mostly about what to stress in your diet to avoid cancer recurrence.  If you'd like my email message me this week and I'll be happy to provide any further encouragement.  

    If you can't get to Philly to see Dr. Rosenzweig, try to find a good integrative or naturopathic doctor in New York to help you through treatment.  Your oncologists if typical won't want to hear about "supplements' and will pooh-pooh or discourage them, but much research shows that they can migitigate the side effects of treatment AND make that treatment more effective.

     

    Best, Rosey

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