Endometrial Cancer Survivor
Cheryle
M
California
I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2007. I was grieving the loss of my childhood friend who passed in Dec 2006, and I was called in to my doctors office on that weekend. I was informed that I had hyperplasia, which is the abnormal cells, that cause thickening of the wall of the uterus. My obgyn found this out when she was testing me before I were to start fertility treatments again. She performed a DNC, and my husband and I thought for sure, that everything was going to be ok.
I went back to work after a week, then received a call from my doctor asking me to come in, and to bring my husband. She had me sit on the table, and came in to the examining room. She proceeded to tell me that I have endometrial cancer, and that I would have to have a hysterectomy. She went on to say, that she was not sure how much to cancer has spread, and she wasn't positive what grade it was, only that she would advise that the surgery was performed as soon as possible.
She recommended some very talented doctors, but all I could do was shake and cry. My world stopped, my dreams of having natural children died, my heart was in pieces, and I wasn't even certain that I would survive. My surgery was in Feb, and I can't believe I made it through all of it. I asked god, that if he would let me survive cancer free, that I would spend the rest of my life educating everyone on our earth about endometrial cancer, uterine cancer, all cancers. And so I thank god for letting me live and help others, by sharing my story, lending a hand to help spread the word, the fight for a cure, for awareness of cancer, and prevention. My race teams name is peach 4 life since peach is the color of endometrial cancer, I am under komens race/sacramento, Ca. I wear the names of cancer survivors on the front of my shirt near my heart, and on my back I wear the names of my loved ones, and friends whom we lost to cancer. Lets stand strong, spreading the word, soaring all heights, as the sky is the limit, and god has given us this. A survivor, and another family member to you in being touched with cancer.
Comments
me too :(
I'm 35 years old and I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer last month. I've always had irregular periods but always light ones. Last October at my annual pap I told my dr that I often spot when I have sex and weird but a few weeks later I got a really bad cycle that lasted like 2 weeks then the spotting never stopped. I had an ultrasound done and my gyn dr said there was a mass in my uterus. He said he would do a laproscopy to remove the mass (which was probably benign) and also a D&C and that would stop the spotting. It worked. I was realived! Then at my follow up appt he told me the biopsy came back positive for cancer and would probably need a hysterectomy and didn't know if the cancer has spread to the muscle and would have to meet with a gyn oncologist now. My heart sank to my feet. My stomach turned in knots. And a waterfall fell from my eyes. Hysterectomy?? Is this why I've never been able to have a child? My surgery is this Friday. I'm so scared! I already went thru this one time and now I have to endure something more serious? On a good note, I am glad I was proactive and caught it at an early stage, a grade 1. But the thought of never having a child of my own is the where I find myself saddened day after day. It's very hard to accept that I can never have a child. How do I tell the man of my dreams that I will never be able to make a family with him? Anyways, I tell all my girlfriends to take good care of themselves and to also be proactive and get their annuals done. I can't believe how many of them put it off. I would like to participate in some kind of awareness also. I want to try to help others that are scared like me once I get through this. And I will get through this, no doubt! God bless all of you out there like me.
endometrial cancer
Hi I started menopause almost 2yrs ago, But on Tuesday I started bleeding! i called a gynecologist who did an vaginal ultrasound and said I have endometriial cancer but will not do a biopsy until i stop bleeding! So I have an appointment two weeks monday for a biopsy and I hope my bleeding stops. I am so anxious and scared! I am 48 and still have a 10 yr old at home! I do not know of a good gynecologist onocologist in my area????
I'm really sorry that you
I'm really sorry that you lost your friend(s) and that you had endometrial cancer. Did you have any symtoms before your diagnosis?
Yesterday I finally picked up my recent report of the transvaginal ultrasound I had done September 1 at a better place. I had this done this time 4 days after my period ended,unlike in March when it was just two days before my period when the technician told me the uterine lining is the thickest.I had my first transvaginal ultrasound in October 2006 after my internist gave me a prescription to get it done because I was having spotting off and on in between my period since late 2005,but there was nothing wrong found not even a fibroid.In December 2008 I had another one done because in Juky 2008 I had some endometrial cells turn up on my pap test,so I had a TruTest Toa brush biopsy in September 2008,and it turned out benign,and I wanted to get another transvaginal ultrasound right away,but my internist at the time wanted me to wait 3 months afterwards in case the biopsy had disrupted the uterus and she said it could effect the results.
This new report says that my lining measures 14mm which they say is prominent for my menstural cycle and they said I'm in the proliferative phase and my endometrial stripe should measure 4-6mm.Then they say that in addition a heterogeneous soft tissue mass is noted within the endometrial echo complex measuring 1.3x1.7x1.4 cm and 0.9x0.9x1.0cm.I was so frightened and shaken up to read that it says the differential diagnosis includes,hyperplasia,endometrial polyp, and endometrial carcinoma! My mother died of endometrial cncer at age 49 at stage 4 in just 4 months!
I was so frightened that I went right into my new internists office,he was the one who gave me the prescription for this test,(but he had written on it pelvic pain for some reason,I don't have any pelvic pain)anyway he wasn't in yet,but the women receptionists (and the medical assistant who is usually nice) were totally insensitive to how clearly visibly fightened I was.I left and walked to my gynecologists office,and was so visibly frightened when I spoke to the many women behind the desk there,and I asked them if an ultrasound can tell if you have cancer,I said I know you need a biopsy to tell you that.One of the women who was nicer in the past had a nerve to be annoyed and said in a kind of nasty way,we aren't doctors you have to ask the doctor.I asked if any of them had any medical training and one of them said she had some,and one of the medical assistants was there near by and she said you can tell a lot from an ultrasound,but you have to talk to the doctor.Only one of the women said I'm sorry if it seems we're being insensitive but we can't answer medical questions.
Anyway,I talked to my gynecologist yesterday about getting the D&C with a hysterscopy and using an epidural and he said it was fine to do it this way,I hope the anestiologist will go along with this, ,when I spoke to him about it months ago he said,that I would have a headache and be numb from the waist down for 2 hours.I met a young woman who lived accross from me who had an epidural with a C section and she said she didn't get a head ache but she said it feels really strange,like your legs are paralyzed,but it wore off in an hour and a half,she said it would be better than being put to sleep.I really wish there was a less scary less invasive alternative to a biopsy or a D&C though.
I have several risk factors,I have never been pregnant,never have used birth control pills and I was thin until I was 34, (I'm 45 now)I have been somewhat overweight for years now even though most of the time I eat only 2 low fat low calories meals a day,and only drink diet drinks and cheat occasionally.I don't excercise much though and my metabolism is has been very slow for 11 years now.
If you can reply when you get a chance I really would appreciate it.
Thank You.
endometrial cancer stage 1
Hello, I am so sorry that I only now found your message. I know that you are right to have your DNC, to find out through biopsy about the diagnosis. This is the only way that the doctor will know for sure if you have endometrial cancer. Don't worry about any negative reactions from insensative MA, or nurses, even doctors...since you are in control of your treatment, and you have the right to do exactly what you are doing. I know you have had your diagnosis since your email was sent to me in Sept, so I could extend my support out to you. Please do email me back, when you get a chance, and I will be more than happy to answer your questions and concerns.
I am so sorry to hear about your mother, with her grade and her stage on endometrial Cancer. I believe us who are survivors, are given the gift, to spread awarness, and to lend a helping hand in cancer, endometrial cancer awarness. My co worker just recently came to me with word on a biopsy, her surgery is at the end of this month.
Warm wishes, and prayers,
Cheryle