Endometrial Cancer Survivor
I had started spotting in between periods since July of 2009. I went to see my gynecologists in July and had a intrauterine ultrasound done....came back that the lining of my uterus was really thick. I had no tumors or cysts. They put me on several medications to try and control the bleeding. They didn't talk about a DnC until November of 2009, but still wanted to see how the meds worked. My gynecologists didn't seemed alarmed with how thick my lining of uterus was...mentioned briefly uterine cancer but said its not likely in a woman my age. I had polycystic ovarian syndrome since I was 22 and this made me irregular and could make me spot...but the ultrasound came back normal with no cysts on my ovaries. I thought at that moment....I should have asked more questions.
One morning in January of 2010 I woke up to a bed of blood. I could not stop bleeding. I was taken to the ER and given a depo shot and released back to my gynecologist. I went to see a different one because my gyno was out on vacation. I thank god I saw a different Dr. because this dr reviewed my charts and stated we need to do an emergency DnC because the lining of my uterus was really really thick and I shouldn't have been left like this for sooo many months. He was more aggressive and thank god he was because it came back positive for Stage 1 Endometrial Cancer. I could not believe it...I was spotting for soooo long and we could have done this procedure a lot sooner. But thank god...it was stage 1 and I had to have my uterus removed, cervix and fallopian tubes two weeks later.
I just had surgery last Friday, but I already feel soooo relieved. I got to keep my ovaries. They said the cancer had not spread beyond the lining of the uterus. Which means no further treatment is needed. I just have to eat healthier now, learn to listen to my body and take control of my health. I thank god for giving me a second chance I am only 30 years old, tooo young for this...but I thank god everyday for giving me life.
Comments
endometrial cancer stage 1
First I would like to say "Congratulations" on surviving endometrial cancer. And second I would like to let you know that April 11 was my 3rd year anniversary, in remission, but statistically, I already pased the remissions stage. I can let you know that the Oncologist did a complete hysterectomy, taking out my uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix and ovaries. He believed that it was the best thing to do, since I had polystystic syndrom, and gray shading in the ovaries, which is the same shading that was found in the uterus. My husband and I don't have any children, and at the time I was 36 years old and ready to have a baby. We were seeking fertility treatment, since we were not getting pregnant by ourselves when they found the cancer. My gynocologist, called it. She is forever my hero!
I am still heavy, I joined curves, eating better, but I unlike you have menapause, so even though I am only 36, I feel like I physically am older. You lose your progesterone, and you lose your bone density, your energy, and your labido. However, I am taking natural estrogen replacement, vitamins, and buidling my stamina back up. Everything is going to be ok. The highlights are, when I went in for surgery, I prayed to Jesus, that if he let me live, that I would spend the rest of my life helping, spreading the word, in support to my fellow sisters, about endometrial cancer, and uterine cancer. I joined the Hers OVARIAN cancer Institute, and raced 2008,2009. After surgery in 2007, I walked the 3k Susan Komens race for the Cure, Sacramento ca, and will be doing the 5k in May. My team is Peach 4 Life, since peach is the color of endometrial cancer, medical color anyways... I was the poster advocate for California for www.csecc.org for 2009. I will be preparing a speech for 2009, in March I will say my speech infront of 200+ people. I continue to strive to be a vessel, to spread the word, of being a survivor and to never give up, no matter what, and that our universe can be a even more beatiful place, by putting our love and god given energy, to brighten peoples lives, by saving one life.
I created a group called peach 4 life on profile webpage on Fran's website, I hope you join!
May you heal beautifully, and may you treasure each moment in life, the way I have been awakened to do so...
~ Cheryle
Endometrial cancer
I too had endomentrial cancer and survivor of Stage I. I was older 55 but it is still pretty traumatic to go through losing your female organs and the ordeal with surgery, tests, and post surgical. I didn't have a whole lot of love or support from family members and pretty much on my own. But I am a survivor. Now have a good friend with breast cancer and trying to give her lots of love and support. I know how it feels.
To Cheryle and Christina..
To Cheryle and Christina.. Coming across both your stories - ladies, you have endured some really hard and sad times, and I really do feel for you both. But I would also like to say, what an amazing Inspiration you both are, and many other women who endured the same.
I'm 19 years old and I've been unwell for 3 years now..They can't find the cause of it, and living in a small town, neither the right facilities either. I've been through 3 doctors and neither of them try more than one option - so when they don't find the problem, they just 'give up' and put me handfulls of medications to control the pain and bleeding, etc.
The point of my message is.. 'Thank you'. Thank you for your courage and bravery for sharing your stories - it has encouraged me to keep on fighting. I have an appointment with a specialist doctor soon, and I'm hoping to find an answer. Although, honestly, I've also felt bursts of doubt and even considered cancelling my appointment, in fear of another doctor giving up hope. But, reading your stories tonight, has actually encouraged me not to give up, keep listening to my body and to keep on going.
I'm basically wiping tears from my eyes for finally finding hope in your stories - so, my deepest thank you's from my heart. You have no idea how much I appreciate reading your stories.
And yes, I do believe that God is with us each step of the way, even if it doesn't feel like it - He's there all the time. Thank you for sharing your faith.
Love, Simone xxoox. ♥
Uterine Cancer
Hi Christina,
Your story is almost the same as mine. Last year, in November, my periods were extremely heavy and clotting. The clots would look like fresh liver in the grocery store. That's how thick it was. I would also soak through pads (Especially the heavy flow overnights.) When these days came, I wouldn't even go out with my friends or even to the store. It would flow like a river. Anyways, I made appointment with my Gyno and I did a pap smear and she put on the Mirena IUD birth control. It stopped my heavy bleeding and clotting. But she suggested that I do a biopsy and see whats going on the heavy bleeding. Got my results back and it said: showed atypical hyperplasia could not r/o adenocarcinoma. My second biopsy, was taken 2 weeks ago and showed that cancer on the uterus lining. My doctor calls and tells me that I have Stage 1 Endometrial Cancer. This past Tuesday, I had surgery (Hysterectomy). They removed the uterus, the cervix, fallopian tubes and the ovaries. Surgery went well, the worst part was , after surgery I woke up and I was feeling nauseated from the Anesthesia. I received an email from my doctor for my pathology report. It said: It does confirm a well developed cancer of the uterus but there is no deep spread into the muscle walls and no suggestion of further problems in any of the other tissues. These results indicate that the surgery should truly be curative for you. No other treatments would be needed. I know you will be as relieved as I am that this will be behind you once you recover from the surgery. I was in tears.. tears of joy! Right then and there, I was thanking GOD! This cancer hit me really hard in the beginning. But talking to family and friends helped a lot and Praying to GOD helped as well. This is a wake up call for me.. I will take more priority in taking care of myself! Thanks for sharing your story.
Endometrial Cancer
Thank you all for writing and sharing your stories. Im sorry I didn't write sooner. I'm now at my 6 mnth mark and waiting to see a gynecologists. Im suppose to get a check up every 6 mnths for two years. I am scared...but I guess I might be feeling a bit uneasy for a while. I know you all know the turmoil of going back to the gynecologists office. I lived there for a year! I still check myself everytime I use the restroom for blood. Some how I fear that I will cleanse myself and find blood on the toilet paper. I tell my husband all time and he states that Im "OK" that I survived Cancer. I hope that one day soon I'll be able to live in full peace. I do know that I live life alot more day to day now and I don't take anything for granted. God is my healer and visiting sites like this help you through the healing pain that comes along with Cancer. Please Please keep all your appointments...remember that nothing is greater than your health. You have to love yourself....take care of yourself...be your own advocate. No one will do it for you. Nothing is scarrier than not knowing...Peace, Love and Health to all my fellow
Cancer sisters out there. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
endometrial cancer at age 30 as well
same thing happened to me... I am just curious what our chances are of having children after surviving endometrial cancer.... anyone experience this?