Hysterectomy @ 37 & terrified

Women's health
21

Oh Lynda darling. I was worried about ya,

Then I thought I'd either replied wrong or deleted it lol anything is possible these days. 

Last thurs they said anything that was taken ( hysterectomy) was tested and it was all ok the plan is now to go forward with chemo as precaution. I can do chemo that I shouldn't loose my hair ( I'm not vain but loosing it would meant having to tell my kids aged 10.that would have been harder than any op I've done ) 

So start in two weeks maybe and we'll go from there 

Oh darling sounds like you've been really going through it since we spoke. 

These ops are enough ... and awful But all the same time necessary although it doesn't make it any easier. 

Day by day is all we can do. 

But kind to u do something nice .. food / treat / anything u feel is a treat..

I'm thinking and praying 

All will go well, keep in touch xx 

22

Hi, Del!

So god to hear from you.  I am glad the biopsy results after your surgery were good.  It's a good idea to have chemo just in case.  My uterine cancer was staged at 1a. In the US, the guidelines state that the best thing to do is nothing.  No chemo afterwards.  So a year later, the microscopic cancer cells that remained caused the tumor in my abdomen and made their way to my lymph nodes.  

I did chemo first, hoping that the tumor would shrink and the lymph nodes as well.  Unfortunately, they didn't shrink as much as my MD thought they would.  So having surgery on 2/13.  My husband has caught a cold.  So I'm here in the house, taking every precaution I can not to get it.  

I am thinking of you, and praying for you, too.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!  I sure need them! Keep in touch!  Lynda

23

Hi Lynda 

I didn't realise you are based in the US ... I take it for granted anyone I write to is a neighbour lol I'm based in Dublin Ireland. 

We've got plenty of cold right now and a little snow this am bits that's a usual January here. 

Yep it was v positive last week 

But these appointments  weather good bad or indifferent are soul destroying... from the nights before To after. 😔 I get so worked up 

Yep I've been reading up so much and it would see that they now take these precautions .. 1st hysterectomy and now chemo 

I'm telling u the only thing I complained about 14 weeks ago was the traffic and weather I seen non of this coming. ( I'm still feeling sorry for myself, little down today and yesterday- little few tears too- but we're allowed )

Oh dear and a sick hubby ( man flu) is no fun for anyone lol 

Joking aside U nearly forget that real life goes on. Plenty of antiseptic wipes .. counters / door handles on top of everything the last thing u need is a dose of flu. 

I hope your in good spirits xx 

24

Thanks for responding!  I understand so well the soul killing appointments.  It used to be that every time I went for an appointment I felt as if I was skydiving for the first time.  You never know what's going to happen when you land.

I think that being sad and mourning is part of the package.  You need to feel your feelings, so that after you do you can find a way to pick up and move on, as you said. One day at a time, one minute at a time, sometimes a few seconds at a time.  I'm doing better at that, as well as at counting my blessings.  

I have a good support system, including this forum!  This is a fantastic site.  In my opinion, there's none better!  

My best to you.  You will be in my prayers! xx 

25

Oh they are desperate they really are .. even just to see the nurse .. I feel sick at the thought of walking into the hospital. It's so unnerving..

Absolutely some days I feel strong and able others I really find it hard to get off the side of the bed. Such a rollercoaster and it's so tiring it really is. 

I find myself praying at the oddest times now  ... standing in que / folding clothes. I think of us all and what we have been through. I find it takes away some of the anger and sadness. 

I hope ur having a good day 

In my thoughts & prayers as always xxx 

Chat soon 

26

Thanks for getting back to me.  Had an appointment with the surgeon this morning.  When it was finished, I was so upset, I asked my husband to take me to see the oncologist.  After I talked with the triage nurse there, I got to see the oncologist for about 15 minutes--without an appointment. I had to confirm where we were going with my treatment and why--speaking with the surgeon confused me so much. I felt better afterwards, but was completely wrung out.

I pray all the time, too.  I think of all the women, on this site and in the world and of all the joy and suffering women have and endure.  Because of it, we're the stronger sex, I think.  smile

Bless you! xxx

 

  

27

Oh Lynda I'm so sorry I hadn't realised u were back in today, 

As I type I'm actually sitting st oncology (with full on sick tummy and shaky hands)

Like that to its for a chat and to sort start date. 

I could be anywhere but here right now. 

Yep it takes so much brain power to to try listen to what they are saying - and trying to read between the lines 

Did you's come up with a plan .. 

I hope u got some rest since u last wrote xxx 

28

Please let me know how your appointment went!  You can private message me, and I can support you as you go through chemo, which is different for everyone.  

The plan formulated with the oncologist was chemo for 6 treatments, one every 3 weeks to reduce the size of the cancer, surgery, then radiation.  Where the tumor in my abdomen is makes the surgery complicated--it's in the muscle wall.  This was the 2nd appointment with the surgeon, who looked at the ct scan of the tumor and gave us his thoughts about how he could perform the surgery and everything--I mean everything--that could go wrong, including that I could be left with an open wound for a while.  

After all this he told my husband and I that what he was doing was essentially palliative.  That meant to me that the surgery and proposed radiation were only being done to buy me some time, but that  I was going to pass away from this anyway.  Well, why did I have chemo?  Why was I having this surgery?  Why was radiation planned for afterwards?

I maintained my composure long enough to end the appointment, then headed out the door to the parking lot.  My husband didn't understand what palliative meant.  That's why I had to go to the oncologist.  The surgeon told us that he was there to do the surgery, and that we should go to the doctor about cancer questions, but not before he completely freaked me out!  

I got some rest last night, but am struggling with doubt and despair this morning.  Talking to God, lots.

As I said, please let me know how you're doing and I'll support you in any way I can. xxx  

    

29

I found out today I have grade 3 uterine cancer. Dr said the scan will tell him the stage. I am waiting for a week now for the scan. I feel like I have been punched in the stomach. I will have a total hysterectomy with lymph node removal. Has anyone had a grade 3 diagnosis?

30

Hi Judy.  So sorry you are going through this! I just had surgery 2/28 to remove a tumor from endometrial cancer. So, if you don't mind, I'd like to support you, if I can.  

Is your doctor an oncologist?  I am asking because uterine cancer is initially  diagnosed by means of a biopsy of tissue taken from your womb.

A CT scan can tell generally the location and size of the tumor, but cannot indicate the type of cellular structure or how far it has penetrated the uterine wall.  Only surgery will reveal what's going on. A CT scan can only pick up additional growths elsewhere if they are larger than, say a pencil eraser.  

Uterine cancer is properly typed and staged at the time of removal.  Doctors usually also remove ovaries and tubes at the time of the surgery.  This is because uterine cancer "feeds" on estrogen. So no HRT--if anyone suggests it, run.  

If you're seeing a gp right now, get yourself to an oncologist as soon as you can--especially one who performs their own surgery

Most commonly, an immediate total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) is done immediately.  Sometimes, doctors try to reduce the size of the tumor before surgery by administering a course of chemo before.  Chemo, though hard to go through, has the advantage of killing off the microscopic cancer cells that may be circulating elsewhere in the body.  I had chemo and then surgery.  

Uterine cancer is scary, but can be usually cured with prompt and thorough treatment.

When I was diagnosed, I was a mess, terrified and crying.  The best thing you can do for yourself right now, in addition to seeking the comfort and assistance of family and friends, is to seek knowledge about this cancer for yourself.  Try the american cancer society web site.  

This is a battle, and you need to be an armed and knowledgeable warrior, so you can work intelligently with your doctor and not treat him or her with blind faith.  You need to know and understand why or why not things get done.  As the fear lessens, you will be better able to do this.

And, one final word.  Don't let ANYONE tell you how to feel about this!  You can fight cancer with your chin up or screaming and crying all the way.  The point is--you will be fighting.  

You're in my prayers. xx   

31

I'm trying to understand how uterine cancer can recur after a total hysterectomy. Isn't your uterus gone? I am facing this myself. I know what you all are going through.

32

I am seeing a gynecological oncologist. It was diagnosed with a biopsy. I am having a scan on Monday for staging and mapping I understand and surgery on Wednesday. Thank you for your support. I am so scared. I'm doing a lot of praying too.

33

Even with a hysterectomy, microscopic uterine cancer cells can "migrate" out of the surgical site to other parts of the body. In come cases, they've already done that before the surgery and in other cases it happens afterwards.    

34

It is good they are moving swiftly, though it's probably happening so fast it's difficult to take it all in.  The scan will help them stage and map, but they won't know exactly what's going on until they perform the surgery and get a look at and biopsy the tissue.  

Get through this however you need to.  I am thinking of and praying for you.  Let me know how it goes.  xx

35

My followup appointment is tomorrow. I will find out what my treatment will be. As all of us I am so scared I have been basically I'll. He gave me 3 options. I pray that it's the lymph nodes were clear. Please continue to pray for me as I will for all of you.

36

Hi Judy,

I am praying for you.  What were the options he gave you (I'm not understanding)?. xx