Endometrial cancer: I'm so scared

It's is a scary time. You don't have to tell anyone until you know more. The waiting room is the hardest part for sure.

Denise

Hi Shelley,
I’m sorry for your anxiety and fear; I remember it all too well.
Like you, my hysteroscopy was my first surgery - and I was older than you. When my phone rang the next morning and I heard the doctor’s voice, I knew….
Life will be a whirlwind and you will have a lot to learn. Take notes at your oncologist visit and/or have someone come with you. My husband recorded the conversations and even though the doctors don’t like that, it was very helpful for us as there was so much medical jargon and we remembered things differently. I will be hoping for the best case scenario for you.

Thank you!

don't be too afraid. i am facing a biopsy and possible cancer of the uterus. i might have to have a hysterectomy. it's a very treatable cancer.

Thank you for your encouragement. I will be thinking of you. ❤️

The waiting is the hardest part.

I'm 61 and I found out I have Endometrial Cancer in December and had a radical hysterectomy in January 2025. I start radiation treatment the first week of April.

I chose not to tell my extended family until I knew all the facts. Once pathology examined everything from the hysterectomy I was Figo grade 1 stage 1B. this is a stage that responses well to treatment and I should have remission for some time.

I decided not to tell anyone (aside from my husband) and I will wait until there's a recurrence. I just don't see the point of distressing children, friends, extended family there will be plenty of time for that later.

I know it's hard, just keep yourself busy and try not to dwell on it for to long - give yourself a good cry and then focus on your day and family. when all the facts come in from the doctor you can determine how and when you want to break the news to everyone.

Awwww... wishing you all the best, Shelley! It must be so hard and such a shock. I'm sorry you're going through this. Guess you'll know more when you talk to the oncologist and a plan is formed. Keeping you in my thoughts and sending you all sorts of good vibes. But I can understand how hard it is!

@sbryant Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You've come to the right place to get support from many of us who have experienced endometrial cancer. Some of us have been recently diagnosed @suesam and others @denisestlouie were diagnosed within the past year and received treatment. I was diagnosed and had a hysterectomy in 2019 and a recurrence in 2021.

I can assure you that everything you are feeling while awful to feel in the moment is normal. Crying, shock, anxiety, irritability, impatience, insomnia - when you think about who wouldn't feel these things when they hear the word "cancer"?

I'm big on advocating for ourselves. If you don't hear from your oncologist's office in a few days then I recommend you call the office and ask for an appointment that will happen very soon. Many of us did that and some have even suggested calling daily to check on any cancellations. The sooner you see your oncologist and discuss a plan I think the better you might feel. I did anyway. It's the "not knowing" part that makes me so very anxious so once I knew what the plan was and I had a cancer care team to work with I was still frightened but I began to feel less anxious.

Before you see your oncologist I recommend you write down your questions. Also, please consider taking someone with you for a second set of "ears" because this is very stressful appointment in which your stress and sadness could influence what you remember about the appointment.

Have you seen your pathology report? Or did your doctor tell you what kind of endometrial cancer was diagnosed? There is more than one kind and some are non-aggressive while others are more aggressive.

Here is something for you to read which I hope will help you to write down your questions for the oncologist:

American Cancer Society: What is Endometrial Cancer?

-- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/endometrial-cancer/about/what-is-endometrial-cancer.html

Also, here is the Mayo Clinic page on Endometrial Cancer:

-https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometrial-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352461

What do you do for yourself to self-soothe when you are upset like this? Do you soak in a warm bath with bath salts? Go for walks? Talk with and pet your companion animals (I haven't been doing this one since I was very young. Animals are the best listeners)?

Thank you!!❤️

Sorry to hear? Can I ask what is figs?