1. < Gynecologic Cancers
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Hysteroscopy d&c tomorrow; ribs are very sore, why?

Posted by bocabuckeye @bocabuckeye, Aug 17 8:27am

Last year, at 74, I noticed post menopausal bleeding and some pelvic pain/pressure. Gynecologist ordered some tests and the Pelvic MRI showed an abnormality. Dr said there was not enough tissue to do any more tests and to come back in a year if everything continued. I decided to get another gynecologist because the post menopausal bleeding, pain, cramps and discomfort in my pelvic area continued, and i developed a discharge and fatigue. She ordered an internal and external ultrasound and tried to perform a biopsy in her office and was unsuccessful. On Monday I’ll undergo a MyoSure hysteroscopy dilation and curettage.

The past 4 days I’ve experienced lots of bloating in my chest and waist along with pain in my rib cage. Has anyone else ever encountered this prior to a diagnosis?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

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otters | @otters | Aug 30 8:24pm
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@bocabuckeye First I'd like to share that I'm really relieved that you did not listen to..." + (show)
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@bocabuckeye First I'd like to share that I'm really relieved that you did not listen to your first doctor who told you to return in a year if you still had symptoms. This is such an odd recommendation that I haven't heard before. I have read and been told by more than one medical provider that whenever there is postmenopausal bleeding it should be taken seriously and investigated. Not all postmenopausal bleeding turns out to be cancer but this is an early symptom and why take the chance?

What you describe as postmenopausal bleeding, pain and cramps in the pelvic area is what I experienced prior to my D&C and hysteroscopy. All of those symptoms went away after the D&C. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer (adenocarcinoma FIGO Grade 1). Within a week after diagnosis I had a radical hysterectomy and the cancer was staged as 1a.

I am so glad my gynecologist listened to me and followed through with all the imaging (ultrasound in my case, no MRI), and hysteroscopy and D&C. I did not have bloating or pain anywhere else prior to my diagnosis.

Since your procedure is tomorrow please tell your gynecologist about these new symptoms that have developed. I hope your findings are benign and that there is a rational explanation for the new symptoms.

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Hey, diagnosed the same as you. Going in for surgery in 3 weeks. Gyno did a D* C first, found the cancer. Sent to specialist surgeon- Not a fan but he seems competent.
I'm more worried about after the surgery- side effects, complications- incontinence, bowel issues. I've had friends who loved how they felt afterwards. Others, not so much. But they were all a long time ago. How are you doing with your recovery? Any words of wisdom or advice on what to expect and how it's going ?

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bocabuckeye | @bocabuckeye | Aug 30 9:11pm

My gynecologist was unable to get a biopsy, she said my cervix is too narrow. She referred me to an oncology gynecologist. My first appointment with her is on Wednesday in Chicago at the Rush MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Good luck with your surgery. 🙏

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genaf | @genaf | Aug 31 12:17pm

I'm 60 and having the procedure on Wednesday. Did you get your results back? I find it incredibly alarming that the first doctor said to wait a year.

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Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Aug 31 3:16pm
In reply to @otters "Hey, diagnosed the same as you. Going in for surgery in 3 weeks. Gyno did a..." + (show)
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Hey, diagnosed the same as you. Going in for surgery in 3 weeks. Gyno did a D* C first, found the cancer. Sent to specialist surgeon- Not a fan but he seems competent.
I'm more worried about after the surgery- side effects, complications- incontinence, bowel issues. I've had friends who loved how they felt afterwards. Others, not so much. But they were all a long time ago. How are you doing with your recovery? Any words of wisdom or advice on what to expect and how it's going ?

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@otters Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I understand how anxiety-provoking all of this is. I had a radical laparoscopic hysterectomy including ovaries and fallopian tubes 6 years ago after a diagnosis of endometroid adenocarcinoma. I too wondered how I would feel after the surgery. I was well prepared for my recovery as provided by my pre-op nurse. She went through a whole list of recommendations with me as were also in my written discharge instructions. It took me about 2 weeks to get my energy back since this is/was major surgery and I had general anesthesia. Interesting because you return home with a few little bandaids on your abdomen and yet my surgeon advised me that while I had no large incisions I still had a lot of healing to do on the inside.

I had complications from my surgery, no incontinence or bowel problems. Six years later I can still say that.

May I ask you if you'd like to share your symptoms, if any, prior to your diagnosis? What did your pathology report indicate for the kind of cancer and FIGO grade?

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Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Sep 6 6:35pm
In reply to @bocabuckeye "The procedure was late yesterday at 3pm. Unfortunately she was not able to get in far..." + (show)
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The procedure was late yesterday at 3pm. Unfortunately she was not able to get in far enough to complete her mission. She has referred me on to an oncology gynecologist. I left the hospital disappointed and feeling frustrated. She told me before surgery that she would send me home with Tylenol 3. At discharge I was told I was being prescribed Tylenol. The Tylenol did not help with the pain and now she’s prescribed ibuprofen 600. I asked her to call me today so that she could let me know what happened during the procedure. No call. More frustration. I have an appointment with the oncology gynecologist on 9/3 in Chicago at the Rush Cancer Center.
I’m sorry if I sound like a whiner.

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@bocabuckeye I'm circling back to check in with you. You had an appointment last week on Wednesday 9/3 at Rush Cancer Center. How was that appointment? Did you and the doctor you saw come up with a plan?

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bocabuckeye | @bocabuckeye | Sep 6 7:34pm
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@bocabuckeye I'm circling back to check in with you. You had an appointment last week on..." + (show)
Profile picture for Helen, Volunteer Mentor @naturegirl5

@bocabuckeye I'm circling back to check in with you. You had an appointment last week on Wednesday 9/3 at Rush Cancer Center. How was that appointment? Did you and the doctor you saw come up with a plan?

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Hi Helen. The appointment went well and I like my oncology gynecologist and her team.
She scheduled another hysteroscopy with dilation & curettage for this Thursday. She feels that she will be able to get the biopsy because of her expertise. I’m going to remain optimistic. Thank you for asking.

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