Just diagnosed with Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma: What to expect?

@esikora. This is so true. Life is completely different before and after diagnosis.

Did you have anxiety before the diagnosis of endometrial cancer? What do you do to take care of yourself?

@valentinaz I'm laughing at your comment on the older we get the younger we think every other age is. They're all kids to me now. And then I think to myself, when did it happen that I got this old (I'm 70). It seems like just yesterday I was 45 years old.

Good advice too. On the days when I don't feel so good (today is one of those days) I remind myself that I've had plenty of good days in the past and I'm likely to have good days in the future. If not tomorrow then maybe another day?

@naturegirl5

Yes, I know and she probably didn't mean it the way I took it. It just felt like a stab at the time.

Right now I would prefer to not even have visitors or calls and that is sad on my part. It is just exhausting .

No, I haven't made that appointment because we are to get some snow this weekend and I think I will just stay home and get some rest. I will soon though.
Thank you and I am sorry I am so self absorbed. I promise I don't mean to be. I am normally strong and encouraging and hopeful.

@cmb2022 When I don't feel like talking I don't answer my phone. I'm in the boonies so no one just comes by to visit. If they did I guess I'd feel obligated to answer the door (instead of hiding which would be my inclination). All this to say you're back at work and you're tired when you get home. You feel sad. You're allowed to feel sad right now. You're allowed to be self-absorbed too. Maybe you just need this time for yourself. And when you feel up to it you can get back to seeing people again.

I just talked with a friend today who is going through a tough time. Divorce, not cancer. She said that when tells people how stressed and out of control she feels they respond with something like "but you're so strong". When you go through something difficult like you are now that strength can waver, right? I believe that having strength means we don't avoid the difficult stuff. We feel fear, anxiety, sadness and we do it anyway. Is that you?

@naturegirl5
Yes, unfortunately that is me. I actually prefer to be alone now (and truthfully most of the rest of the time). I don't like company, but have it more times than not. The evening that I came home from surgery I had a house full. I was astounded that so many would drop in the same day I had surgery and stayed until after 10 pm. I think they meant well, but it wasn't what I needed or wanted.
I am fearful as I don't like not being in control and right now I cry at times and I have no idea why. I don't sleep well and have hot flashes and irritability and well I could go on ,but you know what I mean.. So, yes that indeed is me.....

Rose, that's a lovely picture of you. Will you add it to your profile?

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@cmb2022 @naturegirl5 @esikora @valentinaz @rose53, you've touched on a few topics that are being discussed elsewhere that I think you might have valuable contributions to make.

Regarding cancer being a life sentence and preparing for life after cancer, see this discussion:
- Life After Cancer: Do you feel prepared for it? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/life-after-cancer/

Regarding things people say and helping people know what to say, see this one:
- Best response for bad news? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/best-response-for-bad-news/

Don't you love how this discussion keeps widening with more people joining in? Give be a minute, I'll go get the extra leaf insert to make the table bigger and put on the kettle for more tea. 🙂

I'm always shocked when I review how old I am! What?! 🙂 I hope today will be one of those days that you're feeling better. Our culture seems less and less tolerant of anything less than toxic positivity sometimes, doesn't it? It's okay to feel bad, or however we feel, because feelings come and go like waves. I know that once I allow myself to have a good cry, or a good rage, the storm of it passes, and somehow, magically, it's not so bad for the moment.

I'm so glad you have a close friend who is good to talk with. I remain humbled by my friends who were so supportive during and after my surgery, and especially during my chemotherapy (yikes, that was a nightmare!). And I'm glad you're considering that you're not "wrong" for feeling (or not) a certain way. All of our feelings are valid; it's our behavior that needs moderating. I constantly remind myself of this! Uncertainty is a part of all of our lives, but those of us who've experienced a health crisis have had to face that uncertainty head-on. Most of the time, and certainly before my diagnosis, I could avoid looking at uncertainty. Now, I have to practice getting used to it. Hope today is a better day for you!

@cmb2022 @valentinaz @rose53 @esikora
This is wonderful. You all have kind words and support for one another. That's why I love Mayo Clinic Connect. We've been through it and can provide for support for another.

@cmb2022. While I sometimes don't like how I feel or I'm having a hard time I have learned to tell myself that there is no "wrong" when it comes to how I feel about how cancer has affected me. Most of the time I don't know what I want when someone asks how they can help. Just the fact that they asked and are willing to help is often what I need in that moment.