From slow to very fast. What to do ?

@mary64300 I know how frightening all of this because I went through something similar after I had a hysteroscopy and dilation and curetage (D&C) in 2019. I hope that what I write will be reassuring to you. No apologies for unloading on us is necessary. This is why Mayo Clinic Connect exists and you've come to a good place for information and support. The women who are members of the Gynecological Cancer discussion group have been through what you are going through in their own ways and they will jump in with their support too.

My gynecologist referred me to Mayo Clinic. My appointment was scheduled quickly just as yours was. I was still reeling from the diagnosis (endometrioid adenocarcinoma) and we live 8 hours by car from Mayo Clinic. So we packed up the car and went to Mayo. I met with the gyn-oncologist who was informative, empathic, and I found the entire experience with her to be reassuring. The doctor apologized for not getting me into surgery within a day or two after my appointment with her (that in itself was surprising!) but I did get in with her next available opening which was about 5 days later. With all your records and your pathology information sent to Mayo Clinic this means that the Mayo pathologists have carefully reviewed your information. That could be why they want to get you scheduled for surgery as soon as possible. But you won't be in surgery without a thorough appointment with the doctor first and you can ask all of your questions.

Will you going to Mayo with your partner, husband or a family member? It's a good idea to have a loved one at your appointments with you because they will hear information that you will miss.

Since that initial appointment and hysterectomy in 2019 I've been back to Mayo frequently for my cancer follow-up appointments. If you haven't been to Mayo Clinic before as a patient I think you will find the Clinic to be the most organized and proactive health care facility you've experienced. Each and every person I have encountered at Mayo has been focused on my needs as a patient. I think back to the day of my hysterectomy and remember the gratitude I felt for everyone who took care of me that day when I was so frightened. I am not a positive and calm person by nature. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for much of my life so the cancer diagnosis and hysterectomy *should* have sent me into even more anxiety. I thank Mayo Clinic staff and my cancer care team for their medical expertise combined with empathy. I still do.

Your appointment with the doctor is tomorrow. Will you come back here and let me know how the appointment went and if you have questions I can help you with?

Say yes. It took my hospital almost 3 months to go from "suspicious for endometrial carcinoma" on an ultrasound to the hysterectomy (plus bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy). I was wildly frustrated at the slow speed while it was happening, and now I keep replaying in my mind what I could have done differently to have made this go faster. At least for me, the robotic hysterectomy itself was one of the least stressful aspects of the whole experience. I really felt pretty good very soon afterwards and stopped taking any pain medication within 5 days.

Thank you so much Helen for your kind and matter of fact words. It is indeed reassuring to read similar experiences.
I had a moment of panic but I am now as ready as I can ever be for my coming appointments.

I will keep you updated of course. Thank you again for taking the time to share with me.

Hello Val! Thank you for answering to me. It was exactly how I felt … frustrated and angry. Which is why i started an online contact with the Mayo Clinic. In 1 day, I had a evaluation triage phone call and an appointment set up, earlier than the oncology clinic i was referred to.
So, a YES seems to be the right way to go. I just felt like going from being taken lightly or even ignored to being suddenly in the middle of a storm .. in a good way.
Thank you for your inside look at the hysterectomy effects too and I hope things go well for you now, Val.

Hi! I had a robotic laparoscopic full hysterectomy last week. I am documenting my recovery. I am a wimp as it relates to pain and I will say when I woke up after surgery I was happy to feel about 60% of myself with no real pain just discomfort. Each day I felt about 5% better. Around the third day I didn't need to take advil nor tylenol. Youtube videos were great about preparing and even best way to sleep. Here are my main things I did that were helpful for me:
I rested in bed a lot to set myself up for a full and speedy recovery. I still spend a few hours in bed, pillows propped up watching tv, online, reading books, etc.
I walked as soon as I could and as much as I could. Every time I went to the bathroom I would take an extra minute to walk around in my bedroom to help prevent blood clots. I also did leg/foot stretches in bed...similar to the type I do when I'm sitting on a plane. Circles with my feet, toe stretches, etc to keep blood circulating. I kept saltine crackers, bland cookies, close by so I had something to eat with the advil and tylenol. I kept tissues, lip balm and lotion close by. I took Miralax around the 3rd day and Dulcolax the next day to prevent bad constipation. I checked my temperature regularly with a thermometer to ensure no fever which might indicate infection. Cough drops very important. My throat got a little dry and coughing was not a fun feeling for my abdomen! Cough drops really helped to stop coughs right away. I had wipes and hand sanitizer close a quick easy way to clean hands before eating without getting out of bed. I drank lots and lots of liquids, water, apple juice, etc. I learned to sleep on my back and side using pillows under my legs while on my back and while on my side a pillow between my bent legs and then hugging a pillow to support my abdomen. All of my books, magazines, electronics, music were close by. 10/19 was my surgery and today 10/27 I feel 90% of myself. I was told 4 weeks after surgery is when I will be fully recovered. I was told to prevent a hernia don't lift anything heavy (your docs will tell you more) until fully healed. In about a week I see my doctor for a followup and learn more about what was found. You will be fine. Take one day at a time. I'm wishing you the best!

@mary64300. Your appointment with the gyn-oncologist was yesterday and surgery was scheduled for today. You may be prepping for surgery as I write this. I want you to know that I have been thinking of you. You are surrounded by the Mayo angels who will take good care of you. Will you come back here when you are ready and let us all know how you are feeling?

@pugpeople. Thank you for sharing this with everyone. May I ask the reason for your hysterectomy? Had you been diagnosed with uterine cancer like the other members here? Your post laid out what we need to know about hysterectomy recovery. My recovery was very much like yours and within a week I still had some fatigue but felt very much myself again. I did everything I was advised including no heavy lifting - the nurse told me nothing heavier than an average grocery bag. Of course she did know how I load up my canvas grocery bags but that's OK! I knew what she meant. Will you let me know what your doctor says when you return for your follow-up?

Hi, yes I was diagnosed with uterine cancer, cancerous cells in the endometrial lining.

I had laparoscopic surgery completed hysterectomy 8/29, adenocarcinoma in uterus, was told 10lb weight limit for 6 weeks, went back to work 2 weeks after surgery. Had too much energy to be just at home. Will be starting Chemo Monday, am somewhat worried about it, want to continue working just hope I will feel well enough to be able to. After Chemo am told will need radiation. It had gone complete through uterus to serous so cell where in the wash. Anyway, hysterectomy is the easy part. I will be finding out about the rest coming up starting Moday.
Take Care

That's wonderful your surgery went well too! Not sure of all the terminology and info about cancer, I'm still learning. Do you have to have chemo and radiation because cancer had spread? I've heard some women were blessed to only need to have a hysterectomy to get rid of the cancer because of no spread.

Will be asking more questions tomorrow when chemo starts, My son is going with me, he is going to ask who is in charge of treatment plan and why so extreme. But, since there were lesions that allowed malignant cell in area outside uterus, they think could travel anywhere, and possibly start to grow other places. Is what I have been told.
My son thinks I should have options, and haven't been given any at this point.