Adenocarcinoma of the endometrium: Pre-op prep & Diagnosis

Posted by jlb333 @jlb333, Nov 27, 2022

I was diagnosed on Nov 14, about a month after I had one episode of dark vaginal spotting. My gynecologist ordered a trans Vagina ultrasound which showed my endometrium was 10,3 mm and should be less than 4. Also a complex ovarian cyst and large uterine polyp. He drew a C125 and we scheduled an endometrial biopsy. C125 was slightly elevated so he immediately referred me to the gyneoncologist and did the biopsy. I saw the oncologist 6 days later and the biopsy still wasn’t back. He was not happy and apologized saying I can’t tell you what to do til I get the biopsy. He gave me a from to scenario. I asked about the ovarian cyst which he said not to worry about but drew an He4 ovarian marker which was normal. He called my OB and said someone call that lab and tell them I want that report today. About an hour after I got home my gynecologist called and said he had a verbal which indicated endometrial adenocarcinoma , well differentiated which he told me was positive. He said he was calling the oncologist who immediately called me. I am scheduled for a devinchi robotic hysterectomy, removal of tubes, ovaries, cervix and sentinel node biopsy. Had to wait 15 days to get in the schedule. I am a nurse, retired in September, and I don’t know if that is helpful or a hindrance because I know so much. I also read too much. My emotions go from near panic to knowing as much as I can. My grandmother and brother died from colon cancer. I’ve never been pregnant, menopause didn’t start til age 55 and I’m overweight. All risk factors. My father died of lung cancer. I have a daughter which I adopted as a single parent. Surgery is 3 days from today. My daughter is driving home right now. She lives 750 miles away. Telling her was the hardest thing. It’s just the two of us. Fortunately I have many friends and a strong faith with a wonderful church family. I begin a pre surgery protocol tomorrow. Two days of a high carb diet. The morning of surgery 32ounces of Gatorade 4-6 hours before surgery. 3 hours before 8 more ounces with 1000 mg of Tylenol and 800 mg ibuprofen. This preop preparation I was not familiar with. Still have my times of high anxiety but am just needing to get the surgery over and have a final path report. So happy to have found this group

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

Pugpeople | @pugpeople | Nov 27, 2022

Praying for you.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 27, 2022

@jlb333, I appended the title of this discussion to differentiate it from the other discussions you're participating in:
- Diagnosed with endometrium adenocarcinoma few days ago https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diagnose-with-cancer-few-days-ago/
- Just diagnosed with Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma: What to expect? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/adenocarcinoma-1/

And I'm bringing others with endometrial cancer experience into this discussion like @whengzy19 @mary64300 @pugpeople @pema2 @wrightvillebeach @terradean @erthart65 @rose53 @cheriels @naturegirl5 @cmb2022: some, like you, are new to this too and other who have walked the path before you.

I'm so glad that you were able to tell your daughter and that she is coming to be with you. I know that's hard, but I'm confident that she is grateful that you did.

At this point in the journey, it may seem a burden to have the nursing knowledge that you have. I think it will ultimately serve you well in helping you to know to ask questions and what questions to ask. If you surprise yourself and find that you leave appointments without asking questions, I might suggest putting on your nursing attitude and remember how fiercely your fight for patients. Be that advocate for yourself. And be kind to yourself as you would be to your patients. You are the patient now and have banked up a lot of credit to be cared for. ❤️😊

I appreciate reading about the pre-surgery protocol. It'll be nice to have 2 days of high carbs, built free, right? You might think of yourself as a high-performing athlete getting ready for game day.

What helps to calm you during the high anxiety moments?

mary64300 | @mary64300 | Nov 27, 2022

Hello @jlb333. I totally understand your panic and the roller coaster of emotions. I was there. Even not being in the medical field, there is so much to read and find online nowadays that I was overwhelmed with information, sometimes contradictory… of course, I retained the worst cases, even if they had little to do with me. Too much and not enough at the same time.
I had to force myself to filter the information channels and sometimes shut some down at least for a while, as the reality was sinking in,
I was also frustrated at the start and had to do something that made me feel more in charge like getting second opinions, asking questioms directly to providers. It looks like you did that! Power to you ! 🙂

I had a standard hysterectomy 4 weeks ago. I had NO specific preparation to do except standard not eating 8 hrs before and not drinking 1 hr before (surgery was decided within less than a week and the type of hysterectomy - standard vs robotic - decided 12 hours before it happened).
And standard cleaning: I had to shower with an antibacterial soap before checking in and then use special wipes all over just before surgery.
Your pre-op directions look very similar to a colonoscopy prep (i have one scheduled on 12/5) But i cannot really help much in that domain.

Surgery went well. Recovery is uneventful. My only trouble was a local infection at the incision point located in my groin fold. It is a hard place to keep dry when you have a belly 😅. But nothing that a few antibiotics did not take care of.
After the pathology results of the hysterectomy it was recommended on 11/11 that i do Chemo. But I have no consultation scheduled yet with a medical oncologist. So this is my current anxiety source: not to know my next steps and when. But I talked with my Gynecology surgery team. I trust them. They said they would take care of it. I made a list of questions and stopped trying to learn more until I see the oncologist.

I lost my younger sister to a cervical cancer 5 years ago .. and now i have to tell my parents that their only child left also has a gynecology cancer. I told them about the surgery but have not pronounced the word “cancer” yet. I think they kind of guessed but we have yet to actually talk about it. So, yes, I can understand how hard it must have been for you.

When high anxiety hits me, I binge watch movies, play online games (yes, I am a nerd).. anything that keeps my mind busy. If i cant stop my mind from working, i might as well focus it on something enjoyable.
My current problem is sleep. I am restless at night. Have not found a good solution for it yet. But I will 😋

I guess my main point is that I am learning patience and to only focus on issues i have control on. Like you, the unknown part is the hardest to deal with.
Also, Colleen said it best. She has the right words ☺️
I wish you the very best for your surgery and your recovery. I know you will do well and will be happy to hear about you soon

cynthiaslife | @cynthiaslife | Nov 28, 2022

I am in a similar situation and my anxiety over the surgery is high also.

jlb333 | @jlb333 | Nov 29, 2022

In reply to @colleenyoung "@jlb333, I appended the title of this discussion to differentiate it from the other discussions you're..." + (show)

Thank you for your comment and kind words. Surgery is tomorrow so I am doing laundry, making chicken soup, filling the bird feeders and try to keep busy. I haven’t found exactly what helps yet. Having it over will be better I think, but then the waiting begins again for the pathology reports. I have been having quite a bit of pelvic cramping and that is concerning. It’s very hard for nurses to be patients and be cared for. We want to be in control and all times. We don’t make very good patients. I know God is in control and a lot of people are praying for me.

jlb333 | @jlb333 | Nov 29, 2022

In reply to @cynthiaslife "I am in a similar situation and my anxiety over the surgery is high also." + (show)

It’s the worse right? I’m not as anxious about surgery itself as the outcome. When is surgery. Feel free to reach out to me and your friends and family. I didn’t hide the diagnosis from anyone and know I have a lot of people praying for me. I am praying for you.

jlb333 | @jlb333 | Nov 29, 2022

In reply to @mary64300 "Hello @jlb333. I totally understand your panic and the roller coaster of emotions. I was there...." + (show)

@mary64300

Jump to this post

Thank you so much

cynthiaslife | @cynthiaslife | Nov 29, 2022

In reply to @jlb333 "It’s the worse right? I’m not as anxious about surgery itself as the outcome. When is..." + (show)

I am not hiding the diagnosis either. I want all the prayers I can get. For some reason I am more anxious about the surgery. My brain won't let me think about the outcome. When is your surgery? Mine is December 9th. I will be praying for you also.