Just diagnosed with endometrial uterine cancer

Posted by darlenelynn @darlenelynn, May 6, 2023

My surgery is scheduled in 10 weeks. I am concerned to have to wait so long. Does anyone have have or have had a similar wait time to the hysterectomy?

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

No but I'm curious to know if your whole uterus lining was thick or just 1 area?

REPLY

Several areas were thick. Will have a full hysterectomy also removing ovaries and Fallopian tubes. Removed several polyps during hysteroscopy, well.

REPLY

Ten weeks sounds like a long time to me. Mine got scheduled 4 weeks after my hysteroscopy and D&C, but the pathology report from the D&C sounded really bad (high grade, unable to call type). And it had already taken almost two months between the ultrasound and the D&C (an earlier attempted biopsy failed), so they may have scheduled the hysterectomy sooner than they otherwise would have.

If there are other hospitals that accept your insurance and that you think are good, it might be worth calling them on Monday.

REPLY

It is my oncologist’s schedule that is causing the delay. They are keeping an eye on any openings. I am certain it will all work out.

REPLY

Demand an earlier surgery or go somewhere else. There is a huge spike in endometrial cancer right now, but my doctor changed my surgery date from 7 weeks to 6 days after I told her about my dad dying from prostate cancer (which he had been told had a 95% survival rate) because he waited a month to get his surgery.

REPLY

I feel blessed that I haven't had to wait for treatment. I had a D&C on March 14, diagnosis of endometrial adenocarcinoma on March 17, total hysterectomy on March 31, and began chemotherapy on April 26 (6 weeks and 1 day after D&C). My cancer was stage IIIC grade 1.

REPLY

It was confirmed April 26, 2021 by my gynecologist that I had cancer. I saw a gynecological oncologist May 27, followed by surgery June 21, so that was 8 weeks. I started chemo 5 weeks after surgery. My delay in surgery was because OR's were fully booked due to surgeries people had put off during COVID. One thing I have learned during my 2-year journey is that you are your only advocate. If you are questioning something, speak up. I found that it gave me peace even if nothing changed.

REPLY

I’ve found it always has been a good idea to let my doctors know if I have a concern like yours about something like surgery scheduling. Be a “squeaky wheel.”

REPLY

@darlenelynn I figure you would not have posted this question if you weren't already worried about the length of time until your surgery. This is a good place to get information and support.

Are you in the U.S.? If yes, then 10 weeks is a long wait for a hysterectomy given the endometrial cancer diagnosis. If you live outside the U.S. then I'm so sure about the wait time. But...it doesn't hurt to ask for a date that is sooner.

My hysterectomy was in 2019 so it was pre-pandemic. I got my diagnosis on a Friday, and then saw my gynecologist again on the following Tuesday. He referred me to Mayo Clinic where I had an appointment two days later. My surgery was then scheduled for the following Monday. In all, from diagnosis to surgery it was 11 days counting the day of the diagnosis and the day of surgery. I realize that this is very quick but honestly I was so thankful for all of this to move so quickly.

Please let your doctor know that 10 weeks is a very long wait and ask if the surgery can be moved closer in time. You can let your doctor know that you are concerned and worried. I know how difficult it is to do this as I get nervous when I advocate for myself. But I do it anyway because I know it's my health and it's important for me.

What do you think of my suggestion and the suggestions of others?

REPLY

I was diagnosed May 30, had surgery July 11th of last year. I couldn’t get into see an oncologist until June 21. I hate waiting!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.