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Adenocarcinoma of the endometrium: Pre-op prep & Diagnosis
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
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Cynthia’s life… I will be headed to surgery two days ahead of you. We can be on this cancer journey together like the buddy system on a school age field trip. Ha! Good luck and prayers for a successful outcome. I also have lots of prayer warriors and truly feel a supernatural peace.
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1 Reaction@jlb333. I'm so glad to that you you are back home and feeling comfortable. Did you have incision near or below the belly button? That's the incision that bothered me after surgery but it didn't last long. I was amazed that within a few days I replaced the small bandages on my laparoscopic incisions with regular bandaids. The best part? I had a reason to lie on the sofa and watch TV without feeling guilty about doing "nothing". I felt I had done plenty getting ready for and having the surgery. I hope you rest well. Will you keep us in the loop on how you are feeling and what your follow-up is like?
Glad to hear that the surgery went well and you don't have much pain. Sorry to hear that the one incision is a little bothersome. I am praying for you and a smooth recovery.
This is very helpful. Mine is at a grade 1A.
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1 ReactionMy Dr is at Northwestern in iL. His name is Dr Alic Pant. I researched him well and feel totally confident and comfortable with him. Surgery was done yesterday and I am doing quite well. Not a great deal of pain. Have one incision which is bothersome, but that’s it. A bit tired, but certainly better than I expected. Came home same day.
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4 ReactionsWaiting to hear how you feel Jlb33@jlb333. Been praying and thinking of you. Our cancer journey is very similar.
@cynthiaslife
I was diagnosed with endometrioid adenocarcinoma FIGO 1. After. hysterectomy when the pathologist examined the tissue the cancer was staged at 1a. FIGO is different than stage.
FIGO classification types are made by pathologists when they look at a biopsy under a microscope. FIGO classifications refer to the organization of the cells-how organized they are into a tumor and how they appear. FIGO numbers go from 1-3 with 1 meaning that the cells are not very differentiated.
Stage refers to where the cancer is found. Stage IA: The cancer is found only in the endometrium or less than one-half of the myometrium (muscle in the endometrium lining of the uterus. Each higher stage means that the cancer has spread to more places. Here is an explanation:
Endometrial Cancer Staging
-- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/endometrial-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html
Does this help?
Thanks for sharing all of this. It is calming me down. Sounds like the recovery went smoothly for you and you had little pain. I hope that is how it goes for me too. Did they say you had grade 1? That is what they told me. I am not sure if this is the same as stage 1. Do you know? Did they tell you what stage it was in?
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2 Reactions@cynthiaslife Yes, that's what I had. The uterus and other organs were removed through the vagina. It was amazing to me. I left the hospital with small bandages on the incision sites. I was fatigued for several days and I waited about 7 days before I began driving my car again. I didn't have any pain after I got home. Just tired. Although it looked from the outside like minor surgery I was advised that the healing I could not see was significant. By the time I returned for the follow-up six weeks later my energy was back.
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1 ReactionI am suppose to have the robotic laproscopic hysterectomy but they said something about removing my uterus vaginally. Is that what you had? How was your recovery?