Endometrial Biopsy: I’m terrified, what can I expect?
Hi there, I have no bleeding but my endometrial thickness is a 6 and I have an endometrial biopsy scheduled in 30 days and I'm terrified. I made the mistake of reading all the horror stories on the internet. My doctor said it is painful and is preparing me by asking me to take VagiFem 10 for the next month and also to take advil before arriving. I've had pap smears all my life and they never hurt but my last one did. But I think that's because the doctor ( mine retired ) used a large instrument which hurt but then switched to a smaller one which was fine. It's a different doctor who will do the biopsy. I've had 2 transvaginal ultrasounds which didn't hurt and one hysterscopy which didn't hurt at all. But I'm terrified of the biopsy. My ultrasound showed a thickness of 6, nothing else, and my CT scan showed nothing. I wish my doctor hadn't told me it would hurt - when I said my last pap smear hurt, he said this would hurt more. He wasn't trying to be mean, just preparing me. I'm hoping I can do it. Any thoughts? And thanks for listening.
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@giar, how are you doing? Any update from the uterine biopsy?
@grandefish8 That's great that your team was so thorough with your exams.
When is the hysterectomy scheduled?
Hi Grandefish - thanks for sharing your results and I wish you all the best with your hysterectomy. So glad they caught this before it became cancerous, that's a relief. And wow - you got your biopsy results so fast. I'm at the 4 week mark after my biopsy and no results. Good luck with your surgery. Do you have a date yet?
Hi, @suesam I got my biopsy results within a week and they were negative. However, a hysteroscopy took a more extensive biopsy that showed I have EIN (pre-cancer condition). So I'll be having a hysterectomy.
Hello there,
Tonight I was reflecting on the 'art of waiting for results', and how hard it is. I've had 2 breast biopsies in the past - luckily both were benign - but both moved quickly - in a matter of days, they were done and I had results. But this time - checking for endometrial cancer - by the time I receive my results, it will be about 5 months since I was first told I needed a biopsy. I've had a doctor tell me 'it's cancer until proven otherwise', I was told that the biopsy would really hurt, a failed biopsy, a gynecologist tell me I'm 'low risk', and finally a biopsy. I consider myself strong and I have a deep faith but this long wait has really affected me. I keep busy, keep positive, but it hangs over me, to the point I feel whiny. I guess I feel whiny here on this forum, because I haven't shared much with others - keeping it to myself. My results may turn out to be negative, or maybe positive, but it's a struggle to remain calm when waiting a long time. The joy is meeting the wonderful people on this forum - beautiful women who have traveled this journey and are more than willing to reach out to help the rest of us navigate our own circumstances. Everyone has made me feel less alone, less scared, less worried and I thank you for this. I have always been a compassionate person, but living 'in the unknown' has made me more compassionate. I just wanted to thank everyone here for all the good they do by sharing, supporting, and caring for one another. Each one of you is a 'lovely warrior' and I am happy to have met you. Thank you.
Hi there, Chrissie,
Oh, I don't think you overtalk ever. I love how you are using your journey to help all of us, which is amazing. And I love how you emphasize the spirit of thankfulness, which I believe is super important too. Counting our blessings is so beautiful and so necessary. Thank you. Thank you also for keeping me in your prayers. Today I am thankful for you. 🙂
Thank you for your warm reply. I've remembered you in my p.m. and a.m. prayers. I wish you well in this road of life. I often feel I overtalk when speaking of my journey. Hopefully I can be of some help, little as it may be, to someone who is struggling with not only cancer, but any difficulties. Just look around and see the world with its suffering of all kinds, starvation, war, unbearable pain, losses. Innocent people affected by the curve balls. I then am able to count my blessings knowing I wouldn't trade off my problems for theirs. Thankfulness is often not considered in the healing process. It's important to me. I have my "moments", believe me, when I think of my past. That only lasts a short time because I shake myself free of the emotions and begin to look around me and know I am blessed abundantly. Life is good despite it all. Thankfulness is a major key in my healing process. I wish you a successful outcome and then go out there and kick cancer to the curb. Amen!! (Please let us know of your outcome)
I 100% feel you. I was just thinking this morning on the way to work hearing it will be ok and fine etc. is easy to say for someone not facing the big C.
I know they are all trying to help and care and I imagine there really isn’t much people can say that helps. This is why I turned to this group.
Wow - Chrissie - you definitely are a Miracle Patient. Thanks so much for sharing your journey, your strength, and your deep belief and faith. You are incredible - 80 and going strong. So sorry for the loss of your mother and sister. That must have been so hard. How beautiful that your faith has seen you through all of this and I appreciate the prayers so much. That's also good advice to discover techniques to keep us calm in the face of storms. Great advice. I loved hearing from you and I wish you all the best. You are incredible. Thank you.
We are stronger than we can ever imagine. Not only did I have a metastasis, about 8 months after my first diagnosis of endometrial cancer I developed breast cancer. I was taking estrogen pills to combat the night sweats from the hysterectomy/ovary removal. I had gone into immediate menopause after that surgery. The breast cancer was estrogen propelled so I was taken off of it immediately. I had a lumpectomy because the breast cancer was caught very early. I was given radiation because at that same time my dear sister had Stage IV breast cancer and ended up passing away that year. Three months later my mother who was so broken by this also passed away. Wow, that was a tough year. It was then I decided to change my life and moved from the east coast to the west coast to start a new life. I went for a few good years until I got the metastasis. It was touch but as I mentioned in my previous note, my faith got me through. I was cancer free from 2002 until 2021 when I developed bladder cancer. I was told it was a result of the very hard radiation I had with the metastasis. I had surgery to have the lesion removed and a year of chemo directly into my bladder. Seems to have worked because I'm now three years cancer free, yay! I tell you all this to let you know life will throw you curve balls. No one is exempt from life's difficulties. You'll make it but you have to believe in yourself and in something even greater than yourself. It works for me. I'm now 80. My first cancer was at age 50. I outlived so many healthy appearing friends. My oncologist called me her Miracle Patient in all her reports. So miracles still happen in this day and age to just ordinary people. But I guess each one of us is very special in our Creator's eyes and not so ordinary. Do study techniques on staying calm in the face of a storm. You'll use these techniques throughout your life. My very best to you and I'll keep you in my prayers for strength.