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Endometrial Cancer: Noticing my blessings every day
I was diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer, FIGO Grade 1 in late July. I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and asked for a referral to Mayo. A few days after the referral, I met with my GYN-Oncology team, and a few days after that I had a radical hysterectomy at Methodist Hospital. The surgery was two weeks ago today. I am grateful that I had the means to go to Mayo Clinic, for my surgeon and her incredible team, and that I am now back home on this gorgeous day surrounded by support and love from my family and friends. (The cancer was staged Ia - caught very early and no other treatment is recommended). My life is a gift for which I am very grateful.
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I didn't have many symptoms: twinges in my ovaries as if I was getting ready for a period, though I was well past that. One dark discharge. Because I didn't feel right, I made an appointment with a Mayo nurse practitioner. She believed me, ordered tests, and they pointed to a diagnosis of endometrial cancer. This diagnosis was confirmed at the beginning of surgery and I had a hysterectomy. Later, my primary care physician said it was a good thing I listened to my body, otherwise the outcome would have been different.
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2 ReactionsHow wonderful that you discovered the cancer at such an early stage! Were there any symptoms that you might pass on to others? It goes without saying that you received the best care possible, at Mayo, as did I also.
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1 ReactionI had endometrial cancer, stage one, almost three years ago. Mayo checks me yearly and I am doing well. To have diagnosed the cancer early is a blessing.
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1 Reactionthat is what makes it such a troubling decision there is an 80% chance it wont come back.
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1 Reaction@mindyg, it certainly is a tough decision and ultimately a decision only you and your family can answer. Along with weighing the chance of recurrence, you may also want to consider your age and other underlying conditions. Are you young and/or in good health otherwise to manage chemo and radiation well? Do you have underlying conditions that might make further treatment more difficult and compromise quality of life?
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1 ReactionI had chemo and radiation for 4 mos and no bad affects. Had radiation every day for 1 hour over the lower half of my body and a chemo port for 24/7 chemo and I went to work everyday. That was 12 years ago and it's back so do everything you can!
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1 ReactionI had no spread everything was clear 14%invasion into my myometrial wall nothing even in the wash out. 20% chance of reoccurance with no treatment 10% with treatment. Its a tough decision
The chemo is not bad. I have not had any nausea, only weakness for a few days after the chemo treatment. If I were you, I would do the chemo and radiation. I think it gives you the best chance to beat this cancer stparker54
I had the exact same diagnosis and it only penetrated my myometrial 14% I am trying to decide if I want to do the chemo and radiation since the chance of it coming back with nothing is only 20%. How bad is that chemo I hear its bad
My oncologist at Mayo thinks the HE4,S is more indicative of cancer than CA125. Both are good. The more intel we have, the better to make the right decisions.