The beginning process of diagnosing endometrial cancer

Best wishes. As if it isn’t bad enough to have cancer, you have another medical issue as well.
My robotic hysterectomy was my first ever surgery and I was so scared. But it was so much better than what I had feared.
My oncologist called me the next morning and told me to get up and start walking, for bowels as well as muscles. That was good advice. Sending all good thoughts to you.

@naturegirl5 I was able to get an appt in Gyn oncology in Rochester the end of May, and I expect the surgery will be scheduled then. So early June?

I've been adjusting to the diagnosis, and distracting myself by making necessary choices (like paint color) for a summer project (not me on the ladder, though!).

I've also been trying to learn about kidney-friendly foods and meal planning - I need to make some meals ahead, for example.

What kind of support did you need post surgery? I know they will go into details at the upcoming appointment, but I am unfamiliar with this surgery. After my hip surgery 2 years ago, it was several weeks before I could safely do the steep stairs here at this house. Things like that are helpful to plan for... Thank you in advance!

@nikkiww7 Your appointment in Gyn Oncology is barely two weeks away. Yes, I predict that your surgery will be scheduled quickly after your appointment.

Hmm. Yes, adjusting to a diagnosis you totally did not expect? Who expects to hear that they have cancer? Are you planning to paint inside your house or outside? I just love the lift that new color and paint gives you, don't you? It's good that you won't be up on that ladder. Have you hired professional painters?

Since you are going to Mayo Clinic for your surgery I expect your pre-operative period will be similar to mine. I was in a pre-op room in Methodist Hospital for a few hours before surgery. My primary nurse spent a lot of time with me and provided really helpful information about my recovery period. Here is what she told me that I followed:

No lifting anything heavier than a grocery bag that is lightly packed. I don't recall the time frame for this but it was in my discharge instructions.

No driving your car for a period of time. My nurse told me how to figure this out. I should get in my car as if I plan to be the driver. Push on the brake as if I plan to make a quick stop. (I had to start my car to do this but I didn't move the car). If the seatbelt is painful when I push quickly on the brake then I wasn't yet ready to drive. For me it was about 7 - 10 days before I felt comfortable enough to drive.

After I returned home I followed the discharge instructions.

I took short walks every day as my energy came back. I didn't have any difficulty walking, going up and down stairs, or getting in and out of bed. I had general anesthesia so the combination of the anesthesia and the surgery meant I was fatigued for about 7 days. I took naps when I was tired.

Within a few days after my surgery I was ready to get out and socialize a little.

I took two weeks off of work (I worked part time). When I came back to work I found that I still tired easily so I didn't push myself.

I returned to Mayo Clinic about a month after my surgery for my Gyn Oncology surgeon to check me over and especially to view the vaginal cuff and make sure it was healing OK. I have a partner so we discussed how long before intimacy (vaginal) could resume while the vaginal cuff continued to heal. Also, during the month after my surgery I didn't go to the gym or do any weightlifting which was (and still is) part of my exercise routine.

My surgeon gave me a cancer survival plan. It contained my diagnosis and pathology information, recommendations, and how often I should return for what is called "cancer surveillance" appointments.

I didn't prepare any meals ahead of time but in retrospect I think that would have been a good idea. Yes, I agree that something you can easily reheat and is nutritious especially for a kidney-healthy diet is a great idea.

Do you feel better when you plan ahead?

@naturegirl5
I truly appreciate your guidance—it has made such a difference for me and my family as we adjust. Is there anything you wish you'd known sooner or done differently?

I’m an over-planner by nature and trade. I didn't have any info for planning here, though. In this case, I only know one person (not close) who has had a hysterectomy and no one at all with gyn cancer. I appreciate the info and encouragement so much.

For recovery, I’ve decided to stay in town rather than on the SIL's farm during this busy season. My location is walking distance for food, errands, and medical care (1-6 blocks for anything I need), but the 13-mile distance to Mom’s nursing home is my biggest challenge. Fortunately, she has no sense of time plus a strong network of visitors - I’ll ensure they’re aware of my recovery timeline to fill the gap.

My little dog will stay with trusted friends until I’m able to lift her again—hence my focus on lifting restrictions.

As for my exterior painting project, I've been on the contractor’s list for a year, finally due for sometime this summer. I've made the minor repair arrangements, as well as selecting the doors and color decisions, so I can get moved up if the opportunity comes. Given my 2 surgeries, it makes sense to finalize choices now while I’m pain-free. I’m excited to restore this 1915 Prairie Craftsman home with a historical color palette—the family voted, and stick-on samples arrive tomorrow to confirm A vs. B.

On retirement: I hadn’t planned on it until 70, but my relentless, unexplained fatigue made work unsustainable. My new Medicare doctor basically uncovered these issues - all of this is since the 7th of April physical! I’m grateful that there are actions I can take to address both the kidney and the gyn cancer.

One last question for today - I’m considering moving an adjustable bed and the TV from the lower level to my main office to minimize stairs during recovery. Seems like a logical setup—thoughts?

Thank you so much for the advice and wishes. Every bit of encouragement and info I can share with the family is helpful. We've lost all my siblings and all but one of their spouses, most of them very recently (5 in 6 years). The next generation - the nephew and two nieces (sparse family) are still grieving and have some fear that history is repeating itself. So being able to speak matter-of-fact and with concrete actionable steps and info reassures them and helps them keep this in perspective.
Thank you again, @ffr

@nikkiww7 Staying in town during your recovery is sound plan given the other options you presented. We stayed over for two nights after my surgery just in case there were any complications. That helped me to rest easy before the trek back home.

Ooh, how lovely. You have a 1915 Prairie Craftsman home. What colors have you chosen? I love to think about these things. When I lived in Fargo, ND, we owned a 1921 American Foursquare house (although I didn't know the model at the time). I chose a Cape Cod blue for the house (not a period color but I loved it), and a red front door. That was in the mid-1980's. Whenever I look up the house online I see that owners (however many there are) have kept that color.

It's interesting that you initially thought you would work until age 70. So did I. But I got so tired of my position that I decided to retire at age 67 from full-time work at the university. I continued to work part-time for awhile and retired from that earlier this year. I'm grateful I had the retirement savings and Medicare to retire when I did.

How fortunate that you moved to a new doctor who discovered the reasons you felt so fatigued. And now you will get this sorted at Mayo Clinic. Hopefully you will find your energy return and will really enjoy your retirement.

We have two sets of stairs in our house I needed to go up and down during my recovery. I don't recall that being a problem. I think, though, to make it easier on your yourself as the big planner that you (as I am, usually), moving the TV and adjustable bed the main floor sounds like a good plan to me.

How nice that you have friends who will care for you little dog during your recovery. I'm thinking you will miss your little one. I'm a big animal lover. My husband knows where he stands when I call when I'm away and ask about the animals before asking how he is doing.

I enjoy Rochester. It was very easy to learn my way around the city and so I'm the driver when we are at Mayo Clinic. We stay downtown although I've been warned that there is considerable construction. But we park the car and then walk everywhere.

You have everything well planned out. I predict you will have an smooth recovery and will enjoy walking around Rochester.