Cervical Cancer

[jhanzey]

On 08/02/07 I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma and was referred to an oncologist I am scheduled to have a Radical hysterectomy on 09/11/07. I am very scared, I have nobody to talk to, I can't sleep, I can't eat. My doctor says I am possibly at a stage two? Don't they really know for sure before having this surgery and will I have to have to undergo chemo?

JUDY

[UroDoc]

They really won't know your stage until a pathologist examines the tissue removed during the surgery. Keep a positive attitude there isn't anything you can change at this point so just picture your self being well. Good luck.

[KUPS]

DEAR JUDY,I DO KNOW HOW YOU FEEL,I WAS TOLD I WAS STAGE 3 AND HAD A RADICAL 7 YEARS AGO.I WAS A SINGLE PARENT WITH 2 CHILDREN AND MY FATHER WAS IN THE LAST STAGESOF CANCER HIMSELF.I PLAYED TOUGH AND TOLD EVERYONE I WAS FINE AND THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT BUT I WAS SCARED STIFF.I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL ON MY OWN THAT WAS MY FIRST MISTAKE.YOU NEED TO LET PEOPLE IN.PEOPLE WANT TO BE THERE SO LET THEM.I THOUGHT WHEN I WENT IN THEY WOULD GET IT ALL OUT AND THAT WOULD BE IT I WOULD BE FINE.I DIDNT REALISE THEY WOULD DO TEST WHILE I WAS UNDER AND IF THE CANCER WAS TO BAD THEY WOULD CLOSE ME UP AND THEN WE WOULD LOOK AT OPTIONS.I HAD BLANK PAPER SO I WROTE LETTERS TO MY KIDS AND FAMILY.I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALONE. I STILL HAVE MY OVARYS THEY ARE UP NEAR MY HIP BONES SO I DONT HAVE TO TAKE HRT. I CAME OUT FINE THE PAIN RELIEF WAS GOOD THE STAFF REALLY LOOKED AFTER ME.IM GOING FOR MY CHECK UP NEXT WEEK. HEY DONT GET ME WRONG I STILL STRESS WILL IT COME BACK.BUT I DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING PREGNENT OR THAT TIME OF THE MONTH EVER AGAIN.TAKE CARE AND LET THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU IN.

[chipsire]

Judy,
Just make sure you have a gynec. AND a gynecol/oncologist do the surgery with a pathologist nearby who will analyze your removed uterus and other tissue. I had atypical complex hyperplasia with no sign of cancer on biopsy or d&C. But went right into surgery for a total hyst. (age 59) I was told if they need to remove nodes, they will open me up and I was fine with that of course. That is why my gyne/oncologist was at hand during my surgery...in case that was necessary. Well, when my gynec. removed my uterus vaginally, flash froze it, etc. they found small encapsulated cancer less than 1cm. My gynec/oncol. then took over my surgery and opened me up, removed and biopsies nodes (around 26 nodes). The cancer was 35% into the wall...that is why. Afterward, found there was no node involvement and lowest grade cancer. As a precaution, several weeks later I had 3 radiation treatments that involved a tube that delivered radiation to the vaginal cuff (where the vagina was stitched closed) Very simple, painless and effective to kill any thing that might be microscopic.
I was told that the vag. cuff is the most likely place for recurrence and the radiation trmts. would help my percentages. So I am going with about a chance of full recovery at 94%.
Do not be afraid, just make sure you have excellent, aggressive doctors who waste no time with your surgery or treatment. I went to the Cleveland Clinic for my treatment. I have follow up everything 3-4 months. From first sign of spotting, biopsy, d&c, surgery...around 4 weeks. Be quick about it and do not delay,