Today, is my 4th anniversary of being diagnosed with Stage IIIC endometrial cancer. I now measure my life in B.C. (before cancer) and A.C.T. (after cancer treatments) years.
Twelves days after my primary care doctor found a large mass on my ovary, I had surgery. My gyn oncologist believed I was Stage IV Ovarian when I went into surgery. I remember him waking me up in the operating room after the surgery telling me it was not as bad as he thought. However, I had a very large tumor in my uterus, another large tumor on my left ovary, positve para-aortic lymph nodes, and spread to the cervix.
My gyn oncologist wanted me to enroll in a clinical trial. I had six weeks of radiation with one HDR implant. The arm of the trial I was randomly assigned to had me taking adriamycin and cisplatin on day one of chemo and taxol on day two of treatment. I received chemo every 3 weeks (6 rounds of it).
The radiation has caused lasting intestinal and bladder problems. The chemo caused neuropathy in my feet and lower legs. I often wonder if the treatment was worse than the alternative. I ended up having to file for permanent disability 17 months ago (and was approved in record time).
I have done extensive research and from what I have read, Stage 1 endometrial cancer has a 95% 5-year survival rate - they say it is one of the most survival cancers to have.
As for what to expect after the surgery, my gyn oncologist told me as he discharged me from the hospital (after 7 days) not to go home and go to bed. One week after my surgery, I went to Wal-Mart shopping. I walked three times a day (mainly to break up the fluid that I had retained while in the hospital).
Four weeks to the day after my surgery, I was on a nine-hour flight to Hawaii. I had won a state teaching award that paid for the trip and I had to take it by a certain date. My doctor told me I could have a week off and said I could take the trip if someone went with me and carried my luggage (my sisters fought over who would have to accompany me on this trip).
Sure, I had lots of pain, but I did not let it control me. My doctor fussed at me while I was in the hospital for not using my morphine pump. The major soreness left after a couple of days, but the muscles took a while to heal completely. I have a very large scar that runs from just above my belly button and ends in the pubic area. Time has caused it to fade but my abdomen is quite lopsided.
I know that breast cancer gets a lot of attention because of the physical changes it causes a woman, but the physical changes I have endured have been just as traumatic. Before my diagnosis, I could not eat and lost 80 pounds. After chemo, I lost another 30 pounds. I desperately need a tummy tuck (or lower body lift) but insurance will not pay for that like it does for reconstructive surgery after breast cancer.
My gyn oncologist gave me two pieces of advice in those early days. The first was "don't go home and go to bed." The second was, "no matter what happens next, tell yourself that you have been through worse." Last week, I had my 3-month physical. My gyn oncologist had to flush my port (implanted a few weeks after the hysterectomy for chemo). He did not have an RN working that day to flush my port so he had to do it himself. It took him 5 tries to get it right. He apologized, and I just smiled and said, "Someone told me once to always remember that I have been through worse." He laughed (which he rarely does).
Every day, I wake up to the fact I had adenocarcinoma of the endometrium Stage IIIC (T3 N1 M0). My doctors have told me that I am at a very high risk of recurrence, but so far I have made it through four years without one. I have seen 65 doctors in those 4 years, endured 13 surgeries, six different types of physical therapy, and many, many x-rays and various medical procedures.
I was 41 when I was diagnosed and cancer has cost me my teaching career and took any chance that I could have my own children.
I am at peace with this and know that everything happens for a purpose. I can't go back and change things, but now I know to not worry so much about the future. I take one day at a time. Cancer does not scare me - it was just another challenge in my life.
Good luck and best wishes for a full recovery.