in july i experienced a very slight spot - having had menupause for 24
years this activity raised my eyebrows - my gyn died a couple of years
ago, so i called a girlfriend and she recommended her gyn - i got a
quick appointment, he did a pap and informed me that i had vaginitis
and prescribed an extremely expensive cream - i used it and hopped on
the plane for europe - then on my birthday of all days in late august
spotting began again and a few days later slight blood - then it
disappeared and i prayed that i could last until i returned to the
states mid-september - two days later i was back at the gyn and another
pap - three days later he called and told me that i had uterine cancer
and that i should have an ultrasound (unfortunately, my husband was
listening since i made the mistake of having the speakerphone on...i
had to pick him up off the floor!!!) and that he could not do it in his
office and to plan on having a hysterectomy - a day later i called the
gyn and told him to fax a prescription for an mri to my friend's
offices - he faxed for an abdominal and pelvic exam (first week of
october) - two days later my mri friend interpreted everything for my
husband and myself - i had a very large fibroid and the shadow of
another one in the background (fibroids are usually reduced in size in
older women - he also saw cysts on my right ovary and advised me to
have a hysterectomy asap - so i immediately located another gyn to
schedule the hysterectomy (waited four days for the appointment) - i
brought her the mri and she did an ultrasound in her office (anything
to make more money) - she looked and searched and looked and searched
(you can view the ultrasound as it is being performed) and saw
absolutely nothing (remember - she had a copy of the mri and therefore
knew where and what to look for...) - she decided to refer me to a gyn
oncologist - the first one did not take my insurance - the second one
did and i scheduled an appointment in the next few days in mid-october
- he looked at the mri (maybe the ultrasound was faxed to him, i did
not bother to get a copy of it) - did a quick exam of me and we
scheduled the surgery for the 3rd wk of october - three days later i
left the hospital with my uterus, ovaries, tubes, lymph gland,
appendix, and a small portion of my colon removed and a prescription
for 6 months of chemotherapy every 21 days - i have never had to move
so fast in my life with anything - best thing is i 'lost' ten pounds -
i have had two chemo treatments and so far minimal side-effects (lost
my hair and have a lot of sleepless nights) - i feel so lucky that i
was able to have such success in finding the right doctors (my mri and
my surgeon) - good luck to everyone