Questions to ask

Hi all,

Over the years I have had laser, LEEP and now a cone biopsy.  My surgeon called me today to tell me that the cone biopsy shows cancer beyond the margins and that it is a minimum of 4mm thick.  Tomorrow he will fax all the information to an oncologist and I'm waiting to hear from them regarding my first appointment.

The surgeon who did the cone biopsy said that most likely I will end up with a radical hysterectomy and radiation.  He's not sure though and is obviously going to defer to the oncologist's opinion.  So, I'm mentally preparing for that appointment.  I'm truly not scared as I know this cancer has such a high success rate and, if you're going to get a cancer, this is the kind to get.  I'll deal with this and will move on with my life.  My mother is coming to the appointment with me (I'm a 40 y/o divorced mom with 2 kids) as a second set of ears.  My family doctor has confirmed no presence of HPV. 

My question to all of you who have been where I am right now is; what questions do you wish you had asked, or what information do you wish you had had?  I'd like to prepare for my first appointment and want to have my questions ready and know exactly what I'm heading into.  I really don't want to forget anything or wish later that I had asked a certain question.  I couldn't think of a better place than this group to ask!!  I appreciate all your responses.

I want to tell you how much I respect your attitude in the face of something so frightening. I believe you will survive this. Because I dealt with HPV-caused dysplasia, I don't think I can fully offer the information you need. But I can think of a couple of things that will empower you, which will get you actively involved in what is best for you. This way, your doctor, your family, and you will be in partnership.

1. Make sure you get copies of all of your lab reports so that you will know exactly what has been happening all along.

2. Make sure the doctor gives you a thorough explanation of what you have and even to draw you a picture if that will help. Get a thorough discussion of every single one of your treatment options before agreeing to anything. Doctors are required to give you this information.

If other women who have had cervical cancer don't offer suggestions on this website about what helped them, please consider the Gyn_Girls forum on Yahoo. There are a lot of women who have gone through what you are addressing. I will keep you in my thoughts.