I was just diagnosed with uterine cancer on May 29,2009. It is in stage 1, which means it has not spread outside the uterine wall. It is also a very slow-growing cancer, so I'm not overly worried. My new ob/gyn who did the biopsy said if you have to get cancer, this is the best kind to get (some of the new cancer humor I'm learning.) The best advise I can give you based on my experience, learn everything you can about whatever it is. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if that means calling the doctor back if you've read something online that you think may apply to you. Next ultrasound, make them show you what it is they see on the screen. You may not be able to see it if it's really small, but ask anyway. I probably could have avoided getting cancer if I had paid more attention to what they found five years ago. My symptoms were occasional heavy bleeding, and hyperplasia, a build up of the lining of the uterus that can potentially cause cancer. I stayed on the prescribed medication for three years, but it is also an appetite stimulant and I gained a lot of weight before I let myself become aware of it. I hadn't been back to the ob/gyn because the weight gain had caused me to become unable to walk, and I tried twice to see if they could accomodate me if I came in by ambulance and would have to stay on the stretcher. Both times they said they would have to call me back, but neither did. And my clinic dr wouldn't see me when I was inpatient for other reasons on two occasions because it was against protocol. Two years later I was in the hospital for something else , I told the Hospital doctor (not a resident) about the heavy bleeding and large clots I had just had a few days earlier and for several days, She set me up with a new ob/gyn and I had the d&c and biopsy the next day. Two days later I hade my diagnoses. I was so grateful to have caught it so early.
My point is, get more gutsy than you ever thought you could. It may be nothing, but it could be something and umtimately, we're each responsible for our own well being. If you don't show any interest in any new symptoms in your body your doctor may not take any interest either.
Oh, and don't apologize for getting too wordy. We say what we need to say and no one is obliged to read us if it looks too long. I just wish this board was more active. Being housebound, I can't go to a local support group and have been really surprised to find almost nothing for uterine cancer online.
Take care of yourself, Anna.
Mary Ann
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