Diagnoses: Cancer

First, I should give you some background information: I am 50 and have been considered "perimenopausal" for at least a year. What does this mean? Puberty in reverse, maybe? But, I wasn't having any big problems, a little less patience around the beginning of my period and those were lengthening from every 4 weeks to 5, 6 or 7 weeks, although heavier. Maybe a hot flash or night sweats once in awhile, but nothing I couldn't manage. Then I had no period for about 4 - 5 months. Right before Halloween, I started "bleeding like a stuck pig", but I've had heavy bleeding before - there was no pain, but a weight gain(never did bloating in the past). I'd also started working out when I retired(August), eating less, but I hadn't lost even a pound. I kept bleeding heavily for over 2 weeks, but I had my yearly pap smear scheduled for the second week of November, so I just waited for that day. I explained what was going on and at first, both the nurse and doctor said this was expected during perimenopause. I said, no, this was different -- weight gain, bleeding heavily(changing pads at least hourly). She decided to do a biopsy, telling me that these come back negative 99% of the time.

On November 19, 2007, my life kind of changed forever. My gynocologist called me and told me the biopsy showed cancer cells and I needed to make an appointment with a gynocological oncologist(say that 3 times fast!). She stated that it was very early, that endometrial or uterine cancer is the slowest spreading cancer and in all probability it is in the earliest stage(I go to the gynocologist annually). Now, my doctor called me while I was at my mother's so I'm trying to act like nothing is occurring - my mother is 79, not very ambulatory and will FREAK when I tell her, so I'm being very nanchalant on the phone and tell my doctor that I'm at my mother's, blah, blah blah -- it took 2 times telling my doctor(she was concerned I was in shock or something since I wasn't really reacting) to understand what I was telling her. It's nice to know the doc is actually concerned about your well-being.

I had to wait until after Thanksgiving to go to the doctor. We weren't planning on doing anything for Thanksgiving so that made the wait a bit easier. I get to the doctor's office and felt OK--after I get there(getting there was a trip, couldn't find a parking spot, couldn't get correct directions on how to get to the doctor's office). There were about 3 other women waiting and we began talking. All of the patients had very favorable opinions of this doctor so that made me chill. I thought it was my usual way of dealing with things - having cancer didn't drive me crazy, but not being able to find the doctor's office easily sent me over the edge!

The nurse and doctor were kind, informative and explained to me what the procedure would be - complete hysterectomy, including ovaries and some lymph nodes to ensure no other cancer cells. They told me that endometrial cancer is the most common of gynocological cancers, but also the slowest growing. The doctor said that I was Level 1, but we wouldn't know what stage until the pathology reports came back. On my side? Level 1 means that 80% of the time it is stage 1 cancer which would mean no chemo or radiation. We would schedule the surgery and get tests done...ok....lets get it done. The doctor tells me, "This is a very slow growing cancer - whether we do the surgery tomorrow or 2 weeks from tomorrow, it doesn't really matter". I just want to get it over with.

I had surgery on December 14, 2007. I was one of the few women who wanted it scheduled before the holidays, but I feel that I want it over and done with.

Now, on the subject of predisposition to cancer: NONE of my family has had cancer, except for "old people's" cancer. My grandmother developed a mass at the age of 90 - there was no biopsy done or anything, just an x-ray(she was in a nursing home, feeling the effects of senility and refused treatment, saying she had lived her life as long as she should) so we don't know what type of mass it actually was - but besides that, nothing. If you have the attitude that there isn't any cancer in my family so I'm safe; guess again.

The symptoms I had? Weight gain, very heavy bleeding, change of pre-menstural symptoms(but that could have occurred through peri-menopause). I am also overweight and this also predisposes uterine cancer.

My advice? ALWAYS have an annual pap smear and tell your doctor if your body has changes! Uterine cancer is not detected by a pap smear, although it is the most common of "female" cancers. Its only caught in early stages if you explain what is going on with your body, changes in your cycle, changes in other ocurrances of your life.

Keep Yourself Healthy and SAFE!

Who do I think I am?!?!?

Hello, I've been wandering through life and decided to stop and write a spell. I've traveled far and long, and hope you enjoy my meanderings...I've never been known to stay on subject for long, so this could get interesting, and hence--the title of my blog.
Who am I? I'm a traveler of life, singer, artist(so I say), mother, wife, grandmother and daughter. Many of these roles must be played at the same time. I enjoy giving my opinions, exchanging ideas and laughing. I'm passionate about subjects and can be very serious, but the next minute making irreverent comments and laughing.
I have been writing on the Gather website, but since their last "upgrade" I've been unable to post images. Don't know why, just know I can't(and I've tried everything that has been suggested). So, I decided it may be time to take the plunge to an actual blogsite and see what happens.
As I've said, I'm opinionated and very passionate about some areas in my life: politics, social justice, pets, nature, to name a few and I guess that's where I'll start.
Welcome.
So, who do I think I am? I guess we'll all have to discover this on the wandering path...