Hello everyone!

[Kasianni]

Well I must admit I have been lurking and reading some of your posts. I decided to join today. My name is Kasia and I just want to say that you are all brave and much of what I read was truly touching. I would like to ask a few questions as I am having some health issues.
I have been spotting for 9 months now, off and on, just dark spotting, no fresh blood. 2 1/2 months ago, I had what I though was a period. The back ache, tummy pain and achy breasts. Well I went to my reg doctor and she did some blood tests and called me 2 weeks ago to say I am in menopause. I am 44 and have not had a regular period for years. I never was regular ever in my life. So I was surprised. She then said I need to go to a gyno and have a biopsy as it could be cancer. Well I was freaked out but managed to get a appointment with one week. So last Wednesday I went to see her and she did a biopsy (ouch!) Just let me say that when I was younger I was molested by a doctor and have a hard time going so this was a big step for me. Well, she almost didn't do the test because she said my cervix was barely opened (have never had kids) and she asked if I could take pain, haha. She managed to do it and when it was over she said |oh thats good didn't get a lot of tissue". I asked her what she meant and she said that when cancer is present they usually get a larger amount of tissues. She then did a pelvic exam and said that everything felt normal, ovaries are fine and uterus was not enlarged and said this was all good. Oh and all, my blood work showed I was not anemic or anything else, but had low estrogen and was in menopause. So the gyno told me to get blood work again and a ultrasound and that she'd see me in a month. Well, I am scared silly and can't breath. I don't know how to wait that long. One other thing, this summer when it was really hot outside I had edema in my left leg. It went away after a few days and never has come back. My reg doctor said it had nothing to do with my issues because it was hot out and I am overweight and that is probably why. She was not worried. Well I don't know what to do or who to talk to as I am alone. Is it a good thing she didn't get a lot of tissue and that everything felt ok and that my blood work was all good? Please if someone can reply I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much.

[rmaureen]

Hi Kasianni:

Welcome to the forums! We are glad to have you aboard! I commend your gynecologist for taking the steps she has taken. She immediately took steps to determine if cancer was present,and from what you have written, I do not think you have anything to worry about. When performing biopsies, according to some articles I have read, only a small tissue sample is required. What appears important in the procedure is the technique used during the procedure. At the bottom of my post, I will paste a paragraph from Harvard Health Publications describing what occurs during a uterine biopsy.

I am so sorry to hear you were molested by a doctor. This has no doubt influence you when trying to seek medical treatment, and my hats off to you for overcoming your inhibitions. I hope the thug gets his just deserts.

Your gynecologist is the kind I love to hear about. She has taken steps to follow up on you in a month with blood work and an ultrasound, and after a biopsy at that. Weight can cause edema, so can blood pressure medicine. Check into any medication you may possibly be taking to see if edema is a side effect.

Kasiann, I don't think you have anything to worry about, and it sounds like you are in the clear to me. However, do the followups and remain vigilant, because you have had atypical periods and symptoms. But for all women, we need to remain vigilant regarding our health. Your tests did not detect any cancer, so you can relax now. But believe me, we all understand how frightening the threat of cancer can be.

Know you are not alone in this. We are all here for you so come back and chat, or ask questions. Keep us informed to on how your followup goes. I always tell that to women, some don't come back--and that is understandably their choice. Yet it's nice to hear someone is doing ok, and especially in the clear!!! And from all you wrote, it sounds like you are in the clear!! Rejoice!
______

Regarding a uterine biopsy Harvard Medical School writes on its site:

This test is performed in the doctor's office. It begins with a pelvic examination (see page 44). Then, after cleaning your vagina and cervix (the entrance to the uterus, visible from your vagina) with antibacterial soap, the doctor might put a clamp on your cervix to hold it steady. He or she inserts a flexible, sterile plastic instrument called a pipelle, which looks like a drinking straw, through the opening in your cervix and positions it several inches into the uterus. Then the doctor pulls a thin wire out of the center of the pipelle. As the rod is pulled out, the pipelle becomes hollow and creates suction, drawing some of the cells from the lining of your uterus into the pipelle. To get a good sample, the doctor will move the pipelle forward and backward a few times before removing it. The cell sample is deposited in some fluid to be examined later under a microscope. The entire procedure takes about 10 minutes.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/diagno...ial-biopsy.htm
_______

Take care, Kasianni

[Kasianni]

Hi Kasianni:

Welcome to the forums! We are glad to have you aboard! I commend your gynecologist for taking the steps she has taken. She immediately took steps to determine if cancer was present,and from what you have written, I do not think you have anything to worry about. When performing biopsies, according to some articles I have read, only a small tissue sample is required. What appears important in the procedure is the technique used during the procedure. At the bottom of my post, I will paste a paragraph from Harvard Health Publications describing what occurs during a uterine biopsy.

I am so sorry to hear you were molested by a doctor. This has no doubt influence you when trying to seek medical treatment, and my hats off to you for overcoming your inhibitions. I hope the thug gets his just deserts.

Your gynecologist is the kind I love to hear about. She has taken steps to follow up on you in a month with blood work and an ultrasound, and after a biopsy at that. Weight can cause edema, so can blood pressure medicine. Check into any medication you may possibly be taking to see if edema is a side effect.

Kasiann, I don't think you have anything to worry about, and it sounds like you are in the clear to me. However, do the followups and remain vigilant, because you have had atypical periods and symptoms. But for all women, we need to remain vigilant regarding our health. Your tests did not detect any cancer, so you can relax now. But believe me, we all understand how frightening the threat of cancer can be.

Know you are not alone in this. We are all here for you so come back and chat, or ask questions. Keep us informed to on how your followup goes. I always tell that to women, some don't come back--and that is understandably their choice. Yet it's nice to hear someone is doing ok, and especially in the clear!!! And from all you wrote, it sounds like you are in the clear!! Rejoice!
______

Regarding a uterine biopsy Harvard Medical School writes on its site:

This test is performed in the doctor's office. It begins with a pelvic examination (see page 44). Then, after cleaning your vagina and cervix (the entrance to the uterus, visible from your vagina) with antibacterial soap, the doctor might put a clamp on your cervix to hold it steady. He or she inserts a flexible, sterile plastic instrument called a pipelle, which looks like a drinking straw, through the opening in your cervix and positions it several inches into the uterus. Then the doctor pulls a thin wire out of the center of the pipelle. As the rod is pulled out, the pipelle becomes hollow and creates suction, drawing some of the cells from the lining of your uterus into the pipelle. To get a good sample, the doctor will move the pipelle forward and backward a few times before removing it. The cell sample is deposited in some fluid to be examined later under a microscope. The entire procedure takes about 10 minutes.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/diagno...ial-biopsy.htm
_______

Take care, Kasianni

Rhonda

Hi Rhonda,

Thanks so much for replying I really appreciate it a lot! I think I was not clear in what I wrote. I didn't get the results from the biopsy as it was only done last Wednesday, that is what I am waiting for and scared silly. What came out okay were the blood tests that my regular doctor took. Well they said I was in menopause and had low estrogen but that I was not anemic or anything else but she only checked hormones and thyroid and such. What also was good was the pelvic exam from both my gp and the gyno. They said that everything "looked" normal and although they couldn't tell me the thickness of my uterus just from feeling it that is felt okay and not enlarged nor did they feel any masses. I think that is good but I don't know. Its hard to wait and wonder. I always think the worst, always. I am so scared.

[Pixie]

Hi Kasia!, Welcome and feel free to ask any questions or worries that you have. As Rhonda says, it sounds like everything is normal, but it is important to follow it through.

It's good that the uterus is not enlarged, mine weighed at least 4 times more that normal and was massive and I had an early stage uterine cancer.

The only thing that would worry me is the bleeding/spotting. If you're supposed to be menopausal that is not normal. Hopefully everything will turn out ok.

Have you had your Ultrasound yet, did they say anything about the thickness of the endometrium (lining).

Try not to worry (easy to say) and enjoy Christmas, it sound like you are in good hands. We say it often here but if the worse comes to the worse endometrial cancer when caught early is EXTREMELY treatable.

Let us know the outcome of you tests/biopsys, You are among friends who understand completely what you are going through. (I was a nervous wreck for ages)

Take care...

PS Rhonda how are you doing??

[rmaureen]

Kasianni,

I am so sorry and apologize--I misunderstood you, and thought you had gotten the biopsy results. I slept so terrible last night, even coffee has been ineffective on my system today, and my brain is in a fog.

It is a horrible wait, but always believe for the best. As Pixie wrote, endometrial cancer is very treatable when caught early. But given what you wrote about the other tests, it sounds very encouraging. Still the symptoms you have warrant thorough investigation. I will be keeping you in my prayers.

Pixie, I have done better. I havn't been able to sleep for muscle twitching in the past weeks, and pain which still remains unaccounted for. The thyroid doctor still has not gotten back to me, and if they really believe the nodules may be cancerous, they should had done more testing and gotten back to me by now. One woman wrote a review on this doctor online, and she said he tried to scare her and her husband into having surgery--she lost her voice after a thyroidectmy from him, and nor was cancer found. I think I will opt for the radioactive iodine... Alas...I might have to go for a second opinion on this.

Kasianni, I wish I could ease your fears, but until the biopsy result comes in, it will be difficult for you. Keep busy with other things, it truly helps. Let us know when your results are in, and if you don't hear from them with say a week after the test, call them and ask about the results. Try to think positive, it really helps. It is a good sign that the other tests turn out so well for you. We are here from you!

[Kasianni]

Pixie,
I am so sorry to hear what you have gone through. Thank you for the welcome its nice to be here and know that you all understand what I am going through and my fears.
Oh my gosh, did they feel that your uterus was enlarged during a pelvic exam?? No I didn't go for the ultrasound, I called and there is a few months wait..I am in Canada and medicare covers everything, if I want it done faster I have to pain and go through a private clinic which is what I will most probably do. I am scared...Yes the bleeding worries me as my gp says i am in menopause..however she also said that even years after a period stops hormones can cause bleeding and achy breasts. I don't know if that is true. If it is cancer, I don't know how early it would be caught as I spotted off and on for 9 months..should have gone sooner. Kicking myself. I haven't had any spotting or blood for a 2 1/2 months now since I had that "period" or so what I though was a period. I don't get it.
Thank you so much for your reply and encouragement and kindness...

[Pixie]

Hi Kasia, don't torment yourself with "I should of got something done sooner", I think with a gyn complaint most people do the same, I know I waited months before getting myself checked out. I kept thinking it would go away by itself

I only discovered how heavy and enlarged my uterus was after my hysterectomy, I'm a nurse and work at the same hospital that I was operated in. I was able to look up all my pathology reports

I know what you mean about waiting, I'm british but live in Germany. From collapsing at work to a Cancer diagnosis took about 2 weeks. I was terrified the whole time, I can't imagine having to wait months.

Take care

[Kasianni]

Oh my gosh, you have been through a lot. Why did you collapse if I may ask? Did you have a pelvic exam as well and if so, did everything "feel" right? My doctor said everything felt okay, both of them but can a doctor actually feel if there is a mass on or around the uterus..I just don't know.
Yes I don't think I will wait but I will wait till after Christmas and then go pay for one. I think your right, we do wish it would just go away and wait it out, but can't help thinking that I should have gone before. I am glad I did though no matter what the out come. My Mom passed away from breast cancer when I was 19 so its hard for me not to worry because I have been through all this with my Mom. Ah your British? Where from, I have some friends in Essex, and London.
Thanks for caring..

[Pixie]

Hi Kasia,
Sorry for not replying sooner, I was away for Christmas and didn't have a chance to go online!

I was bleeding almost constantly for months, sometimes not much othertimes great big clots I kept thinking it would go away even though I knew it wasn't really normal (I have had wacky periods my whole life). The few days before I collapsed I was bleeding so heavily I presume I was anaemic, also combined with the pain it was obviously too much. I ended up in the ER and had a D&C the same night.

I dont really remember too much of what they said, I was half out of it, I know they said my uterus was three quarters full of old blood and I needed to be operated on immediately (the D&C). Nobody mentioned the word Cancer or Tumour even though it was in my thoughts. I only discovered it when I got my biopsy results a couple of weeks later.

I really hope everything turns out allright for you, let us know the outcome of your scan, I don't thik they can see or feel a mass from an ultrasound or pelvic exam, you need to have a uterine biopsy or a D&C.

Oh by the way I was born and grew up in London (family still live there)