I was diagnosed in February with stageIV Cervical Cancer.

[Ecumenist]

I am doing VERY well but there are times where I need to talk to people dealing with cancer who understand. Glad to be here.

[rocktivity]

1. May I ask what your symptoms were?

My Mother died from it and my aunt has it.


rocktivity

[Ecumenist]

6. My symptoms were almost neglible.

I had bleeding but I also had fibroids and endometriosis. I had back pain but there was no way to interpret them as being related to cancer because they were EXACTLY like those I suffered premenstrually from endo and fibroids.

[truedelphi]

10. What tests showed you to have the disease?

I remember way back when, when Gilda Radner had cancer, and for over two years the doctors let her know she was simply another hysterical female, running from doctor to doctor trying to get attention.

Her friends and family blamed the medical establishment for her death - if someone had just paid attention and done the proper tests on her earlier, maybe she'd have been a survivor.

I have a small, semi-spiritual script for anyone who is sick. It is called the JoyHealing script - PM me if you want to get a hold of it. Recently one of the top cancer clinics in Northern California has started using the script. (It doesn't cure anything, but helps you stumble back into a feeling of joy and comfort. It's a definite help with anxiety.)

[Ecumenist]

13. the yearly pap test...YES PAP TEST and the attendant ultrasounds and INTRAVAGINAL as well.

I tell folks that although pap tests help us not to have as many cervical cancer cases it isn't 100%.

[truedelphi]

14. What's the story on the intra vaginal tests? I've had pap and I've had

The Ultra Sound. Back in 2009. Everything checked out.

But now I am having break-through bleeding, and I am trying to tell myself it is the stress of holidays.

If I ask my doctor about the intravaginal test - is there a specific name for it?

Thanks for this info.

P.S. My 89 year old father's favorite joke during his last summer on earth was "Well at least my Pap smear is still coming out okay!"

[Ecumenist]

15. I was referring to intravaginal ultrasounds and the bimanual pelvic exam.

let me know if you need more informaiton.

[truedelphi]

16. Am making an appointment later today. And

You are very much in my thoughts. Again thank you.

I lost a very good friend to uterine cancer, Feb 2007, and one of her reflections, late into the disease, was that she wished she had not gotten sick till late 2006. A lot of things were coming down the pike, things that mean people will have their lives saved. It was just all happening just a few months too late to save her.

[Ecumenist]

17. I am so sorry to hear that. You, girl, are going to be prayed for

in a massive way. I'm going to believe and pray that NOTHING is wrong with you as it applies to malignancies. I'm praying that you have nothing but DUB.

[truedelphi]

21. Much appreciated.

I can't get into the ob/gyn till after the New Year. This will be the second time I have had this kind of worry on my mind during holidays- first time was some 36 years ago when I was pregnant, and this Blankity blank of a doctor told me I definitely had cancer!
It turned out he liked to hassle unmarried women that way - he felt it was his right since they had been consorting with the devil. He just made stuff up to antagonize younger women.

But whatever is DUB? I was up an extra half horu last night trying to decipher "MOTU" which turned out to be an acronym for "Masters of The Universe."

And I certainly will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. We have a long history going way back of usually supporting each other on DU threads. I remember how you joined DU as a reaction to pResident George the Younger and the way he had of making a sane person nuts.

[Ecumenist]

22. DUB-Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Last edited Sun Jan 1, 2012, 10:55 PM - Edit history (1)

[Ecumenist]

25. Creepy doctor...What happened to "first, do no harm..."?

Yeah, girl, Georgie boy has always creeped me out and I could just not understand how anyone could actually not see him for what he was,....Class A Creepy.moronic, amoral, hypocritical loser. Presidential...REALLY? Anyway, time has bought that horror to an end but we are still dealing with the terror he wrought on this country and the world.

[Ecumenist]

19. I had all thoise tests and exams, yet my diseaase wasn't found until the partial hysterectomy.

and that was prompted by a terrible infection in the uterus that was not caused by any bacteria you might suspect would cause an intrauterine infection. Is was an unknown strain of actinobacter, I believe. It's also the reason I have to take antibiotics until February. I started them in february.

[REP]

8. I have had cervical cancer as well (much less serious stage) but was symptomatic

I had very intense cervical pain. Turns out that was where the lesions were.

That was 20 years ago. Friday I have to have an endometrial biopsy because my doctor suspects lightning does strike twice (endometrial and cervical cancer are unrelated; I'm just showing typical symptoms of, well, a lot of things and that's prompting the biopsy).

[jumptheshadow]

2. Glad you are here

My partner and I are happy to lend an ear and our support.

[Ecumenist]

23. Thank you so much Jumptheshadow! God bless you and yours.

[Ecumenist]

29. Thank you Jumptheshadow, you will both be in my heart and prayers.

[geckosfeet]

3. Hi Ecumenist. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis but so glad you are doing well.

I just started reading 'Here for Now - Living Well with Cancer Through Mindfulness' by Elana Rosenbaum. Enjoying it so far and I think it will help my mental outlook as I have become somewhat depressed about my diagnosis and ongoing therapy.

[Ecumenist]

24. What cancer are you dealing with, if I may ask?

[geckosfeet]

26. Stage 1 esophogeal cancer. Had surgery.

Now chemo and radiation.

[Ecumenist]

27. God bless you and I want to say that I KNOW you'll be just fine. We've got too much to do...

Not ready to go yet.

[geckosfeet]

36. Blessings to you as well Ecumenist. Thanks for the positive vibs.

Yes - so much to do. But where to start.

I have been giving a great deal of thought to what to do with my life after treatments. Go back to the daily grind? Sell everything and travel across the country? Move to Hawaii?

No - not ready to go - but I understand that could I could be called at anytime. Just another path to travel.

[Irishonly]

4. I am glad you are here

As is my custom I will be thinking of you when I light my candles.

[Ecumenist]

28. Thank you Irishonly!! I will think of you when I light my prayer candle tonight.

[Irishonly]

35. Thank you

I am always gratified and thanful for the online family and friends I have made.

[applegrove]

5. Glad you are doing great. vibes to you for continued good health.

[Ecumenist]

30. thank you ever so much, Applegrove....

As I told someone the other day, I'm not afraid to die but I'm not ready to go right now. I've got too much to do.

[maddezmom]

7. good to hear you are doing well

and glad you are here.

[Ecumenist]

31. I'm glad to be here, Maddezmom. Glad to have you all here !

[Uben]

9. We're glad you're here, too

I know what ya mean about needing to talk, and I can attest from prior experience that this place can be a godsend. People come and go here, life ya know, but there always seems to be someone to talk to. And trust me, they are as wanting to talk as you are.
Most, if not all, are dealing with, or have dealt with, struggles of their own and know the benefit.

God bless ya and hurrah on the feeling well!

[Redbear]

11. Glad you are doing well.

Please keep us updated.

[cynannmarie]

12. endometrial cancer survivor here

Happy to discuss anything cancer related if you want or need to. My diagnosis was one and a half years ago. Had a really rough time for the first 8 mos. but am doing well now. I still attend a wonderful weekly women's cancer support group, which I found so very helpful. I don't need it for my own issues that much now as my health problems are finally resolved, but go regularly to offer support to other women newly diagnosed or for those going through difficult treatments or dire prognoses. And even when things are not actively threatening, it's comforting to be able to talk to others who share the same fears of recurrence and the dread of the follow up exams.

[Ecumenist]

32. I'm vusualing myself in your shoes within a very short period of time.

Boy, do I know what you're talking about the follow up. I have a scan coming up on my return to the center. I'm a bit nervous... What stage were you, if I may ask?

[cynannmarie]

38. reply to Ecumenist's question

Sorry I didn't see this until today. I hope that if you've had your scan by now, that there was good news. It is so nerve wracking to have those on the horizon-- and then the dreaded wait for the results.
My cancer turned out to be Stage I in the final analysis, but for about 6 weeks it was thought to be Stage 3 or 4 due to the presence of an extremely rare, separate ovarian tumor in addition to the more common, early stage tumors of the endometrium. The long wait for the final pathology reports that were sent out for consultation (and that contradicted the initial ones) made for a very anxious time. But it obviously was a great relief to get such unanticipated good news at the end of it.

My first major cancer follow up was also very unsettling beforehand (although no problems detected). The ones since then have gotten a little less intimidating. But it's hard to imagine ever having one that will feel like a breeze. Cancer's legacy is to never be entirely free from the recurrence worry-- for any of us.

Best of luck to you! Let us know what happens.

[cmd]

18. Stage IV Breast Cancer here

I was diagnosed a year and a half ago and am feeling pretty good - all things considered.
I'll check in regularly to see how things are going and drink a toast of good old water wishing us all good days ahead. cmd

[Irishonly]

20. Please keep us posted

I love the support and love shown here. I will join you and drink a toast wishing us all good days. You will be thought of when my candles are lit.

[Ecumenist]

34. Irish, you're a lovely soul. I wish you all the hopes and dreams in this new year!! eom

[Irishonly]

37. How are you feeling?

I haven't seen you since your post.

[Ecumenist]

33. God bless you, CMD!! You're going to be just fine, I have every confidence.