I was diagnosed with stage 1 cancer this month

[woodsprite]

8. Wishing you all the best - quick recovery, minimal invasion, and clear margins!

I'm 12 years out from a Grade I, Stage IIA endometrial cancer diagnosis. My OB/GYN said that if he was told his mother had to have cancer and he could choose what type, this is the kind he would choose. I know what he meant, but I wish he would have said it differently.

I wrote up a piece for HysterSisters.org that was solely my thought process, specific to Grade I, Stage IIA, and not meant as a recommendation or medical advice. I wrote it thinking it may help someone in figuring out what questions to ask. My research for myself was done in 2006 so I'm sure things have changed, advanced, and protocols have been updated since then, so just be sure to do your research. If you would like me to post the link to my write-up, just let me know.

I remember suddenly bursting into tears and feeling like a huge weight had been lifted on the day 5 years out from surgery when I opened the report from the doctor that said "No evidence of disease". I guess before that, I hadn't realized how stressed I was about the possible outcome.

Truthfully, the most difficult issue I had to deal with after healing from the surgery was being in immediate post-surgical menopause because I had them take everything - including the ovaries. One day I woke up and realized I was having joint pain in places I'd never had it before. I was walking like a 90+ yo lady. My dr. told me it was due to the estrogen depletion. I took care of the pain with Arthritis Strength Tylenol since I found that prescription arthritis drugs made my BP go way up. About 3-4 yrs out, I realized I was having to take the Tylenol less and less, so that's a good thing. I guess my body finally was adjusting.

Recently I've been diagnosed with Osteopenia (the precursor to Osteoporosis) and have been put on Vit. D supplements and told to do weight-bearing exercises. They also attribute changes in my breast tissue to the early and sudden menopause.

Another bit of advice: Buy a Chillow! If you have hot flashes at night, it will DEFINITELY help you sleep!

Sending all sorts of healing light, thoughts, and prayers your way. If you want to talk, you can pm me. I have a DU window open on my desktop pretty much all day, every day.