The Type of Cancer That is Operable

The other day, my friend was telling me about her husband's esophageal cancer and how she was heartbroken when the doctor told them that his cancer was inoperable.  Some cancers are like that.  Some others are operable.  Mine is operable.  Yet it's not that simple.  It takes a lot of emotional courage to move forward with the operation. 

When we met with Dr. Jewell last Thursday, we discussed the test results to help us understand the cancer.  The cancer is clearly contained in the uterus.  And there have been no additional polyps or growth in the endometrium. That is positive.  But the uterus is not normal in shape.  Another positive thing was that it was not a genetic type.  This was just a confirmation of what I already knew.  There has been no history of cancer in my family on both sides.  This came as a surprise to everyone in my family.  Additionally, I have complex hyperplasia with atypia which is the worst type of abnormal thickening in the uterus.  Treatment of this type is usually hysterectomy.

Three treatment options were discussed on Thursday.  Hysterectomy, radiation, or hormone therapy.  I am currently on hormone therapy and I am not responding quite well.  I have been feeling really tired, thirsty, having nosebleeds from dry nose, and I just developed a weird rash.  If I opt to stay on hormone therapy for life, I run the risk of developing diabetes.  Not fun.  Radiation is another option but it is hard on the body.  Dr. Jewell said she would only consider radiation or hormone therapy instead of hysterectomy if I was not physically capable of handling surgery. 

It was clear at that point that surgery is the important step in treating my cancer.  It made me sad because it meant I cannot bear a child.  I have been processing this for a few weeks to reach acceptance.  This cancer took away the chance to have a child.  In order to try to be pregnant, I would have to forgo all treatments and run the risk of letting the cancer worsen.  If I go with radiation treatments, the radiation would damage my reproductive system.  If I go with hormone therapy, I cannot get pregnant because my body stops ovulating.

I am physically capable of handling surgery.  Surgery is the best route to take.  I do not want to get diabetic nor do I want to be burned with radioactive agents.  Yet, surgery terrifies me.  Dr. Jewell discussed the surgery in depth with us.  She discussed the risks.  One risk that made me sick to the stomach... she said that she has seen a few cases in which the uterus was removed only to find it had no traces of cancer.  And that the cancer was removed through dilation and curettage.  It is possible that my cancer was removed on January 9th when my polyps were removed.  We won't know until the uterus goes out.  That was one thing that I struggled with the most when I was reviewing the hysterectomy consent paperwork.  I still struggle with this fact today.  Mike said the other day that this was a decision that is based on what I knew.  I know I have cancer.  And I have the type of cancer that is operable.  It really sucks though.  Dr. Jewell said March 30th is the next available day for her to do the surgery.  I wanted to wait until end of May so I can plan accordingly.  I like to plan things ahead to make sure all my ducks are in row.  She said, "Absolutely not.  We need to operate as soon as possible."  Okay.  I guess I will have to make it work.  I signed the consent paperwork.  Then the nurse came in to discuss preparations with us.  There's a lot to be done. 

I left the center with a dark cloud looming above my head.  When we got to a place to eat for lunch, I burst into tears.  It was not an easy decision.  Yet it was a life-saving decision.  I got my diagnosis a few days before someone got her diagnosis of a different kind of cancer.  She died last week.  Another woman got her diagnosis a couple of weeks after mine for a different kind of cancer and her prognosis does not look good at this point.  I am in a better position or rather operable.  Once the uterus is out, they will stage the cancer.  If I'm stage 1, I am done.  If I'm stage 2-3, I will need adjuvant therapy.  Still, I am terrified of the surgery.  This whole thing SUCKS!