When I received the news on June 26 that I had endometrial cancer (EC), it felt unreal. Was the doctor talking to me? I glanced at my husband quickly to make sure I was awake. But in that moment, the doctor assured me that they caught it very early and that it was slow growing. He told me not to dwell on it because he was referring me to the best oncologic surgeon in the field, and that they should get me in to surgery within the next two weeks. Surgery?! Hysterectomy?! The words hit me like a gut punch.
Read the first half of Candace’s story: “A constant state of change: My journey to an endometrial cancer diagnosis.”
I had always been a strong advocate for a healthy lifestyle. I grew up in a household where you could find granola and wheat germ in the pantry, and herbal tea steeping on the stove. I have been following a vegetarian diet for over 20 years now. Being in tune with my body and its changes was something to which I was accustomed, so when I started bleeding after I had gone through menopause, I knew immediately that something was wrong.
From that day began a string of different doctors’ appointments, tests and biopsies that lasted for eight long months.
A hysterectomy?!
At that time, I had only known three people who had hysterectomies — or so I thought. The two weeks until surgery were the longest two weeks ever, and during that time, I consulted my friends and family about it. A lot of women I talked with had had hysterectomies already, and they were successful. With and without cancer diagnoses! I had no idea! Aunties, cousins, friends, this was nuts!
My mom had not believed in surgery. She thought it meant illness and disease, and she passed this belief on to me. She had stayed away from the doctor’s office when they told her she had fibroids in her late 30’s. Finally, in her 50’s, she did have a full hysterectomy after the fibroids had taken over her uterus. But by the time she received a diagnosis of cervical cancer, it was too late.
I was finding out fast that surgery was not the boogeyman my mom had taught me it was. My life had changed in an instant, and my mind would not stop thinking of all the scenarios of surgery and cancer. It took me back to my mother’s time in the hospital and all her doctor visits, and her pain. She had been in a whole lot of pain. The kind of pain that was only mitigated by opioids or morphine.
What was I to do with this new information? I hardly had time to process it before the big day.
Ready for surgery
By this time, I was so tired of wearing sanitary pads, I could cry. I wanted the bleeding to be over and done. When I used to have a normal menstrual cycle, it was three days per month at the most. I had been bleeding and spotting for a full eight months now! This was an endless “menstrual period” — but with no pain. Sometimes I felt a bit of pressure on my bladder, but that was it.
I read all I could about the top-notch surgeon, the DaVinci robot and laparoscopic surgery — mostly success stories, but my mind came up with bad visions all on its own. Still, I was beyond ready.
The day of surgery finally came. I had done a lot of positive self-talk and meditations on successful surgery, minimal bleeding and healing. The hospital called to let me know to come in early because the doctor was ahead of schedule. Great! I am on my way!
The entire day flowed very smoothly.
Cancer-free
As I write this, it has been eighteen days since I had a robotic, laparoscopic radical hysterectomy. They removed my uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes and lymph nodes. The pathology report said there was no metastasis and my lymph nodes were clear. I am cancer-free! Since I was already in menopause, I am not experiencing any symptoms like hot flashes or anything. I am recovering well and healing fast.
I can now move past the memory of the nightmare my mother went through with her cancer. I did not let fear stop me from moving forward. I trusted my intuition, and found doctors that could help me. I am now convinced that healing and wellness come in many ways. Surgery can mean wellness for the body, especially with all the advances in medicine. It is now a part of my wellness journey, and I am all the better for it. I thank my mom for her journey because without hers, I would not have mine.
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