Coping with Women's Cancers
Still Life: Basket of Peaches by Raphaelle, Peale, 1816 Display Peach for Uterine Cancer Yesterday, June 14, 2016, I saw my regular gynecologist at the 30-month mark post-hysterectomy for uterine (endometrial) cancer. I thought the “no-Pap policy” discussion had been lain to rest . . . but not quite. You Can Say Anything If You Smile Since… Continue reading My Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer Story: Two-and-a-Half-Year Checkup–Pap or No Pap?
Image: Micrograph of a Pap Stain Update: As noted in the March 5, 2015 post, since my hysterectomy for uterine cancer (endometrial adenocarcinoma) on December 13, 2013,* I have had five Pap tests, all but one of which were normal. It was that pesky first test done last summer because of ongoing vaginal discharge, which… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Pap-Free at Last
On Valentine’s Day 2014, I finished my vaginal radiation treatments (brachytherapy) for uterine cancer. My total robotic hysterectomy was performed on December 13, 2013—which turned out to be a lucky Friday. Although my endometrial adenocarcinoma was stage 1b, grade 3 (stage 1a, grade 1 would have been better), all lymph nodes and peritoneal fluids were negative for cancer… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Post-Valentine Anniversary
Still my favorite story of all time, A Christmas Carol was published 171 years ago, on December 19, 1843. Click the book to view the only existing manuscript version of the novella. See it in person at the (J. Pierpont) Morgan Library & Museum in New York. Do take a look—it’s a treasure. On that same date last… Continue reading Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Post Christmas 2014 Reflections on “Christmases Yet to Come”
Some Post-Thanksgiving Gratitude Three weeks ago, on 11/11, I had my second repeat Pap test since getting an abnormal report in the summer. In the past, it has taken two weeks to get the results. Today marked three weeks with no phone call. . . . As I was making turkey soup today with the… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: When Negative Is Positive
eleven is peachy . . . Today I had my 11-month post-hysterectomy visit (my surgery was December 13, 2013). My checkup regularity was thrown off by an abnormal Pap test this summer. Fortunately, it was followed by a normal Pap test—and also by a normal vaginal biopsy, taken during a colposcopy. Doing due diligence, my… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: 11-Month Checkup on 11/11 . . . and Another Pap
An Autumn Peach Reviewing my past year with uterine (endometrial) cancer, I am grateful for and thank everyone for their support. Also wishing my sisters with all gynecologic and breast cancers the very best this fall season. October 10, 2013: A year ago today, my reading group met to discuss The Book Thief by Markus Zusak,… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: An Autumn Peach
Yesterday began another two-week waiting period for more Pap results. In the July 22, 2014 post, I described the results of the uncomfortable colposcopy and biopsy I had earlier in the month (reported on July 10). I returned to the doctor's office yesterday for what I thought would be a routine Pap test. However, after the doctor… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Second Colposcopy and Repeat Pap
Photo Copyright 2003, Nelson Soucasaux In the July 10, 2014 post, I explained why I underwent a colposcopy and biopsy on July 9. It took two weeks minus one day to get the results, which I received by way of a phone call from an assistant in the doctor's office at noon today. I don’t know why it… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Biopsy & Re-reviewed Pap Results
As I reported in the July 2, 2014 post, my gynecologic oncologist (surgeon) performed a Pap (Papanicolaou) test during my six-month post-hysterectomy pelvic exam on June 19. The results showed “Epithelial Cell Abnormality; Atypical Glandular Cells of Undetermined Significance (AGUS).” This was unwelcome news. So, yesterday I had a colposcopy (from the Greek word kolpos, referring to the vagina and/or womb, + -scopy, examination with a… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Post-Colposcopy Report
The Patient Path 