Coping with Women's Cancers
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
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
A beautiful bowl of summer cherries . . . Yesterday, as I was preparing to leave the house to visit my friend Pat R. for lunch, I saw that I had missed a call on my cell phone while I was upstairs getting ready. An assistant from my gynecologic oncologist’s office had called, something that… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: A Surprise Bowl of Summer Cherries
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
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
As I reported in the June 20, 2014 post, my gynecologic oncologist (surgeon) performed my six-month post-hysterectomy pelvic exam on June 19 and said that all looked well. However . . . because I told him that I'd been having a light, clear discharge since undergoing vaginal radiation (brachytherapy) in January and February, he took a… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Pap Smear Uncertainty
Six months have passed already since my total robotic hysterectomy—and four since my vaginal radiation treatments. Yesterday, I saw my gynecologic oncologist/surgeon, who took a peek and said I'm well healed with no evidence of recurrence. I do have some light vaginal discharge and need to wear a pantyliner all the time, so the… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Six-Month Checkup Yesterday
The Patient Path 