Five years ago today, I became cancer-free after being forever changed by three little words that no one ever thinks they will hear.
Sunday night 1/26/19 – I called the nurse helpline because something wasn’t right and hadn’t been for about a month. I was spotting every two weeks and felt full, I assumed that I was eating too much junk. They said I needed to make an appointment and asked me a second time if I would actually make it. 😒 I am a teacher, so I figured I would call at some point and see when I could get in without having to take a day off from work, because writing sub plans is twice as much work as going in.
Monday 1/27/19 (AKA -“Cold Day #1”) No school, fine, I guess I’ll make that doctor appointment. Later that day, I went in, and was told, “there is a little irregularity. We can wait a month or do a sonogram.” I demanded the sonogram. As a viewer of ER for 15 years, I wanted to watch, but I wasn’t allowed. The tech told me, “You don’t need to see this.” 😞 That is when I knew something was really going on.
Tuesday 1/28/19 (“Cold Day #2”) – No school again, back to bed. 7:30 am phone call. “We need you to come in today to do a biopsy.” 😬 A bit later, I met another doctor and was told, “There’s no way it’s cancer. You’re too young (I was 36).” 😒 She was sure it was something else. At this time, she did the biopsy. Though I’ve never given birth, I learned what it feels like to have a contraction. 😵 So much pain! Ouch!
Wednesday 1/29 (“Cold Day #3”) I was kind of on edge and waiting. Anxiety working against me, but I kept remembering that the doctor said that I’m too young to have cancer, and attempted to relax. Ha!
Thursday 1/30/19 (“Cold Day #4”) Phone rings in the late afternoon… Unknown number… I don’t answer. There was a message that said, “this is the doctor, I need to talk to you about your results tomorrow.” Why didn’t I answer?! Now, I have to wait more… Anxiety takes over! 😢
Friday 1/31/19 (“Cold Day #5”) In bed, trying to stay calm… 7:30 am phone call. I know this can’t be good.
Doctor: You have cancer! Early stage, good prognosis, surgery should take care of everything.
Me: But I thought I was too young to have cancer?
Doctor: 3% of PRE-menopausal women get endometrial cancer. Oncology will be calling you today to make an appointment.
Go figure, I’ve always been an old soul born in the wrong decade… Let the waiting begin until 2/26/19 for surgery…
Lessons Learned:
- If something isn’t normal, go in!
- If you’re waiting for test results, answer every call. Even if it’s after office hours.
- Doctors make mistakes and shouldn’t be ‘sure’ until they get the results.
- Don’t be reassured by “you’re too young” because there’s always that small chance.
- It can happen to anyone.
My dad and his amazing wife came to Minnesota from Florida during winter to stay with me for the first week after surgery. I had a hysterectomy/salpingo-oophorectomy at 36. I knew I would not be able to take hormones and that I would be thrown into full-blown menopause. A few days later, I was informed that I was stage 1A and thankfully, didn’t need additional treatment!
Five years later, my scars are minimal, but my body has thrown numerous reminders at me – hot flashes, mammograms, bone density tests, vitamins, back pain, etc. This has been a learning experience. It has changed me and took me on a journey to find peace and calm as I adjust to my new normal. The picture I’ve included is a gift from my dad and his wife on surgery day. This year, the pup got a new charm of a uterus keychain!
Mikki
MN
Submitted 02/26/2024
This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
