r/endometrialcancer • u/Ready-Sherbet-2741 • 24d ago

Newly diagnosed high grade serous carcinoma

I am now waiting for scan results to check spread. The stats on this cancer are terrible. I am 56 years old.

My symptom journey started with mild but persistent pelvic pain. Also started having changes in BMs. More D. Also, worsening insomnia. After a few weeks, I went to doctor and ultrasound showed 6mm lining but otherwise normal. Spotted blood with a BM then GP ordered a CT scan. Normal. Did a Pap smear also normal. A few weeks later a big bleed and went to ED. Then I was referred for a biopsy. I opted to go D&C/Hysteroscopy which happened last Wednesday. Gyno told me it looked like cancer after I woke up. Pathology confirmed the cancer.

Now a lot of crying and anxiety that is uncontrollable. Facing mortality with chronic insomnia is just bad. I share my home with my wonderful brother and one of my adult children still lives with me. I was widowed at 35 so my little family is everything. I am so upset that my children face losing their remaining parent. my adult child who lives at home is my best buddy.

I am being referred to the Gynaecology oncology team at my local hospital next week. Any tips for coping? Does anyone know why the cancer causes insomnia? medication?

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u/josiern1 24d ago

Hi- I was diagnosed with high grade stage 4B endometrial cancer that had spread sorry throughout my abdomen and to my colon. That was three years ago and I’m doing fine now. Of course you never know when it might come back but honestly after this period of time, I don’t think about it much at all. You just never know what’s gonna happen. And although the statistics don’t look good, they’re just a range and you never know when you’re going to be the one on the high side of that range.

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u/Ready-Sherbet-2741 23d ago

Thanks for sharing this. I’m waiting for scan results and of course I am worried it has spread. Did you have to do chemo first before surgery?

I love the fact you are now doing well and it is all in the background!

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u/josiern1 23d ago

I had the option to do three rounds of chemo then surgery then three rounds of chemo or have surgery first and do six rounds of chemo. I tried to do the three rounds and then surgery and then three rounds but on the first day of chemo I had a couple different bad reactions that sent me to the emergency room instead. So I decided to do the surgery first so we could get moving and then I had my chemo. Then, in the meantime, we got my allergies either under control or switch ed to different meds.

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u/Ready-Sherbet-2741 23d ago

A lot to go through. It gives me hope because you managed to get through it all. I remain astonished about how everyone manages. such a tough bunch of people. any tips on coping would be appreciated. Thanks so much for being here.