As you can imagine, I'm a bit nervous. I had my pap smear (by my Primary Care) on 6/30, then an internal ultrasound on 7/22 and referred to the GYN who did a biopsy on 7/29. On 8/19, I got the results that I have Stage 1 cervical cancer. My Gyn referred me to Moffitt but the first appt I can get is 9/11.
Waiting another 3 weeks is going to drive me crazy. Is this slow moving enough that all this time waiting is not a problem? I'm going to call the GYN tomorrow and talk to him. He referred me to a specific doctor that he trained under and who is highly qualified. I'm wondering if I should ask Moffitt if I could see one of the other doctors sooner than 9/11 - or is waiting not really an issue other than for my nerves?
This is all very new to me and I'm trying to educate myself but haven't really found any timeline type info, probably because every case is different.
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Newly diagnosed....and waiting
- By KatyO-FL
- Posted August 23, 2009 at 10:23 am · 5 replies
- In HPV/cervical cancer vaccine prevention strategies
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- By Eimaj
- Posted August 23, 2009 at 12:30 pm
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Greetings,
I can so understand how you are feeling. I was diagosised with stage 1 cervical cancer September 2008. I won't go into all of the details, but I will tell you that it took me 4 months to get treatment. I too was afraid the cancer was growing out of control, however all the Doctors I saw, assured me that was not the case.
I had a radical hysterectomy in January of this year and the pathology report stated I had stage 1a1 adenocarcinoma of the cervix. It was caught very early and the Docs were right, it had not grown since my biopsy.
I think it is basic human nature to imagine all kinds of things, especially when we hear the words, "you have cancer". Take care and please use this website as a support system. Best wishes..
- By KatyO-FL
- Posted August 23, 2009 at 1:29 pm
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Thank you, Eimaj,
I am usually a rational, level headed person not prone to worry but waiting is torture, as I'm sure you know. Your answer confirms what my logic tells me but my emotions keep saying something else entirely. I'll try to listen to my logical side. The Gyn says it was caught early as I usually get a pap every 12 - 18 months.
- By kingsley
- Posted August 25, 2009 at 11:48 am
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Hi Katy,
I'm right there withya, girl. I went through 1B cancer in 2006.
My wait was on the front end, though. It took 6 months of dealing with my gyn to discover the cancer... because she found an ovarian cyst and uterine fibroids that she thought was to blame for my symptoms.
It is a slow-growing cancer. My doc said it could've started in me anywhere from 3 to 10 years earlier. I wouldn't worry about waiting 3 weeks. And don't freak out about your diagnosis, so many of us go through it and come out fine on the other end.
From the time of my diagnosis, and through chemo, radiation and a hysterectomy, it was just 4 months and 4 days.
So is your new doctor an oncologist? If not, you should ask for a referral to one, because that's where you'll end up anyway, going through your treatments.
Good luck with it all, and don't hesitate to let us know anything that's on your mind.
Take care,
Gerri
- By KatyO-FL
- Posted August 25, 2009 at 1:24 pm
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Thanks, Gerri,
I feel better hearing that. I guess I'll just hold my breath and wait 3 weeks unless they get a cancellation and I can get in earlier. My gyn did refer me to an oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. I've done some research on him and was favorably impressed.
My gyn said he could do the hysterectomy but if I were his wife/mother/sister, he'd refer them to Moffitt. As you said (and the gyn said) I'd have to see an oncologist anyway, so I may as well start there with the experts. I really like the gyn and he was very open and honest and not in a rush to get me out. He was willing to spend the time to answer all my questions and help me decide the best course. He faxed the referral the same day.
- By TracyH
- Posted August 26, 2009 at 12:58 am
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Hi Katy,
My doctors have also told me that cc is also very slow growing. One said it probablyy started over 20 years ago. After having my 2nd child I had a pap that came back abnormal and I choose to ignore it, very soon after we lost our health insurance that was over 18 years ago. When I finally got insurance and went to the dr. last july I was a IIIB so just be happy you caught yours early.
God Bless,
Tracy Hodges
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