Another Cancer? Say It Ain't So! Ok, Probably.

My lucky MSU socks -
I have to wear them or the
Spartans lose against U of M.

When I go for a long period of time without posting, I want you to know it's against my nature. I am sometimes amazed that the training as a journalist I received at MSU (Go Green!) remains with me, always. That means I love language; I love to write and post and create conversation. When I started this blog, I made the commitment to keep that up. 

The cancer journey has lots of twists and turns, and it is difficult to see all ends. Or, really, any end. I don't post sometimes because I don't want to worry, say, my family and friends. This time, I didn't post because the outcome was not at all clear, and I didn't want to worry you, my friends online.

Oh, I had another elephant dance, for sure. This one was pretty intricate, too. Here's the story.

You remember that I have the BrCA2 gene deletion. If you remember, that makes me vulnerable to a host of cancers, most notably breast cancer. It also gives me a strong run at ovarian cancer. So I rallied my surgeons and arranged to have the other mastectomy and a salpingo oophrectomy -- both the tubes and the ovaries go. I can have them done on the same day, same anesthesia. I want to do this for the holidays, so I can just blip out like everyone else does around that time of year, and be back before people notice I'm out. 

Every day is a winding road, right?

That was the plan, anyway.

More Findings

The GYN surgeon wanted an ultrasound of the pelvic area to ensure that I'm good to go. The findings suggested -- not so much. Again. Among the findings:

Uterus > Endometrium

--------------------

A hypoechoic area is seen within the endometrium measuring 3 x 4 x 4 mm.

Remember that word, hypoechoic? That means the ultrasound echoes are weaker, it is harder to see. It is associated with cancers. Uh-oh!

The latest Newsweek cover.
No, elephants don't get cancer, we do.

IMPRESSION:

1. The endometrial stripe is thickened measuring 9 mm, with cystic areas noted. The differential includes endometrial hyperplasia, tamoxifen related endometrial changes (although patient states non-usage over last several months), and endometrial malignancy is not excluded.

2. Small amount of fluid in the cervical canal which is a nonspecific finding.

3. Neither ovary is sonographically visualized.

So, they found something suspicious, just not my ovaries. I’d had previous ultrasounds where they didn’t find my ovaries. So, I was only mildly annoyed when the US tech describe my ultrasound as “difficult.” Hey! She practically stuck that probe right into my bladder – it hurt! Transvaginal ultrasounds aren’t a spa service, that’s clear.

I had this done in early October, just before my highly anticipated (by me) fall color tour. We went to Pennsylvania (so I could combine it with a work trip) where the colorful panoramas were stunning. I was sure that I would have no problem with the findings, so I made a mistake: I checked my electronic medical record chart Saturday morning. I should know better.

Miles and miles of color -- off of US 6 in the Sweden Valley

Let me tell you about the crisis that brought about in me. I was furious, then resigned, then teary, angry -- just a rollercoaster of emotion. For about five seconds, I thought about not telling my husband, but that’s not how I work. I share everything with him. I apologized to him even for looking. It took hours for me to pick myself up and function: I had a big presentation coming up; I had to look sharp and act normal. Criminy!

At least I had the grace to snap out of it to get some beautiful shots, and to facilitate that event a few days later. That counts for something, right?

I called my surgeon, who is kind enough (or crazy enough) to leave me his cellular number. He showed great empathy, but I would not be assuaged with “I’m sure it’s just normal…let’s have a closer look during surgery.” Nope, because if it is cancer, it grew up with less than 90 days of Tamoxifen. If it is cancer, it’s very, very aggressive. And I’ve had this stitch in my side that got a lot worse on Tamoxifen. It was possible that I had yet another CANCER. Ok, it’s endometrial, which usually responds well to having those parts removed, but that wasn’t the plan!

My plans are now completely askew! I had no idea what to expect!

More Procedures

So, we did an endometrial biopsy. Another fun procedure! Actually, things were worse back in my earlier days, so recovery really was quick. But suddenly that stitch in my side became an infection. I actually don’t think the biopsy caused the infection, wrong place, but no one knows what did. What got stirred up? What didn't like all this fussing?

What I know is that my lower left abdomen/groin area was stiff and hugely painful, and I developed a fever, even after the doctor prescribed big antibiotics. I still don’t know what caused it, I just know that the antibiotics have it under control. I will have an ultrasound next week, but if they didn’t see it before…

Meanwhile, I am trying to act normally at work. We are in an intense period, and I am navigating some major challenges. I was working from home to manage pain and medication side effects. (What is the major side effect of ridiculous amounts of antibiotics? Hint: it pays to be near the restroom.)

The biopsy results came back normal. The bloodwork showed I’m responding to the antibiotic. I’ll have another ultrasound next week, but right now, the plan is unchanged except for the addition of an hysteroscope – they will dilate me (misoprostol, anyone?) and have a look-see, complete with light and camera. It is still possible that something is there, but who knows what?

Update: The second ultrasound found the ovary, and it has the same cyst that has been there, giving me trouble, my entire life. Doctors should learn to listen to me. It also shows some possible progression of my uterine findings, but not the tumor. 

What fun! I am so glad I’ll be out of it. The day is nearing, and I find that my courage is not stuck in the sticking place, but "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."  Thanks, Hamlet.

I'm thinking this sucks.  How's it going for you?

Another magnificent vista off of US 220 in Pennsylvania