I was diagnosed Aug 14 with cervical cancer. I was told at that time that 1 out of 4 biopsies came back with cancer. Previously to that I had been having abnormal bleeding since March and had gone immediately to my doc to sort it out. She told me it was most likely premenopause-i'm 42- and she didn't even examine me. I had my physical scheduled for a couple of weeks away and she said she'd do it then, but when that time came I was bleeding so she wouldn't do the pap. She never told me the bleeding is a symptom of cancer and she completely downplayed my concerns. In fact she told me outright it wasn't cancer. I tried to get the pap done quite a few times over the next couple of months but every time the apptmt came around I was bleeding again so cancelled. We finally got it done at end of June and it came back HSIL. Doc told me again it definitely wasn't cancer but I should do a colposcopy.
So that was done as well as the biopsy and on Aug 14 my obgyn told me of the cancer. Yesterday I saw oncologist and he examined me and told me it looks like my whole cervix is 'involved'. He did a LEEP but just to remove some pieces for examination. He also ordered a pelvic MRI which may not even happen for 3 weeks from now. He has also downplayed my concerns of the waiting time and says a few weeks won't matter one way or another.
At this point I'm pretty scared and my faith in the doctors is badly shaken.
Can anyone give me any advice? Is it really OK to wait so long for all these different procedures? Should I be asking for any other types of tests? Is there anything else I can do in the meantime? Can I speed the process up? Has anyone tried any alternative therapies? I worry that the pap said HSIL and the biopsy said 1 out of 4 but now the oncolgist says it looks like my whole cervix is involved. What on earth does that mean? and if my pap last year was normal, to me this seems to be something that is moving fast even though they say typically cervical cancer is slow. Any words will help. thx so much

Hi Gypsybird,

The first thing I would do would be to sit down with your oncologist and get all the details...why they believe your whole cervix is involved, what stage of cancer..Get all and any information you can from them. You can do research from there.

I see you commented on the "Alternative Treatment Success" thread that I have been posting on also in the general cancer section. I have added some information there since the last time you posted, but you may have already read it.

Information is key though. When you know exactly what you are up against, and hear success stories from other individuals, it always seems a little less scary.

As stated before, I am doing some alternative therapies right now and will definitely keep you posted about the outcome. I hope that we can find more people with alternative success stories!:)

Thanks Teal. I asked a lot of questions of my doc but it seems to be a learning experience on what to ask because they don't seem to offer a lot unless you push them.

Anyone else has anything like my experience it would be great to hear from you.

Unrelated question; I'm new and can't seem to find my way back to some of the threads I've been on including the one you mentioned. How do you manage this? thx.

Hey Gypsybird:

why is it that you think your MRI won't happen for 3 weeks? Does your doctor want you to go to one particular place for the MRI or is there a big wait at the place that you want to go to? Sometimes doctors get kickpacks from hospitals for refering patients to one particular center. Don't let this be the reason you don't get some reasurance sooner.

If you don't have to go to a paticular place you can call around to other hospitals/facilities in your area which have the ability to do an MRI and see if they could get you in early next week. It usually only takes like 15 mintues to get an MRI.

I would definately call your doctor's office and ask to talk with him when he has a moment (sometimes they can call you back after they're last patient of the day or during lunch) or get back in to see him in person to get your questions answered. Be insistent, and tell them you only need a moment of his time. You have to take control to make sure you are confident with your knowledge of your diagnosis and your treatment. Most doctors just go through the motions since they do this every day. They forget that you may not already understand some of the basic things about your condition.

I wish you luck I also just got a diagnosis of Cervical cancer this month on the 16th, two days after you I'm 29 and haven't had childrenyet so I hope this all turns out ok. I see my oncologist for the frist time tomorrow.

I'll say a prayer for you!:angel:

Hi Hopefull, Sorry I haven't replied earlier, I was checking this thread and thought there were no more responses. (I'm pretty new around here)
First, I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I will keep you in my prayers and do let me know how things are going for you.
Re the MRI, I am in Ontario, Canada and we have a marvelous thing called OHIP here-need I say more? Don't get me wrong I am not against OHIP, but wait times for certain procedures can be alarming. That said, I bullied my doctor and his nurse to get me information about private options and finally they told me.
I went down to Buffalo on Tuesday and got the MRI done there. I gave it to my onc. & also spoke with him more. He has started talking about radiation although we do not know the stage yet. I should have that result mid next week.
I asked him about ovarian transposition because I am not ready for menopause-not as much about kids in my case but for the health risks associated such as osteoporosis and heart disease, both of which run in my family. I know I'm a bit old for children even though it wouldn't be out of the question and I would like to have them, and psychologically I am very unprepared for menopause-its quite frightening really.
One thing I'm finding is that things move so slowly between getting all these tests done and waiting for the results. It's frustrating and leads to more worry. Do things move so slowly where you are?
I'm trying to stay positive about it all. any other advice is more than welcome.

Take care of yourself and I will be thinking good thoughts for you.

I just want to know what your actual diagnosis was. I am having a hard time believing that if you have invasive cervical cancer they are waiting so long to do anything about it. Did they tell you you have carcinoma in situ or that you have full blown cervical cancer? Everything I have read leads me to believe that with the latter the progression can be very aggressive to other organs. I want to see the best outcome possible for everyone who posts here..and for those who don't. So, what did they say???

Read my previous post...I didn't read yours...sorry. So you had the LEEP? I am confused. If from the MRI, they are recommending radiation, then I say get a second opinion. If you have had the LEEP and the edges came back bad I say have the hysterectomy. They have suggested " a little bit of radiation" to me...I see my oncologist on the 11th after many procedures, and if he still sees the radiation as the best approach, I am going to push to just have it all taken out...especially after reading the posts from people with ileostomy and colostomy bags due to damage from the radiation. Early menopause seems like the much better option. My heart goes out to those women who are living with that. I cried when I read their stories. Make sure you know all of you options before you let them play with your body. It is the only one you have...

Hi Sharon, I see the oncolgist tomorrow. he will tell me the stage and the recommendations. I am also very freaked out over the waiting. They tell me its a 'small cancer' and a week or two waiting wont matter but it matters very much to me! Then they tell me to go home and wait and if I want to talk to a mental health person fine. But my mental health is not the problem! its waiting to be treated for something that I know should be treated as soon as possible. I don't really know what to do. I have already gone in to the dr office to discuss this. I don't have the MRI result yet, or the LEEP result. This I will get tomorrow.
It really is this bad here where I am. There is really only one other hospital that deals with cancer and that one has longer waits. I am going to the cancer hospital here-thats all they do.
I'm truly becoming so worried and froghtened. I can't believe how slowly the system moves and the lack of support. I'm thinking of going to Germany to get some treatment there. I've heard they have the best programs. Do you know anything about it?
How are you doing?

Hi Sharon,
Forgot to say-the early menopause would be due to the radiation. Radiation to that area destroys the functioning of the ovaries unless they are moved out of the way-thats what I'm told. I don't know for sure if thats what they are recommending, however the oncologist has me meeting with a radiation dr tomorrow before he tells me the stage 'just to expedite things'. I just pray for the best-for all of us.
I'm still interested in these European clinics if anyone knows anything. its said they are the first choice of doctors when they get sick.
take care.