Need Advice Desperately!!! - Menopause Message Board

noodles886 · 01-04-2005, 05:31 PM

Please bear with me if this posting is very wordy but want to explain everything.

About a month ago I had an episode of postmenopausal bleeding....mostly light pink except for one trip to the bathroom when it was red. It lasted about 2-1/2 days in total. I should add that the last time I had my period was January 2001 and I am 59. I saw my gyn. and he said until it is ruled out, uterine cancer has to be suspected. He suggested a D & C but because I have a HUGE fibroid, he didn't even know if he could do the procedure. Also said an endometrial biopsy only samples a small portion and would not be conclusive. I asked if abnormal hormone levels could cause the bleeding and he said he thought mine were right where they should be based on when I last had my period and my age.

Around the same time, I had to go to my family doctor for some routine blood work (I have high cholesterol) and I asked him about the test for hormone levels. I explained about the postmenopausal bleeding and said that's why I wanted to know my hormone levels. He ordered the test for me.

Today I called for the results of the hormone test and his nurse called me back. Unfortunately, I wasn't home and the message on my machine said she had gone over the results with my family doctor and he wants her to order an ultrasound for me. She said she'll explain everything but won't be in tomorrow so I have to wait until Thursday. I'm a nervous wreck!!! I'm wondering if he's ordering the ultrasound to check my endometrial lining.

I also feel like he might be stepping on my gyn's toes a bit. Needless to say, I'd rather have an ultrasound than a D&C. And I should add that when I was in the hospital a couple of years ago to diagnose a mass in my stomach area (turned out to be the huge fibroid), they tried an ultrasound and couldn't see anything. I think it was an ultrasound....they put some jelly on my stomach and ran a wand over it. Or is that a sonogram?

So I'm very confused and very worried. Any thoughts?

kittenlover · 01-04-2005, 06:25 PM

I don't know a whole lot about this stuff but my first thought was that they want to see if your ovaries are showing any cysts. If they are, the chances are you're having a surge of hormones. I'm sure they also want to make sure all is well in that area and it probably is. Since you have a history of fibroids, my guess is that that is what they are suspecting. Between fibroids and a surge in hormones, bleeding could occur....and by doing non-invasive stuff, they may not need the D&C.

If I've learned anything lately is that worry doesn't help....I know we can't control it, but just to send out good thoughts and good vibes for you.
If you're beside yourself with worry, can you call the doc's office and speak with his nurse just to get at least an idea of what is going on ???
Sometimes I think because docs see this day in and day out they forget we haven't and it is all perplexing and worrisome for us.
I had a derm remove a spot on my back once and said it was "pre-cancerous" as if it was that he was saying ..."have a drink of water..." I just about ripped his head off explaining that anytime the "C" word is used to a lay-person, care should be used...we don't deal with it daily. Sorry for the vent and the digression....

Please post back to let us know what has transpired.......
oh, one last rambling....my mom was 60 when she had bleeding again and they did an ultrasound. THey found a huge mass on her ovary. My mom, not being mentally well, had wanted to die since she was 50, so she said great! THey begged her to have it looked at...she walked away. 60, death wish, huge lump on ovary + no further care.
She just turned 80 .........

noodles886 · 01-04-2005, 06:30 PM

Kitten Lover, thanks for your input. Glad your mom's ovary problem turned out ok since it's 20 years since she was diagnosed with the mass.

I can't talk to my doctor's nurse until Thursday since she won't be at work tomorrow.

I know it's easy to say "don't worry" but I'm a big worrywart from way back. It's amazing my hubby hasn't left me since I know I drive him crazy.

BeckyW · 01-04-2005, 06:56 PM

I'm in the novice category with all this menopause stuff, but I did want to say that whenever I've had any kind of scare where cancer *could* be ONE possibility, the docs have been VERY sure to point out all other possibilities and their likelihood above cancer. They do not want to 'go there' and put the fear of cancer in patients without proof in hand....for exactly the unwarranted worry you're going through now.

Not quite the same, but, I when I was 2 mos pregnant I was diagnosed with the highest level of precancerous growth on my cervix, which extended up beyond where they could see/ explore due to the pregnancy. Scared me to death at first. Docs were careful to make SURE I understood that this stood a good chance of NOT turning cancerous as the pregnancy progressed. Best case scenario, it would 'shed' after full term and natural delivery. Worst case, it would turn cancerous and I would have c-section/hysterectomy at about 34-36 wks. I was terrified at first, but ya know, I had 7 mos. to get through til' delivery and I realized, hey, even if I do have/get cancer, this is a part of my body I can live without!
You will have your test results very soon...and I bet they'll be just fine! Try to think positive, look at all the other possible causes for what you're experiencing, and remember that even that 'worst case' is still very very treatable!

Take Care and Do Let us know how you're doing!

BeckyW.

newbie5 · 01-04-2005, 07:45 PM

I am also pretty new at this menopause thing, but know how frustrating it is when you are left hanging. I've often said there should be a book called "Waiting for the Results". It literally feels like you are holding your breath waiting. I had cervical cancer and a hysterectomy (still have ovaries) 7 years ago, and have had several "call backs" for mammograms. The waiting is the worst! I don't think nurses or receptionists should be allowed to say anything if they can't follow up with the results immediately. I think they sometimes forget that there are people on the other end of the phone and how what they say effects us. It probably doesn't do any good to say not to worry, but for me, the best thing to do is to try to keep busy, exercise, work a puzzle, go for a walk, anything that might be able to take your mind off of it. Good luck and keep us posted!