Wellness

[Laura14]

Horrible topics we have on the board today but I just got off the phone with my mother. 

She is in her 60s and has been experiencing a few instances of bleeding which obviously a woman of her age shouldn't.

It only happened 3 times.  She got a pelvic exam, was referred to a gynecologist today for an ultrasound, and has been told there is something there at the top of her uterus.

Could be polyps, fibroids, or cancer.  Whatever it is, the doctor seems quite confident it will be totally manageable.  Doing a biopsy next week.

Anyone have any experience with something like this?  I'm thinking worst case, they just take it out and bye bye whatever the possible malignancy is?

I'm trying not to freak out since she is the only parent I have and the doctor has made it quite clear that would not be appropriate even if it is cancer so I'm taking deep breaths.

I know I just have to wait it out but if it sounds familiar, I wouldn't mind if you cared to share.  

[Irshgrl31201]

I think first and most importantly find out what it is. Second, I always get a 2nd opinion because I have had 2 instances where if I hadn't gotten one things would have turned out a lot worse for me. I make a point of it now.

I think it is odd that the dr doesn't know if it is a fibroid or a polyp though. I have had both and they knew right away which one it was. I had an ablation for my fibroids and that was quite effective. The way my dr explained to me they rarely go in and do more radical procedures if a patient can be helped with an ablation or a couple of other treatments they have for the fibroids.

[Fressa]

I've had a variety of "issues" in that area. I can tell you one thing---if the doctor is confident that it can be taken care of then that's very good. It has been my expereince that either they don't offer any comment or take a "wait and see" approach. It sounds like she has a "good one" (as I call them).

Some of these siscks can go away on their own or with medication and others can be removed thru a minor procedure. I had procedures and surgeries with my issues.

Take it one visit at a time and remember to breathe.  The medical field has made progress in this area over the years and the ultra sound is such a "good thing". I'm a big fan of any procdure that is non invasive. It could be any thing or nothing major. I try to remember that I don't know what I don't know until I go thru all the tests/scans and the procedure. Then you know what you have/have not and how to proceed. I would take the doctor's confidence as a good sign.

Good LucK to both of you. 

[Laura14]

Thank you @Irshgrl31201. 

It sounds like they did an ultrasound and could only go off of those images.  They are going more in depth with a digital exam and biopsy next week.  

Thank you for the second opinion recommendation.  I always forget that!  

[Laura14]

Thank you @Fressa!  My whole family has been to this doctor and LOVES her. 

She told my mother she has never had a bad case in her 25 years of practice if it is cancer when it was caught early like this so she's been wonderful for our minds.

I'm glad to know there are lots of other things that can be done to resolve it instead of the major surgery I know about.    

[cherry]

I've known quite a few people with these sorts of issues, including me. My condition was precancerous and the Dr did Cryosurgery in his office. It was painless and I never had any problems since, That was 40 years ago

Many women just need something like a D&C, and they are right as rain

I would keep calm and trust your Dr. Good luck

[Azcowgirl]

I have been through this with the polyp removal outpatient procedure, results came back benign. 

Sending good thoughts your way that your Mom will be fine. 

[cowboy sam]

@Laura14 

I agree with @Fressa

The waiting is hard but i know that the..."what if's" can do more harm in our minds...please be upbeat for your mom..as she needs your support and confidence to keep her calm .

Spoiler

Spoiler

oops sorry..but will leave you some(((( hugs)))))))))
please try to calm your fear.  as... .fear can make you ill,etc and we want you to be strong and upbeat for your mom.

[Laura14]

Thank you all so much! This really helps.

[Moonchilde]

It could be several things - a malignancy, but of course it could be totally benign.

Whether something can be identified on ultrasound vs CT or MRI depends on the size and/or the density of it. I had a bleeding episode several years post-menopause and on ultrasound it just showed that my entire uterus was taken up by a very large, very dense and impenetrable “something” - that it took an MRI to determine was a grapefruit-sized fibroid. I’d had a CA-125 blood test which was not elevated, so this was no “obvious cancer.”

I had a 5 hour surgery that ran into complications (some of which I will always have) with extensive fibroids - and NO malignancy; nada. 

So, don’t worry too much as they can somewhat rule some things out before they even get in there. And every mass isn’t malignant.