cells were able to be extracted from the uterine cavity because of scarring from a cone biopsy many years ago.

Dear Meno Friends:

This woman who has had colon cancer, and successful chemo just 10 years ago, and two heart valve surgeries is now facing a hysterectomy. Her chances of making it through this procedure are fairly bad, to say the least.

I am concerned that she is having a major surgery without sufficient evidence that she even has cancer; I mean, can anyone tell from an ultrasound and without any tissue biopsy if this is cancer or noncancerous.

My mom has been quite upset, to say the least, and I can offer her no information because as far as I am concerned, without a pathology report that says it is cancer, she is so poor a risk for surgery that she would be better off letting enough be enough and assuming that whatever "thickened lining" that they say she has is just that......a thickened lining, for whom can say if there are cancer cells?

All her other tests and pap smears are negative.......

Can anyone offer any information regarding this as I would be so appreciative of it...my e mail addy is iguana11_2000@yahoo.com.

Thanks, BDAOB

I would thank anyone for any information or advice; the surgery is about a week away.

Can't you go and get a second opinion? I think I would, it just doesn't sound right to me. I think you need answers before your moms goes through this! Please keep us posted, you will be in my thoughts.
Cathy

I would get a second opinion before I did anything. They should be doing a biospy of some sort shouldn't they?

I agree a second opinion is needed. A thickened lining does not necessarily mean uterine cancer! I would think a biopsy or even a D&C would be something that should be done first before going ahead with a hysterectomy. Keep us posted..your Mom is in our thoughts.


Cathy

I just spoke to my mother. I told her that they could do a laparoscopic uterine biopsy if necessary.......that going through the cervix wasn't the only way to obtain a tissue sample.

She snapped and hollered at me!!! "I've already made my decision!!!" I don't want anymore testing, I want to have the hysterectomy......she was too angry to talk to........and no, she has not been seen by any University type doctors, of which there are plenty, in our area.

I said to her, did they tell you it was a tumor? She said, a thickening, and she knows another woman with the same, blah, blah.......

Because of her advanced age, she isn't thinking clearly and even accused me of rather nasty untruths.......so, dear friends, she doesn't want me to know who her doctor is, lest I try to call and get some answers. Therefore, this is out of my hands. My husband told me that I've done all I could. He was happy that I helped out with a problem his father was having, and on his behalf, made a call to make sure they got on the stick with his Dad.

Only time will tell what happens with this, but I appreciate your thoughts and wishes and I of course, will keep you posted as time goes by.

Luv,

BDAOB/Ilene

Dear BDAOB, sounds like you have done all you can and beyond. Your mama is a grown women and sounds scarred which is understandable but very angry towards you. Now its hard but maybe you just need to step aside and let her decide because shes already made up her mind.

Funny when our parents get old sometimes its role reversele time and it can be very hard.

Just hang in there and pray for her and be there when she needs you and wants you is all I have to say,

God be with you, and take care of you, Tinkybug

At least she has already had the valve replacement, many times they don't want to do any surgery until the valves are replaced. I would think her surgeon &/or anesthesiologist will request clearance from a cardiologist before she undergoes surgery, usually at least an EKG & an Echo to check valve function prior to surgery. That should give you some comfort because if they feel she is too high a risk they will reevaluate...they don't like lawsuits!

This is true; I am sure she will have to get clearances and so forth; that she is a fighter and will probably come through like a champ and, furthermore, the best thing right now obviously would be to let her make her own decisions as best as she can.

She is scared and she is angry. She has a lot of emotional baggage, and I am well aware of it. I have to respect her from where she is coming from.

Today is Thursday.....apparently my mom passed all her cardiac tests...this is good news....she trusts the doctor she has and seems happy and okay.

She says she doesn't want to worry me. I told her that I only worry when she is in hysterics. Tomorrow morning she has her surgery. She said something about her uterus being 14 something thick. I don't know much about this...

This is in G-d's hands...hope she makes it to be 80 years old 29 July.

Thanks dear friends, I will keep you posted.

I pray all goes well and she has a complete recovery!

Zelma

It is Friday nite - my mother had a hysterectomy for nothing. There WAS NOT a trace of cancer. She jeopardized her life for a useless surgery. She will recover and return home next week minus a uterus and whatever else they took out. I for one, can hardly stand it. But I guess I'll I will have the "enjoyment" of a "I hate to be an I told you so, but I told you so".

So much for my faith in medicine.

Thanks to all you ladies!!!!