I haven't been here much these days because I've been having some back and knee problems that prevent me from sitting for extended periods at the computer.  And the little times that I do feel some pain relief I've actually been out enjoying the world a little bit.

A couple months ago I had to have a minor surgical procedure and they did a biopsy. I got the results of that on Tuesday.  It's not so good news :(

I have Grade 1 Endometrium Cancer and need to have a hysterectomy and another biopsy.  

The good news in all of this is that I work at a Cancer Care Centre and managed to get an appointment for today to see a Gyne-Oncologist and talk about a date for surgery.

Until they do the surgery and biopsy the tissue, they won't know if it's spread. If it hasn't, then I won't require any further treatment. If it has, it means chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

The bad news is that I see people everyday undergoing treatment for cancer, and thought of my having to go through all of that scares me to death!

So anyway, I'm kind of distracted right now, and really don't feel up to doing much socializing, either on or off the computer, so I thought I'd let you know before I seemingly dropped off the face of the planet for awhile.

Sorry for your troubles Acadia. You take care of yourself first, and I hope you will be up and going strong again soon.

Best wishes.

Best Wishes from me Miss A, I am sure you will find the inner resources you need to get you through this difficult time.

John.

To a lovely lady,

Prayers and thoughts are with you.  Stay strong.

cheers, (and prayers)
dr geep
;=]

P.S. Please DO let us know when you drop back ON the face of the planet.

 Phew that's not good! I hope for you that the nastiness is still contained so you won't need chemo after all.

Best thoughts for a speedy recovery! You'll be missed!

Oh, Acadia! I'll say a prayer for you, I most definitely will. I hope you have lots of support from family and friends: it makes all the difference ;o).

I'll keep you in my thoughts :o).

Laurie

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, take it easy & try not to dwell on worst case scenarios too much.

Keep your spirits up, Linda.  When I went through this in 1974 my doctor said it was the best thing I could do and helped my recovery.  I've been cancer-free since the surgery so I know it can work.

I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers and I'm sending you lots and lots of good thoughts and hugs from Phoenix.

Good thoughts to a kind lady. I'll be thinking of you. 

Sorry to hear that.  :sad:

Take care.  You will be in our prayers...

 Very sorry to hear of your health troubles.  Keep positive.

 You're in our prayers, Acadia!! 

<3

Acadia, my godsister went thru that. She's more than ok... She's a survivor and so are you. You're in my prayers and thoughts. You're not alone.

been through something like that (the one Lance Armstrong 'survived' ...it has a 90% cure rate, and that was back in the 80s...;)

Surgery is not so bad, the chemo is what is annoying...but it is survivable, even though it turned me from blonde to brunette...go figure...;)

Take care, hope everything works out.

know that you're in all of our hearts and all of our thoughts and prayers to whoever and whatever we each believe in. we treasure your presence here.  whenever you feel like it's too much to handle, just close your eyes and think of the host of  souls wishing you well and looking forward to your recovery and return.

Thats not good, :(  the chemo can be very rough but the alternative is worse so its still your best option. You will be ok if they monitor your reaction to it.  Hopefully they can do the partial hysterectomy and leave the ovaries . Anyway ... best wishes to you for a speedy recovery. 

For as much as you have done for us, you deserve a little something in return in prayer.  Best of luck to you and your family.  It is going to be rough for awhile, but hang in there.  You will pull through.  We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

 Acadia...thanks so much for the update and know that you are in my prayers as well...we have some of the Cancer Care practitioners any where so keep the faith.. ...

Sorry to hear about this Acadia.  Remember to keep the faith and stay close to your family and friends to keep you positive and your mind off of your cancer in those times when worrying about it won't do you any good.

Also cancer treatment is scary, but not getting cancer treatment can be a lot worse.  So try thinking of it as better than the alternative.

Sorry to hear Acadia. Keep strong and keep us updated when you can. :)

Thanks everyone! You're the best!!!

I saw the doctor today. My surgery is scheduled for July 7, 2010 at 9 am.

I could have gotten in on June 9, 2010, but the surgeon was a doctor that scares me to death and when I worked at my other job I saw him in action with patients on the ward, and I can't say that I remember seeing any patients happy with his level of care. How he is as a surgeon, I don't know. But he's older and retiring soon, but will still be working part-time in the clinics, so I wasn't prepared to put my life in his hands.

The doctor that I really wanted is about to go on maternity leave and she won't be back until October, and I don't want to wait that long, nor does my gynecologist want me to wait.

I'm happy with my choice of surgeons in the end. He's really nice, and he is a very good surgeon.

I'm putting my request in for 6 weeks leave, and I'm cancelling my 1 week of unpaid vacation at the end of this month, that I was really looking forward to taking. But I need to squirrel away some money because the 6 weeks I am off sick, are completely unpaid days.

Oh, Acadia, I'm sorry to hear that. Please stay strong, you will be in my prayers! We will see you back soon!

All my love and good wishes,

Bopper.

My family and I are senging you all our Strength, Love and Prayers. Stay possitive and stay strong.

My family's prayers go with you Acadia. We have been through this in the past and know that as the Canadian Cancer Society says, "Cancer CAN Be Beaten".  Good luck. much love, and hurry back to us.
pdg

 You will be in My thoughts and prayers.  I wish I could say (or do) more..

best wishes and all the luck in the world to you !!!!

I really hope everything goes well for you !!!

Will pray for you. Hope you have good results with your surgery and a speedy recovery.

As always you have my thoughts and prayers! And my positive encouragement for the day is this: You're strong! You Will beat it!

Hugs!

Acadia, my hopes are with you!

Add my name to the ever-growing list of folks who care about you and are pulling for ya.  Though I've never had the pleasure to personally meet you, I can sense by the graciousness and kindness shown through the forums, you are one helluva nice person!!   

Though the recovery from surgery and possible chemo will probably tire you out, I'm hoping you can muster the energy and will,  to log-on from time to time to let us know how you're doing.   You've got us all engaged in this now, so we'll be anxious to hear how our communal friend is doing...

Take care and don't hesitate to ask for help, prayers, or someone to vent-to.  We're here for ya.

Ray

I´m very sorry to hear that =( you will be in my prayers, hope you get a quick recovery.

 Acadia, I'm newer here, but I have really enjoyed all of your willingness to share your knowledge and I think you are a super person!  I will pray for you and that the doctor is guided to his best.  

I had a brush with cancer myself, so I know how scary it can be.  Please take care and come back when you are able.  

May God bless you and your family and carry the weight of your burdens. Look forward to your healthy return.

Gary

Quote - The doctor that I really wanted is about to go on maternity leave and she won't be back until October, and I don't want to wait that long, nor does my gynecologist want me to wait.

I'm happy with my choice of surgeons in the end. He's really nice, and he is a very good surgeon.

Confidence in your surgeon makes a big difference in your outcome, Acadia... I completely agree with you. And you are making a sound decision.

Our family has included you in our prayers for a swift and complete recovery. You have done so much for this group - you are a shining light in so many ways (and not just because you're a sister nurse)...

I know how frightening this is. When I got a call that started "I'm so sorry.." paralysis set in. The desire to go hide in a dark corner was hard to resist. I was very lucky to find a second opinion that was more my normal mindset: No problem, we'll fix this one step at a time.

Just follow doctors' orders, keep your focus on the future, and stop in here any time you need a hug, or just to have a good cry, ok? You're very important to all of us.

I'm sorry to hear that.  I'll keep you in my prayers and you keep us in the loop, K? 

Thank you everyone!

I had my appointment with the gyne-oncologist, and my surgery is scheduled for July 7. I could have had it done on June 9, but the doctor that was scheduled in the OR that day, scares the heck out of me based on what I saw while I looked after his post-op patients at the other hospital I worked at.  Their surgeries went well, but it was all of the other stuff that I saw. So I decided to chance a months wait and have someone else do the surgery. I'm very happy with the surgeon. I know him too. 

Also, I found out that they don't typically do chemotherapy for the type of cancer that I have. If surgery isn't enough and they discover that it has spread, they will do something call "Vag Vault HDR", which is essentially internal high doses of radiation.  There would be 3 treatments.

The odds are definitely in my favour. A 94% 5 year survival rate.

I'll be off work for 6 weeks and have started the process of getting the paperwork at work in order.

I work in a cancer centre and everyone is great and because of the nature of what we do at work, they are all very understanding, especially my manager who went through a cancer scare last year and had to have the same type of surgery I'm having done.

Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for your well wishes and to give you an update on what's going on.  

I'm scared out of my mind and doing my best to fight off the depression that is trying to set in. It's difficult, but I'm trying to find every positive that I can in order to keep myself from withdrawing from the world like I so very much want to. Each day I don't want to get out of bed, but  each day I force myself to get up and join the land of the living.

So sorry to hear about this, hope your surgery goes well.

Your courage and willingness to fight is inspirational, Acadia. And you will win! Our prayers are with you...

Acadia, DUCK!! Some so-called 'mumbo-jumbo' coming your way :)
In a quiet time, create yourself an internal  army  of glowing white cells attacking the intruders camping on your doorstep.  Imagine them as fierce and indestructible destroying the dark horde, gaining ground daily, driving them back and back.  When you get scared, think of the work they're doing within you, KNOW that they are winning, picture them as this glowing white army of cells gobbling up the dark invaders.  Visit them every day in quiet moments, encourage them, FEEL that white glow filling you inside and spreading, warming you making you tingle.  They're winning!

Imagination is a powerful weapon, your physiology reacts to it just as in actual reality.  Believing with certainty that there is a fierce dog behind you about to pounce  and rip into your throat, imagining that you're hearing its fierce growl and feeling its hot panting breath on the back of your neck will produce exactly the same release of hormones chemicals etc as if it was actually happening.  Believing with certainty that an army  of white cells have been mobilized  fighting off and destroying the invading ones  will, at the very least, create the right environment for healing and fill you with positivity.

How good is your imagination?  Mobilize your troops, see them gobble up the enemy and vaporize them in white light, feel them working for you every day and every hour.
And if the many good wishes coming your way count for anything you have a whole army behind you already :)

Happy campaigning!!

What a fantastic way to build morale - good ON you, Masha! Taking this down as a solid approach for my patients... (I'm a nurse too)... I really like this...

More than happy to pass it on RobynsVeil :)  I'm a firm believer that the mind has enormous effect on the body and I've walked the talk. :)   You are gems you nurses, my unstinting admiration for what YOU do day in day out. Gems I tell you! :)

When you feel like hiding under the covers, Acadia, drop in here instead, ok? We'll tickle your toes, or start a pillow fight to amuse you. We might even sing to distract you... and my voice makes Yoko sound good.

Just don't freeze, keep moving forward, all right?

acadia, best wishes for a good outcome.  we're all thinking of you.

Stay strong and keep fighting. Knowing what others have gone through with their cancer treatment, keep your head held high and know that there are people who you may never and probably won't ever meet wishing you well and a swift recovery. We lend our strength to you, so that you can continue fighting.

Acadia, our thoughts and healing prayers are with you here at my home. :)  You have always been such a kind and helpful person, you have good karma, girl....it's going to be okay.

Several years ago, my gyn made a call to me to discuss some test results.  He started off with:

"You are going to be just fine, you may have to go through a bit of hell first, but know that you will be fine."

He was a most wonderful man and doctor, we all cried when he retired, including his nurses.

So, now please allow me to pass those words of wisdom to you....they comforted me in the days that followed, and I hope in some small way they will comfort you as well. Believe it and it will be so, keep you spirits up and your mind helping your body battle whatever comes forth :)

HUGS

Deb

I hope everything goes well. Take Care :)

Best wishes and prayers in the run-up to the surgery and afterwards. Glad to know you will be in good hands. You know that being positive is very important. Many people want you to get well.

Acadia, Need a shoulder to cry on? We are here for you! Need someone to cheer you up? We are here for you! Need someone to hold the cancer down while you beat the crap out of it? We are definately here for you! Or you just need to know that you are not alone? We are here for you!

my friend I am here with you and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.  
 

Dammit, no!  

This is just plain not right.  Please, please get through this real quick and in the most pain and trouble free way.  We really, really want to see you over here, playing with little Samuel - and his brother or sister - asap.