or how I was diagnosed with complex endometrial hyperplasia
I’ll spare you the play-by-play details about what triggered me to call the doctor (in a panic) on July 4th, but the long and short of it is that I’m post-menopausal, and the days of rushing to the feminine product aisle at Rite Aid were a distant memory. So the bleeding that appeared on Independence Day was a bit of a surprise that led to more than a bit of worry.
My primary care doc saw me two days later, ordered bloodwork, and scheduled an ultrasound an hour later at the hospital. The results came back the next day, and due to the abnormal thickening in my endometrial lining ( it is twice as thick as it should be), she ordered a biopsy with a local gynecologist.
Here is the part where I start gushing about my healthcare team: My primary care doctor- AMAZING. I will never regret paying for concierge primary care (more in a future post), and the ob/gyn she referred me to – equally as amazing.
Anyway, I went to see Dr.Gerrard for the biopsy, and it was quick and fairly painless.
Then, the wait.
The pathologists at Holland Hospital decided to send the biopsy to Mayo Clinic for a second opinion, and when the results hit his computer, Dr. Gerrard called me from his home ON. A. SATURDAY.
Besides the minor panic attack, I am grateful he called to let me know that there were atypical cells and that it didn’t look like cancer..yet. He recommended a full hysterectomy and then, two days later, referred me to a gynecological oncologist.
Upon further review of my biopsy, my oncologist diagnosed me with complex endometrial hyperplasia with atypia, which means the following (in my own terms which makes it easy for my scientifically-challenged mind to process):
My diagnosis is complex endometrial hyperplasia with atypia, which means the party going on in my uterus is not just a few clumps of cells drinking red wine listening to the Lumineers, but a huge party where they are doing keg stands listening to speed metal😎So, they are taking out the lymph nodes too and biopsying them to make sure the party isn’t hiding any underlying cancer..
I had my pre-op visit on Monday with my oncologist, and he explained that with this type of atypia, there is an over 40% chance of occult invasive carcinoma (read: cancer) so they will be removing and biopsing my sentinel lymph node.
I should know the results within two weeks.
The Surgery: Surgery will be this Monday, August 7th. It will be a robotic laparoscopic total hysterectomy, much less invasive, and no overnight stay unless there are complications. I’m relieved that it will be less intrusive than an abdominal hysterectomy, so my recovery will be much quicker!
SHEW! Ok, if you’ve made it this far, you rock, and much love!
Until next post, yours truly🫶