Very concerned about my wife

VAP · New User Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 9

Due to post menopausal bleeding from womb (happened 2 years since last period) my wife who is 54 YO has had an internal examination plus scans (showed nothing wrong) and today a camera into her womb with photo's which showed a 'healthy smoothness' as stated by the consultant's housedoctor.
They have also taken a biopsy which is stated to be a routine procedure.
This all started about 3 1/2 weeks ago when she had a bled like a slight period which stopped after a few days.
Early yesterday she had another one and even experienced tender breasts just like when she was having a real period years ago.
The camera even showed evidence she had had a period with the womb lining showing typical period characteristics. We are told that the bleeding was definatly 'menstrual blood' so this was a period and not to worry.
My worry here and question is, would cancer in the womb lining cause this same bleeding, even to point of making her 'feel 'she was having a period? We now have a two week wait to get biopsy result and I'm a bit worried that they are trying to keep us from worrying (you can see is not working!) until we get result.
Can anyone dicount or confirm my fears please.
I don't want to worry my dear wife but am still sick with worry that we are just being kept 'cool' until result of biopsy.
Thanks for you help
VAP

brainman · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 7:33 pm Post subject: Re: Very concerned about my wife

VAP, I am very sorry about your wife's health concerns. I know very little endometrial cancer. Hopefully someone who does know will reply shortly. I have never heard of a post menopausal woman having a period. Nevertheless, I assume that pathology analysis they did to tell that it was menstrual blood would also find cancer cells if they were there. Keep working with her medical team to try to figure out why this is happening.

You and your wife are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2405
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VAP · New User Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 9

[quote="brainman"]VAP, I am very sorry about your wife's health concerns. I know very little endometrial cancer. Hopefully someone who does know will reply shortly. I have never heard of a post menopausal woman having a period. Nevertheless, I assume that pathology analysis they did to tell that it was menstrual blood would also find cancer cells if they were there. Keep working with her medical team to try to figure out why this is happening.

You and your wife are in my thoughts and prayers.[/quote]

Thanks for your kind thoughts and prayers Jim, much appreciated and returned with grattitude.
VAP

VAP · New User Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 9

[quote="VAP"]Due to post menopausal bleeding from womb (happened 2 years since last period) my wife who is 54 YO has had an internal examination plus scans (showed nothing wrong) and today a camera into her womb with photo's which showed a 'healthy smoothness' as stated by the consultant's housedoctor.
They have also taken a biopsy which is stated to be a routine procedure.
This all started about 3 1/2 weeks ago when she had a bled like a slight period which stopped after a few days.
Early yesterday she had another one and even experienced tender breasts just like when she was having a real period years ago.
The camera even showed evidence she had had a period with the womb lining showing typical period characteristics. We are told that the bleeding was definatly 'menstrual blood' so this was a period and not to worry.
My worry here and question is, would cancer in the womb lining cause this same bleeding, even to point of making her 'feel 'she was having a period? We now have a two week wait to get biopsy result and I'm a bit worried that they are trying to keep us from worrying (you can see is not working!) until we get result.
Can anyone dicount or confirm my fears please.
I don't want to worry my dear wife but am still sick with worry that we are just being kept 'cool' until result of biopsy.
Thanks for you help
VAP[/quote]

UPDATE My wife spoke to the specialist on telephone yesterday to get result of bi-opsy and was told it was fine and showed all the indications of a menstruel bleed, good news? Well not exactly sure!
--- However when she goes back to the specialist in 5 weeks time he wants another smear test. A smear test was done at the start of all this when my wife had the scans but the lab' have asked for another one and also for a hysteroscopy.
As the hysteroscopy was already done two weeks ago the specialist has said it revealed no problems and no need for a further one.
We were hoping to be given the all clear on getting result of bi-opsy but now we have another 5 weeks of nagging doubt!
Specialist says nothing to worry about but hope you can see why we still have it on our minds?
Why is another smear test needed if things are fine? Was the specialist focussed on the womb and could have missed a problem with the cervix?---or is the specialist just being ultra careful because the lab have asked foe a further smear test?
Any ideas please, last few weeks (and next few) a nightmare.
Thanks
VAP

rmaureen · Moderator Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 237

Hi VAP.

I dont really know how to answer your question, but wonder why did the doctors do a hysterectomy, if they felt nothing was atypical. Did she have a previous pap smear indicating any abnormal cells?

Rhonda

VAP · New User Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 9

[quote="rmaureen"]Hi VAP.

I dont really know how to answer your question, but wonder why did the doctors do a hysterectomy, if they felt nothing was atypical. Did she have a previous pap smear indicating any abnormal cells?

Rhonda[/quote]

Hi Rhonda
You missread my post. my wife had a hysteroscopy (just a bi opsy) not a hysterectomy.
Regarding pap smear test she has had these routinely over past years as advise/supplied by her employer's doctor and she never had anything abnormal flagged and this time we don't know why they have asked for a 2nd pap smear and just hope it's nothing too serious - specialist says doesn't expect any major problem as my wife's regular smear tests over past years should have picked up any developing problem and he is leaving the pap test until he sees her for a follow up consultation on 3rd October, which suggests he is not over worried about the laboratory's request for a 2nd pap smear?
All the best
VAP

rmaureen · Moderator Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 237

Hi VAP,

You're right, I was mistaken. I do tend to concur with you, it seems if they thought it was serious, they would schedule her in quicker than October 3. I really dont know why they would request a second test like that however, but you might consider calling her doctor or the nurse and expressing your concerns as to why an additional test. Let us know how it turns out and your wife is in my prayers. Very Happy

Rhonda

VAP · New User Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 9

Hi Rhonda and everyone.
Great news!
we saw her Gyn' specialist yesterday together and he confirmed the bleeding was caused by a lack of?..well I am not sure I can remember I was so overcome with relief! anyway I think it was called ostrigen (sure I have spelled it wrong!) He also said this type of post meno' bleeding is not uncommon.
We still have a little niggling thing going on because the smear test showed 'borderline changes in a few cells' however he thinks the ostrigen situation may be the cause and in any case says we are a few years away from any real problem even if if there were to be any and that these cell changes often revert back to normal on their own.
So my wife is to have a 2nd smear test in 6 months and will be given some ostrigen cream to apply locally for a few weeks before the smear test which should allow the cells to appear normal if in fact lack of ostrigen is the cause.
I hope my explanation of what's happened is clear! I have returned to this forum and tried to explain all that has happened as I know from other posts that many folk go through the same worry 1/we have with some not having such fortunate outcomes. I must thank all of you wonderful people who advised and encouraged me with your kind thoughts and prayers for us I feel very humble emotional and thankful.
I don't go to church but I do believe and pray for others/myself in times of worry, I will say a prayer gratitude and for you all today,
Thanks again
Ray

rmaureen · Moderator Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 237

Hi VAP,

That's wonderful news! I just thank the Lord! We love to hear news like this, as this must be a tremendous weight off both of your shoulders! Very Happy

I am in no way versed in medical terminology, but I wonder if you mean "progesterone" instead of "ostrigen"? I think its a good think for her to go back in six months to see if there are changes. Also, should anything else unusual occurs; she should schedule to see her doctor as soon as she can to ensure all is well. My philosophy is better to be overly cautious than not cautious enough when it comes to suspicious symptoms.

Thank you VAP for keeping us informed, and drop by to visit. Also let us know in six months how the follow up test goes!

Take care now,
Rhonda

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