Susan Swenson Susan's Cancer Journey

At the end of August,  I went out to Camp Bullis Medical Facility (this is where my primary clinic is located) for a problem I encountered after having lost my sense of smell. While I was at my appointment I decided to also bring up the fact that I was spotting occasionally, (I haven't had a period in about 10 years). The nurse practitioner I saw quickly said that we needed to do a pap smear, and we needed to rule out cancer. I didn't think anything was wrong at this point. She did the pap, and set up an ultrasound at Wilford Hall (Lackland AFB). I went in for the ultrasound, and had to follow up with an appointment at SAMMC (Fort. Sam) in the GYN clinic. Before the appointment at Ft Sam for my follow up,  the results came back from my pap,  it was  (normal). At this point I felt pretty good that there wasn't anything really wrong. However, when going to my GYN appointment I was told that they found a small mass when doing the ultrasound, and that they would have to do a biopsy. (Let me tell you, that wasn't fun!) This was on the 13th of Sept, and I was to find out in 7-10 working days. I was called on the first day of fall (the 22nd Sept), and was told that the findings were that I had endometrial cancer (uterine). Endometrial cancer is a disease in which malignant  (cancer) cells form in the tissue of the endometrium.  I was told I should hear from someone call me to set up an appoint to see a GYN Oncologist within a day or so. But on Friday, (23rd of September) about noon, I couldn't wait any longer for a phone call, so I called the GYN clinic to find out when I would have an appointment. I wasn't even in the system yet, I was glad I called to get the ball in motion. Mike went with me on Monday (26 Sept). We sat with the surgeon for a couple hours, took in the information and discussed the plan of action. I was given a copy of the biopsy report along with some reading material. The type of cancer is serous carcinoma (high grade / quick growing cancer cell). At the time the ultrasound was done it was the size of 1.5x1x0.3 cm.  I am scheduled for surgery on the 12th of October for a full radical hysterectomy. At that time the doctor will take biopsies of lymph nodes and other areas to see if the cancer was only located in the lining of the uterus, or if it is anywhere else. The doctor said I would need chemotherapy, but until the results come back from biopsies, we won't know if I will need radiation.  I am so very VERY thankful for my family & and all my  friends, for their support and their prayers as I go through this journey.