What questions to ask?

Hi Riverspid, I’d suggest a phone call to ask them what is likely to happen at the appointment. At my follow up appointment after my ultrasound I had a hysteroscopy, but I knew that was going to happen. My hospital actually automatically books a follow up hysteroscopy appointment a week after the ultrasound (to reduce the wait) then cancels it if it’s not needed, but different hospitals do things differently. It’s possible that you could just be having a chat about the results without anything else being done, but definitely a good idea to try asking.

Thank you, I hadn’t thought about ringing them, I will do so as can be prepared for any further tests. 

Mine is a long complecated answer I will try not to bore you.

Last May/June I took unwell with gastroenteritis and ended up going to A&E (I am diabetic) anyway I was ment to go to a ward but there was no room at the inn fortunately a General Medical Consultant came to c me and I had said I had started bleeding after 15years  and basically he told me to get it sorted/ investigated so after a couple days and feeling a little better I went to my GP'S and luckily the GP was one that delt with women's issues, two weeks later I was getting my scan internally and was asked "do you take HRT" short answer Nope I have PCOS she then said it's getting sent through as "URGENT" why because your lining is 27mm thick, a week half later I went for my Gyna appointment thinking it was to chat but wasn't he said "we need to take a biopsy" but he couldn't do the job so a week later I met with a really nice consultant and she said if your up for it I want to do a hysteroscopy it can be really uncomfortable, I said go for it.

So hay ho off the kneckers and away we go, yes it was uncomfortable but she managed the job and also told me a had a polyp but everything looked nice and healthy and usually when cancer it crumbles away, unfortunately three weeks later I got told whilst shopping I had stage 1 1a cancer so went for MRI &CT scans and the polyp had the cancer and around it, unfortunately because of my health issues and weight they weren't happy to take everything away at present, so I went through a general on 21st December 2022 to get Mrs polyp out and a progesterone coil in and oral hormones, unfortunately I think it was the same guy that was unable to do a ordery biopsy as he couldn't do the job and get Mrs Polyp out coil in (different surgeon's different skills)myself and husband were heartbroken I knew I needed this bloody polyp out, the next day after the disastrous effort in not doing the job in hand  I got an unexpected phone call from the female consultant who managed the biopsy, Doctor Rose  said  "she was gutted to see that they couldn't get the polyp out and the coil in and suggested if I wanted to go to her clinic on the 5th January 23 during her and her teams lunch hour and she would get the polyp out and coil in, well my answer was "YES YES" I  bought wine and chocolates for each of her team and her and on the 5th January 2023 the job was done without an anathetic yes is was painful and near the end I was coming to my tether and fortunately the job was done Mrs Polyp out hormones in both ends lol as progesterone stops the estrogen from feeding the cancer until I can get everything taken away.

Wow, what a journey.

I’ve been on HRT for 2 years already, Just a 1/2 dose of oestrogen (due to blood clotting issues have to keep it as low as possible) and full dose of progesterone every day to ‘protect my womb’. So we shall see. With the daily discomfort now they can whip the blasted thing out asap as far as I’m concerned. 

Wow! Those polyps… mine turned out to be cancerous as well though was removed fairly easily during hysteroscopy 

Hi Riverspid and welcome to the group.Here you'll find a lovely group of supportive ladies who have all been exactly where you find yourself now. Any possibility of cancer diagnosis brings all sorts of stress and fears and if anyone can hold your hand and reassure you we will as you’re not alone in this. Between us we’ve accumulated lots of knowledge which we’re all happy to share

A thickened endometrium lining often sets alarm bells ringing after the ultrasound scan, thereafter its normally hysteroscopy with biopsies taken, CT scan and perhaps MRI scan. The Multi Discipline Team (MDT) consists of Surgeons, Anaesthetists, Oncologists, CNS and theatre staff then meet to discuss their findings and devise a treatment plan.

If you want to ask any of us any questions please come back and do so. There's always someone around and we can offer a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold or listen to a rant, we’re here for you.

It might also be a good idea to download this booklet Understanding Womb (Endometrial) Cancer. I found it really informative and helpful.

Click on the link I’ve created to find out more information covering diagnosis and treatments for Womb cancer.

You might also find this link to what to take in my overnight bag useful for when you have surgery.

You can speak to someone in confidence by calling Macmillan Support on 0808 808 0000 - 365 days a year 8am to 8pm It's free from mobiles and landlines. The friendly team are waiting to take your call.

There is also an Ask an Expert section, but you should allow two to three working days for replies from our expert team.

Sending you welcoming hugs, Barb xx 

Hi Riverspid,

I hope you're ok, the waiting is horrible. When I had my transvaginal ultrasound they found thickening of my endometrial lining ?polyp (15mm) and large cysts on both ovaries. I live in Portugal so things are slightly different, I had to take my results back to my GP for her to then refer me to Gynae, but she said that because I'd been having problems with bleeding (see my bio) she would refer me urgently to gynae, if I hadn't been having those problems it would have been a routine referral, so I wouldn't worry too much about the fact that the referral is urgent (tho I know that's much easier said than done). Hope you have your appointment soon. I've got to wait until end of February unfortunately as even fast track is 4 months where I live 

Thank you Barb, that was very helpful. We ve decided just to try to chill and let it happen as it happens. Friday to see the consultant. Fingers crossed. 

Trust me waiting is the hardest part.