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Through what symptoms were you diagnosed with cancer?
It was quite simple for me. On October 8th, 2009, I had a seizure right before class, the last class of my day. It was a very stereotypical seizure; my arm and hand began shaking (which I remember), then my whole body began shaking, I fell out of my chair, was convulsing on the floor, let out a loud cry, etc. Right as it was happening my professor walked into the room, and a girl called 911. I was sent to the hospital and discharged about 2 hours later with instructions to come back for an MRI in 2 days. I went in for the MRI, expecting them to find nothing (I thought it might just be stress, or perhaps the very delayed sequalae of a head injury sustained seven years then past), but what they found was a gigantic lesion in my left frontal lobe. I was shocked and did not know what to say. How could this be happening to me? It wasn't a question of why; it was a question of "how?", since I never faced major medical issues. I was driven down to a major university medical center later that day, where they did tests and scheduled me for a brain biopsy / resection, which was conducted on the 20th.
I had uterine cancer and had problems for a number of years with heavy bleeding. I had a number of endometrial biopisies, which were either fine or had a little bit of a problem, so I would have to come back every 4 mos. I got tired of going and having these biopsies and despite the continued bleeding I did not go to the doctor for 2 years. I was anemic and despite taking iron pills 3 times a day, stayed anemic. Finally I got so much pressure from people around me that I went to the doctor. They did a pap smear and it was normal, they did another endometrial biopsy and it showed hyperplasia, in other words, excess cells. They scheduled a D&C and when I got the results of that within a week I got the cancer diagnosis. It was 6 weeks- 2mos. before I had surgery because I was referred to a gynecological oncologist and that took a few weeks just to get an appointment. She then ordered some more tests before my surgery. That was thew longest and hardest 2 mos. of my life. I was VERY lucky. Despite not going to the doctor for 2 years, the cancer was localized to a certain area and was not deep into the uterus, so once I had the total hysterectomy I needed no further treatment. I won't wait that long for an appointment again, I was very lucky.
I initially noticed that my stomach was distended, and there were knots on it, occasionally. I thought it was diverticulosis, and treated myself for that with diet. I went to a local clinic to verify my own (mistaken) diagnosis, and they told me it wasn't diverticulousis, so I went to my family doctor who referred me to the hospital for a CT scan.
It was a 37cm in diameter ovarian tumor. It was removed (along with a complete bilateral hysterectomy) and the surgeon said it was encapsulated, with low cancer markers. No discernable cancer outside the tumor, in other words. But they're having me do four chemos, just in case. Surgeon said I "dodged a bullet."
It's good to have the tumor gone. Emotionally I'm better now, too.
DH was having gastric distress (it didn't really feel quite like heartburn, or indigestion - sorta, but not really) that was getting worse. We thought it was mostly acid foods, maybe an ulcer, so we started him on an ulcer diet and since he had d regular dr's appt coming up soon, he just moved it up a couple of weeks. That dr also thought it was likely an ulcer, but sent him to a GI just to make sure. The CTscan looked odd, so they did an ultrasound - his liver looked odd. the bloodwork came back not showing h.Pylorii (no ulcer).. and when they did the colonoscopy it was definitely a long, large lesion. Apparently indigestion/heartburn is a symptom of liver involvement and colo-rectal cancer mets primarily to the liver and/or lungs (and of course local lymph nodes). they are more concerned with getting his liver clear than removing the initial mass, so they've been doing chemo since Sept.
I first started getting uncontrollably itchy skin from head to toe in between my senior year of high school and starting college. I went to my pediatrician, then a college health center, and was told that it was the stress of moving 1000 miles away (which I could not have been happier about!) and starting college in a very competitive program. Eventually, my pediatrician at home ran some bloodwork and suggested getting further allergy testing. I saw one of the best allergists in the country in Boston who just told me I had chronic hives. He said it was abnormal to have them longer than 6 weeks, but it happens. At that point, I had them for 2 years.
A little after that, I started developing lower back pain. It would come on acutely after the slightest sip of alcohol. My doctor told me it was just due to inflammation (while that is a unique side effect of Hodgkin's). Eventually, my tumors had gotten so large on my spine that my lower back was spasming if I exercised too much, sat weird, or even just because I was laying in bed. It was awful, but doctors kept telling me to exercise more and that it was because I was "busty".
When I was actually diagnosed, I had displayed symptoms for 5 years. I woke up one morning and my armpit was convex rather than concave with a mass of over 4 x 6 cm sticking out. A day later, a node on my collar bone popped up. Within 2 weeks, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma a month after my 23rd birthday. Had I been diagnosed when I first showed symptoms, I would have enjoyed over a 95% survival rate. Instead, my disease was the most extensive that my lymphoma specialist oncologist (the chief of oncology at my hospital) had ever seen. My 5 year survival rate dropped to 75%, and I have a 50-50 shot of relapsing and needing a stem cell transplant (similar to a bone marrow transplant).
It is still infuriating. I showed standard lymphoma - and specifically Hodgkin's - symptoms for years. At one point, I mentioned to my doctor that I had read online that lower back pain after drinking alcohol could be Hodgkin's. She brushed it off. At 19, I didn't have the confidence or medical knowledge to push it and that very well could cost me my life.
@charolastra00 That just breaks my heart. What a bunch of bloody frickin idiots. I'd see an attorney about this. Every law school has a free legal clinic, you know. The work is done by law students, but it's supervised by the law professors who are generally the smartest people in the town. If it were me, I'd find an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice, the most expensive, toughest one you can find.
Just about anyone would take that case free anyway.
My skin cancers are not nearly so serious as everyone else's form. I found the first one b/c I had a strange spot on my forearm and went to the dermatologist. Next one was a rough spot I felt on my back but could not really see. Back to the derm. Third one was found during a whole-body mole check which was recommended by my brother's derm after he was treated for a melanoma. Apparently he thought there might be a genetic component. None of them were biopsied and the derms' guesses were two basal cell and one possible squamous cell. In addition, I have had well over 120 actinic keratoses frozen off; they WILL become squamous cell carcinomas if not removed. I also have seborrheic keratoses that are not dangerous. Sometimes hard to tell the difference so I am in the derm's office about every 3 months. I was a redhead who used to try to suntan - I know, stupid to the max!
I found a dent in my breast. I was busy with life and didn't think that was a sign of cancer, especially since I did not feel a lump. A few months later I went for my annual women's exam and I was referred for a mammogram and ultrasound. Turns out I should have taken that dent a little more seriously.
I had gone in for my 6 week check up after having a premmie that wasn't big enough to survive (years ago of course) with the check up came a pap smear, my first; yep, cancer. Luckily it was insitu and a hysterectory ended the cancer. Of course it also ended the possibility of more children. What did we do? We adopted...
Hubby's was diagosed by accident, like mine, no systoms. He has only one working kidney, so they do CT periodically to see how the other one is. (It is fine BTW) The CT showed a mass. After many tests it was decided it could be a lipo scarcoma. Surgery removed it but it returned. So he had surgery again, followed by radiation. Hopefully, the darn thing is gone forever or for many years. His prostate cancer was detected though his high PSA and then a biopsy. Today we go for the markings and seed inplantation. Then radiation will start in about 2 weeks.
Our skin cancers, caught by regular check ups and watchful eyes on our part.
Nita
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I'd see an attorney about this. Every law school has a free legal clinic, you know. The work is done by law students, but it's supervised by the law professors who are generally the smartest people in the town. If it were me, I'd find an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice, the most expensive, toughest one you can find. 
