One woman, two tumors. Cancer impersonated another disease [PATIENT STORIES]

«I am 64 years old, I have malignant breast cancer and also endometrial cancer. I decided to tell my story because today I know that diseases such as cancer happen, there is something in life … Especially when they end well! » – tells Ms Aneta about her fight for health.

1. Early detection of cancer gives patients a better chance of successful treatment
2. In the case of Ms Aneta, the problem was not the lack of check-ups – she did them regularly
3. The woman’s cancer pretended to be another disease and progressed unhindered
4. More current information can be found on the Onet homepage.

Ms Aneta fell ill with two cancers

To a retired teacher – Aneta – cancer – the emperor of all diseases “knocked” in a pandemic year. Despite the fact that she took care of prophylaxis – she regularly performed mammography and cytology, and led a healthy lifestyle – the cancer was deceptively impersonating another disease, which she also suffers from – Crohn’s disease.

Ms Aneta tells how she found out she had cancer.

“In 2021, it all started innocently. At first my stomach ached a little, then there was vaginal discharge and bleeding. I was commissioned a tomography and a colonoscopy, and everything was associated with Crohn’s disease. It never crossed my mind that under these ailments there was another, much more dangerous disease, because the cytology results from the last two years were correct.

But something breathed me and I went to the gynecologist, who did not like the changes in my health, so he took samples and sent them for histopathological evaluation. At the beginning of April, the result came – endometrial cancer. At that moment, my heart nearly popped out of my chest. With the result, I returned to my gynecologist, who, to be sure, referred me to the hospital for further tests. I didn’t want to be otherwise – I was still clinging to the diagnosis – endometrial cancer.

Further part under the video.

And it is traumatic to “remove everything”. Why traumatic? I am not a scarecrow, but in 2003, one ovary was removed due to inflammation. Until today I remember this unmerciful pain. All the seams, after cutting me from the pubic symphysis to the navel, as if sewn to the ground! I couldn’t walk, get out of bed, or even straighten up, and I was a decade younger then, so it’s scary to think what will happen now when they “remove everything”.

I think to myself – maybe it will be laparoscopic this time? So I go to the doctor in the hospital, and he replies that maybe it could be done, but please also have a mammogram. Soon after, I hear another diagnosis – malignant breast cancer.

Cancer treatment using the da Vinci robot

I think again: Aneta, you can do it, this is not the moment to break down. I turn on the computer and start looking for ways to “remove endometrial cancer” without slitting half of the abdomen. On Sunday I come across an article by “Wyborcza”. They write that my cancer in the Krakow hospital can be operated on using the da Vinci robot for EU money. Without thinking much, I write to Krakow and try to fall asleep, although it does not work out at all.

I open my mailbox on Monday morning. And in her? Ms Agnieszka from Szpital na Klinach replies to my e-mail and asks for documents. I am completing the documentation. Soon after, I get a consultation – to my surprise – for free.

I’m on my way to Krakow, during which I get asked questions – or maybe they won’t qualify me? I have that Crohn’s, and I have an aneurysm in my liver. A gynecologist from Szpital na Klinach calms me down, says that there is a good chance of surgery, but I still have to do angiography. With the result, I return to the hospital, and in mid-June I have an operation during which my uterus, fallopian tubes and the other ovary are removed.

Like “everything”, but I feel different than in 2003. I have only a few stitches in small cuts that are hard to see. There are no drains or pus dripping from the wound. And most importantly – there is no such terrible pain. After the treatment, I can get up on my own and go to the bathroom. I think to myself: this cancer is over now!

It is true that fate can be perverse. I was really on schedule and had a mammogram every two years and the result was always good. Until now – I have the biopsy result in my hand and I already know that it is a malignant tumor. Well, it’s time to say goodbye to him. In August, I end up in the operating theater again. After waking up, I remember little, but certainly the words that the operation was sparing, that I had left my breast because the cancer was detected at an early stage.

As I describe my story, I’m getting ready for radiation therapy, because this nipple tumor is a pretty good opponent. After the procedure, the breast feels a little sore and hurts, but… it is. And I’m still on hormone therapy, but it’s the least bothersome part of the treatment.

How am I doing? Rather good, because 80 percent. I’m healthy now! I am also struck by the thought that my family and friends have 100% or more passed the exam in love and friendship. Maybe this was all I needed to see and appreciate this side of life? Maybe difficult experiences are also needed, especially when they end well, just like with me? Girls, you have to take your fate into your own hands, watch out and examine yourself, because cancer in its early stages is overcome!

Aneta’s endometrial cancer surgery was performed free of charge using the da Vinci robot at the Hospital in Klinach in Krakow. This hospital obtained funding from the EU for the implementation of the operational program for the treatment of cervical and endometrial cancer. Patients from all over Poland can apply to the program by phone at 785 170 300, or by sending an e-mail to the following address [email protected]

We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time, Dr. Agnieszka Bolikowska – the founder of Linguistics, creator of the 6oMethod® method, will tell us about what slow learning is. How to break the language barrier? How to learn to make mistakes? You will learn about this and other aspects of language learning in today’s episode. Listen!