Stage 4b

2

Comments

  • Curuk
    Curuk Member Posts: 9
    bttrfls79 said:

    Stage 4b cervical cancer survivor in the making!
    Curuk, I am 4b cervical cancer lymph mets. Scary beyond all belief! I am 31 years old, and was diagnosed with fibroids a year and a half ago, which was a big mistake! I am only writing to you because you said you are in Texas, and I am located just south of Dallas. Where are you getting treatments at? How are you dealing with everything? How old are you?

    Just so everyone knows, I was diagnosed June 16,2010, and immediately started on chemo and radiation at the same time. I did five weeks of radiation with a booster of radiation for an addition 5 days, which was followed by 4 sessions of internal radiation (not fun). I had a PET scan yesterday, and a preliminary CT showed everything was looking good, so much that the person who read the scan said it looked like i had had surgery, which I have not yet! I find out tomorrow the results of the PET...but no matter what I am here for the long haul! I have three kids, ages 6, 4, and 3 that need their mommy!!!! Good luck to everyone! If you want to vent or talk about your thoughts I am here everyone!!!

    Bttrfls79..I am in San antonio area.
    I am being seen at University Hospital. Was diagnosed in early Aug.2010, Started treatment in sept. Had a 10 cm tumor with mets to lung and liver. Got a 2cm shrinkage in tumor after 1st cisplatin taxol treatment, and doc felt no tumor after second one..that said I have allergies and we delayed the third til next week. He mention doing radiation before last treatment if it had shrunk smaller, but this was dismissed. I also heard him mention a CT scan to see what was going on, as he seemed surprised, but no mention of that now either. I am now thinking of getting a second opinion..seems like they don't like "patient driven care", or so I have been told, so I feel unsure of how to proceed.The treatment seems to be working, but they don't seem to want to put me in the loop..I would love to have seen some results of a CT to boost my fight! I am 47 years old and walked into the doctors office with low back pain and discharge..I thought it was the change of life and a kidney infection. I have a 22 year old and twin 10 year olds.
  • Curuk
    Curuk Member Posts: 9
    bttrfls79 said:

    Stage 4b cervical cancer survivor in the making!
    Curuk, I am 4b cervical cancer lymph mets. Scary beyond all belief! I am 31 years old, and was diagnosed with fibroids a year and a half ago, which was a big mistake! I am only writing to you because you said you are in Texas, and I am located just south of Dallas. Where are you getting treatments at? How are you dealing with everything? How old are you?

    Just so everyone knows, I was diagnosed June 16,2010, and immediately started on chemo and radiation at the same time. I did five weeks of radiation with a booster of radiation for an addition 5 days, which was followed by 4 sessions of internal radiation (not fun). I had a PET scan yesterday, and a preliminary CT showed everything was looking good, so much that the person who read the scan said it looked like i had had surgery, which I have not yet! I find out tomorrow the results of the PET...but no matter what I am here for the long haul! I have three kids, ages 6, 4, and 3 that need their mommy!!!! Good luck to everyone! If you want to vent or talk about your thoughts I am here everyone!!!

    Bttrfls79..I am in San antonio area.
    I am being seen at University Hospital. Was diagnosed in early Aug.2010, Started treatment in sept. Had a 10 cm tumor with mets to lung and liver. Got a 2cm shrinkage in tumor after 1st cisplatin taxol treatment, and doc felt no tumor after second one..that said I have allergies and we delayed the third til next week. He mention doing radiation before last treatment if it had shrunk smaller, but this was dismissed. I also heard him mention a CT scan to see what was going on, as he seemed surprised, but no mention of that now either. I am now thinking of getting a second opinion..seems like they don't like "patient driven care", or so I have been told, so I feel unsure of how to proceed.The treatment seems to be working, but they don't seem to want to put me in the loop..I would love to have seen some results of a CT to boost my fight! I am 47 years old and walked into the doctors office with low back pain and discharge..I thought it was the change of life and a kidney infection. I have a 22 year old and twin 10 year olds.
  • brokentree
    brokentree Member Posts: 1
    beckyracn said:

    Kim,
    There are many of us

    Kim,
    There are many of us survivors out here. Don't go believing in old statistics. We are all unique and don't fit into those little boxes. First, ask your doc questions. Don't guess...are you a stage 4 or not?! You will scare yourself silly otherwise. Stay informed. The more knowledge you have the more powerful you will feel...and you need that right now. Also, post in the uterine board. There are many wonderful women there who have been through what your are experiencing right now...and are survivors!!!
    Sorry that you've joined the ranks. Good luck with everything!
    ((HUGS))

    I am at a cross road
    Hello I was diagnosed with 4 b cervical cancer Sept 2010 I started Chemo in Oct and now I am on my 18th round the tumor and lymps are "Stable" no new growth in the last year , I am however starting to feel a little distant from my dr and wonder if any of you out there have changed ships midstream? She is more in to Gyn Surgeries and At this time I am not a canidate ... Yesterday she basically told me I would be on Chemo until I died which is not exactly what I wanted to hear ;-( I am only 49 and really want to fight this with all my might
  • gingkjv1611
    gingkjv1611 Member Posts: 3
    beckyracn said:

    Jen,
    Sorry to hear about

    Jen,
    Sorry to hear about your sister. I am a one year survivor of stage IVA cervical cancer and I can understand her feelings of solitaire. I have sought others at my stage without success. But I plan to be a success story...so tell her to stop by and chat. There's alot of support here.

    Need your help what kind of medicine they treated you
    Hi beckyracn!! I just read your post about being cancer free. Can you kindly tell me what kind of medicine the doctor used to treat your cancer. I have a stage 4b and my doctor just going to list of medicine hoping one of them will work. Please let me know.

    Thank you,
    gingkjv1611
  • gingkjv1611
    gingkjv1611 Member Posts: 3

    I am at a cross road
    Hello I was diagnosed with 4 b cervical cancer Sept 2010 I started Chemo in Oct and now I am on my 18th round the tumor and lymps are "Stable" no new growth in the last year , I am however starting to feel a little distant from my dr and wonder if any of you out there have changed ships midstream? She is more in to Gyn Surgeries and At this time I am not a canidate ... Yesterday she basically told me I would be on Chemo until I died which is not exactly what I wanted to hear ;-( I am only 49 and really want to fight this with all my might

    Same situation as yours
    Hi brokentree! I have a stage 4b as will recurrence. It's been stage 4b since March 2011 and now it metastasized to my spleen, both lungs, abdomen region and tibia left leg bone. I haven't given up and searching people with the same problem with mine that one day if they read my post they will share how they beat their cancer as I'm still battling mine. I am 43 years old and would like to know what kind of medicine your doctor is using not to further the growth because mine is spreading as my doctor don't really know which medicine will work. Please let me know. God bless!!

    Truly appreciated,
    gingkjv1611
  • beckyracn
    beckyracn Member Posts: 322

    Need your help what kind of medicine they treated you
    Hi beckyracn!! I just read your post about being cancer free. Can you kindly tell me what kind of medicine the doctor used to treat your cancer. I have a stage 4b and my doctor just going to list of medicine hoping one of them will work. Please let me know.

    Thank you,
    gingkjv1611

    sorry to hear of your dx. I
    sorry to hear of your dx. I received 10 doses of Cisplatin along with 33 external radiation and 5 internal radiation...still in remission as far as we know.
  • Stage 4b cervical cancer
    Today my sister got the worst news ever - her cancer is now stage 4b. From going from stage 1b1 3 weeks ago to this is a big shock. We still dont really know where this is going to end? Surgery was an option a few weeks back but isnt now. The cancer has spread in to the tissue around the cervix. Just last week she got lymph nodes removed. We were told today that it was in 3 of the 10 (sounds alright to me but they have mentioned the lungs). she is getting a PET scan organised and starting chemo next week. 2-3 weekly sessions for 3 weeks. Cisplatin? Then she will be getting a MRI and if neededmore chemo. After all this she will be have to get 30 sessions of radiotherapy including internal radiotherapy. My sister is only 35. She is strong and positive. I do the worrying. Is there anyone else who has been through the same? What are her chances of being cured? Doctors not saying much. Just said they want to start treatment.
  • beckyracn
    beckyracn Member Posts: 322

    Stage 4b cervical cancer
    Today my sister got the worst news ever - her cancer is now stage 4b. From going from stage 1b1 3 weeks ago to this is a big shock. We still dont really know where this is going to end? Surgery was an option a few weeks back but isnt now. The cancer has spread in to the tissue around the cervix. Just last week she got lymph nodes removed. We were told today that it was in 3 of the 10 (sounds alright to me but they have mentioned the lungs). she is getting a PET scan organised and starting chemo next week. 2-3 weekly sessions for 3 weeks. Cisplatin? Then she will be getting a MRI and if neededmore chemo. After all this she will be have to get 30 sessions of radiotherapy including internal radiotherapy. My sister is only 35. She is strong and positive. I do the worrying. Is there anyone else who has been through the same? What are her chances of being cured? Doctors not saying much. Just said they want to start treatment.

    Your sister is entering the
    Your sister is entering the stage of treatment of 'what if's' and waiting. This is always the hardest part. Keeping my fingers crossed for her. Having a strong support system is of the utmost importance throughout this. Hopefully she will respond well to the chemo and rads.
  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476
    beckyracn said:

    Your sister is entering the
    Your sister is entering the stage of treatment of 'what if's' and waiting. This is always the hardest part. Keeping my fingers crossed for her. Having a strong support system is of the utmost importance throughout this. Hopefully she will respond well to the chemo and rads.

    Keeping strong,
    Stay strong!

    Keeping strong,
    Stay strong! Your sister will need your support and all your positive vibes. She can get through this. Was the cancer squamous or adenocarcinoma?

    Beckyracn,
    How are you? I have thought of you over the past few days since your last post mentioned waiting for scan results. All clear, I hope.

    Best wishes to all. I am thinking of you all as I am in the throws of cisplatin and radiaiton and already suffering the side effects of both. Ugh. The nausea and the cramping and diahrea are making me miserable. Any words of wisdom to reduce these effects would greatly be appreciated.
  • ccfighter said:

    Keeping strong,
    Stay strong!

    Keeping strong,
    Stay strong! Your sister will need your support and all your positive vibes. She can get through this. Was the cancer squamous or adenocarcinoma?

    Beckyracn,
    How are you? I have thought of you over the past few days since your last post mentioned waiting for scan results. All clear, I hope.

    Best wishes to all. I am thinking of you all as I am in the throws of cisplatin and radiaiton and already suffering the side effects of both. Ugh. The nausea and the cramping and diahrea are making me miserable. Any words of wisdom to reduce these effects would greatly be appreciated.

    Angry now!
    No mention of what the cancer is- two words i havent heard of. My sis will be getting that cisplatin too - seen bad side effects.. I am just at a loss. Feel useless. Been so strong all along but now wonder what for? Been bad news all the way? Just wondering how serious this is? Appreciate honesty. Can function better if i know what im dealing with. Have read the worst already - 15% survival rate after 5 yrs for those with stage 4b cervical cancer. She will be strong and i will be with her every step of the way!!

    Hope you feel better soon..x
  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476

    Angry now!
    No mention of what the cancer is- two words i havent heard of. My sis will be getting that cisplatin too - seen bad side effects.. I am just at a loss. Feel useless. Been so strong all along but now wonder what for? Been bad news all the way? Just wondering how serious this is? Appreciate honesty. Can function better if i know what im dealing with. Have read the worst already - 15% survival rate after 5 yrs for those with stage 4b cervical cancer. She will be strong and i will be with her every step of the way!!

    Hope you feel better soon..x

    TheRe are several different
    TheRe are several different types of cervical cancers. Squamous is the most common (80%), there's also adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, clear cell, large cell neuroendkcrin, small cell...I think a few other rare ones but can't remember. Her prognosis will in part be determined by the histology, as well as her treatment plan. Waiting for info is very hard and infuriating. Hang in there. One day at a time now.
  • ccfighter said:

    TheRe are several different
    TheRe are several different types of cervical cancers. Squamous is the most common (80%), there's also adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, clear cell, large cell neuroendkcrin, small cell...I think a few other rare ones but can't remember. Her prognosis will in part be determined by the histology, as well as her treatment plan. Waiting for info is very hard and infuriating. Hang in there. One day at a time now.

    No mention
    I have never heard that. Here in the UK i think it is just staged??? (of course there are prob different types but the staging is very important. Why is there noone who has survived stage 4b answering? I dont mean to sound hurtful - i certainly hope i dont come across that way. I just want someone to tell me she'll be ok. Im only the sister and its breaking my heart! Probably only touch the tip of the iceberg on how she feels. Today she said to me she knows that this treatment is only to prolong her life. Felt like i'd been stabbed in the heart. As much as i know it is a possibility i didnt want to hear her say that. Said theres no way she's gonna do yrs of chemo just to stay alive. I was on the defence immediately. Told her I'd see her through this n that she wasnt going anywhere. Please please can someone who has beat this talk to me or if anyone knows any other sites please share. x
  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476

    No mention
    I have never heard that. Here in the UK i think it is just staged??? (of course there are prob different types but the staging is very important. Why is there noone who has survived stage 4b answering? I dont mean to sound hurtful - i certainly hope i dont come across that way. I just want someone to tell me she'll be ok. Im only the sister and its breaking my heart! Probably only touch the tip of the iceberg on how she feels. Today she said to me she knows that this treatment is only to prolong her life. Felt like i'd been stabbed in the heart. As much as i know it is a possibility i didnt want to hear her say that. Said theres no way she's gonna do yrs of chemo just to stay alive. I was on the defence immediately. Told her I'd see her through this n that she wasnt going anywhere. Please please can someone who has beat this talk to me or if anyone knows any other sites please share. x

    Your sister is lucky to have
    Your sister is lucky to have you. I hope that you find some answers to help you come to peace. There are stage 4survivors and there is no reason to think your sister can't fit into the percentage of people who do beat this. I wish you the best on your journey, and the best for your sister as well.
  • ccfighter said:

    Your sister is lucky to have
    Your sister is lucky to have you. I hope that you find some answers to help you come to peace. There are stage 4survivors and there is no reason to think your sister can't fit into the percentage of people who do beat this. I wish you the best on your journey, and the best for your sister as well.

    Thanks x
    I hope we will know soon whats happening. This PET scan is the last test they will be running. Thanks for listening and letting me vent some anger. I wish yous all the best in your fight. Be strong and positive! Hopefully next time i check in it will be with good news :). Take care guys x
  • bttrfls79 said:

    Stage 4b cervical cancer survivor in the making!
    Curuk, I am 4b cervical cancer lymph mets. Scary beyond all belief! I am 31 years old, and was diagnosed with fibroids a year and a half ago, which was a big mistake! I am only writing to you because you said you are in Texas, and I am located just south of Dallas. Where are you getting treatments at? How are you dealing with everything? How old are you?

    Just so everyone knows, I was diagnosed June 16,2010, and immediately started on chemo and radiation at the same time. I did five weeks of radiation with a booster of radiation for an addition 5 days, which was followed by 4 sessions of internal radiation (not fun). I had a PET scan yesterday, and a preliminary CT showed everything was looking good, so much that the person who read the scan said it looked like i had had surgery, which I have not yet! I find out tomorrow the results of the PET...but no matter what I am here for the long haul! I have three kids, ages 6, 4, and 3 that need their mommy!!!! Good luck to everyone! If you want to vent or talk about your thoughts I am here everyone!!!

    Sister has same
    Hi -just seen this post and would like to chat and hear your story. My sister has the same as you. Although she is waiting on her PET scan to see where it had spread to exactly.She has been diagnosed as stage 4b and starts chemo this Thursday. She will get 2-3 3 weekly sessions then reassessed after an mri and if needed more chemo, if not 30 sessions of radio (some internal).How have you been finding your battle? I know she will be very sick..:(. Hoping that you have received good news since your last post. x
  • bttrfls79 said:

    Stage 4b cervical cancer survivor in the making!
    Curuk, I am 4b cervical cancer lymph mets. Scary beyond all belief! I am 31 years old, and was diagnosed with fibroids a year and a half ago, which was a big mistake! I am only writing to you because you said you are in Texas, and I am located just south of Dallas. Where are you getting treatments at? How are you dealing with everything? How old are you?

    Just so everyone knows, I was diagnosed June 16,2010, and immediately started on chemo and radiation at the same time. I did five weeks of radiation with a booster of radiation for an addition 5 days, which was followed by 4 sessions of internal radiation (not fun). I had a PET scan yesterday, and a preliminary CT showed everything was looking good, so much that the person who read the scan said it looked like i had had surgery, which I have not yet! I find out tomorrow the results of the PET...but no matter what I am here for the long haul! I have three kids, ages 6, 4, and 3 that need their mommy!!!! Good luck to everyone! If you want to vent or talk about your thoughts I am here everyone!!!

    Sister has same
    Hi -just seen this post and would like to chat and hear your story. My sister has the same as you. Although she is waiting on her PET scan to see where it had spread to exactly.She has been diagnosed as stage 4b and starts chemo this Thursday. She will get 2-3 3 weekly sessions then reassessed after an mri and if needed more chemo, if not 30 sessions of radio (some internal).How have you been finding your battle? I know she will be very sick..:(. Hoping that you have received good news since your last post. x
  • Honordon
    Honordon Member Posts: 49 Member

    Thanks x
    I hope we will know soon whats happening. This PET scan is the last test they will be running. Thanks for listening and letting me vent some anger. I wish yous all the best in your fight. Be strong and positive! Hopefully next time i check in it will be with good news :). Take care guys x

    I am Stage 4 b
    I was diagnosed on April 1st 2011 , I had 5 weeks of radiation therapy as well as 5 weeks of cistaplatan at the same time then I had a week of internal radiation brachytheraphy ..I have papillary serious carcinoma ...it was in one kidney stem ,my lymph nodes cervix and womb , in November they tried to do a hysterectomy and removed only my ovaries and tubes where they now found an ovarian cancer which they say is connected to the other cancer but is a different cancer .... I am surviving I am doing good am 48 years old and have a 22 ear old daughter and 14 year old son . I will keep going I won;t be beaten by cancer . I am not starting chemo again for the ovarian cancer they removed as they found cells in fluid that was around the tumor , They could not remove my cervix and uterus cause of scar tissue from radiation .
    I am on 6 rounds of carbo/taxol this time every three week dose and its doable am sick for about 5 days about 2 days after the chemo is given then am ok basically back to normal ........good luck with everything for your sister .... my cervical cancer seems to be dormant which is fine with me now we just kill these ovarian cells .... " hugs Donna "
  • Jmccarg
    Jmccarg Member Posts: 1
    Stage 4b cervical cancer survivor
    Last year I was diagnosed with 4b cervical cancer. I had. Huge mass on the cervix a small one up in my next, another small one midd abdomen. I also had a huge mass on my ovary the size of a large cantelope, small watermelon. I refer to everything in past tense because I have just finished chemo, radiation and surgery and am in remission!

    It is possible! I was a mess when I was diagnosed. But I fought it, attitude is everything. The patient, the family and friends all need to cuss out the cancer.
  • healthygoddess
    healthygoddess Member Posts: 2

    I am at a cross road
    Hello I was diagnosed with 4 b cervical cancer Sept 2010 I started Chemo in Oct and now I am on my 18th round the tumor and lymps are "Stable" no new growth in the last year , I am however starting to feel a little distant from my dr and wonder if any of you out there have changed ships midstream? She is more in to Gyn Surgeries and At this time I am not a canidate ... Yesterday she basically told me I would be on Chemo until I died which is not exactly what I wanted to hear ;-( I am only 49 and really want to fight this with all my might

    I was diagnosed with stage
    I was diagnosed with stage 4b cervical cancer 2 years ago. I was told I couldn't be "cured", that the cancer had spread too far. I underwent aggressive treatment by the recommendation of a different doctor that worked with the first Dr. and my PET scans have been clear for a year. I was treated with two types of chemo and 26 doses of multifocal gamma knife radiation before I became a candidate for surgery. I would need a doctor that was more encouraging than what you describe. The original Dr. now calls me her "poster child". Is radiation an option for you? It was my oncology radiologist, not my oncology gynecologist/surgeon that suggested the aggressive treatment.
  • healthygoddess
    healthygoddess Member Posts: 2

    Stage 4b cervical cancer
    Today my sister got the worst news ever - her cancer is now stage 4b. From going from stage 1b1 3 weeks ago to this is a big shock. We still dont really know where this is going to end? Surgery was an option a few weeks back but isnt now. The cancer has spread in to the tissue around the cervix. Just last week she got lymph nodes removed. We were told today that it was in 3 of the 10 (sounds alright to me but they have mentioned the lungs). she is getting a PET scan organised and starting chemo next week. 2-3 weekly sessions for 3 weeks. Cisplatin? Then she will be getting a MRI and if neededmore chemo. After all this she will be have to get 30 sessions of radiotherapy including internal radiotherapy. My sister is only 35. She is strong and positive. I do the worrying. Is there anyone else who has been through the same? What are her chances of being cured? Doctors not saying much. Just said they want to start treatment.

    I was diagnosed with stage
    I was diagnosed with stage 4b cervical cancer 2 years ago. My PET scans have been clear for a year. I was treated with two types of chemo (Cisplatin and Topotecan) and radiation before I became a candidate for and had surgery. I am about to celebrate my 43rd birthday.Being strong and positive is so important, and though I was pretty much a zombie during the worst parts of my treatment, but always just KNEW the horrors of treatment would be worth it.