New, worried about my mom

duffie
duffie Member Posts: 12 Member

Helllo,

My mom has had bleeding off and on for a few months and went to the doctor last week. They did a biopsy and the doctor called today to tell her it is uterine cancer. I am devastated. Tomorrow morning, she will be calling the oncologist for next steps and the ultrasound.

I sincerely appreciate all of the posts and generosity in which you are sharing information about yourselves. 

In gratitude.

Comments

  • Yeo
    Yeo Member Posts: 25 Member
    edited November 2020 #2
    Hi Duffie

    So sorry about your mom's cancer diagnosis.  You have the good fortune in that you have found an excellent resource here, as the women in this room are amazingly knowledgeable and supportive.  I was just diagnosed myself last fall.  The treatment for uterine cancer seems to be pretty similar across the board with surgery first, if it is operable, then 6 rounds of chemotherapy and maybe then some radiation therapy.  It is all very doable and it probably won't be anything like you think, way less dramatic for me than what I expected but there were tough days.  Before anything will be decided in your mom's situation they have to find out the stage and grade, which usually means a biopsy and/or surgery.  This is a long journey but you will meet a lot of great people along the way. 

    Hugs and prayers for your mom.  

    Margaret

  • Forherself
    Forherself Member Posts: 961 Member
    edited November 2020 #3
    Yeo said:

    Hi Duffie

    So sorry about your mom's cancer diagnosis.  You have the good fortune in that you have found an excellent resource here, as the women in this room are amazingly knowledgeable and supportive.  I was just diagnosed myself last fall.  The treatment for uterine cancer seems to be pretty similar across the board with surgery first, if it is operable, then 6 rounds of chemotherapy and maybe then some radiation therapy.  It is all very doable and it probably won't be anything like you think, way less dramatic for me than what I expected but there were tough days.  Before anything will be decided in your mom's situation they have to find out the stage and grade, which usually means a biopsy and/or surgery.  This is a long journey but you will meet a lot of great people along the way. 

    Hugs and prayers for your mom.  

    Margaret

    Not everyone gets treatment

    Welcome Duffie, I am sorry your mother is dealing with this.  You HAVe come to a good place.  You don't say WHAT KIND of cancer your Mom has. There are more than one kind.  By far the most common kind is endometrioid and it often does not require treatment after staging surgery.  If caught early it doesn' need treatment.  The more agressive kinds are much rarer.  It is hard to wait for the results of the surgery.  You can read about preparing for surgery day here, and ask questions.  The first post on this page has lots of links to information about the process your Mother is beginning.  She has lots of hope at this point though.

  • duffie
    duffie Member Posts: 12 Member
    edited November 2020 #4

    Not everyone gets treatment

    Welcome Duffie, I am sorry your mother is dealing with this.  You HAVe come to a good place.  You don't say WHAT KIND of cancer your Mom has. There are more than one kind.  By far the most common kind is endometrioid and it often does not require treatment after staging surgery.  If caught early it doesn' need treatment.  The more agressive kinds are much rarer.  It is hard to wait for the results of the surgery.  You can read about preparing for surgery day here, and ask questions.  The first post on this page has lots of links to information about the process your Mother is beginning.  She has lots of hope at this point though.

    Thank you Forherself and Yeo

    Thank you Forherself and Margaret for your warmth and kindness. The only thing the doctor said to her today is uterine cancer. She calls the oncologist tomorrow for the next steps and appointment.

    I'm very sorry for asking what may be a stupid question: is it possible to get an idea of the stage from how long she has been bleeding. It has been off and on for 6 months. The coronavirus affected her going to see a doctor.

  • MAbound
    MAbound Member Posts: 1,168 Member
    edited November 2020 #5
    duffie said:

    Thank you Forherself and Yeo

    Thank you Forherself and Margaret for your warmth and kindness. The only thing the doctor said to her today is uterine cancer. She calls the oncologist tomorrow for the next steps and appointment.

    I'm very sorry for asking what may be a stupid question: is it possible to get an idea of the stage from how long she has been bleeding. It has been off and on for 6 months. The coronavirus affected her going to see a doctor.

    Staging

    An oncologist might guess at stage during the first pelvic exam, but it is only his guess and more than likely will change after surgery. The tissue removed by surgery gets tested to determine how far the cancer has spread and staging defines that extent. It takes a while after surgery for those results to be finalized because the tissue is sometimes tested at several labs before results are considered final and a treatment plan determined. It's a tough waiting period, but you want them to get it right because treatment is based on those results.

    They can usually tell you what grade and type of uterine cancer from the initial diagnostic test, however, and that can also give a clue as to how aggressively the cancer is likely going to need to be treated. Type 2 and grade 3 cancers need aggressive treatment (surgery and chemo at a minimum) because they are more aggressive than type 1 and grade 1 or 2 cancers.

    Pre-op testing like MRIs, PET, and CT scans also give the surgeon an idea of how extensive the surgery needs to be. Often the surgery can be done robotically with a shorter, easier recovery time, but sometimes the uterus is enlarged and they'll have to do an open abdomen procedure.

    This is usually a very treatable cancer, but there are a lot of variables to contend with, so you need to expect this to be a one-step-at-a-time process that is going to disrupt your life for several months to a year depending on what the final pathology results reveal. Preparing for surgery and recovery is the first step and where to direct your focus for now.

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,353 Member
    edited November 2020 #6
    duffle, a GYNECOLOGIC

    duffle, a GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGIST is who your mother wants to work with.  That is who should be doing any surgery.  Hopefully you can go with her and take notes while your mom listens.  

    As the ladies have told you already, this is a one-step at a time to see what she is dealing with.  She is very lucky to have such a wonderful daughter to seek out guidance!

  • duffie
    duffie Member Posts: 12 Member
    edited December 2020 #7
    Update

    Hello everyone. My mom had surgery 2 weeks ago to remove her uterus and check her lymph nodes. She has been diagnosed with Stage IIIC2 cancer, grade 2. My mind is in a haze right now. She will be getting a CAT scan to check her chest. Her para-aortic lymph node on her right side was positive as well as the pelvic nodes on both, I think. The oncologist will be contacting her soon. The surgeon said that she will be on chemo and then radiation. Something that the doctor said that made me feel a little better is that "next Christmas, they may all seem like a blur that you went through it." I sure hope so. The doctor mentioned Taxol and Carboplatin.

    Thank you to you all for so generously sharing and caring.

  • Donna Faye
    Donna Faye Member Posts: 427 Member
    edited December 2020 #8
    We are lucky to have daughters and sons

    Duffie, as bleak as all this sounds now, there are many here who will tell you there is a silver lining down the road. I am 80.7 years old, have had cancer 4 times, 6 types of chemo, 3 series of radiation, years of tamoxifin and I am still kicking. Not as high, but doing it! But the best medicine through alll this was one daughter, 2 sons and 3 grandsons! They loved me well every time with their attention, their knowledge( one is an RN), and their devotion. It made me try harder to go to that infusion or swallow that pill or get radiatied!!! You are your mom's best medicine. so hang in there. Much love to you for caring enough to seek our input. df

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,353 Member
    edited December 2020 #9
    duffie, thank you for coming

    duffie, thank you for coming back and letting us know about your mom.  

    It is scary, overwhelming, and sometimes tough, but she will see that this line of treatment is doable.  Chemo (Carbo and Taxol) are pretty standard as is radiation.  Please come back again with any questions on treatment, etc..there are a lot of good tips from the women here.

    None of us would make it through this without the love and support of our family and friends.  

  • duffie
    duffie Member Posts: 12 Member
    edited December 2020 #10
    Another update

    My mom had a CT scan yesterday and met with the oncologist today. There are two nodules in her lungs (one in each lobe) that are suspicious, a few other lymph nodes in her abdomen, and an enlarged lymph node in her neck.

    The doctor said at least 6 chemo treatments of Carbo and Taxol. The doctor also mentioned a clinical trial of Keytruda.

    Can anyone please share any experiences with Keytruda.

    I am shocked that what was possibly Stage 1 a month ago is now Stage IV. Please give me hope. Thank you everyonel.

  • dgrdalton
    dgrdalton Member Posts: 161 Member
    Keytruda

    You've already been given some good advice. I was on a Keytruda/Lenvima combo for 5.5 months. The Keytruda did cause fatigue, it was an every 3 weeks infusion that took about 30 minutes. I did develop thyroiditis after about 3.5 months from the Keytruda and was put on Synthroid. I was recently taken off the synthroid after being off the K/L combo for 3.5 months. I believe most of my side effects were from the Lenvima. 
    I have read on other boards of several ladies taking Keytruda alone with good results. Responses to chemo and immunotherapy is very much dependent on each individual.

    Sending hugs and prayers you and your mom!

    Donna D

  • Love23
    Love23 Member Posts: 8 Member
    edited December 2020 #12
    dgrdalton said:

    Keytruda

    You've already been given some good advice. I was on a Keytruda/Lenvima combo for 5.5 months. The Keytruda did cause fatigue, it was an every 3 weeks infusion that took about 30 minutes. I did develop thyroiditis after about 3.5 months from the Keytruda and was put on Synthroid. I was recently taken off the synthroid after being off the K/L combo for 3.5 months. I believe most of my side effects were from the Lenvima. 
    I have read on other boards of several ladies taking Keytruda alone with good results. Responses to chemo and immunotherapy is very much dependent on each individual.

    Sending hugs and prayers you and your mom!

    Donna D

    Hey Donna D

    Hey Donna, how are you doing? I posted awhile ago about my mom she too was placed on Keytruda and was taken off last month. She again has been started back on the taxols similar to you. I just want to say thank you SOOOO much for sharing even through the tough times, your fighting energy has helped me  in many ways. Its alwasy great to see your smilling picture.