The Importance of Menitoning that you've had a recurrence on this network.

2»

Comments

  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    ValT said:

    Stubborn Sister In Law
    I'm writing in awe of you very brave women. I've been looking for guidance for my sister in law who was diagnosed after a PAP smear about 2 years ago--had a hysterectomy and they noted cells in the pelvic wash. I think the surgeon should not have done it laproscopically...but that's water under the bridge, now that it looks like it has recurred. She did not have chemo or radiation then--because she fears she will feel worse and it won't help. Of course that's what she's saying now, too. We are also looking into some antibody therapy that was published this year at ASCO. She's not yet 60...she has 3 beautiful grand children. She has always been stubborn--you push one way, she pushes the other.
    I'm guessing most of you don't have any patience for this point of view.
    Thanks to you all and keep up the fight.

    Sorry about your sister in law
    I don't think any of us wanted to have chemo or radiation. Most of us were scared of what our reaction to each would be. I have to say that my body's reaction to chemo was so much better than I had anticipated. I was so fearful of being so nauseated, and that did not happen at all. They have such good pre-chemo medicines that I was not nauseated at all. The radiation is scary too. I did not have any skin problems. I had very rare diarrhea. I did have some nausea with the radiation though. Never did throw up, but was just so nauseated. Maybe you could get her to try the chemo and if she does not like how she feels she could stop it. Tell her to think of those 3 beautiful grandchildren. Of course ultimately it is the person's final decision. Can you get her to read any of the posts here. That may encourage her. Good luck with supporting her decision. In peace and caring.
  • Outlaw_Josie
    Outlaw_Josie Member Posts: 41
    Kaleena said:

    Hi Claudia:

    I didn't want to mention it like you said, but I too was just diagnosed with a recurrance since my initial surgery in 2005. It was very unclear. All scans were in normal range but the biopsy confirmed it. It is endometrial. My doctors where I live indicated that it couldn't be operated on. I would need radiation with chemo. I went out of state and was told at first that it might not even be cancer, but they confirmed that. They did however say that they would be able to do surgery. I believe I will do the surgery since radiation is a one time shot in this area. No one is sure though whether it was there, a recurrence or a new cancer. They are leaning on a recurrence. In 2005, I was clear. Took preventative treatment consisting of chemo and 3 brachyradiations. Did all follow ups, etc. However, the tumor which was biopsied was there since 2005. (thought it was fibrosis or something like that).

    I had complained for about a year about a pain in that area. I said I didn't know if it was hemmoroids, etc. My original doctor retired. I don't think anyone wanted my case because I was NED. It has been a battle for me to find a replacement.

    Most or a lot of doctors only read charts and guidelines. We are the ones who know out bodies and know when something isn't quite right. Further, it has taken me two months or more to decide MY OWN treatment. Not the treatment some doctor who just looked at my chart feels. I am not listening to a doctor who doesn't listen to me or doesn't give me options or is willing to discuss all avenues of treatment or non treatment.

    Ok, sorry I am rambling now.

    Hey, what about this? I was thinking we should have a Shout Out Day. Pick a day where we could all Shout at cancer, for all those recurrences, the testings, the waiting, all the stuff we bottle up inside ourselves. Just a thought.

    Thanks Claudia. I am with you. If we hide recurrences, then we keeping negativity inside us and that is not good. It was because of information from this site that I was able to ask more questions and make more sound decisions. Now that is positive!

    Kathy

    Although I'm not UPSC and do not have a recurrence of my own recently diagnosed and treated uterine cancer, let me say that part of the reason I continue to read here is that y'all tell it like it is...not just the good stuff that we need to hear, but the other truths about cancer as well. Stuff we need to know.

    Heck, stuff the darn doctors need to know. As someone said we know our bodies and we know when something is not right. I feel fortunate that my onc/doc said "even if something just doesn't seem right make an appointment." He's as blunt as a bridge abutment, but that's part of what I like about him. Evidently not all our docs know we pay attention.

    Anyway, I found this site right after my diagnosis visit with the ob/gyn and before my pre-surgical visit with the gyn/onc doc, even though I didn't register then. I appreciated being able to read even before I knew what it was I needed.

    Soooo....my vote goes for talk about it even so it's public because there might be another sumbunny out there like me.

    And, while you didn't ask...y'all are my idea of true heroes living life even with Damocles' sword hanging over your heads.

    Y'all rock!!!
  • Outlaw_Josie
    Outlaw_Josie Member Posts: 41
    Ro10 said:

    Sorry about your sister in law
    I don't think any of us wanted to have chemo or radiation. Most of us were scared of what our reaction to each would be. I have to say that my body's reaction to chemo was so much better than I had anticipated. I was so fearful of being so nauseated, and that did not happen at all. They have such good pre-chemo medicines that I was not nauseated at all. The radiation is scary too. I did not have any skin problems. I had very rare diarrhea. I did have some nausea with the radiation though. Never did throw up, but was just so nauseated. Maybe you could get her to try the chemo and if she does not like how she feels she could stop it. Tell her to think of those 3 beautiful grandchildren. Of course ultimately it is the person's final decision. Can you get her to read any of the posts here. That may encourage her. Good luck with supporting her decision. In peace and caring.

    My post didn't go where I intended it, but ended up 3 or up and I dunno how to fix it.

    Sorry.
  • jnmchenry
    jnmchenry Member Posts: 7
    I want to know...
    Looks like we have agreement here. We're not good-news-only bears. I think we're encouraged that if we do all the "right" things and fight hard, that we'll have a good outcome. It mentally gets us through treatment. But it just isn't so, is it? We can only impact our odds toward the outcome. Cancer sucks. So we celebrate the good with each other, and give support and understanding during the difficult times. There's a wonderful collective knowledge among us.

    Had to laugh about contacting Oprah! That would be great, wouldn't it?

    Nancy
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member
    jnmchenry said:

    I want to know...
    Looks like we have agreement here. We're not good-news-only bears. I think we're encouraged that if we do all the "right" things and fight hard, that we'll have a good outcome. It mentally gets us through treatment. But it just isn't so, is it? We can only impact our odds toward the outcome. Cancer sucks. So we celebrate the good with each other, and give support and understanding during the difficult times. There's a wonderful collective knowledge among us.

    Had to laugh about contacting Oprah! That would be great, wouldn't it?

    Nancy

    Agreement
    Nancy....I think you have summarized the sentiment exactly. None of us are so naive that we think a re-occurrence is not possible. I am a firm believer in "telling it like it is"...sometimes it is good news, and sometimes, not so good. But we all know that is the reality! AND more importantly, we are all here to support each other, through it all!

    This is a great support network for all of us!!

    Karen
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    kkstef said:

    Agreement
    Nancy....I think you have summarized the sentiment exactly. None of us are so naive that we think a re-occurrence is not possible. I am a firm believer in "telling it like it is"...sometimes it is good news, and sometimes, not so good. But we all know that is the reality! AND more importantly, we are all here to support each other, through it all!

    This is a great support network for all of us!!

    Karen

    Cancer sucks and Nancy's DEAD!!!!
    Yesterday I got such a shock. I used to work with Nancy and we reconnected recently (about 6 months) through our mutual cancer diagnoses - mine uterine and hers breast. She would email about her treatments, I sent her my usual - the Simonton book and CDs. Well to make the story short - she's dead already. What the..........!!!!!!

    she had Six rounds of chemo followed by those neulasta shots and she didn't tolerate the treatment well. Then she had a lumpectomy. And now she's dead!!!! I don't know what went wrong but she had mets to the brain. She was around 50 years old, single.

    I'm in shock. Ladies, life is fragile. Enjoy it while you've got it. Sorry for the bummer but I had to get this out. Mary Ann
  • Outlaw_Josie
    Outlaw_Josie Member Posts: 41
    daisy366 said:

    Cancer sucks and Nancy's DEAD!!!!
    Yesterday I got such a shock. I used to work with Nancy and we reconnected recently (about 6 months) through our mutual cancer diagnoses - mine uterine and hers breast. She would email about her treatments, I sent her my usual - the Simonton book and CDs. Well to make the story short - she's dead already. What the..........!!!!!!

    she had Six rounds of chemo followed by those neulasta shots and she didn't tolerate the treatment well. Then she had a lumpectomy. And now she's dead!!!! I don't know what went wrong but she had mets to the brain. She was around 50 years old, single.

    I'm in shock. Ladies, life is fragile. Enjoy it while you've got it. Sorry for the bummer but I had to get this out. Mary Ann

    Condolences
    ((((Mary Ann))))

    I'm so very sorry about your friend.

    Yes...life is fragile and we do have to enjoy it while we have it.

    As childish as it is, I often find myself wishing we'd all just live to a ripe old age, go to sleep and then wake up at the next level. Still...without the trauma of death, would we appreciate life?

    And, where else would you share this but here with women who get it.

    ((((Mary Ann))))
  • Cecile Louise
    Cecile Louise Member Posts: 133
    daisy366 said:

    Cancer sucks and Nancy's DEAD!!!!
    Yesterday I got such a shock. I used to work with Nancy and we reconnected recently (about 6 months) through our mutual cancer diagnoses - mine uterine and hers breast. She would email about her treatments, I sent her my usual - the Simonton book and CDs. Well to make the story short - she's dead already. What the..........!!!!!!

    she had Six rounds of chemo followed by those neulasta shots and she didn't tolerate the treatment well. Then she had a lumpectomy. And now she's dead!!!! I don't know what went wrong but she had mets to the brain. She was around 50 years old, single.

    I'm in shock. Ladies, life is fragile. Enjoy it while you've got it. Sorry for the bummer but I had to get this out. Mary Ann

    Mary Ann
    I am so sorry you lost your friend. Yes, cancer DOES suck. It's insidious and cruel and heartbreaking. And even though it will most certainly claim some of us, we still must fight and fight and never give up. Each day is a treasure, a gift. My heartfelt condolences to you, Mary Ann. I'm glad you came here to share your sorrow and vent a little.

    Be well,
    Cecile
  • california_artist
    california_artist Member Posts: 816 Member
    daisy366 said:

    Cancer sucks and Nancy's DEAD!!!!
    Yesterday I got such a shock. I used to work with Nancy and we reconnected recently (about 6 months) through our mutual cancer diagnoses - mine uterine and hers breast. She would email about her treatments, I sent her my usual - the Simonton book and CDs. Well to make the story short - she's dead already. What the..........!!!!!!

    she had Six rounds of chemo followed by those neulasta shots and she didn't tolerate the treatment well. Then she had a lumpectomy. And now she's dead!!!! I don't know what went wrong but she had mets to the brain. She was around 50 years old, single.

    I'm in shock. Ladies, life is fragile. Enjoy it while you've got it. Sorry for the bummer but I had to get this out. Mary Ann

    Mary Ann
    You make me laugh so much. Is this attitude because I told you to screw your nurse's advice this morning regarding the inflammation being only for cardiac, and sent you down the I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore, path. Do ya feel better now? Still pissed off? You have every right to be mad. There's really not much else to do when you do everything you're supposed to do and end up dead anyway.

    After I went on a rave with you, I came over and hollared some more about the inflammation thing. Think your friend's death just freaked me out too. I had to apologize for my behavior.

    Hope to get together sooner rather than later. We can sit around and drink green tea like nice proper ladies and then swear like crazy over the ramdomness of it all.

    Just hang in there. I still believe things will be al right.

    Love ya,

    Claudia
  • susie1143
    susie1143 Member Posts: 105
    In agreement
    Hi Claudia:
    I agree that we need to have the bad with the good. My 3 month follow up is next month so it's back to the doctor we go.

    I have had several bad experiences regading cancer within my family but also some promising results. First of all I had an aunt (father's sister) who died in 1978 from cancer. I was told it was stomach but recently told it was female cancer. Not sure of which one but care at that time was next to nothing.

    Then another aunt Mom's sister)got lung cancer. We took her to Sloan Kettering in NYC. At one point, it appeared to be gone. But then a few months later it came back with a vengence in her liver. She passed away 2 days after Christmas in 1998.

    A couple of years after my aunt, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. This was only because me and my sister insisted that she got a mammogram. With chemo and radiation she is now in remission for 7 years.

    Last is my turn with endometrial cancer. I was surprised at my diagnosis but with family history not totally shocked. When I was diagnosed (June 2009), a friend of my brother was also diagnosed with brain cancer. She passed away a few weeks ago. I was thinking Christmas morning about how fast between diagnosis and her death and how fortunate I have been to still be enjoying life.

    With all this said, I plan to enjoy every moment that I can and do everything in my power to fight this cancer. Life is a path and sometimes we don't know where it will lead.
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member
    daisy366 said:

    Cancer sucks and Nancy's DEAD!!!!
    Yesterday I got such a shock. I used to work with Nancy and we reconnected recently (about 6 months) through our mutual cancer diagnoses - mine uterine and hers breast. She would email about her treatments, I sent her my usual - the Simonton book and CDs. Well to make the story short - she's dead already. What the..........!!!!!!

    she had Six rounds of chemo followed by those neulasta shots and she didn't tolerate the treatment well. Then she had a lumpectomy. And now she's dead!!!! I don't know what went wrong but she had mets to the brain. She was around 50 years old, single.

    I'm in shock. Ladies, life is fragile. Enjoy it while you've got it. Sorry for the bummer but I had to get this out. Mary Ann

    Hugs to you, Mary Ann
    Mary Ann... You are right...Cancer SUCKS!! I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. And I understand why you are angry! I know you will cherish the fond memories that you shared with her! I also know that you are one strong lady...and you will march on, doing all you can to be well!!

    Thinking about you.... Karen
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    susie1143 said:

    In agreement
    Hi Claudia:
    I agree that we need to have the bad with the good. My 3 month follow up is next month so it's back to the doctor we go.

    I have had several bad experiences regading cancer within my family but also some promising results. First of all I had an aunt (father's sister) who died in 1978 from cancer. I was told it was stomach but recently told it was female cancer. Not sure of which one but care at that time was next to nothing.

    Then another aunt Mom's sister)got lung cancer. We took her to Sloan Kettering in NYC. At one point, it appeared to be gone. But then a few months later it came back with a vengence in her liver. She passed away 2 days after Christmas in 1998.

    A couple of years after my aunt, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. This was only because me and my sister insisted that she got a mammogram. With chemo and radiation she is now in remission for 7 years.

    Last is my turn with endometrial cancer. I was surprised at my diagnosis but with family history not totally shocked. When I was diagnosed (June 2009), a friend of my brother was also diagnosed with brain cancer. She passed away a few weeks ago. I was thinking Christmas morning about how fast between diagnosis and her death and how fortunate I have been to still be enjoying life.

    With all this said, I plan to enjoy every moment that I can and do everything in my power to fight this cancer. Life is a path and sometimes we don't know where it will lead.

    Thanks for listening ladies.
    It's great to have you all. Many thanks. Mary Ann
  • TiggersDoBounce
    TiggersDoBounce Member Posts: 408
    daisy366 said:

    Cancer sucks and Nancy's DEAD!!!!
    Yesterday I got such a shock. I used to work with Nancy and we reconnected recently (about 6 months) through our mutual cancer diagnoses - mine uterine and hers breast. She would email about her treatments, I sent her my usual - the Simonton book and CDs. Well to make the story short - she's dead already. What the..........!!!!!!

    she had Six rounds of chemo followed by those neulasta shots and she didn't tolerate the treatment well. Then she had a lumpectomy. And now she's dead!!!! I don't know what went wrong but she had mets to the brain. She was around 50 years old, single.

    I'm in shock. Ladies, life is fragile. Enjoy it while you've got it. Sorry for the bummer but I had to get this out. Mary Ann

    Condolences MaryAnn :(
    So sorry to hear of your loss :(

    I have lost two great friends to this beast....one at age 24 due to Breast Cancer about 24 years ago now...the other to a friend and colleague at age 59 due to Breast Cancer about 3 years ago.

    It is so hard...I thought I was supportive then, but going thru this now, I truly realize I had no insight into "their" world back then.

    It is them I think of when I am on the Radiation table...

    Hang in and I am sure you were a great strength to her.

    Laurie
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    daisy366 said:

    Thanks for listening ladies.
    It's great to have you all. Many thanks. Mary Ann

    Mary Ann my sympathy
    Sorry to hear about your friend. It reminds us of how fragile life is. We need to enjoy every day we have. We think if it happened to Nancy, things can change so fast for us too. In peace and caring.
  • Ro10 said:

    Mary Ann my sympathy
    Sorry to hear about your friend. It reminds us of how fragile life is. We need to enjoy every day we have. We think if it happened to Nancy, things can change so fast for us too. In peace and caring.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator