Cervical Cancer Recurrance

I would like to chat with someone who has survived Cervical Cancer Recurrance PLEASE.
I have this and what to know what life is like after surgery so I know what I can expect.
Please!!!

Comments

  • beckyracn
    beckyracn Member Posts: 322
    We have several wonderful
    We have several wonderful women who've had a recurrance on this site. I hope they drop by and see your wish. I, luckily, am still in remission. The dyslplasia returned in March and I've had 2 colposcopies, but at this time it's a waiting came to see which way it's going to go. I wish you luck through this next part of your journey. ((HUGS))
  • naggymaggie
    naggymaggie Member Posts: 15
    It's back
    Check out some of the other threads for recurrence too but I'll let you know that my side effects after radiation aside from vaginal stenosis have been minimal. My bowel and bladder function are essentially the same-skin in the radiation field is thinner-but not painful-except during dilation. I'm almost 6 years since my initial diagnosis and 1 year since recurrence-7 months since ending radiation-3internal/25 external. I had to have a outpatient surgery to reopen my vaginal cavity a month ago because I stopped dilating. Don't do that-that surgery was not fun. My advice is to find a doctor you like-ask questions and tell them what you need-pain meds, more info. support groups, etc... It really is a team effort to get you through all this. My radiation oncologist was nice but I only saw him once a week-the staff at the center/techs spend more time with you and they are usually very compassionate people. I found the internal radiation treatments painful and humilating but it is over within an hour. Md Anderson has a good website where you can find their treatment plan and compare it to what your doc has ordered. I used this instead of getting a second opinion and it was in line with what I had been told...made me feel better. My last biopsy was ok. If the cancer comes back again my doctor has told me I will need surgery to remove more abdominal and pelvic tissue including my bladder and some bowel-I would have collection bags for urine and stool on my abdomen. I'm not sure if I would want this surgery...and it would only be an option if there were no distant mets. Do you have specific questions. Maybe reposting a question about a specific area that is troubling you would get more replies. I check in once a week or so even though I am doing well-mostly to read, because this disease can be isolating-there is a stigma attached unfortunately so it can be hard.
  • oncebitten2shy
    oncebitten2shy Member Posts: 5

    It's back
    Check out some of the other threads for recurrence too but I'll let you know that my side effects after radiation aside from vaginal stenosis have been minimal. My bowel and bladder function are essentially the same-skin in the radiation field is thinner-but not painful-except during dilation. I'm almost 6 years since my initial diagnosis and 1 year since recurrence-7 months since ending radiation-3internal/25 external. I had to have a outpatient surgery to reopen my vaginal cavity a month ago because I stopped dilating. Don't do that-that surgery was not fun. My advice is to find a doctor you like-ask questions and tell them what you need-pain meds, more info. support groups, etc... It really is a team effort to get you through all this. My radiation oncologist was nice but I only saw him once a week-the staff at the center/techs spend more time with you and they are usually very compassionate people. I found the internal radiation treatments painful and humilating but it is over within an hour. Md Anderson has a good website where you can find their treatment plan and compare it to what your doc has ordered. I used this instead of getting a second opinion and it was in line with what I had been told...made me feel better. My last biopsy was ok. If the cancer comes back again my doctor has told me I will need surgery to remove more abdominal and pelvic tissue including my bladder and some bowel-I would have collection bags for urine and stool on my abdomen. I'm not sure if I would want this surgery...and it would only be an option if there were no distant mets. Do you have specific questions. Maybe reposting a question about a specific area that is troubling you would get more replies. I check in once a week or so even though I am doing well-mostly to read, because this disease can be isolating-there is a stigma attached unfortunately so it can be hard.

    Thanks
    Well I am at the stage you mention at the end of your comments. I had the rare type Cervical Cancer 9 years ago and It came back this June, or I knew something was wrong when I got my period after 9 years. I have been to several doctors and had several types of tests and they all have ended the same. I need to have a pelvic exenteration. I will have two stomas on my stomach with bags for collection. I really want to talk to some one who has had this done and has survived. I want to know what life is like with the 2 stomas and is it hard to get use too. I have realized that this is what I have to do to live and that is that. I just want to know a head of time what to expect. I have been thought the external & internal raditation and Chemo 9 years ago and that was not fun at all. Mostly the internal raditation was very painful. But in hine sight I would do that again if I had a choice. But you take the hand you are delt and do the best you can with it.Thanks for writing back to me.
  • dorsco
    dorsco Member Posts: 2

    Thanks
    Well I am at the stage you mention at the end of your comments. I had the rare type Cervical Cancer 9 years ago and It came back this June, or I knew something was wrong when I got my period after 9 years. I have been to several doctors and had several types of tests and they all have ended the same. I need to have a pelvic exenteration. I will have two stomas on my stomach with bags for collection. I really want to talk to some one who has had this done and has survived. I want to know what life is like with the 2 stomas and is it hard to get use too. I have realized that this is what I have to do to live and that is that. I just want to know a head of time what to expect. I have been thought the external & internal raditation and Chemo 9 years ago and that was not fun at all. Mostly the internal raditation was very painful. But in hine sight I would do that again if I had a choice. But you take the hand you are delt and do the best you can with it.Thanks for writing back to me.

    Pelvic Exenteration
    Hello!!!

    I had this surgery on April 20th, luckily I only have one stoma and no external bag for my new bladder. Are they sure that both need to be removed. Can't you have an internal pouch for your urine? What a bummer, I'm very sorry. Yes life is a little different, I am actually at the depressed phase of this whole thing and have many down days. I'm sure I will get through this as well as you. How big is your new turmor? Where is the reoccurence? Sorry about all the questions.
  • BJK
    BJK Member Posts: 2
    Cervical Cancer Reoccurence
    Hi Friend
    I had a recurrence within 10 weeks of a radical hysterectomy and following two very aggressive chemo treatments. I had to switch to chemo/radiation and have just finished with that (thank heavens). I am moving on to internal radiation for 3 one hour/week sessions and am really dreading it. My vagina has gotten so small, I don't know how they're going to get anything in there! I admire the women who have had the pelvic exenteration surgery. I have decided I won't be doing that if it comes down to it. I am grateful to have a choice about the matter...although my doctor didn't make it sound like I had a choice. I would rather spend my time on alternative treatments. I'm looking at nutritional solutions, food grade hydrogen peroxide, etc. However, as of today, I don't know whether I'll need those alternatives as I have to see what the radiation treatments have done. I assume that you've completed chemo and radiation and that it has still recurred? I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
  • hilda_foo
    hilda_foo Member Posts: 2
    BJK said:

    Cervical Cancer Reoccurence
    Hi Friend
    I had a recurrence within 10 weeks of a radical hysterectomy and following two very aggressive chemo treatments. I had to switch to chemo/radiation and have just finished with that (thank heavens). I am moving on to internal radiation for 3 one hour/week sessions and am really dreading it. My vagina has gotten so small, I don't know how they're going to get anything in there! I admire the women who have had the pelvic exenteration surgery. I have decided I won't be doing that if it comes down to it. I am grateful to have a choice about the matter...although my doctor didn't make it sound like I had a choice. I would rather spend my time on alternative treatments. I'm looking at nutritional solutions, food grade hydrogen peroxide, etc. However, as of today, I don't know whether I'll need those alternatives as I have to see what the radiation treatments have done. I assume that you've completed chemo and radiation and that it has still recurred? I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

    I understand your state of
    I understand your state of mind now. I had cervical cancer stage IB in Sept 2006. Hysterectomy done, and six months later, there was a vagina vault recurrence. I had radiotherapy (35 courses) in May 2007. No chemo done then. Since my treatment, I was fine until a week ago, I had a pap test. Showed squamous dyplasia. Suspected of VAIN II. Now awaiting my biopsy test results
  • hilda_foo
    hilda_foo Member Posts: 2
    beckyracn said:

    We have several wonderful
    We have several wonderful women who've had a recurrance on this site. I hope they drop by and see your wish. I, luckily, am still in remission. The dyslplasia returned in March and I've had 2 colposcopies, but at this time it's a waiting came to see which way it's going to go. I wish you luck through this next part of your journey. ((HUGS))

    My recent pap test showed
    My recent pap test showed squasmous dyplasia. Now waiting for the biopsy test result. I'm really worried. I had cervical cancer in Sept 2006 - hysterectomy. Had vagina vault recurrence in 2007, radiotherapy 35 courses. Every thing was fine since then until recently.
  • beckyracn
    beckyracn Member Posts: 322
    hilda_foo said:

    I understand your state of
    I understand your state of mind now. I had cervical cancer stage IB in Sept 2006. Hysterectomy done, and six months later, there was a vagina vault recurrence. I had radiotherapy (35 courses) in May 2007. No chemo done then. Since my treatment, I was fine until a week ago, I had a pap test. Showed squamous dyplasia. Suspected of VAIN II. Now awaiting my biopsy test results

    keeping my fingers crossed
    keeping my fingers crossed for you hilda!
  • flowerpower2
    flowerpower2 Member Posts: 4
    Three times for me
    I was originally diagnosed in 2005 with cervical/vaginal cancer and went through chemo/radiation (internal/external)treatments. It's since come back in the vulva (2007/left vulvectomy surgery) and most recently the lymhpnodes in the groin and to a bone in the spine(april this year). I just completed lymphnode dissection surgery and radiation treatments to both areas a few weeks ago! I'm here to tell you that you will get through it and live to tell about it! I have come out of this being a much stronger and more compassionate person due to all of these experiences and i hope I can at least inspire one person to continue their fight.

    You are strong ladies!