Just Diagnosed with at least stage 3 cervical cancer

I was just diagnosed this week with cervical cancer. I have a lot of pain in the pelvis, have been bleeding for days and have already been in the ER twice. I am suppose to call the oncologist on Monday so the ER doc basically told me to take the meds and try to sleep until then. I am so affraid that the pain means my days are at an end. The scan yesterday showed a large mass in my cervics and into my uterus and 2 big masses on the pelvic wall. I'm so scared I can't stop crying or thinking "I don't want to die!"
The statistics scared me even more so I am trying to not look at them any more. I have to make it..I just have to. My husband is taking emergency leave and will finally be here tomorrow..up until now my 13 year old daughter has been helping me and going to the hospital with me. She seems strong but I know she is just as in shock as I am. The positive stories of survival on here help! I hope I will have a survival story soon as well. The largest tumor in the cervics and uterus is almost 9cm. The one on the pelvic wall is 2.4. Is this still operable? I so hope so..I want the pain gone and this thing out of my body as soon as possible. Since it is so large will chemo be first? The waiting and not nowing is making this so hard. I need help..oh my I am so scared I can only cry.

Comments

  • beckyracn
    beckyracn Member Posts: 322
    Wow Angel, your getting hit
    Wow Angel, your getting hit fast and hard. This is never an easy journey to be on even when your support team is right at home with you. Your thoughts and actions are all normal for what your going through. The waiting and the unknown are very scary. Does your daughter have someone she can lean on for support? Have you met with an oncologist yet or will tomorrow be your first time? If you are in pain, any doc can help you out with meds...so don't hold back on asking; the pain does not mean your days are numbered. It could mean the tumors are pressing on vital organs or a number of different things. I know it's easy for me to say, "Stay positive" and very hard for you to do this at this time, but PLEASE - take one day at a time.
    You state the scan shows extensive involvement. If this is the case, due to the size, chemo and rads will probably be your first line of defense. The combination may (think WILL)shrink/destroy all those nasty cells and make surgery a possibility, if that's your docs line of treatment.
    You are about to embark on the rollercoaster ride of your life. You will definitely have your ups, your downs, sudden twists and turns, too many docs to count...grab on to any/all support you can and hold tight. Write down and ask your docs lots of questions (they tend not to give out info freely, you must ask them directly). If you have a trusted friend/family member, take them to your appts. with you, because you will forget a lot of what your told. Come here frequently to rant, rave, cry, ask advice...it does help. Who would know better what your going through than those who have been there...done that. Each of us are unique and our experiences differ, but we all have a common factor...the will and determination to fight this ugly dragon and come out a winner!
    I have been there...done that Angel...and am still here to talk about it. This is a battle that can be won! For how long??? None of us are handed an expiration date when we come into this world. It's all about living it to it's fullest until that time does come. I won't let this ugly dragon take away those goods days.
    Good luck in the upcoming days.
    ((HUGS))
  • sarge57
    sarge57 Member Posts: 50 Member
    Angel hate to hear of what
    Angel hate to hear of what you are going through it is very scary, my wife was diagnosed with cervical adrenocarcinoma end of Aug 2010 and she was already stage 4. If you are stage 3 they will probably do a combination of radiation/chemo, surgery is possible it all depends how deep into the pelvic wall it has invaded. I appreciate the pain you must be going through as I see it every day with my wife and it is so hard watch and be totally helpless.

    If I can be of any help in any questions for you please feel free as this has been our life since August, Good luck and God Bless.

    John
  • ChateauCtn
    ChateauCtn Member Posts: 1
    Stage IIIB
    My mother was diagnosed with stage IIIB cervical cancer August 09. Like Angel we were devastated at the time. It sounded so bad. It had grown into the pelvic wall and a lymph node was in play. After the diagnosis we cried and cried. When we were done crying we decided it was time to embrace this situation and put one foot in front of the other. They could not do surgery so they were going treat it with chemo and radiation at the same time. 6 weeks worth and then finished with 5 internal radiation treatments. After that they did a pet scan and she was told she was cancer free. She has to go in every three months to her GYN oncologist and now every 6 months to her radiologist doctor. Right before this Christmas she had a pet scan and she is still cancer free. So don't look at this as a death sentence. They have come so far with treatments. We are into our second cancer free year and hope to stay there. God Bless everyone and let's have a cancer fighting and cancer free 2011!!!

    Pam
  • WendyKay
    WendyKay Member Posts: 19
    Stage 3B
    Angel, I had pain in July 2010 and on Aug 10 2010 I was told the bad news. My last treatment was Nov. 11th 2010 and I have my first PET scan on Feb 9th 2011.
    Remember we are all here for you!! if you need to talk about ANYTHING just let me know.
    It does help to talk to people that have or are going through what you are. I hope everything goes well for you!!
  • Smvzhouse
    Smvzhouse Member Posts: 2
    I know it's scary
    Hi,

    My name is Melissa and I was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer about 7 months ago. My tumor was too large to operate on (size of a grapefruit) it also spread to my lymph nodes. My treatment was 25 external radiations, 10 tomo radiations, 5 internal radiations and 6 weeks of chemo. It was long and hard but I got through it and go back to my oncologist soon to see if the treatments got all of the tumor. I know what your feeling so much put on u at one time. I can tell you it helps to have a good support system (friends, family or support group) because if your like me your going through a billion emotions right now! Even when the treatment is over it takes a while to get back feeling how u felt before the diagnosis ( I'm not there yet but hopefully soon:) So if you need someone to talk too that has gone through the same thing ur welcome to write any time.
    So hang in there no matter how hard it might be some times. I will send some positive vibes your way:)
  • packf
    packf Member Posts: 2
    I'm so sorry
    I know that it is scary. I was offically diaginosed with stage 3b cervical cancer on October 12, 2010 and I just finnished my treatments on Feb. 2 2011. I recieved external, internal and boost radiation treatments and had chemo. I was not able to have surgery due to the way the tumors had spread.
    I'm only 40 and I have an 11 year old at home. I felt the exact same way but never told anybody.
    I know now that I have a good chance of beating this and that is exactly what I plan to do!!!!!
    The odds are that you will be able to beat this ugly invader as well!!! Keep your thoughts positive, your faith in tact and know that there are alot of people fighting right beside you.
    I will keep you in my prayers!!!
  • kelly33
    kelly33 Member Posts: 3
    Have recurrent Cervical
    I am so sorry to hear your story Angel. I was diagnosed with Stage 2A Cervical in Jan. 2009. THe tumor was too large and the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes so they abandoned the hysterectomy that they started. I then had low-grade chemo and internal and external radiation. I was cancer-free from May of 09 until Sept. 2010. In september they found a tumor along my pelvic wall and a scan revealed that my lymph nodes were positive. My doctors at Hopkins considered doing surgery on the tumor but as soon as it hit the lymph nodes that option was no longer possible. I have been undergoing chemo but the best they can tell me to hope for is remission. They can't cure me. I just have to think positive and so do you. Wish you luck in your treatment!
  • April71
    April71 Member Posts: 3
    kelly33 said:

    Have recurrent Cervical
    I am so sorry to hear your story Angel. I was diagnosed with Stage 2A Cervical in Jan. 2009. THe tumor was too large and the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes so they abandoned the hysterectomy that they started. I then had low-grade chemo and internal and external radiation. I was cancer-free from May of 09 until Sept. 2010. In september they found a tumor along my pelvic wall and a scan revealed that my lymph nodes were positive. My doctors at Hopkins considered doing surgery on the tumor but as soon as it hit the lymph nodes that option was no longer possible. I have been undergoing chemo but the best they can tell me to hope for is remission. They can't cure me. I just have to think positive and so do you. Wish you luck in your treatment!

    I was first diagnosed with cervical cancer 2/08 and was told after all 7 wks of chemo and external and internal radiation that it was gone and my 2 yr check up i was still good. 2/11 i had a ct scan for another reason and a spot was seen in my left lung. It also was positive on pet scan and biopsy which showed it was cervical cancer that was back. I was given that same info about it being stage 4 and not cureable. I have been devestated. i have 3 boys and husband of 22 yrs. I started radiation and chemo last week. They only give me a little hope of it going into remission. I am praying for a miracle and i pray we both get one!!