Uterine cancer metastasized to lung - looking for others to talk to with similar condition

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  • lkchapman
    lkchapman Member Posts: 106
    #42
    Mdotsie47 said:

    Vicodin
    I agree with you about Vicodin. I take it in the early evening when I can put my feet up and zone out. It does take the edge off. It is very constipating, too. I've been taking miralax for that but it's not completely doing the job.

    My rib is causing a knife stab pain in my side that is nearly unbearable sometimes. I have been told they won't treat it with surgery so I wonder if it's going to hurt for the rest of my life. I would like to know if anyone else has had lung mets that invaded the bone and how you were treated.

    radiotherapy
    I don't have bone mets but I work for a major cancer center and they sometimes use targeted radiotherapy to treat bone mets specifically to reduce the pain. You definitely should ask about it if you can't find relief elsewhere.
    Laura
  • Julie2009
    Julie2009 Member Posts: 4
    #43
    lkchapman said:

    radiotherapy
    I don't have bone mets but I work for a major cancer center and they sometimes use targeted radiotherapy to treat bone mets specifically to reduce the pain. You definitely should ask about it if you can't find relief elsewhere.
    Laura

    Lung Nodules
    I was diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma in 2009.I had a total hysterectomy at the age of 38. I opted out of radiation. I also have nodules in my lungs that are stable. My question to all of you is what signs did you have that the cancer had metastasized into the lungs? I have a resistant cough for the last six weeks. I also am having issues breathing during aerobics class which has never been a problem. I have a dr. appointment next month, but I am thinking maybe I should try and get a chest x-ray from my normal Dr. Any advice would be grateful.
  • nancygt
    nancygt Member Posts: 86
    #44
    Mdotsie47 said:

    Vicodin
    I agree with you about Vicodin. I take it in the early evening when I can put my feet up and zone out. It does take the edge off. It is very constipating, too. I've been taking miralax for that but it's not completely doing the job.

    My rib is causing a knife stab pain in my side that is nearly unbearable sometimes. I have been told they won't treat it with surgery so I wonder if it's going to hurt for the rest of my life. I would like to know if anyone else has had lung mets that invaded the bone and how you were treated.

    other pain meds
    I also have mets in lungs and worry about the bones. My best friends just passed away after 5 years of fighting Stage 4 lung cancer. I do not want to sound like a pusher but she used morphine/oxycontin(OC) successfully for over 4 years -tumors had taken away part of her breastbone early and she was never without pain. They used a combination of extended release OC for daily pain with a supply of immediate relief for breakthrough pain.She said it did not make her as "goofy" as the Vicodin, although the constipation was a chronic problem she battled. She did remain concerned about some degree of impairment driving and was very careful about timing dosages when she had to drive. The last year or so, the large dosages combined with weakened state(breathing issues, anemia, post op from brain surgery) made her friends intervene and take up the slack for driving as the medicine did have a greater impact as dosages to control pain had to be upped. We drove her or she used Road to Recovery drivers from American Cancer - that has made me volunteer for that program-I am lucky to still be able to drive myself to most appointment and have my husband to help when that is not advisable (e.g. chemo days). But it takes so much strength and passion to deal with the disease that I hate to see patients worrying abouty how to get to appointments. And I also hate to see anyone coping with pain if it is not necessary-my friend asked her oncologist if she was a junkie and addicted to the pain meds and he replied "Who cares-would you rather be addicted to pain ?" Smart aleck answer but some truth to it. I never took antidepressants or sleeping pills before the cancer diagnosis but now the leveling out effect of lexapro and the good night's sleep I count on with Ambien are very important to me - probably addicted. And I have been lucky with pain but knowing my cancer has now spread through bloodstream (lungs now but bones more likely), I will avail myself of strong effective painkillers when the time comes and try to be prudent about the side effects and being responsible.
    As for treatment, tamoxifen to hope to stabilize growth in lungs and probably carboplatin and Taxol again (been several years) after first of year as we hope to get body stronger and fit in a few trips before chemo makes that hard.
    You should not have to hurt for the rest of your life- I am in smaller city amd my onc will probably do pain management-but my friend was in big city hospital complex and he used their pain mgmt. clinic who had an understanding of managing severe chronic pain.
  • Mdotsie47
    Mdotsie47 Member Posts: 28
    #45
    nancygt said:

    other pain meds
    I also have mets in lungs and worry about the bones. My best friends just passed away after 5 years of fighting Stage 4 lung cancer. I do not want to sound like a pusher but she used morphine/oxycontin(OC) successfully for over 4 years -tumors had taken away part of her breastbone early and she was never without pain. They used a combination of extended release OC for daily pain with a supply of immediate relief for breakthrough pain.She said it did not make her as "goofy" as the Vicodin, although the constipation was a chronic problem she battled. She did remain concerned about some degree of impairment driving and was very careful about timing dosages when she had to drive. The last year or so, the large dosages combined with weakened state(breathing issues, anemia, post op from brain surgery) made her friends intervene and take up the slack for driving as the medicine did have a greater impact as dosages to control pain had to be upped. We drove her or she used Road to Recovery drivers from American Cancer - that has made me volunteer for that program-I am lucky to still be able to drive myself to most appointment and have my husband to help when that is not advisable (e.g. chemo days). But it takes so much strength and passion to deal with the disease that I hate to see patients worrying abouty how to get to appointments. And I also hate to see anyone coping with pain if it is not necessary-my friend asked her oncologist if she was a junkie and addicted to the pain meds and he replied "Who cares-would you rather be addicted to pain ?" Smart aleck answer but some truth to it. I never took antidepressants or sleeping pills before the cancer diagnosis but now the leveling out effect of lexapro and the good night's sleep I count on with Ambien are very important to me - probably addicted. And I have been lucky with pain but knowing my cancer has now spread through bloodstream (lungs now but bones more likely), I will avail myself of strong effective painkillers when the time comes and try to be prudent about the side effects and being responsible.
    As for treatment, tamoxifen to hope to stabilize growth in lungs and probably carboplatin and Taxol again (been several years) after first of year as we hope to get body stronger and fit in a few trips before chemo makes that hard.
    You should not have to hurt for the rest of your life- I am in smaller city amd my onc will probably do pain management-but my friend was in big city hospital complex and he used their pain mgmt. clinic who had an understanding of managing severe chronic pain.

    Pain meds and new wrinkle
    I have no hesitation asking for stronger pain meds when I need them. Right now two Vicodin helps enough most of the time but it makes me so spaced out that I am pretty useless.

    The new wrinkle in my case is my latest CT has found a 2x2 cm mass in a pelvic lymph gland. I have already had extensive radiation in the area and probably can't have more. I' m not sure how effective chemo will be for this. I'm feeling pretty discouraged, but I don't want to give up.

    Anyone who knows of any successful treatment in a situation like this could give me hope!
  • HellieC
    HellieC Member Posts: 524 Member
    #46
    Mdotsie47 said:

    Pain meds and new wrinkle
    I have no hesitation asking for stronger pain meds when I need them. Right now two Vicodin helps enough most of the time but it makes me so spaced out that I am pretty useless.

    The new wrinkle in my case is my latest CT has found a 2x2 cm mass in a pelvic lymph gland. I have already had extensive radiation in the area and probably can't have more. I' m not sure how effective chemo will be for this. I'm feeling pretty discouraged, but I don't want to give up.

    Anyone who knows of any successful treatment in a situation like this could give me hope!

    Don't give up hope!
    I'm so sorry you've had a diagnosis of a pelvic lymph gland mass. You're probably right that you can't have further pelvic radiation - but there are likely to be other options for dealing with the little blighter! Further surgery and/or chemo sound likely routes. If it's an isolated nodule, then they may be able to remove it completely with surgery.
    Please don't give up hope. We're all here for you and there will be a way forward.
    Kindest wishes
    Helen
  • Mdotsie47
    Mdotsie47 Member Posts: 28
    #47
    HellieC said:

    Don't give up hope!
    I'm so sorry you've had a diagnosis of a pelvic lymph gland mass. You're probably right that you can't have further pelvic radiation - but there are likely to be other options for dealing with the little blighter! Further surgery and/or chemo sound likely routes. If it's an isolated nodule, then they may be able to remove it completely with surgery.
    Please don't give up hope. We're all here for you and there will be a way forward.
    Kindest wishes
    Helen

    Hope
    Thank you. You give me hope. I have seen the prognosis statistics and they are so bad I can't bear to think about them . I want to be in that tiny percentage that survives longer than most.

    A friend suggested contacting one of the special cancer care centers to see if they have any more options to offer than my doctor does. Has anyone had experience with these? I don't know whether they are covered by insurance but I also don't know why they would know more than a doctor in the heart of silicon valley, where I live.
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #48
    Mdotsie47 said:

    Hope
    Thank you. You give me hope. I have seen the prognosis statistics and they are so bad I can't bear to think about them . I want to be in that tiny percentage that survives longer than most.

    A friend suggested contacting one of the special cancer care centers to see if they have any more options to offer than my doctor does. Has anyone had experience with these? I don't know whether they are covered by insurance but I also don't know why they would know more than a doctor in the heart of silicon valley, where I live.

    Silicon Valley?
    Hi Neighbor. I'm up by Sacramento.

    You're in close proximity to Stanford and UCSF. Both NCI accredited cancer centers and both have some top notch clinicians, researchers and clinical trials. Your insurance should cover a second opinion just about anywhere if you want one. All NCI cancer centers are supposed to have easy access to information and clinical trials amongst the network.

    Several women on this board have sought second opinions at MD Anderson or Mayo. Both NCI cancer centers.

    Just sayin' . . . second opinions can help resolve uncertainties to treatment choices.

    Suzanne
  • Mdotsie47
    Mdotsie47 Member Posts: 28
    #49
    Double Whammy said:

    Silicon Valley?
    Hi Neighbor. I'm up by Sacramento.

    You're in close proximity to Stanford and UCSF. Both NCI accredited cancer centers and both have some top notch clinicians, researchers and clinical trials. Your insurance should cover a second opinion just about anywhere if you want one. All NCI cancer centers are supposed to have easy access to information and clinical trials amongst the network.

    Several women on this board have sought second opinions at MD Anderson or Mayo. Both NCI cancer centers.

    Just sayin' . . . second opinions can help resolve uncertainties to treatment choices.

    Suzanne

    Treatment plan opinions
    So far in this round of cancer (2nd recurrence, with masses in the lung and aortocaval lymph node, and in the third rib, which is almost completely eaten by cancer), I have seen five doctors. Three of them agree on the treatment I should have so I guess I have enough opinions. I hope so, anyway. I start radiation on the rib/lung mass next week and will have chemo after that. My rib is causing a lot of pain, which I am told will get worse before it gets better. No plans for surgery.

    If those who have had chemo for uterine cancer can give me an idea of how long your treatment affected your health as far as being tired, or any other symptoms, I would like to know. Was it only during treatment, or did the effects last beyond your final chemo?

    My doctor has added two drugs to my pain management regimen. One is elavil and I think the other is called neuronal, though I have the generic form of it. Both take a while to build up in the system, so I am not benefitting yet. They cause drowsiness but that is good when I' m hurting.
  • clampett12
    clampett12 Member Posts: 6
    #50
    DaughterNo1 said:

    UPSC lung metatstasis
    Mia, if you don't mind me asking, what type of chemo did you receive? My year old mom has UPSC, no sign of it anywhere except her PET scan 2 weeks ago showed small spots in her left and right lungs and something on her spine which we hope is just bone degeneration.

    Last May a 9mm spot on her left lung was removed and she was given Doxil once a month for 6 months. We are meeting with her pulmonary surgeon tomorrow to discuss the new lung spots and she's also getting a spinal MRI. I was told that lung metastasis is common with UPSC but the chemo would get it.

    It seems that each doctor uses a different drug used for the same areas with varying degrees of effectivness. The more info we get, the more pro active we can be.

    Thanks and best of luck to everyone.

    Other treatments out there
    I was diagnosed last year with endometrial cancer and had taxol/carbo for 9 months . Last Jan I was cancer free. Then came March and I had another pet scan and the hot spots that were in my lungs came back so I am on Doxil for 8 treatments I am on my 5th had a cat scan the other day waiting for the reslults. If this doesn't work is there anyone out there that can tell me what else can I do ?
  • JoAnnDK
    JoAnnDK Member Posts: 275
    #51
    Mdotsie47 said:

    Treatment plan opinions
    So far in this round of cancer (2nd recurrence, with masses in the lung and aortocaval lymph node, and in the third rib, which is almost completely eaten by cancer), I have seen five doctors. Three of them agree on the treatment I should have so I guess I have enough opinions. I hope so, anyway. I start radiation on the rib/lung mass next week and will have chemo after that. My rib is causing a lot of pain, which I am told will get worse before it gets better. No plans for surgery.

    If those who have had chemo for uterine cancer can give me an idea of how long your treatment affected your health as far as being tired, or any other symptoms, I would like to know. Was it only during treatment, or did the effects last beyond your final chemo?

    My doctor has added two drugs to my pain management regimen. One is elavil and I think the other is called neuronal, though I have the generic form of it. Both take a while to build up in the system, so I am not benefitting yet. They cause drowsiness but that is good when I' m hurting.

    Clampett12
    You might want to re-post your question.....your post ended up waaaay back among posts from a long time ago.

    JOANN
  • Karenhopeful
    Karenhopeful Member Posts: 38
    #52
    Mdotsie47 said:

    Treatment plan opinions
    So far in this round of cancer (2nd recurrence, with masses in the lung and aortocaval lymph node, and in the third rib, which is almost completely eaten by cancer), I have seen five doctors. Three of them agree on the treatment I should have so I guess I have enough opinions. I hope so, anyway. I start radiation on the rib/lung mass next week and will have chemo after that. My rib is causing a lot of pain, which I am told will get worse before it gets better. No plans for surgery.

    If those who have had chemo for uterine cancer can give me an idea of how long your treatment affected your health as far as being tired, or any other symptoms, I would like to know. Was it only during treatment, or did the effects last beyond your final chemo?

    My doctor has added two drugs to my pain management regimen. One is elavil and I think the other is called neuronal, though I have the generic form of it. Both take a while to build up in the system, so I am not benefitting yet. They cause drowsiness but that is good when I' m hurting.

    also have rib bone involved
    Mdotsie47, I go for a needle biopsy on Monday January 23. I have masses at the top of each lung and one is into the top bone. My back aches, my breasts hurt - that is what led me to getting my chest scanned. I am not sure at this point whether it is uterine cancer spread to the lungs or lung cancer. I am 4 years out from my original uterine surgery. The prognosis for either one is so discouraging I'm having a really hard time finding a positive outlook, feeling really depressed. This page has been the most positive I've found so far. Oh, he also said there were 5 inflamed lymph nodes in the heart area. And I have a small tumor in the abdomen as well, grape size. Both lungs are lemon sized.

    I was wondering how you are doing? Is it showing any halt to the cancer? How much pain are you experiencing? So are you having all your radiation and then the chemo, or both together? Have you been given any prognosis? How long is your treatment supposed to give you over doing nothing? Or maybe the chemo is continuous but with different kinds to keep it from growing again?

    I want to be hopeful, I know it helps so much. But nothing I've seen has given me much encouragement.
    I hope you are well enough to reply.
    Karen Hopeful
  • Karenhopeful
    Karenhopeful Member Posts: 38
    #53
    Julie2009 said:

    Lung Nodules
    I was diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma in 2009.I had a total hysterectomy at the age of 38. I opted out of radiation. I also have nodules in my lungs that are stable. My question to all of you is what signs did you have that the cancer had metastasized into the lungs? I have a resistant cough for the last six weeks. I also am having issues breathing during aerobics class which has never been a problem. I have a dr. appointment next month, but I am thinking maybe I should try and get a chest x-ray from my normal Dr. Any advice would be grateful.

    Julie2009 Chest xray YES!
    Go get a chest xray. My gyne-oncologist added the chest to my ct check up scan because I was complaing about breast pain or I wouldn't have known. My primary doctor was not giving me yearly chest xrays so I had no idea and nothing to compare to. Ask for a chest xray!
  • Mdotsie47
    Mdotsie47 Member Posts: 28
    #54
    Karenhopeful said:

    also have rib bone involved
    Mdotsie47, I go for a needle biopsy on Monday January 23. I have masses at the top of each lung and one is into the top bone. My back aches, my breasts hurt - that is what led me to getting my chest scanned. I am not sure at this point whether it is uterine cancer spread to the lungs or lung cancer. I am 4 years out from my original uterine surgery. The prognosis for either one is so discouraging I'm having a really hard time finding a positive outlook, feeling really depressed. This page has been the most positive I've found so far. Oh, he also said there were 5 inflamed lymph nodes in the heart area. And I have a small tumor in the abdomen as well, grape size. Both lungs are lemon sized.

    I was wondering how you are doing? Is it showing any halt to the cancer? How much pain are you experiencing? So are you having all your radiation and then the chemo, or both together? Have you been given any prognosis? How long is your treatment supposed to give you over doing nothing? Or maybe the chemo is continuous but with different kinds to keep it from growing again?

    I want to be hopeful, I know it helps so much. But nothing I've seen has given me much encouragement.
    I hope you are well enough to reply.
    Karen Hopeful

    Hi karenhopeful, and best wishes!
    To try to answer your questions to me....my treatment plan right now is three weeks of radiation (just finished), hormone treatment with Megestrol 4x a day, and zometa infusions to rebuild my rib bone. I was in extreme pain before radiation. Two OxyContin and lots of Vicodin daily, as well as daily gabapentin. I have been able to eliminate the Vicodin and take only one OxyContin daily. I still take three gabapentin daily. The pain is now one or two on a scale of ten. I will have a CT scan in late February to see how much effect the radiation has had on the lung and rib tumors. I also have a small mass on my aorta that may be helped by the Megestrol.

    My doctor says he is holding off on chemo to see if these other things work, because he is concerned about bone marrow damage from chemo. He is a respected gynecological oncologist, so I have been trusting his judgement up to now. Some of my friends and family are dissatisfied with my treatment results up to now and want me to get other opinions, but I have not done that yet. I think my doctor is following the protocols for treatment that his experience dictates. Maybe I'm wrong. I feel a little worried about this, but I trusted him completely until other people started questioning my treatment.

    I wish you good luck in your treatment. Let me know how it goes.

    I did not ask for a prognosis because I am scared to hear it and want to stay positive and hopeful. I know at this point my treatment is just putting out fires. There is no "cure" at this point, but if the docs can keep things from growing or getting too numerous and invasive to treat, maybe that buys me more time. I am operating on the assumption that it's not hopeless, even though I know the statistical prognosis is bad.
  • Simmons
    Simmons Member Posts: 2
    #55
    Mdotsie47 said:

    Hi karenhopeful, and best wishes!
    To try to answer your questions to me....my treatment plan right now is three weeks of radiation (just finished), hormone treatment with Megestrol 4x a day, and zometa infusions to rebuild my rib bone. I was in extreme pain before radiation. Two OxyContin and lots of Vicodin daily, as well as daily gabapentin. I have been able to eliminate the Vicodin and take only one OxyContin daily. I still take three gabapentin daily. The pain is now one or two on a scale of ten. I will have a CT scan in late February to see how much effect the radiation has had on the lung and rib tumors. I also have a small mass on my aorta that may be helped by the Megestrol.

    My doctor says he is holding off on chemo to see if these other things work, because he is concerned about bone marrow damage from chemo. He is a respected gynecological oncologist, so I have been trusting his judgement up to now. Some of my friends and family are dissatisfied with my treatment results up to now and want me to get other opinions, but I have not done that yet. I think my doctor is following the protocols for treatment that his experience dictates. Maybe I'm wrong. I feel a little worried about this, but I trusted him completely until other people started questioning my treatment.

    I wish you good luck in your treatment. Let me know how it goes.

    I did not ask for a prognosis because I am scared to hear it and want to stay positive and hopeful. I know at this point my treatment is just putting out fires. There is no "cure" at this point, but if the docs can keep things from growing or getting too numerous and invasive to treat, maybe that buys me more time. I am operating on the assumption that it's not hopeless, even though I know the statistical prognosis is bad.

    My up date after biopsy
    I had a needle biopsy January 23 verifying uterine cancer spread to lungs. I will be getting chemo carboplatin/taxol for 6 months, once a month, 5 hour treatment. Will have a ct after first two to see if it is helping.Port was put in Jan. 30. I have a constant pain in my chest and upper shoulders of my back almost all the time, it is not terrible but enough to keep me from doing anything. If I am standing for over 5 minutes it really starts hurting. I'd say from 2-4 on a pain scale. So far I've been able to use advil or tylenol, but I do have a narcotic type prescription as well, if it gets too bad. I'm hoping that chemo shrinks those tumors and I feel better and better.

    Those who had taxol, what did you do to prevent or aleave leg pains, or did you have any?

    Mdotsie47, I really appreciate your posts since it seems we have some similarities. I did ask about prognosis but she was vague. Just as well. She did say she had someone with a similar case that is fine 4 years out.

    For any Christian sufferers, I am reading Jesus Lives by Sarah Young and it has pulled me out of the black pit I was in and I feel so much better emotionally and spiritually.

    This request is for anyone who has posted in the past. Please post again. Let us know that you are doing great and you've been too busy to post. Or let us know your problems. Saying a prayer for all of my fellow suffering sisters. Let us all experience healing. AMEN
  • Simmons
    Simmons Member Posts: 2
    #56
    Simmons said:

    My up date after biopsy
    I had a needle biopsy January 23 verifying uterine cancer spread to lungs. I will be getting chemo carboplatin/taxol for 6 months, once a month, 5 hour treatment. Will have a ct after first two to see if it is helping.Port was put in Jan. 30. I have a constant pain in my chest and upper shoulders of my back almost all the time, it is not terrible but enough to keep me from doing anything. If I am standing for over 5 minutes it really starts hurting. I'd say from 2-4 on a pain scale. So far I've been able to use advil or tylenol, but I do have a narcotic type prescription as well, if it gets too bad. I'm hoping that chemo shrinks those tumors and I feel better and better.

    Those who had taxol, what did you do to prevent or aleave leg pains, or did you have any?

    Mdotsie47, I really appreciate your posts since it seems we have some similarities. I did ask about prognosis but she was vague. Just as well. She did say she had someone with a similar case that is fine 4 years out.

    For any Christian sufferers, I am reading Jesus Lives by Sarah Young and it has pulled me out of the black pit I was in and I feel so much better emotionally and spiritually.

    This request is for anyone who has posted in the past. Please post again. Let us know that you are doing great and you've been too busy to post. Or let us know your problems. Saying a prayer for all of my fellow suffering sisters. Let us all experience healing. AMEN

    Simmons is KarenHopeful
    Not sure how I got switched to my last name. I think I may have logged onto this site in 2006 when my mother was diagnosed with stomach cancer. She only lived 6 months after her diagnosis. I got my uterine cancer in 2007, was told only a 5% chance of it coming back. DANG! Went 4 years 3 months before noticing anything. Had my scheduled CT scans, but none of my doctors were doing chest xrays. :-( Karen Hopeful Simmons
  • barbakamom
    barbakamom Member Posts: 15
    #57
    Simmons said:

    Simmons is KarenHopeful
    Not sure how I got switched to my last name. I think I may have logged onto this site in 2006 when my mother was diagnosed with stomach cancer. She only lived 6 months after her diagnosis. I got my uterine cancer in 2007, was told only a 5% chance of it coming back. DANG! Went 4 years 3 months before noticing anything. Had my scheduled CT scans, but none of my doctors were doing chest xrays. :-( Karen Hopeful Simmons

    Uterine adenocarcinoma with mets to lungs
    I also have uterine adenocarcinoma - stage 1c, no lymph node involvement - total hysterectomy in 2008 with 3 brachytherapy sessions. Told I was 99.5% cured. Then three years later, had two spots in my left lung - one 3 cm and one 4cm. By the time I had surgery to remove them, they had grown to 4cm and 5cm. Had a thoracotomy, with left lower lobe removed, and upper part resectioned, losing 1/2 of my left lung. This was followed by 3 sessions of carboplatin chemotherapy. I was allergic to Taxol, stopped breathing and ended up in ICU, so only carboplatin. But after 3 sessions, had to stop, since my platelets fell dangerously low. Am now monitored monthly for CA125 levels, and quarterly with CAT scans. CA 125 currently is a 7, down from a high of 90 pre-surgery. My next dr's appt is in 2 weeks, and each time I get close to my dr's visit, I start getting very anxious. But I am thankful to be working full time since June 2011, since I am single and support myself. But I am concerned about the day I may become too ill to work. Is anyone else working full time, too? I find it helps keep me busy....but I am fatigued, and find stress aggravates my breathing. Please send good thoughts my way for my Feb 15 appt... Thank you.
  • gwhite
    gwhite Member Posts: 18
    #58
    mentoring for cancer patients
    Babs, your post was very well written and calls for what has sometimes been called the "fourth angel" of cancer cure. The first three being the doctor, nurse and caregiver. To complete the team is the need for a mentor. By mentor I refer to someone who has had the disease to the point of near death and still managed to work one of those "miracle" remissions. This means, unfortunately, that most of the well wishers, counsellors, doctors and even ministers do not qualify.
    I am an 80 year old survivor of metatastic kidney cancer that, after multiple killer surgeries and 8 solid months of a failed treatment that was worse than the disease left me with the awful "only three more months at most" death sentence back in 1993. Since then, I have maintained a pro bono website to share my story , and now that of many others, of how I developed my own program of guided imagery to beat the diseasse. You might want to check out this website www.cancerwarsmaarsjourney.com . In particular I wish you would go to the "inspirational stories" page and click on the picture of Peggy Carson. Her story is a lot like yours and she has been willing to share with people such as you. Read some of the other stories and from them take on a dose of "information based hope". None of us can see the future, only God can do that, but He does give us hope along the way. The essence of this hope can be expressed in the simple, true statement that it IS possible, you CAN defeat cancer.
  • gwhite
    gwhite Member Posts: 18
    #59
    mentoring for cancer patients
    Babs, your post was very well written and calls for what has sometimes been called the "fourth angel" of cancer cure. The first three being the doctor, nurse and caregiver. To complete the team is the need for a mentor. By mentor I refer to someone who has had the disease to the point of near death and still managed to work one of those "miracle" remissions. This means, unfortunately, that most of the well wishers, counsellors, doctors and even ministers do not qualify.
    I am an 80 year old survivor of metatastic kidney cancer that, after multiple killer surgeries and 8 solid months of a failed treatment that was worse than the disease left me with the awful "only three more months at most" death sentence back in 1993. Since then, I have maintained a pro bono website to share my story , and now that of many others, of how I developed my own program of guided imagery to beat the diseasse. You might want to check out this website www.cancerwarsmaarsjourney.com . In particular I wish you would go to the "inspirational stories" page and click on the picture of Peggy Carson. Her story is a lot like yours and she has been willing to share with people such as you. Read some of the other stories and from them take on a dose of "information based hope". None of us can see the future, only God can do that, but He does give us hope along the way. The essence of this hope can be expressed in the simple, true statement that it IS possible, you CAN defeat cancer.
  • Karenhopeful
    Karenhopeful Member Posts: 38
    #60
    gwhite said:

    mentoring for cancer patients
    Babs, your post was very well written and calls for what has sometimes been called the "fourth angel" of cancer cure. The first three being the doctor, nurse and caregiver. To complete the team is the need for a mentor. By mentor I refer to someone who has had the disease to the point of near death and still managed to work one of those "miracle" remissions. This means, unfortunately, that most of the well wishers, counsellors, doctors and even ministers do not qualify.
    I am an 80 year old survivor of metatastic kidney cancer that, after multiple killer surgeries and 8 solid months of a failed treatment that was worse than the disease left me with the awful "only three more months at most" death sentence back in 1993. Since then, I have maintained a pro bono website to share my story , and now that of many others, of how I developed my own program of guided imagery to beat the diseasse. You might want to check out this website www.cancerwarsmaarsjourney.com . In particular I wish you would go to the "inspirational stories" page and click on the picture of Peggy Carson. Her story is a lot like yours and she has been willing to share with people such as you. Read some of the other stories and from them take on a dose of "information based hope". None of us can see the future, only God can do that, but He does give us hope along the way. The essence of this hope can be expressed in the simple, true statement that it IS possible, you CAN defeat cancer.

    Thanks Jerry!
    I will be sending for your book and cd. When I was finally able to get out ot the black depression I first had, I started imagining the prayers of my friends as bombs that were destroying cancer cells. I have no idea if any cancer has declined, but I know my left side is almost pain free now, compared to before I imagined this. My right side still is hurting, but I am confident God is with me, will give me strength for each day. I hope with your instruction on guided imagery, I will start bombing out the cancer on my right side too. I do believe with God all things are possible - I just need the belief. It is so easy for the negative thoughts to intrude. I start chemo this coming week. I will use your positive imagery to help guide the drugs to do their job along with my thoughts for healing.
  • Karenhopeful
    Karenhopeful Member Posts: 38
    #61
    barbakamom said:

    Uterine adenocarcinoma with mets to lungs
    I also have uterine adenocarcinoma - stage 1c, no lymph node involvement - total hysterectomy in 2008 with 3 brachytherapy sessions. Told I was 99.5% cured. Then three years later, had two spots in my left lung - one 3 cm and one 4cm. By the time I had surgery to remove them, they had grown to 4cm and 5cm. Had a thoracotomy, with left lower lobe removed, and upper part resectioned, losing 1/2 of my left lung. This was followed by 3 sessions of carboplatin chemotherapy. I was allergic to Taxol, stopped breathing and ended up in ICU, so only carboplatin. But after 3 sessions, had to stop, since my platelets fell dangerously low. Am now monitored monthly for CA125 levels, and quarterly with CAT scans. CA 125 currently is a 7, down from a high of 90 pre-surgery. My next dr's appt is in 2 weeks, and each time I get close to my dr's visit, I start getting very anxious. But I am thankful to be working full time since June 2011, since I am single and support myself. But I am concerned about the day I may become too ill to work. Is anyone else working full time, too? I find it helps keep me busy....but I am fatigued, and find stress aggravates my breathing. Please send good thoughts my way for my Feb 15 appt... Thank you.

    Prayers for Barbara and all on this list!
    Barbara and all, I have added you to my daily prayers. I know prayers do help.
    Barbara, I'm amazed you kept working. I feel like a cry baby. I'm retired and barely move from my chairs, as I start to hurt when I stand. I have two masses one at the top of each lung: 62mm, which I suspect is about 6.2cm, 5 lymph nodes look to be involved already, small tumor in lower abdomen, no surgery unless they really shrink in size. One doctor says nibbling at bones, the other says no. Biopsy said figo 3, but I always thought it was 4 when it was in several places. 3 was a little better sounding than 4. Certainly gave me glimpse of hope, thinking it 4 was like an immediate death sentence.
    Stay courageous! Imagine each prayer destroying cancer cells. Praying for good news on the 15th.

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