I have Uterine cancer but they also found Lymphoma

chrismc

I was recently diagnosed with uterine cancer. And of course when you are diagnosed with cancer you must get a CT scan then a PET scan to see if it has spread. While investigating the Uterine cancer, Lymphoma was also found. I have had a CT fine needle biopsy to diagnose the Lymphoma. They biopsied a small Mesenteric Mass in my abdomen. The path report says it is b-cell follicular and the small amt of material available indicated small cell. According to the PET scan it was not seen anywhere else at this time. I have not had an appt with a Med/Onc yet but I will before I am allowed to have the surgery for my Uterine cancer, which at this time they think it did not spread. Surgery for that is the 26th. The Lymphoma will be further addressed after my surgery. I guess I will be getting a bone marrow biopsy later. Yes two cancers, really stressing me out. I just don't believe how my life has changed in 2 months.

forme

Welcome
Welcome chrismc

Welcome to our great group.
I too have multiple cancers at the same time. It can be a real challenge at times, but with great support it is doable.

I am so sorry that you have to deal with two cancers. Just dealing with one is more than enough for anyone.

You will always find someone here to answer your questions as they come up. Please feel free to ask anything or share anything. We are here for you.

Hugs
Lisha

jimwins

Learn How to Sail in All Winds
Hi Chris and welcome to the group. So sorry you have to be here but you will
find wonderful caring and supportive folks here. Know Lymphoma is very
treatable and there's plenty of hope.

I read one your post on the Uterine Cancer board
(Chris post on Uterine Board) so now I know a little more about you .

Have they given you anything for anxiety? Ativan really helped me a lot.
It took the edge off - especially in the beginning with all the
newness of everything and the worries and sleeplessness.

I noticed you said you live alone and would like to have someone with you
in the house during all of this. Do you have friends/relatives or someone
in or near northeastern PA who could visit/stay with you from time to time?

You mentioned buying a picture for the bedroom you were re-decorating
with the title "Learn How to Sail in All Winds"- hence my title for this post.
A postive attitude and humor are free weapons in this war.

Many others will chime in here soon.
Just know you're not alone and you are welcome here anytime.
I will be reaching my "One Year" milestone of remission in about a month.
Wanna come to the party? .

Hugs and positive thoughts,

Jim
DX: DLBL 4/2011, Chemo completed 10/2011, currently in remission.

po18guy

Testing produces strength
Welcome! In the past two months, you have also been strengthened to deal with two diseases that you thought you would never have. As your journey progresses, you will likely find that your are a stronger, better person than at the start. I do not know if you are a person of faith, but that is what has sustained me through the past four years. I no longer doubt the power of prayer, as there were simply too many "coincidences" that have resulted in my presence on these boards. The human spirit is amazingly strong and resilient at such times.

My only advice would be to obtain second opinions on both diagnosis and treatment, as a second opinion saved my life.

anliperez915

Hi Chris
Hi Chris,
Just wanted to welcome you to the board. I also read some of your posts from the uterine room, really sorry that you also have to deal with lymphoma. But like Po said on a previous post you will find out that you are stronger than you think. I have a different sub-type of lymphoma than yours but for me they all have similar effects. Again welcome and if you have any questions someone is always here to help you out! Sending you positive thoughts, take care...

Sincerely,
Liz

chrismc

forme said:

Welcome
Welcome chrismc

Welcome to our great group.
I too have multiple cancers at the same time. It can be a real challenge at times, but with great support it is doable.

I am so sorry that you have to deal with two cancers. Just dealing with one is more than enough for anyone.

You will always find someone here to answer your questions as they come up. Please feel free to ask anything or share anything. We are here for you.

Hugs
Lisha

Lisha, thanks so much for
Lisha, thanks so much for taking the time to give me your support. I really appreciate it considering the challenges you are dealing with. It is really so comforting knowing I have a place I can go where others are dealing with the same illness and emotions.

Wishing the best for you and sending you a hug.


Chris

allmost60

anliperez915 said:

Hi Chris
Hi Chris,
Just wanted to welcome you to the board. I also read some of your posts from the uterine room, really sorry that you also have to deal with lymphoma. But like Po said on a previous post you will find out that you are stronger than you think. I have a different sub-type of lymphoma than yours but for me they all have similar effects. Again welcome and if you have any questions someone is always here to help you out! Sending you positive thoughts, take care...

Sincerely,
Liz

Welcome Chris...
Hi Chris,
Welcome to the group...as you can see, you've found a great group of people for support. I'm glad you have kept your sense of humor, but also know we can have those "dark days", that sometimes stop us in our tracks....have had a few of those myself. I was diagnosed in June of 2010 with Follicular NHL-stage3-grade2-typeA. Did 6 rounds of CVP-R as my first line of chemo. Feb 2013 I will finish my 2 year maint of Rituxan, and God willing, I'll have a few trouble free years before anything new shows up. I wish you all the best and hope to hear from you often. Take care...Love...Sue (age 61)

chrismc

jimwins said:

Learn How to Sail in All Winds
Hi Chris and welcome to the group. So sorry you have to be here but you will
find wonderful caring and supportive folks here. Know Lymphoma is very
treatable and there's plenty of hope.

I read one your post on the Uterine Cancer board
(Chris post on Uterine Board) so now I know a little more about you .

Have they given you anything for anxiety? Ativan really helped me a lot.
It took the edge off - especially in the beginning with all the
newness of everything and the worries and sleeplessness.

I noticed you said you live alone and would like to have someone with you
in the house during all of this. Do you have friends/relatives or someone
in or near northeastern PA who could visit/stay with you from time to time?

You mentioned buying a picture for the bedroom you were re-decorating
with the title "Learn How to Sail in All Winds"- hence my title for this post.
A postive attitude and humor are free weapons in this war.

Many others will chime in here soon.
Just know you're not alone and you are welcome here anytime.
I will be reaching my "One Year" milestone of remission in about a month.
Wanna come to the party? .

Hugs and positive thoughts,

Jim
DX: DLBL 4/2011, Chemo completed 10/2011, currently in remission.

Thanks for the reply Jim.
Thanks for the reply Jim. Yes,I am now taking Ativan 1mg and I am doing much better with that. The first anxiety med prescribed by my PCP was Clonazepam, which really did nothing but make me dizzy. My Gyn/Onc prescribed the Ativan, and know I am at least able to think more clearly and deal with life. I am trying to keep a positive attitude but I do have a day now then when I crash for a while. I do have a great sense of humor and use that to my advantage as much as I can to deal with this.
Now here is a bit of cancer humor; when I was diagnosed with the uterine cancer the doctor said "this is the best kind of cancer to get if you have to get one". When I was diagnosed with the Lymphoma the Gyn/Onc came in the exam room and said " I have good news for you today, you have Lymphoma". The good news about that was the uterine cancer didn't spread. OMG,just how lucky can a girl be. I think I would have rather won the lottery. And by the way, that was a true story.

Congrats on your "One Year" coming up. Yes I want to come to the party!

Thanks again Jim, and Hugs going back to you.

Chris

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

po18guy said:

Testing produces strength
Welcome! In the past two months, you have also been strengthened to deal with two diseases that you thought you would never have. As your journey progresses, you will likely find that your are a stronger, better person than at the start. I do not know if you are a person of faith, but that is what has sustained me through the past four years. I no longer doubt the power of prayer, as there were simply too many "coincidences" that have resulted in my presence on these boards. The human spirit is amazingly strong and resilient at such times.

My only advice would be to obtain second opinions on both diagnosis and treatment, as a second opinion saved my life.

Chris,

Very sorry regarding your diagnosis. I agree with Po18guy that it may be worth getting biopsies re-run on the two cancers. To have two completely differing strains appear at the same time like that is possible but very rare.

I hope you work through this to complete remission in a short while.

max

chrismc

allmost60 said:

Welcome Chris...
Hi Chris,
Welcome to the group...as you can see, you've found a great group of people for support. I'm glad you have kept your sense of humor, but also know we can have those "dark days", that sometimes stop us in our tracks....have had a few of those myself. I was diagnosed in June of 2010 with Follicular NHL-stage3-grade2-typeA. Did 6 rounds of CVP-R as my first line of chemo. Feb 2013 I will finish my 2 year maint of Rituxan, and God willing, I'll have a few trouble free years before anything new shows up. I wish you all the best and hope to hear from you often. Take care...Love...Sue (age 61)

Thanks everyone for the
Thanks everyone for the encouragement and support. Tomorrow will be my first appointment with my Hematologist Oncologist. He probably will want me to get a bone marrow biopsy which I am totally terrified. of. I was just wondering if they will give twilight before the procedure. I probably won't be having it done until after the surgery for my Uterine cancer on the 26th. Wow,Too much is going on to comprehend.

jimwins

chrismc said:

Thanks everyone for the
Thanks everyone for the encouragement and support. Tomorrow will be my first appointment with my Hematologist Oncologist. He probably will want me to get a bone marrow biopsy which I am totally terrified. of. I was just wondering if they will give twilight before the procedure. I probably won't be having it done until after the surgery for my Uterine cancer on the 26th. Wow,Too much is going on to comprehend.

Hi Chris
Hi Chris,

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow! Regarding the bone marrow biopsy,
I'll be honest, it's no fun but it's a fairly quick procedure. I was not given
any sedatives, etc. but they did a very good job of numbing the areas where
it was done (both sides for lucky me ). The biopsy is important for staging and depending on the results, treatment as well.

It would help to have someone with you for support. Also, think of us holding your hand through this. You've got friends here and are not alone.

Please keep us updated.

Hugs and positive thoughts,

Jim
DX: DLBL 4/2011, Chemo completed 10/2011, currently in remission.

allmost60

chrismc said:

Thanks everyone for the
Thanks everyone for the encouragement and support. Tomorrow will be my first appointment with my Hematologist Oncologist. He probably will want me to get a bone marrow biopsy which I am totally terrified. of. I was just wondering if they will give twilight before the procedure. I probably won't be having it done until after the surgery for my Uterine cancer on the 26th. Wow,Too much is going on to comprehend.

BMB
Hi Chris,
I did not have the same experience as Jim with my BMB. This is not ment to scare you, but in my humble opinion if I was you, I'd definetely inquire about being sedated for the procedure. If for any reason a sample is difficult to obtain on the first try, they will retry in another area of the hip, as was the case with me. It took 3 attemps to obtain enough sample for pathology and I must admit by the 3rd try I was a complete basket case. Thats not to say this will happen to you, but I'd feel bad not mentioning this to you if in the event your BMB went the same way. Since having my BMB done in July of 2010, I have learned, or have been told by my primary care physician, that being sedated is our option and there is no reason to endure pain during any procedure we have to get done. We do not need added stress to our immune systems so being sedated for me is the ONLY way to go.I personally will NEVER have another BMB done unless I am knocked out. I wish you luck and will definetely keep you in my prayers. Much love...Sue
(FNHL-2-3a-6/10)

chrismc

allmost60 said:

BMB
Hi Chris,
I did not have the same experience as Jim with my BMB. This is not ment to scare you, but in my humble opinion if I was you, I'd definetely inquire about being sedated for the procedure. If for any reason a sample is difficult to obtain on the first try, they will retry in another area of the hip, as was the case with me. It took 3 attemps to obtain enough sample for pathology and I must admit by the 3rd try I was a complete basket case. Thats not to say this will happen to you, but I'd feel bad not mentioning this to you if in the event your BMB went the same way. Since having my BMB done in July of 2010, I have learned, or have been told by my primary care physician, that being sedated is our option and there is no reason to endure pain during any procedure we have to get done. We do not need added stress to our immune systems so being sedated for me is the ONLY way to go.I personally will NEVER have another BMB done unless I am knocked out. I wish you luck and will definetely keep you in my prayers. Much love...Sue
(FNHL-2-3a-6/10)

Bone marrow biopsy
My surgery for my uterine cancer on the 26th went very well and I think I will not need further treatement. Will find out for sure on Oct 16th. Now it is time to deal with the Lymphoma. I have a bone marrow biopsy scheduled for Oct 17, and my doc agreed thay I will have it done with sedation. He said they are usually done with a local but I told him I just could not do it that way. He pressed hard on the area were the biopsy will be done, and when I said "OUCH" he said " I guess you will need the sedation for the biopsy" so glad he agreed to that.

jimwins

chrismc said:

Bone marrow biopsy
My surgery for my uterine cancer on the 26th went very well and I think I will not need further treatement. Will find out for sure on Oct 16th. Now it is time to deal with the Lymphoma. I have a bone marrow biopsy scheduled for Oct 17, and my doc agreed thay I will have it done with sedation. He said they are usually done with a local but I told him I just could not do it that way. He pressed hard on the area were the biopsy will be done, and when I said "OUCH" he said " I guess you will need the sedation for the biopsy" so glad he agreed to that.

Hi Chris
Hi Chris !

I'm glad things went well with the surgery and thanks for updating
So glad to hear you'll be sedated for the bone marrow biopsy as well.

Keeping positive thoughts for you on Oct. 16th and that you also
get good results on the BMB.


Hugs,

Jim

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

chrismc said:

Bone marrow biopsy
My surgery for my uterine cancer on the 26th went very well and I think I will not need further treatement. Will find out for sure on Oct 16th. Now it is time to deal with the Lymphoma. I have a bone marrow biopsy scheduled for Oct 17, and my doc agreed thay I will have it done with sedation. He said they are usually done with a local but I told him I just could not do it that way. He pressed hard on the area were the biopsy will be done, and when I said "OUCH" he said " I guess you will need the sedation for the biopsy" so glad he agreed to that.

BMB

Nothing wrong with demanding sedation. As hugely stressful as cancer treatment is, it is reasonable to have things done the way you prefer as often as possible. The extraction only takes about five minutes or thereabout. Best of luck with it.

max

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

chrismc said:

Bone marrow biopsy
My surgery for my uterine cancer on the 26th went very well and I think I will not need further treatement. Will find out for sure on Oct 16th. Now it is time to deal with the Lymphoma. I have a bone marrow biopsy scheduled for Oct 17, and my doc agreed thay I will have it done with sedation. He said they are usually done with a local but I told him I just could not do it that way. He pressed hard on the area were the biopsy will be done, and when I said "OUCH" he said " I guess you will need the sedation for the biopsy" so glad he agreed to that.

BMB

Nothing wrong with demanding sedation. As hugely stressful as cancer treatment is, it is reasonable to have things done the way you prefer as often as possible. The extraction only takes about five minutes or thereabout. Best of luck with it.

max

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

chrismc said:

Bone marrow biopsy
My surgery for my uterine cancer on the 26th went very well and I think I will not need further treatement. Will find out for sure on Oct 16th. Now it is time to deal with the Lymphoma. I have a bone marrow biopsy scheduled for Oct 17, and my doc agreed thay I will have it done with sedation. He said they are usually done with a local but I told him I just could not do it that way. He pressed hard on the area were the biopsy will be done, and when I said "OUCH" he said " I guess you will need the sedation for the biopsy" so glad he agreed to that.

BMB
Chris,

Glad you are doing the bmb your way. It only takes about five minutes, but it is a primitive technique. Best of luck with the results.

max

Unknown

chrismc said:

Bone marrow biopsy
My surgery for my uterine cancer on the 26th went very well and I think I will not need further treatement. Will find out for sure on Oct 16th. Now it is time to deal with the Lymphoma. I have a bone marrow biopsy scheduled for Oct 17, and my doc agreed thay I will have it done with sedation. He said they are usually done with a local but I told him I just could not do it that way. He pressed hard on the area were the biopsy will be done, and when I said "OUCH" he said " I guess you will need the sedation for the biopsy" so glad he agreed to that.

Sedation is the way to go..
I love being left in the dark

Then again, I'm a wimp.. my dentist gives me laughing gas for simple cavities-- I think he knows I secretly enjoy it.

I'm hoping the best for your BMB results!

forme

chrismc said:

Bone marrow biopsy
My surgery for my uterine cancer on the 26th went very well and I think I will not need further treatement. Will find out for sure on Oct 16th. Now it is time to deal with the Lymphoma. I have a bone marrow biopsy scheduled for Oct 17, and my doc agreed thay I will have it done with sedation. He said they are usually done with a local but I told him I just could not do it that way. He pressed hard on the area were the biopsy will be done, and when I said "OUCH" he said " I guess you will need the sedation for the biopsy" so glad he agreed to that.

Congratulations
Hi Chris

What wonderful news on the surgery. I hope you are recovering well and are getinng lots of rest.

I am so happy to see that you will be receiving sedation for the BMB. I do not do well with pain and would not do well without the sedation, So glad that you will have some..

You must still feel so overwhelmed, I know that I do. If you can try to find some moments when you can just not think about cancer and all that comes with it, that will help. Anything to take your mind to a peaceful place. Watching a movie or working on a jigsaw puzzle mostly works for me.

I'll be looking for your post after your visits on the 16th and 17th. Keep us posted.

Please feel free to private email me, it is hard to have more than one cancer going on, I know that.

Hang in there, you are doing great!

Hugs to you
Lisha

miss maggie

chrismc said:

Thanks everyone for the
Thanks everyone for the encouragement and support. Tomorrow will be my first appointment with my Hematologist Oncologist. He probably will want me to get a bone marrow biopsy which I am totally terrified. of. I was just wondering if they will give twilight before the procedure. I probably won't be having it done until after the surgery for my Uterine cancer on the 26th. Wow,Too much is going on to comprehend.

Hi Chris
Dear Chris,

I am so sorry for the struggles ahead of you. You can do it. You will be surprised to find out how really strong you really are.

I just had a thought. When you go for your Uterine surgery, can you ask the doctor to do a bone marrow biopsy also. It can't hurt to ask. I know nothing about getting twilight before your BMB. After my bone marrow biopsy, I found out about Vercet. It can be given for this kind of biopsy. There should not be a problem, only because an anesthesiologist
is not required. Insist on it.

You are in my prayers. Love Maggie

chrismc

miss maggie said:

Hi Chris
Dear Chris,

I am so sorry for the struggles ahead of you. You can do it. You will be surprised to find out how really strong you really are.

I just had a thought. When you go for your Uterine surgery, can you ask the doctor to do a bone marrow biopsy also. It can't hurt to ask. I know nothing about getting twilight before your BMB. After my bone marrow biopsy, I found out about Vercet. It can be given for this kind of biopsy. There should not be a problem, only because an anesthesiologist
is not required. Insist on it.

You are in my prayers. Love Maggie

Hi Miss Maggie
I already had the surgery for the uterine cancer so that is not an option. At the time of my surgery the Gyn/Onc did a lymph not biopsy for the Hematologist which at least saved me another procedure. I had a lymph node needle biopsy originally and the Hem/Onc wanted an incisional biopsy. As far as getting twilight for the BMB, I am only guessing that is what it may be because I had it for the CT guided needle biopsy. I guess I won't know until I have it done just what type of sedation will be used. But thanks for your suggestion and prayers,I really appreciate it.

Chris