Recurrent cervical cancer

24

Comments

  • beckyracn
    beckyracn Member Posts: 322
    #22
    kimmiehedg said:

    Glad to hear you are feeling
    Glad to hear you are feeling better already. Now hurry up and pass gas so you can get home for Christmas! I've been thinking and praying for you every day. My surgery went ok........got most of the cancer but culdnt get it all because it was to risky since it was wrapped around my ureter and next to a large group of blood vessels and a large group of nerves that control my leg. I meet with the Dr on the 26th to get staples removed and go over our next step. I was so happy to hear your surgery went well!!! Keep me posted on your next steps. Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy your kiddos!

    Wishing you the best kimmie

    Wishing you the best kimmie and glad to here your home from your surgery. I wish you only the best on your follow up visit! Hang in there!!

  • kimmiehedg
    kimmiehedg Member Posts: 27
    #23
    I'm so happy you made it home

    I'm so happy you made it home for Christmas!!!!!!!!  Glad to hear you arent in too much pain.  I too had a vertical incision........thankfully I just had my staples removed today......what a difference!  My dr said we will do another scan Jan 30 to see if anything is going on...........praying harder than ever!  My dr did do radiation duting surgery since he couldnt get the whole thing.  Hopefully the raidation killed any cancer cells left.........a girl can dream right?!    What is your game plan?

     

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #24
    kimmiehedg said:

    I'm so happy you made it home

    I'm so happy you made it home for Christmas!!!!!!!!  Glad to hear you arent in too much pain.  I too had a vertical incision........thankfully I just had my staples removed today......what a difference!  My dr said we will do another scan Jan 30 to see if anything is going on...........praying harder than ever!  My dr did do radiation duting surgery since he couldnt get the whole thing.  Hopefully the raidation killed any cancer cells left.........a girl can dream right?!    What is your game plan?

     

    Glad to hear your post

    Glad to hear your post surgical appointment went well.  Staples out and well on your way to recovery.  So glad they were able to do the radiation during surgery.  I'm sure they wiped out any remaining cancer cells.  Keep on dreaming of the future girl.  You'll be there.

    I don't have a game plan yet but I'm pretty sure it's going to be a long hard battle.  I'll probably be doing high dose chemo and  low dose chemo concurrent with IMRT radiation again.  Not lookingforward to it.  Trying to keep my spirits up and my positive attitude but really having a hard time with this quick recurrence.  Not to mention, since it's traveled to my lung and is a distant metastasis, well...you know, my odds aren't so good.  I guess I'm lucky that everything was able to be surgically debulked.  Now I'm fighting those micro metastasis.  

    I will let you know my plan when I have it.  In the mean time still trying to work though the chest pain associated with the lung surgery.  Ouch!

  • mroberts0326
    mroberts0326 Member Posts: 1
    #25
    Scared to death

    I was diagnosed with cervical cancer on July 5, 2012 through biopsy.   I had a radical hysterectomy (using robotics) on August 30, 2012.   The doctors sent everything to be biopsied and out of 14 lymph nodes, 1 came back positive for cancer.  I had to heal so I waited 6 weeks to start treatments.  I am just now finishing up with 25 external radiation treatments, 6 internal radiation treatments and 5 chemo treatments.  I have felt pretty good through this whole process.  Chemo was a weak dose (cysplatin) so I didn't even lose my hair.   Worst week was the last week of radiation and they said that is a cummulative effect of the treatments.  After reading all the comments on here, I am terrified that it will come back.  I go back on January 16th and they will tell me what future scans are in store for me.  What do you all think I should request be done and how often??  Also, does anybody know if the Cancer Treatment Centers of America will see you just to do a PET scan or like 2nd opinion.  I know they are for advanced cancer so just curious.   Thanks in advance!! 

  • smotsch
    smotsch Member Posts: 2
    #26

    I am saddened to hear of anyone having to go through a 2nd round of treatments - as if the first aren't bad enough.  I am 5 years out from Stage IIB and am always fearful that I will have a recurrence.  I was looking for more information on where recurences occour.  I thought it was the lungs but after reading here I am questioning that. 

     

    Stay strong - allow others to help - never give up!

  • smotsch
    smotsch Member Posts: 2
    #27
    mroberts0326 said:

    Scared to death

    I was diagnosed with cervical cancer on July 5, 2012 through biopsy.   I had a radical hysterectomy (using robotics) on August 30, 2012.   The doctors sent everything to be biopsied and out of 14 lymph nodes, 1 came back positive for cancer.  I had to heal so I waited 6 weeks to start treatments.  I am just now finishing up with 25 external radiation treatments, 6 internal radiation treatments and 5 chemo treatments.  I have felt pretty good through this whole process.  Chemo was a weak dose (cysplatin) so I didn't even lose my hair.   Worst week was the last week of radiation and they said that is a cummulative effect of the treatments.  After reading all the comments on here, I am terrified that it will come back.  I go back on January 16th and they will tell me what future scans are in store for me.  What do you all think I should request be done and how often??  Also, does anybody know if the Cancer Treatment Centers of America will see you just to do a PET scan or like 2nd opinion.  I know they are for advanced cancer so just curious.   Thanks in advance!! 

    I am not familiar with Cancer Treatment Centers - the biggest problem I had was getting my insurance to approve the PET Scan.  I only had the one a few days after my diagnosis and haven't had to have any more (5 years ago).  I look forward to reading wht you find out. 

     

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #28
    mroberts0326 said:

    Scared to death

    I was diagnosed with cervical cancer on July 5, 2012 through biopsy.   I had a radical hysterectomy (using robotics) on August 30, 2012.   The doctors sent everything to be biopsied and out of 14 lymph nodes, 1 came back positive for cancer.  I had to heal so I waited 6 weeks to start treatments.  I am just now finishing up with 25 external radiation treatments, 6 internal radiation treatments and 5 chemo treatments.  I have felt pretty good through this whole process.  Chemo was a weak dose (cysplatin) so I didn't even lose my hair.   Worst week was the last week of radiation and they said that is a cummulative effect of the treatments.  After reading all the comments on here, I am terrified that it will come back.  I go back on January 16th and they will tell me what future scans are in store for me.  What do you all think I should request be done and how often??  Also, does anybody know if the Cancer Treatment Centers of America will see you just to do a PET scan or like 2nd opinion.  I know they are for advanced cancer so just curious.   Thanks in advance!! 

    I'm sorry you have had to

    I'm sorry you have had to deal with this disease.  Usually the follow up surveillance is a pet/ct done three months after completion of treatment and then a ct scan every 3-6 months for two years then continued scans and paps for another three years.  Good luck.  Trust your intuition.

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #29
    smotsch said:

    I am saddened to hear of anyone having to go through a 2nd round of treatments - as if the first aren't bad enough.  I am 5 years out from Stage IIB and am always fearful that I will have a recurrence.  I was looking for more information on where recurences occour.  I thought it was the lungs but after reading here I am questioning that. 

     

    Stay strong - allow others to help - never give up!

    Congratulations of your 5

    Congratulations of your 5 years cancer free!

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #30
    Surgical follow up today and

    Surgical follow up today and all path came back as recurrent cervical cancer and will soon begin 6 rounds of chemo with yet to be determined poison.  Perhaps radiation will follow.  Prognosis is 10% for disease free survival.  Not too happy.  Any suggestions on how to be part of that 10%?

  • debrajo
    debrajo Member Posts: 1,095 Member
    #31
    ccfighter said:

    Surgical follow up today and

    Surgical follow up today and all path came back as recurrent cervical cancer and will soon begin 6 rounds of chemo with yet to be determined poison.  Perhaps radiation will follow.  Prognosis is 10% for disease free survival.  Not too happy.  Any suggestions on how to be part of that 10%?

    10%

    So sorry dear....but why NOT you(in the 10%)?  SOMEONE has to make up the stats,why not ccfighter?  Will be praying for the 10% solution!  Best, debrajo

  • kimmiehedg
    kimmiehedg Member Posts: 27
    #32
    is that what the prognosis is

    is that what the prognosis is for recurrent cervical cancer?  I thought you couldnt do radiation if you already had it in your pelvic region? 

    maybe you are in the 10%............the art of positive thinking.......it's hard isnt it??

     

     

     

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #33
    Yes, the 10% is given for

    Yes, the 10% is given for recurrence but probably worse for me since I have a lung met also, which of course is a distant metastasis.  The metastasis in mypelvis in on the abdominal wall.  This is tissue that was not targeted for radiation previously, as originally the radiation is targeted to the pelvic lymph nodes and their surrounding tissue, the vagianl cuff and the pelvic side walls.  this tissue is very close to the previously radiated tissue and requires me to seek out an excellent radiation oncologist that feels comfortable radiating so near the other tissue.  Essentially, the radiation has to be controlled to only penetrate as deep as my abdominal wall and no further as that would re-radiate the pelvic area.  All this really worries me and i wish my oncologist would have just been moree aggressive surgically so I wouldn't have to worry about radiation.  AHHhH!  I hate that I don't have any control over any of this.  I'm fighting a battle with a double edge sword and no armor.  And my opponent does not fight with any honor.  

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #34
    ccfighter said:

    Yes, the 10% is given for

    Yes, the 10% is given for recurrence but probably worse for me since I have a lung met also, which of course is a distant metastasis.  The metastasis in mypelvis in on the abdominal wall.  This is tissue that was not targeted for radiation previously, as originally the radiation is targeted to the pelvic lymph nodes and their surrounding tissue, the vagianl cuff and the pelvic side walls.  this tissue is very close to the previously radiated tissue and requires me to seek out an excellent radiation oncologist that feels comfortable radiating so near the other tissue.  Essentially, the radiation has to be controlled to only penetrate as deep as my abdominal wall and no further as that would re-radiate the pelvic area.  All this really worries me and i wish my oncologist would have just been moree aggressive surgically so I wouldn't have to worry about radiation.  AHHhH!  I hate that I don't have any control over any of this.  I'm fighting a battle with a double edge sword and no armor.  And my opponent does not fight with any honor.  

    Starting chemo next week with

    Starting chemo next week with carbo/taxol?  Ugg.  Those are long infusions days.  Going bald again.  Seems my tumor has been sent out for chemo sensitivity testing and will change cnecessary that test comes back with a better chemo.  Radiation will be included somewhere in the mix.  Don't know where yet.

  • babe12
    babe12 Member Posts: 103
    #35
    ccfighter said:

    Starting chemo next week with

    Starting chemo next week with carbo/taxol?  Ugg.  Those are long infusions days.  Going bald again.  Seems my tumor has been sent out for chemo sensitivity testing and will change cnecessary that test comes back with a better chemo.  Radiation will be included somewhere in the mix.  Don't know where yet.

    God bless you ccfighter, you

    God bless you ccfighter, you are such a brave woman with an incredible attitude. You inspire so many and I wish you the best with your treatment. You are so young and a fighter, you can do this!!!!!!

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #36
    babe12 said:

    God bless you ccfighter, you

    God bless you ccfighter, you are such a brave woman with an incredible attitude. You inspire so many and I wish you the best with your treatment. You are so young and a fighter, you can do this!!!!!!

    Thank you Babe 12,
    If nothing

    Thank you Babe 12,

    If nothing else, I hope I can ease the fear of the unknown for the next whose misfortune finds them engaged in this battle.

    God's Speed, and positive energy for us all.  Be well.

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #37
    Got second opinion.
    Dr thinks

    Got second opinion.

    Dr thinks another surgery to get better margins or radiation either standard or cyber knife.  Doesn't have much faith in chemo for cervical cancer.  Now I have some thinking to do.

  • kimmiehedg
    kimmiehedg Member Posts: 27
    #38
    cc.......glad to hear you got

    cc.......glad to hear you got a 2nd opinion.  are you up for another surgery?  i thought you had good margins on this past surgery?

     

  • May1976
    May1976 Member Posts: 2
    #39
    Abdominal pain with recurrent cervical cancer

    I am new to this site.  I did not know that these sites existed.  I have all these things happening and did not have anyone to talk to that knows what I am going through, though at the same time I am sorry that others have to go through this terrible disease.   I was diagnosed with stage IB1 squamous cell carcinoma of my cervix in November 2009 and underwent a radical hysterectomy.  At that time I went through chemo radiation treatments.  I was okay for a year and then in March 2011 the cancer came back.  I completed 10 cycles of chemo at md Anderson but then had to stop because of blockages And the excrutiating pain that came with them.  The next couple of scans came out clean but then this past September they did a biopsy on my ovaries and it came back as metastatic  squamous cell carcinoma.  They were unable to do surgery because the tumors that are on my ovaries and blader are also stuck to blood vessels.  I am getting attacks of unbearable pains in my abdominal area.  It feels like it did when I had the blockages, but the doctors say I don't.  It feels like the worst gas pains in your life, my stomache feels very bloated, i can't go to the bathroom and no amount of pain medication helps.  i have to go to the ER, and only after they put in a catheter and I am on IV pain meds for a couple of days does the pain subside.   I go home for a few days and then it starts again and I am back in the hospital.  Has anyone had this happen to them and found a solution?  The doctors say I need to have chemo again, but if I am getting these attacks without chemo I am terrified of what will happen with chemo.  Any advice would be appreciated.  

  • May1976
    May1976 Member Posts: 2
    #40
    Abdominal pain with recurrent cervical cancer

    I am new to this site.  I did not know that these sites existed.  I have all these things happening and did not have anyone to talk to that knows what I am going through, though at the same time I am sorry that others have to go through this terrible disease.   I was diagnosed with stage IB1 squamous cell carcinoma of my cervix in November 2009 and underwent a radical hysterectomy.  At that time I went through chemo radiation treatments.  I was okay for a year and then in March 2011 the cancer came back.  I completed 10 cycles of chemo at md Anderson but then had to stop because of blockages And the excrutiating pain that came with them.  The next couple of scans came out clean but then this past September they did a biopsy on my ovaries and it came back as metastatic  squamous cell carcinoma.  They were unable to do surgery because the tumors that are on my ovaries and blader are also stuck to blood vessels.  I am getting attacks of unbearable pains in my abdominal area.  It feels like it did when I had the blockages, but the doctors say I don't.  It feels like the worst gas pains in your life, my stomache feels very bloated, i can't go to the bathroom and no amount of pain medication helps.  i have to go to the ER, and only after they put in a catheter and I am on IV pain meds for a couple of days does the pain subside.   I go home for a few days and then it starts again and I am back in the hospital.  Has anyone had this happen to them and found a solution?  The doctors say I need to have chemo again, but if I am getting these attacks without chemo I am terrified of what will happen with chemo.  Any advice would be appreciated.  

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #41
    kimmiehedg said:

    cc.......glad to hear you got

    cc.......glad to hear you got a 2nd opinion.  are you up for another surgery?  i thought you had good margins on this past surgery?

     

    The lung resection was fine

    The lung resection was fine but the pelvic tumor the closet margin was 1 mm.  It's freaking me out.  another surgerywould not be fun, especially since they may have to do some reconstruction of the abdominal wall to close me, but of it is the matter of getting it all out in hopes I never deal with this again than that is what I must do.  it would certainly be more effective than chemo.  Though,I would probably do chemo after surgery anyway.  Since this recurrence is in an area that is amenable to surgery, then I think that wold be my best shot.  Really just wish it was done right the first time around. 

     

    How are you kimmie?  Feeling good?

Discussion Boards