Recovering from chemo suggestions and experiences wanted

Jane B
Jane B Member Posts: 3
in Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine) #1

Two years ago, I was diagnosed with thyroid and cervical cancer.  Since then, I've had 5 surgeries, including a double ostomy, 3 rounds of radiation and 3 rounds of chemo.  My last chemo was December 11th.  Do any of you have suggestions for a quicker recovery of energy or experiences with chemo you want to share?  I take hydrocodone (Norco) a couple of times a day when I need to be out and about, have enrolled in an exercise class and am trying to eat correctly.  I also get a monthly B-12 shot and take sodium bisulfate pills.  I'm wondering if I should ask for another blood test as I spend at least 1/2 a day on the sofa, go to bed early and get up late. I have no idea how long this chemo will keep the cancer at bay, so want to be able to enjoy life as much as possible now.

 

Comments

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #2
    What stage cervical cancer

    What stage cervical cancer were you diagnosed at?

    Considering all you've been through fatigue would be expected.  If you can get away with alternating Tylenol and Advil and dropping the hydro codon the fatigue may ease some.  Narcotics always make me sleepy and sluggish so I avoid them.  Otherwise,you seem to be on the right track with diet and exercise.  Good luck.

  • Jane B
    Jane B Member Posts: 3
    #3
    ccfighter said:

    What stage cervical cancer

    What stage cervical cancer were you diagnosed at?

    Considering all you've been through fatigue would be expected.  If you can get away with alternating Tylenol and Advil and dropping the hydro codon the fatigue may ease some.  Narcotics always make me sleepy and sluggish so I avoid them.  Otherwise,you seem to be on the right track with diet and exercise.  Good luck.

    stage IV

    I was first told it was stage IIB, but after a year, it became stage IV.  I react to codine differently than the average person--it peps me up, but don't want to rely on it for much longer.  Thanks

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #4
    Jane B said:

    stage IV

    I was first told it was stage IIB, but after a year, it became stage IV.  I react to codine differently than the average person--it peps me up, but don't want to rely on it for much longer.  Thanks

    I was 2a but 6 months after

    I was 2a but 6 months after treatment I am 4b also.  Met to lung and abdominal was.  Where was yours?

  • Jane B
    Jane B Member Posts: 3
    #5
    ccfighter said:

    I was 2a but 6 months after

    I was 2a but 6 months after treatment I am 4b also.  Met to lung and abdominal was.  Where was yours?

    Location of cancer

    After my hysterectomy and radiation, my doctor actually used the word cure.  Then at my 6 week check up, he found a bad spot near the old cervical area and it was positive for cancer.  That is when he did the double ostomy and then 8 sessions of follow up chemo.  I have had two CT scans that show no cancer so far now and the doctor said that he had cut out all of the visible cancer, but they will not use the word cure again.  It could show up again at any time, so we never feel safe from worry.  I hope that there will be treatments that will help give you many more years.  What treatments have you had so far? 

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #6
    Jane B said:

    Location of cancer

    After my hysterectomy and radiation, my doctor actually used the word cure.  Then at my 6 week check up, he found a bad spot near the old cervical area and it was positive for cancer.  That is when he did the double ostomy and then 8 sessions of follow up chemo.  I have had two CT scans that show no cancer so far now and the doctor said that he had cut out all of the visible cancer, but they will not use the word cure again.  It could show up again at any time, so we never feel safe from worry.  I hope that there will be treatments that will help give you many more years.  What treatments have you had so far? 

    I had a radical hysterectomy

    I had a radical hysterectomy followed by three rounds of carbo/taxol then EBRT with weekly cisplatin for 5 weeks 2 internal radiation and two more rounds of carbo.  My follow up pet/ct was clear except for a lung nodule.  We watched.  Two months later the nodule never changed.  Two months after that it had grown and there was a new tumor on my abdominal wall in the pelvis.  I had both of them surgically resected and will start carbo/gemzar in a week and some radiation to the abdominal wall.

    How were you reclassified as stage 4?  It seems you had a recurrence at the original site.  Why the double ostomy?  Wat chemo did you use.  What is youhistology?  Squamous or adeno?  Sorry for all the questions.  Always trying to figure all this cancer stuff out. Hugs.

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