sick of being sick

Mo
Mo Member Posts: 9
in Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine) #1
I am a 33 years old with stage 1b2 cervical cancer. I recently went through a radical hysterectomy and now after doctors seeing my tumor, and successfully removing it, it was larger than they thought..... So as a precaution I have to endure radiation therapy. Other than my cancer I am fit, healthy, and active.

Can anyone please tell me what to expect? Will I be able to work? Have fun with my kids? Will I be able to go on adventures, or do I need to stay close to home? I am already sick of being sick.

Comments

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #2
    I'm SO sorry u are going
    I'm SO sorry u are going though this. I am 33 also and was diagnosed with 2a cervical cancer in november. I have had a radical hysterectomy and chemo and am toward the end of my chemo-radiation. If you are not having chemo then chances are you will be able to work and function near to normal. You may fatigue easier, and may frequent the bathroom a little more often than you usually do. Everyone respond differently, but myself have faired rather well, just more tired than I usually am, and with the chemo, also a bit nauseas.
  • ppaseka
    ppaseka Member Posts: 70
    #3
    ccfighter said:

    I'm SO sorry u are going
    I'm SO sorry u are going though this. I am 33 also and was diagnosed with 2a cervical cancer in november. I have had a radical hysterectomy and chemo and am toward the end of my chemo-radiation. If you are not having chemo then chances are you will be able to work and function near to normal. You may fatigue easier, and may frequent the bathroom a little more often than you usually do. Everyone respond differently, but myself have faired rather well, just more tired than I usually am, and with the chemo, also a bit nauseas.

    Working
    My wife is 44, has stage IV cancer of the Bartholins gland, had a partial vulvectomy, returned part time,back to work after 5 1/2 weeks, went through 28 radiation treatments along with chemo weekly for six weeks, has started chemo again once every three weeks along with Xeloda orally two weeks on one off. She has worked 7+ hours everyday except chemo days, which takes 7 hours. She has not been sick other than extreme diarrhea during radiation. She had no symptoms other than a little tender spot in her right groin where cancer had mets to lymph nodes. She was perfectly healthy, and still is other than she has cancer. Attitude along with being very proactive with your oncologist as far as treating symptoms, goes a long way.
  • Mo
    Mo Member Posts: 9
    #4
    ccfighter said:

    I'm SO sorry u are going
    I'm SO sorry u are going though this. I am 33 also and was diagnosed with 2a cervical cancer in november. I have had a radical hysterectomy and chemo and am toward the end of my chemo-radiation. If you are not having chemo then chances are you will be able to work and function near to normal. You may fatigue easier, and may frequent the bathroom a little more often than you usually do. Everyone respond differently, but myself have faired rather well, just more tired than I usually am, and with the chemo, also a bit nauseas.

    Thank you
    @ CCFighter- Oh good. No I am not having chemo. I just hate being so dependent on others at the moment. I cannot wait to drive again! LOL! Did you have to change your diet? Do you workout? Also does the radiation hurt? My first appointment with the Radiation Oncologist is next week. Thank you, I wish you the best with your treatments.
  • Mo
    Mo Member Posts: 9
    #5
    ppaseka said:

    Working
    My wife is 44, has stage IV cancer of the Bartholins gland, had a partial vulvectomy, returned part time,back to work after 5 1/2 weeks, went through 28 radiation treatments along with chemo weekly for six weeks, has started chemo again once every three weeks along with Xeloda orally two weeks on one off. She has worked 7+ hours everyday except chemo days, which takes 7 hours. She has not been sick other than extreme diarrhea during radiation. She had no symptoms other than a little tender spot in her right groin where cancer had mets to lymph nodes. She was perfectly healthy, and still is other than she has cancer. Attitude along with being very proactive with your oncologist as far as treating symptoms, goes a long way.

    Positive Attitude
    Yes, I am told by many attitude is everything! I hope your wife gets better soon!:)
  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #6
    Mo said:

    Thank you
    @ CCFighter- Oh good. No I am not having chemo. I just hate being so dependent on others at the moment. I cannot wait to drive again! LOL! Did you have to change your diet? Do you workout? Also does the radiation hurt? My first appointment with the Radiation Oncologist is next week. Thank you, I wish you the best with your treatments.

    I did alter my diet a little
    I did alter my diet a little for the radiation. They will advise a low fiber/low residue diet so the bowels don't have to work hard as they are irritated by the radiation. I cut back on the fresh fruit and veggies and stuck with banannas, rice krispies, simple pasta and potatoes and any kind of meat. I don't workout. Three kids is enough of a workout for me. I am not as active as I was before my diagnosis. I had a radical hysterectomy in November, started on high dose carbo/taxol for three rounds, Then started cisplatin concurrent with external beam radiation to the pelvis. Three more treatments and I move on to internal radiation for two sessions. So, I am way more beat up by the treatment than you will be, and am still doing light housework, taking the kids to school and such. But I am ready for bed by 7 in the evening. The radiation is totally painless and I have no burns or skin irritations. I am receiving radiation by IMRT. A machine moves around my pelvis 180 degrees radiating from all angels. Takes like 5 mins for the actual treatment. You feel nothing. I feel asleep on the table yesterday, that is how benign the actual treatment experience is. Why are they recommending radiation for you?
  • Mo
    Mo Member Posts: 9
    #7
    ccfighter said:

    I did alter my diet a little
    I did alter my diet a little for the radiation. They will advise a low fiber/low residue diet so the bowels don't have to work hard as they are irritated by the radiation. I cut back on the fresh fruit and veggies and stuck with banannas, rice krispies, simple pasta and potatoes and any kind of meat. I don't workout. Three kids is enough of a workout for me. I am not as active as I was before my diagnosis. I had a radical hysterectomy in November, started on high dose carbo/taxol for three rounds, Then started cisplatin concurrent with external beam radiation to the pelvis. Three more treatments and I move on to internal radiation for two sessions. So, I am way more beat up by the treatment than you will be, and am still doing light housework, taking the kids to school and such. But I am ready for bed by 7 in the evening. The radiation is totally painless and I have no burns or skin irritations. I am receiving radiation by IMRT. A machine moves around my pelvis 180 degrees radiating from all angels. Takes like 5 mins for the actual treatment. You feel nothing. I feel asleep on the table yesterday, that is how benign the actual treatment experience is. Why are they recommending radiation for you?

    My tumor was 7cm 2 of which
    My tumor was 7cm 2 of which was in wall. My doctor as a precautionary wants me to have radiation done, so there is no chance of it coming back. Originally they gave me a choice surgery or radiation, They thought my tumor was only 3 or 4cm and not in wall. I chose surgery, knowing I still might need radiation. This is all so much to learn about, and hearing from someone my age going through it helps. Thank you.
  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #8
    Mo said:

    My tumor was 7cm 2 of which
    My tumor was 7cm 2 of which was in wall. My doctor as a precautionary wants me to have radiation done, so there is no chance of it coming back. Originally they gave me a choice surgery or radiation, They thought my tumor was only 3 or 4cm and not in wall. I chose surgery, knowing I still might need radiation. This is all so much to learn about, and hearing from someone my age going through it helps. Thank you.

    They thought mine was only 3
    They thought mine was only 3 or 4 cm also, it was 5cm. It was also adenosquamous carcinoma and not the common squamous carcinoma. Plus it was in 2 of my lymph nodes. That is why my treatment is so aggressive. Did they do staging with lymph nodes for you? I assume they were all negative since you are not getting chemo. Good luck to you. This will fly by quick. I was driving again within three weeks of my surgery and driving during radiation is not a problem.
  • Mo
    Mo Member Posts: 9
    #9
    ccfighter said:

    They thought mine was only 3
    They thought mine was only 3 or 4 cm also, it was 5cm. It was also adenosquamous carcinoma and not the common squamous carcinoma. Plus it was in 2 of my lymph nodes. That is why my treatment is so aggressive. Did they do staging with lymph nodes for you? I assume they were all negative since you are not getting chemo. Good luck to you. This will fly by quick. I was driving again within three weeks of my surgery and driving during radiation is not a problem.

    thanks
    All negative yes. Thank you so much for the info. good luck to you as well!

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