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

Mdotsie47 said:

Just had second chemo
My second chemo was three days ago. Yesterday and today my entire body has been in pain, a deep intense ache. I want to get up and move but really have so little energy that a Percocet, heating pad, and a curl-up under the covers is about all I'm good for today. This happened last month, too, so I know it will pass.

I admire all of you who exercise right through it. I do move around as much as I can, but I've got to do more.
Since I started chemo I've dropped off some of my complementary therapies, but I still do the leafy greens and pomegranate juice.

Has anyone else been advised to take live probiotics? Do you know why this was recommended to me?

After all I've read about what works and what doesn't, my impression is nutrition and lots of exercise are the most effective complements to medical treatments. Yesterday I read that a new study has found that an aspirin a day can help delay tumor growth in uterine and some other cancers.

Anyone know about this?

Up dates
Hi Mdotsie47, I've been wondering how you are doing. I say a prayer for you every day. So sorry to hear that the chemo is really knocking you out like that. At least it sounds as though it will be over in a day or so. Let your body rest if that is what it needs!! I get a very red, hot, itchy face the day after my treatment (carboplatin and taxol). I take Senecot so I don't get constipated. I have heard aspirin can help, I thought it was mainly colon cancer, not sure. Someone sent me an email about asparagus, so I have some morning and evening. I've also heard tumeric kills tumors. I sprinkle some in my oatmeal along with cinamon, blueberries, flax seeds, two egg whites, small bits of apple,pecans or walnuts. Quite a concoction, but doesn't tasete bad. My diet is not as good as it should be cause I don't really have the motivation to cook anything.

I don't know if it is brain fog, or what, but I missed an appointment with my oncologist last week, and one with my regular doctor this week. Thought they were on different days or weeks.

I'm not feeling too bad, however, I now have numbness under my arm pit (been there since the beginning) and it has moved in one day down to my wrist. My thoracic surgeon asked if my little fingers or fingers were numb when I met him back in January, so I guess that must be the progression. It worries me that perhaps the tumor is growing and not shrinking - however I am going to be healed and it will go away eventually.

I have gone to two healing services. If you believe in Jesus this might help you. In the Bible, Jesus never refused to heal anyone who asked Him for healing. Jesus is the same today as yesterday, so He still will heal if we ask. I Peter 2:24 says "by His stripes you have been healed." He has already provided the healing if we have the faith to accept.

I have my third chemo on Thursday if my white blood cell count is good. Last week it was okay, but I had taken 3 neupogen shots in the days before. I'm hoping my counts are good so I can get the chemo. We are planning to go on a 3 week vacation the next week right after my blood work is done. If I have to get chemo, it will delay us at least a day. I'm feeling good enough that we decided to drive instead of taking a plane. Plus, it eliminated any changes in flights and car rentals if my chemo was delayed.

Best Wishes to all on this site. May the precious blood of Jesus shield us from all diseases and evil.

bonniep said:

I've read all the comments
I've read all the comments pertaing to Mets to the lungs and I also am one of you. My recurrence was in Jan, 2012 (exactly 1 year NED). I went in for pain in neck, shoulder, arm. CT scan showed 4cm x 3.5cm mass in Supraclavicular lymph node and small spots on top left & right lobes & several smaller spots in the remainder of the lungs. I've been on Taxol/Carbo since Jan, 16th. The mass has significantly reduced in size (sight & touch) and my CA125 has fallen from 79 to 35. Through all of this, the main focus has been the mass in my neck. My ONC (whom I trust) has not been the least bit concerned about the lungs. He says the chemo will take care of it. Frankly, I haven't been concerned either, until now - my mind at work! I feel like I'm getting congestion or the typical symptoms I've experienced my whole life when I get bronchitis or an upper respiratory infection when I didn't have any spots on my lungs. Up to this point I have not felt anything pertaining to my lungs with the spots being diagnosed. Is it possible to just get the normal, everyday colds & infections without them being related to cancer? I do have my CT scan scheduled for tomorrow and will know the results on Monday. I'll also have Chemo #5. Just trying to prepare for the worst while expecting the best. How bad does Mets to the lungs have to get before you experience symptoms from the cancer?

symptoms from cancer
I found out my shoulder and back pain and very full feeling in the center of my chest was due to two tumors of about 60+mm on each side at the very top. I think this translates to 6cm or about 3 inches. It is also in my aortal lymph nodes, 5 lit up. At first I didn't think it could be cancer in the lung because we were in Florida and I was swimming laps holding my breath and I could hold it just as long as always. However, by the end of January I was getting very short of breath when I stood for just 5-10 minutes. This has improved to about 30-50 minutes since chemo started. If I lift heavy things, or stand, bend, move a lot to do household chores, I still get short of breath. I was babysitting my two granddaughters 1 and 4 yesterday. After 3 hours of picking up the one year old a half dozen times, I was ready for a nap and really tired the rest of the day. When I saw my thoracic surgeon on Jan 16, I had no cough,no blood spitting, or numbness in my arm. All of those symptoms have come. Cough is now seldom, I coughed some type of bloodied flesh only two times. There was numbness under my arm from the very beginning. On Palm Sunday it moved all the way down to my wrist and I do feel tingles in my finger tips. I'm praying my chemo today will end that. My other symptom is that I only sweat on half of my body. I've been told by an online doctor that it is due to the tumor pressing against a bundle of nerves under my right shoulder in the back. I have had a few days where I also felt congested, like a cold might be coming on. I think those days related to sinus draining during the night. My oncologist seemed sure that the carbo/taxol would do the trick. She said they have had great results. She does not do the CA125 blood test. I go for a ct scan in May. My left side quit hurting right away, My right side has gradually gone from a pain of about 4 down to .5 or 1. It has been a little more lately and that is a worry. However, I am believing God has already provided for my healing and has told me it is coming and to be patient. Since your nodules were small, and you have already had 4 treatments, I'd bet they are gone or nearly so and you are feeling a normal cold type of congestions. Stay away from ill people. Eat healthy. Have you had any neupogen shots to improve your white blood cell count. I have once and imagine I will again as my counts do down gradually over the weeks between chemo. My chemo is supposed to be 6 treatments once a month over 6 months. What is yours? Good luck, let us know what the CT says.

Karenhopeful said:

Checking in
Wow, almost a month since my last post. I was feeling really good for a while. We were on vacation, well actually a work week at our rental home in Florida. I felt normal and did normal things-compared to doing practically nothing before. By the end of the week, I was tired and my shoulder/back area started hurting again. I've been taking my 800 ibuprofin again which I hadn't used in a month. Also I feel more uncomfortable under my arm and across my chest, even a sharp pain when I cough, which I am doing a little more of again. Tomorrow I go for a CT scan to see what effect the chemo has had. Three weeks ago, I'd have said, the tumors are really disappearing. Today I am worried that it is growing. I'll let you know. I've had 3 carbo/taxol chemo treatments so far, just one a month. 3 more were scheduled. I sure hope it is working and nothing new shows!!!!!! The tumor is pressing a nerve bundle near my shoulder blade area. This has caused me to sweat on only one side of my body, and my whole underarm has a kind of numb feeling, including in the underarm area of my chest. I think I'll hear results on Tuesday.

Karen
Thanks for the update. I will be thinking of you and praying that you continue to respond well to treatment.

Keep us posted. Hugs, Mary Ann

Karenhopeful said:

Ct scan and bone scan
My ct showed all three tumors with mild regression - good news.
However, it showed a small new growth in the area of regression - not so good.
Cancer had invaded a bone near the tumor a half an inch, no other cancer in bones according to bone scan.
I go tomorrow to consult with radiologist. According to my oncologist only 3-10 zaps will be needed, they will be less invasive than after my hysterectomy and have less side effects. I'll also get a bone strengthener added to my chemo concoction. I'll get my 4th chemo this Thursday. We will do #4 and #5 and then a ct scan to see if they have reduced enough for surgery. Thoracic surgeon says they must be under 2cm and are currently about 4.8 (down from 7.8) If not, I suppose we go ahead with #6 as planned and maybe more?? Don't really know.
Unfortunately, I am in a lot more pain. My shoulder back area are aching all the time, I am sore to throbing in my underarm between elbow and shoulder, my arm pit and often one side of my breast in that area are very uncomfortable. My oncologist thinks it might relate to cancer in the bone. She did give me a new medication to quiet the nerves that are poking me with needle like jabs. I thought it was helping, but I was hurting so much I also started taking my ibuprofin along with the nerve medication and don't feel comfortable at all.Near tears sometimes - well that could be the medication cause it can cause depression. I'm trying so hard not to be depressed and think positive. I am almost ready to try the narcodin, with a narcotic. I didn't want to use it, but I hate hurting. I'll try to remember to post what the radiologist says tomorrow.

additional ct scan
Other good news from the ct scan was that it was not in any new places like kidney, liver, pancreas, neck tissues, and the lymph nodes that had lit up before did not light up this time.

SedonaStardust said:

What a great current forum...my thanks to all of you for your honesty and courage! I too had uterine cancer for which I underwent a total hysterectomy late Dec. 2011 (S3G1) Recommendation after healing was a combination of chemo/radiation. I opted for radiation and completed 25 sessions mid April. In the past 3 weeks, a CT scan and lung biopsy have been diagnosed as uterine cancer mets to right lung. Recommendation is chemotherapy--which I am scheduling asap.

My reason for posting tonight is in response to several comments in the last 10 or so posts. Numbness and tingling can be a common side effect of chemotherapy...I've already been warned by my chemo consult that I will more than likely experience this myself. To Mdotsie47--you inquired about pro-biotics. (Lactobacillin/Acidophilus) What they are is a "good" bacteria that would normally exist in our upper and lower intestine that helps digest our food and provides balance. Whenever we ingest antibiotics such as amoxicillin and certainly radiation and chemo--it kills all those "good" guys off, often resulting in diarrhea. I took them continually during my radiation. They are easily found anywhere wherever supplements are sold, and VERY inexpensive. (Another new source I've just found is Vitacost.com (in USA) with free shipping on $25. of their product...their prices are very competitive, and I don't normally recommend anybody) I also suffer from many aches and severe pains in my back and shoulder areas--for me, much of it is brought on my all the stress and anxiety most of us are experiencing, though much can also be due to actual physical reasons. I cannot express how important getting some bodywork done can be--be it massage or acupuncture. If you live in a large city, you might be lucky enough to have a local massage school which can offer double the time for 1/4 to 1/2 the price--plus specials. If not, Google massage therapists in your town and find out who offers what. I don't think that if ever in our lives, it is more important to pamper our bodies then right now going through this...and I am one broke little puppy. Throw in some meditation or guided imagery while you are on the table. Yes, I am having to deal with mainstream medicine, but I am also supplementing it with any alternative healing aspect that intuitively feels right to me. Bless all here and let's take it one day at a time ...Hugs, Sedona

Radiologist
She was very straight forward, no sugar coatings as I think I've been getting with my oncologist. Radiation is only palliative: cancer won't be cured but maybe I can feel better living with it. Doubtful that there would ever be any surgery since there are 4 separate places. Yes this is stage 4 grade 3. My oncologist only said figo 3- maybe to make me think I had a chance at a longer survival??. I also saw some reports that said it started at 9.9 cm - I never saw these or heard this information before! The rib cancer probably was caused by the tumor abutting it not through cells in the blood. The rib also has a fracture! She reccommends treating all the soft tissue in the area of the bone cancer at the same time, 15-20 treatments. As compared to my oncologist who said just 3 little zaps on that little spot. She said if she just did 3 small zaps to the bone, she probably could not go in later to do the tumor around it. The tumor is curling toward my top 4 vertebrae and she would like to stop it from getting there as I could become paralyzed if it wraps those nerves too tightly. It is around the nerves of at least one rib and those nerves along with the bundle in my shoulder are probably causeing all my pain. She thinks the small tingles in my fingertips may be neuropathy from the chemo, that the horners syndrome would affect just the little finger and ring finger. She said I definitely have horners syndrome sypmtoms. The radiation will cause a burn on my shoulder and ulcers in my esophagus- oh, it is also pressing against my esophagus. She suggested a mood enhancer drug. I didn't take my 2 pain pills last night or today, and don't feel any worse or any better. Not going to take those anymore. I might start the narcoden. Good suggestion about massage or accupuncture and the probiotics. I think yogurt may be a favorite food in the near future. Easy to swallow and mild. My mind is not in a happy place today. Maybe I need the mood enhancers.

Karenhopeful said:

Radiologist
She was very straight forward, no sugar coatings as I think I've been getting with my oncologist. Radiation is only palliative: cancer won't be cured but maybe I can feel better living with it. Doubtful that there would ever be any surgery since there are 4 separate places. Yes this is stage 4 grade 3. My oncologist only said figo 3- maybe to make me think I had a chance at a longer survival??. I also saw some reports that said it started at 9.9 cm - I never saw these or heard this information before! The rib cancer probably was caused by the tumor abutting it not through cells in the blood. The rib also has a fracture! She reccommends treating all the soft tissue in the area of the bone cancer at the same time, 15-20 treatments. As compared to my oncologist who said just 3 little zaps on that little spot. She said if she just did 3 small zaps to the bone, she probably could not go in later to do the tumor around it. The tumor is curling toward my top 4 vertebrae and she would like to stop it from getting there as I could become paralyzed if it wraps those nerves too tightly. It is around the nerves of at least one rib and those nerves along with the bundle in my shoulder are probably causeing all my pain. She thinks the small tingles in my fingertips may be neuropathy from the chemo, that the horners syndrome would affect just the little finger and ring finger. She said I definitely have horners syndrome sypmtoms. The radiation will cause a burn on my shoulder and ulcers in my esophagus- oh, it is also pressing against my esophagus. She suggested a mood enhancer drug. I didn't take my 2 pain pills last night or today, and don't feel any worse or any better. Not going to take those anymore. I might start the narcoden. Good suggestion about massage or accupuncture and the probiotics. I think yogurt may be a favorite food in the near future. Easy to swallow and mild. My mind is not in a happy place today. Maybe I need the mood enhancers.

Update and Oligometastases
Hello again,
I have not posted for the past three months, so thought I would update you on my situation. I am just recovering from having a "completion pneumonectomy" on my left lung in which the recurrence there necessitated my entire left lung be removed. In my situation, my bone marrow results keep me from being able to tolerate chemotherapy, so that's a big scary disappointment. But, in my favor, my doctors think I may be experiencing "oligometastases" with mets just to the lung, so if we can get it controlled there, the prognosis is a little rosier. Guess I was fortunate to have a healthy right lung that allowed me to get approved for this surgery. If anyone else has experienced a pneumonectomy or an inability to tolerate chemo, I would appreciate hearing from you!

Prayers to all who are fighting this terrible disease,
Barbara

Karenhopeful said:

Up date
Had a brain MRI just as a precaution. It showed a small bb sized shadow.It may or may not be cancer. I have no symptoms. We are going to watch and see what it does. (I am not real worried as my husband has had an abnormal shadow on his lung for 8 years. Maybe my shadow will do the same.) In the meantime, I have had 4 out 6 chemo treatments and 5 out of 15 radiation treatments on my back, shoulder, neck, backbone, rib area on my right side where I have the pains. It has lessened the back pain almost completely, but my underarm and arm pit continue to have hyper active or numb?? nerves. I feel like I have been burned and my skin is just raw- not from radiation - it has been this way for a long time now. Once in a while my muscle will even throb. I tried taking a nerve pill and ibuprofin but it did't seem to help after the first few days. Now I just sit still in a comfortable position so they don't touch my clothes and don't hurt. I have very low energy, especially since starting the radiation. Not doing housework, very little cooking, very little walking to shop.

Barbakamom, I hope the removal of your left lung does solve your problems. My doctor told me my grade 3 cells are going wherever they want, they are not as controlable or predictable as grade one and two. I have tumors at the top of both lungs, I rather doubt it will ever be operable, not to mention a small tumor in abdomen, rib bone, brain?? Still, if it could be reduced and not spread anymore, maybe it will be possible. How is it after lung surgery? I've heard it is a bad surgery.

By the way Mdotsie47 posted on another forum. She has a lot of body pain from her chemo.

After treatment
It has been three months since my last treatment and i have heard it takes up to a year to feel your self again.When you think about having chemo through you,its alot for your body to adjust to.I feel tired,short of breath,cant walk nearly as far as before.Its hard to enjoy some things you use to because you feel tired and its hard to concentrate, at least this is my experience so far.Its not horrible just going to take some getting used to. Has anyone has weight gain instead of weight loss??? Thanks for being here Mosie

Mosie said:

After treatment
It has been three months since my last treatment and i have heard it takes up to a year to feel your self again.When you think about having chemo through you,its alot for your body to adjust to.I feel tired,short of breath,cant walk nearly as far as before.Its hard to enjoy some things you use to because you feel tired and its hard to concentrate, at least this is my experience so far.Its not horrible just going to take some getting used to. Has anyone has weight gain instead of weight loss??? Thanks for being here Mosie

massages
I think someone put on here to get a massage ,i heard you shouldnt have that done when you have a serious illness.Just incase id check it out first.

debrajo said:

Honey, It;s been 2 Years
Honey, It;s been 2 Years since treatment and I feel like you everyday! Short of breath, no interest in anything, no concentration at all, and I gained 30 pounds! I don't like me very much! If you find the "cure" PLEASE let ME KNOW! best, debrajo

Finding the cure
Debrajo, i just was able to read your whole message.Im going to try what ever i can to loose the weight.I read an article on Dr.Oz. and he suggest Flax seed and Wheat germ ,says you loose weight and feel lots better.If you like to read or meditate that lifts my spirits.Do you get out at all? I dont know if its normal to feel like we do.Im gonna have to pick my doctors brain,wont see him for 3 months. Mosie