USPC Discussion

Greeting Ladies,
I am delighted to have found this online resource. I live in Ireland, and have, like so many of you being treated for Adenoendometrial Cancer with a mix of Papillary Serous Cancer in the pelvic nodes. (micro & Macro levels). So a bit of a nightmare mix as a Type II very aggressive cancer (with high risk of recurrance)

At 48yrs of age and working in the health care area, I had no alarming symptoms.. was having menorrhagia for 6months (heavy period) regular cycle and put it down to recent stress in my life and probably start of menopause (My husband of 20yrs had an affair and left to be with his new partner who was pregnant)! So YES I was stressed and heart broken !!

Following a D & C my Gynae Consultant did not suspect anything and inserted Mirena Coyle to control bleeding. I was not tolerating the coil and begging him to remove it........ And then the results of routine biopsies taken during D&C came back positive for endometrial adenocarcinoma. My staging scans were clear and I had a TAH BSO with clearance of pelvic nodes. Surgical staging gave all a big surprise.. Papillary serous cancer in micro and macro levels in two of the pelvic nodes. So I believe my staging is USPC Stage111C.

I had 8 cycles of taxol and Carbo followed by Vaginal Vault Brachytherapy. My surgery was in July 2010 and I finished Chemo/Rad therapy in Feb 2011. My follow up management is every 4 months with OBGYN Surgeons, every 3 months with Prof of Oncology, and I generally have either a PET scan or CT every other times. At 4 - 6months intervals. All clear so far.

I developed a breast mass in September 2011 and have had two lots of surgery to remove areas of tissue for surgical biopsy, most recent 4 weeks ago. They are graded B3 and pre malignant. The surgical and oncology teams have discussed me at lenght and I am also involved in the many discussions. All feel that a mastectomy at this stage would be radical intervention (even if I want it!). So having regular Breast Mammograms and Ultra sounds. (MRI's of breast and PET scan shows up as hot spot due to surgery..)

For all of you starting out on this journey of treatment.. It's not easy, but if I got through it.. anyone can. Taxol & Carbo Caused my bone marrow to crash after first cycle and I needed bone marrow stimulating shots with each cycle. Nausea was not a problem, but joint pain was terrible as was the the gradual build up of peripheral neuropathy. I suffered from terrible spasms of left hip pain.. MRI showed a cyst growing out of my iliac crest and all believed it to be pressing on a nerve. Aspirated under CT and histology was neg. I had three admissions for neutropenic sepsis and much antiobotic later and blood transfusions.. made it out the other end! Even if I have leg lymphodema, however it is well managed.

I am now well and still having routine checks..(2yrs on) next lot of scans in 3 weeks. My Surgical teams and Oncologist are fantastic. I never worry about their jundgement as they are doing things according to World Standards.. and I believe I have received treatment in line with latest research. I have asked if they sould have consider Herceptin, but understand that it may be used for recurrance.

Life moves on... and I have moved on with it.. As I remind my Surgical teams .. I am not a bloody statistic.. (We are all individuals and positive thinking is a key..) I have trouble with that, given all.. but becoming more enlightened and have gained so much wisdom.

I am in a divorce battle now..and have met a wonderful (if one can call men wonderful) man.. (they do try sometimes ).. He is whisking me away to the sun for 3weeks on his luxury yacht. My Doctors warn that I should wear Factor 50 !!!! Like hell I will.. I want some Vit D and a sun tan.. Factor 30 maybe but not 50!

Life is for living.. And we can overcome much, the mind is so powerful ! It can kill or heal one.

My story, Cat. July 27th 2012 2230hrs.