recurrent cervical cancer

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Comments

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #42
    beckyracn said:

    Hello Ladies,
    I know I have
    Hello Ladies,
    I know I have detoured away from this site as time goes by, but if there is anything you'd like to chat about...I am here. I am almost 4 years out from end of tx for stage IVA. Good luck on your journey.

    Beckyracn,
    So good to see
    Beckyracn,
    So good to see your name on here again. Glad you are doing well. Stay strong! Stay healthy! Keep on inspiring all of us!
  • beckyracn
    beckyracn Member Posts: 322
    #43
    ccfighter said:

    Beckyracn,
    So good to see
    Beckyracn,
    So good to see your name on here again. Glad you are doing well. Stay strong! Stay healthy! Keep on inspiring all of us!

    Hello there CC...how are you
    Hello there CC...how are you doing?
  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #44
    beckyracn said:

    Hello there CC...how are you
    Hello there CC...how are you doing?

    Finished treatment! Hurray
    Finished treatment! Hurray for that. I have my first pet/ct next Friday so starting to get a little nervous. Otherwise doing well, fighting a little fatigue, a few ongoing digestive challenges, but nothing too terrible. Enjoying the summer with the kids, beaches, pools, books and relaxing. Life is good. I am so glad to hear from you and I hope you continue in good health. (((((HUGS)))))
  • beckyracn
    beckyracn Member Posts: 322
    #45
    ccfighter said:

    Finished treatment! Hurray
    Finished treatment! Hurray for that. I have my first pet/ct next Friday so starting to get a little nervous. Otherwise doing well, fighting a little fatigue, a few ongoing digestive challenges, but nothing too terrible. Enjoying the summer with the kids, beaches, pools, books and relaxing. Life is good. I am so glad to hear from you and I hope you continue in good health. (((((HUGS)))))

    Sounds like things are going
    Sounds like things are going in the right direction for you...YEAH!!! Scan days always stir up a little apprehension...hang in there! Have a GREAT summer :-)
  • Damita
    Damita Member Posts: 1
    #46
    MmeDelta said:

    New to this discussion
    Hi -
    I'm new to this discussion, but not to cervical cancer. I also was first diagnosed in 1999 (vaginal bleeding and pain during intercourse), staged at 1B, had a radical hysterectomy including a dozen or so lymph nodes removed. Everything except the cervix itself tested negative for cancer cells. Had lots of follow up exams, including Pap smears, but no other treatment.

    Everything was fine until 2008 when i started experiencing rectal bleeding. After a bunch of tests and exams I was finally diagnosed with a recurrence of the cervical cancer which had taken up residence in my rectum and vaginal cuff. This time I had radiation and chemo which seemed to have knocked it out. However, I just received the results of my latest PET scan and couple of lymph nodes a bit higher up in my body seem to be affected.

    Right now the doctors feel that they want to wait two months and repeat the scan since the nodes were small and the numbers from the scan (the SUV rate)were fairly low, although over the line into "suggestive of metastases."

    Needless to say, the next few weeks are going to be a little nerve wracking until I get the final answer and then have to decide what will come next. I have to say that the doctors I've dealt with have all been supportive, forthcoming with information and very, very caring. For that I am grateful.

    I'm interested, as we all are, i hearing other women's experiences with similar situations.

    Thank you all for being here!

    New to this discussion
    Hello all-
    MmeDelta I read what you wrote and it is almost identical to what I am currently experiencing. I am freaked out!! I was Dx with CC in 08 and had a hysterctomy and lymph nodes removed. It appeared that the surgery got everything. I was relieved to find out that I didn't need to get radiation or chemo. I was and still am devastated that I was unable to birth children. One fortunate thing is that I had adopted a teenaage daughter a few months before I was dx. I feel happy about having her in my life, but still feel an emptiness. I also feel like I will never ge married or even have sex again. I just don't feel right. I don't mean to sound unappreciative for my life, but its just how I feel.

    As far as I knew I was clear and wasn't worried about anything. I felt that I was experiencing some GI issues and then noticed some rectal bleeding so I went for a colonoscopy. At first the Dr said it was an ulcer in my colon. Later I found out that it was cervical cancer on my colon. I don't understand and am worried! I go for a CT scan on Tuesday to see if it has spread anywhere else. I am not sure what the outcome will be, but as I read everyones post I am realizing that the recurrence is common. I am frustrated with my Dr's who didn't detect anything sooner. I went to my 6 month check ups and there was nothing. If I didn't ask for the colonoscopy I don't think my Drs would have recommended for me to get one. If I wasn't proactive this may have gone undetected

    I am so glad that this site exists and wish that I had seen it sooner. I have felt that I cannot talk with anyone about this. People didn't say it, but I felt that I did something wrong to have CC. A FEW PEOPLE EVEN SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE I WAS PERMISCUOUS. Nonetheless, I hate that people around me always want to blame something or someone.

    Look forward to a response.
  • cammack
    cammack Member Posts: 8
    #47
    susan rose said:

    Current diagnoses
    Hi Jody
    I am trying to connect with women going through treatment now. Your post is the newest I've seen. I still haven't been able to chat with anyone live. I'm not good with the computer I guess. Would like to chat with you even if its through emails....
    God Bless
    Susan

    I have cc too :(
    Hello, I was dx in Dec 2011 after a full hysterectomy was done and I was told that I did not have invasive cancer. It is now Aug and I have never felt so alone my whole life. I have not met one woman with the same diagnosis as I. Neither have I ever spoken to anyone with cc. I am tring to figure this sit out. Please can somone help me and talk with me. Jody I saw your post and I cryed. I know exactly how you are feeling and if I can help you in anyway I will. Im just not quite sure how this site works yet.

    Prayers being said for you,
    Christine Omg...Or is this susan (I am so computer iliterate)
  • cammack
    cammack Member Posts: 8
    #48
    susan rose said:

    Current diagnoses
    Hi Jody
    I am trying to connect with women going through treatment now. Your post is the newest I've seen. I still haven't been able to chat with anyone live. I'm not good with the computer I guess. Would like to chat with you even if its through emails....
    God Bless
    Susan

    Cervical Adencarcinoma stage 1b1
    Hi susan, I know exactly how you feel. I learned I had Cervical cancer back in December and I yet to have actually spoken to or met anyone with this type of cancer. I have felt so alone and I still do but I swore that If I could ever help anyone to not have to go through what I have and what I cont to alone I will!!
    If you have any questions I am here if you need to talk. I dont know If I can help with everything but I sure will try. Most of all, please know you are not alone. I know I am just words on the screen but maybe if I can help you by doing so you would be helping me.

    God Bless you and you are in my prayers
    Christine
  • ronmybaby
    ronmybaby Member Posts: 20
    #49
    magg1960 said:

    Hi ,My cancer was also found
    Hi ,My cancer was also found during a routine pap smear the first time .also since my radiation i have had several bowel problems and it has also caused so much scar tissue that I am no longer sexually active,it has completely blocked that part of my body.Which i have no desire anymore anyway! Yuck! lol ,My radiation was directed almost entirely in my vaginal area when yours was probably in your stomach area?So they didnt do a hysterectomy ?All we can do is hang in there and hope this dreaded disease does nt come back! We kicked its butt!

    question magg
    My cancer is at the top of the vagina and the wall of the rectum so I have a feeling the radiation will be directed at those two spots. Well.....did you have the radiation directed at the rectum which caused you problems with your bowels? I am really worried about that. When the doctor cut out everything with a radical hysterectomy plus a tumor she couldn't cut the rectum she had to leave the small bit of cancer on the wall of the rectum. Had she cut the rectum she said I would have had a "bag" for life. But now I am worried about the radiation affecting the rectum and the trouble it will ensue.

    Are you just having a hard time going? I do already have to take stool softeners and I do drink alot of water but it has has been a life long problem already for me. I'm nervous about starting up the radiation soon.

    Did you have internal radiation in the vagina? I heard they put a cylinder in the vagina and release radiation directly to the vaginal area.

    Thank you so much for any help or info on my questions.
    Kitty
  • ronmybaby
    ronmybaby Member Posts: 20
    #50
    naggymaggie said:

    WARNING don't do as I did.
    Let me say I HATE dilating-it hurts and is a reminder of cancer and loss for me. So I stopped. I was living in ignorant bliss because after not dilating for two weeks I found that I couldn't! A month went by which was heaven, didn't think about cancer at all ,then flipped the calender and saw Appt with Dr ... and panic! I called the nurse and she said they would have to open me up in the office. I totally freaked out and agreed to come in but refused to undress and kept my legs crossed the whole time just to be sure. Bottom line I had to have a day surgery procedure because I was completely closed -post Radiation effects I guess. Ladies please dilate-keep yourself open because that was hell. I now have pain medicine precribed that I take 45 minutes before I dilate, which I do every night, and although I still bleed it is bearable. Lesson learned!!!! Next appt. In Two months- ps... The biopsy they did in the OR was clear so some good did come from the whole ordeal! Becky hope you are feeling ok-I got my dogs that I had talked about-they are 6 month old and are keeping me feeling positive!

    question on the dilating
    I do know when I received my hysterectomy 20 days ago the doctor did cut half the vagina out along with all the other items. How far do you go in to dilate? How would I know before I go to far and hurt myself. Does it bleed when you do it? I will start up chemo and radiation soon. Thank you for this post on this I do not want to allow it to close up and go through what you had to do.
    God Bless maggie!
    Kitty in GA
  • ronmybaby
    ronmybaby Member Posts: 20
    #51
    Damita said:

    New to this discussion
    Hello all-
    MmeDelta I read what you wrote and it is almost identical to what I am currently experiencing. I am freaked out!! I was Dx with CC in 08 and had a hysterctomy and lymph nodes removed. It appeared that the surgery got everything. I was relieved to find out that I didn't need to get radiation or chemo. I was and still am devastated that I was unable to birth children. One fortunate thing is that I had adopted a teenaage daughter a few months before I was dx. I feel happy about having her in my life, but still feel an emptiness. I also feel like I will never ge married or even have sex again. I just don't feel right. I don't mean to sound unappreciative for my life, but its just how I feel.

    As far as I knew I was clear and wasn't worried about anything. I felt that I was experiencing some GI issues and then noticed some rectal bleeding so I went for a colonoscopy. At first the Dr said it was an ulcer in my colon. Later I found out that it was cervical cancer on my colon. I don't understand and am worried! I go for a CT scan on Tuesday to see if it has spread anywhere else. I am not sure what the outcome will be, but as I read everyones post I am realizing that the recurrence is common. I am frustrated with my Dr's who didn't detect anything sooner. I went to my 6 month check ups and there was nothing. If I didn't ask for the colonoscopy I don't think my Drs would have recommended for me to get one. If I wasn't proactive this may have gone undetected

    I am so glad that this site exists and wish that I had seen it sooner. I have felt that I cannot talk with anyone about this. People didn't say it, but I felt that I did something wrong to have CC. A FEW PEOPLE EVEN SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE I WAS PERMISCUOUS. Nonetheless, I hate that people around me always want to blame something or someone.

    Look forward to a response.

    Hi Damita
    I had a hysterectomy but cancer was found on to top part of the vagina/cervix area. Doctor cut out everything even half the vagina but they want to give me chemo and radiation. I never had kids either. The doctor did say a small amount was on the wall of the recutm so that has to have treatment that really scares me. Worried about having bowel problems the rest of my life.

    I am also so grateful to have this site. The existance allows me to talk and question things. I can't do this with anyone else.

    Keep us up to date on your situation Damita. God Bless!
    Kitty in GA
  • ronmybaby
    ronmybaby Member Posts: 20
    #52
    cervix/vagina area of cancer
    I had a radical hysterectomy too about 20 days ago. A tumor about the size of a grapefruit was in the wall of the cervix. Cancer was left at the tip of the vagina and on the wall of the rectum. Now I am told I must undergo chemo and radiation soon. I have my first visit with the chemo doc. on the 26th and I will see what the plan of action will be. How long after your hysterectomy do you start up the chemo and how long before you start up the radiation? I read online the internal is using a cylindar put inside the vagina and it directs radiation right at the spot. Who has had this done? Tell him about it if possible. I am very nervous about it.

    thanks so much for your posts. I'm grateful for all you on here helping us.

    Kitty
  • kimmiehedg
    kimmiehedg Member Posts: 27
    #53
    ronmybaby said:

    cervix/vagina area of cancer
    I had a radical hysterectomy too about 20 days ago. A tumor about the size of a grapefruit was in the wall of the cervix. Cancer was left at the tip of the vagina and on the wall of the rectum. Now I am told I must undergo chemo and radiation soon. I have my first visit with the chemo doc. on the 26th and I will see what the plan of action will be. How long after your hysterectomy do you start up the chemo and how long before you start up the radiation? I read online the internal is using a cylindar put inside the vagina and it directs radiation right at the spot. Who has had this done? Tell him about it if possible. I am very nervous about it.

    thanks so much for your posts. I'm grateful for all you on here helping us.

    Kitty

    I had a radical hysterectomy
    I had a radical hysterectomy in march of this year. Had 5 weeks of radiation/chemotherapy for 5 weeks (started about 4 weeks after surgery) then toke 2 weekso ff and started my 3 internal radiation. I never had a problem with the internal, no side effects or anything. I then had 4 rounds of taxol/carbo. Finished all my treatments at the end of September. Now I am having waht feels like period cramps but Dr cant find out reason. Had a PET scan and it showed 2 small areas in the levic region but he said too small to biopsy so we were going to wait and have another scan in Dec. Just had an MRI for the cramping problem and now Dr wants to see me before Thanksgiving. What kind of treatments can you do if it is cancer since I have alerady done external and internal radiaion? Has anoyone else had cramping and/or the feeling like you have to go to the bathroom (#2) all the time but you really dont and you arent constipated??

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