Mom diagnosed with cervical cancer

ren12 said:

I printed this off and gave

I printed this off and gave it to her. Made her feel so much better! Once again, thank u so much!!

Did your mom have chemo today?  I hope things went well.  hugs and healing thoughts.  Your mother is lucky to have you.

ren12 said:

She did. She seemed almost

She did. She seemed almost drunk within the first hour. The nurse told us she was being given ambien and benedryl so that was normal. I have to say she was feeling no pain. Wish I would have recorded her. She would get a kick out of it today. We also got her a temporary wig until my sister can get hers made into one. She finally found a place in Minnesota that will do it. But sending her hair and waiting for it to come back will take about 5 weeks. Thanks for asking!!

I'm so glad she got started and things went smoothly.  The Benadryl will knock you out, I slept through most of my entire first chemo.  I'm glad that you found a place to make the wig also.  Your mother will be so happy knowing she is wearing her daughters hair around.  Your sister is very sweet to do that.  Take good care of your mom and keep us updated.  We are all rooting for her.  Hugs.

ren12 said:

Went for a second opion to

Went for a second opion to Jewish Barns Hospital in St Louis and they pretty much said the same thing. The only difference is they can try a clinical trial on her but not in the middle of getting chemo. There were two doctors in there with her, one older and one younger. The younger seemed really hopeful saying clinical trials could really help but the older one was just awful. I wouldnt expect or want any doctor to sugarcoat anything but the way he worded things were just awful. He said what is your reason for coming here and mom replied to get some help with this cancer. His response...well thats not going to happen so get your bucket list ready and focus on that. But as I said the younger one seemed to think he could prolong her life when she is done with this chemo. If she would not have started the new chemo last week he could have given her one yesterday but cannot do it in the middle of treatment. So hopefully there is one available and she is a good canidate for it when she is done. I hate to start losing hope, but I'm beginning to. I dont like these feelings, and try not to think this way, but its getting harder

I'm sorry that you had a bad experience with the poor bedside manner of one of the doctors.  I realize that doctors dont want to give false hope, but the younger doctor seems to have a more positive (and in my mind-realistic) view of the situation.  Older doctors have watched the failure of clinical trials throughout their careers, but younger doctors can appreciate the new and advancing technology and understanding of cancer.

cervical cancer has always had a reputation for showing little sensitivity to chemo, but there is still a percent of responders and long time survivors of this disease, and there is no reason your mother can't be one of them.

i suggest getting a tumor profile done.  google caris report.  This will give an idea of which chemos may be most effective against her cancer.

call NIH and speak with a nurse or someone there that can help direct you to clinical trials your mother may qualify for.

look up ADXS11-001-a listeria vaccine for cervical cancer.  This can be given along with chemo.  It is being conducted by GOG with sites throughout America.

DCVAX-Direct has started clinical trials for all tumor types.  It is being studied at MDAnderson Orlando.

the studies on Avastin has proved to extend survival for advanced, recurrent and persistent cervical cancer.

brush off that old doctors words.  Your mother is in controll of her own health care and should find a doctor who listens, supports and doesn't give up so easy.  Your mom is a fighter, and deserves a fighting chance.  Hugs to you both.  Stay strong.