New - just getting started here & with Cancer

StrongerthanIthought
StrongerthanIthought Member Posts: 55
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

Hi  I have been lurking for a few days. Scared and not really sure what to ask. There is so much I don't know and some I don't want to know.

I was diagnosed w Uterine cander thru a biopsy on 1/24. CT scan before surgery showed no evidence of cancer outside the uterus. Gyn/onc even drew  :-)) a smile on the e-mail he sent.  I had laproscopic hysterectomy Tuesday 2/11. Somehow during that I got a tear in my vagina but it didn't seem to be a problem and surgery went well otherwise. Dr told me cancer had eaten well into the lining but didn't appear to go thru. Several samples were taken for pathology but no results for a while.  Now comes the part that has me confused - he said I will have internal radiation no matter what reports show. (I was so dopey didn't even think to ask why) He also said most people tolerate it well. I think he even told me how many times but again - dopey. Of course I'll find out more at my next visit. But until then - does this sound typical to you?

Comments

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #2
    Brachytherapy

    It sounds that they may have given you a low staging not requiring chemo, but as a preventative measure to give you brachytherapy (internal radiation).   It is a high dose radiation and it is painless.  Although it can be a bit embarrassing at first when getting fitted for the rod and a bit uncomfortable.  But the actual radiation treatment is nothing and it is usually quick.   I had three sessions. After you are completely finished with treatment, they will give you a dialator to use several times a week to keep the canal opened to make yearly testing easier.  (I only use my dialator a few times).   They are suggesting the brachytherapy because recurrences usually occur at the vaginal cuff and by giving you the radiation it is to prevent or stand off recurrence.

    Hoping you get good results.

    Kathy

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,488 Member
    #3
    Kathy gave it to you straight

    Did he tell you what KIND of uterine cancer?  It is the "typical garden variety type" (Type I) or one of the agressive kinds (Type II)?  That will be what they base their treatment on.  I am an overachiever and had both.  I just wish I had kept count of all the people who ended up looking at my privates!  I had the physicist connect and disconnect the wire that delivered the radioactive bead to the applicator for my 3 brachy's. 

     PS - I LOVE the name you chose for yourself!

  • StrongerthanIthought
    StrongerthanIthought Member Posts: 55
    #4
    Thanks

    Thank you both for the replys and info.  I don't know a type or stage yet. My next appointment is March 3. I should find out then.  You have made me feel better about the radiation. (I have to stay off the general internet)  This has all happened so fast. A few drops of blood Dec 29 to a hysterectomy on Feb 11  ( I guess that is fast - seemed overwhelming to me)  As far as the name I chose - I had knee replacement on Oct 17 & my son kept telling me how strong I was.  I figured I better be stronger for this. Sometimes I'm OK but othertimes I'm "crying in the corner".   Can't seem to get a handle on the emotions.  So glad a friend told me about this site   Thank you again, Barb

  • StrongerthanIthought
    StrongerthanIthought Member Posts: 55
    #5
    NoTimeForCancer said:

    Kathy gave it to you straight

    Did he tell you what KIND of uterine cancer?  It is the "typical garden variety type" (Type I) or one of the agressive kinds (Type II)?  That will be what they base their treatment on.  I am an overachiever and had both.  I just wish I had kept count of all the people who ended up looking at my privates!  I had the physicist connect and disconnect the wire that delivered the radioactive bead to the applicator for my 3 brachy's. 

     PS - I LOVE the name you chose for yourself!

    Guess I put my thanks to you

    Guess I put my thanks to you both in the wrong place (New comment vs reply). But I do appreciate the replys and info. Know I have a lot to learn and will be relying on this board a lot, Barb

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,488 Member
    #6
    StrongerthanIthought said:

    Thanks

    Thank you both for the replys and info.  I don't know a type or stage yet. My next appointment is March 3. I should find out then.  You have made me feel better about the radiation. (I have to stay off the general internet)  This has all happened so fast. A few drops of blood Dec 29 to a hysterectomy on Feb 11  ( I guess that is fast - seemed overwhelming to me)  As far as the name I chose - I had knee replacement on Oct 17 & my son kept telling me how strong I was.  I figured I better be stronger for this. Sometimes I'm OK but othertimes I'm "crying in the corner".   Can't seem to get a handle on the emotions.  So glad a friend told me about this site   Thank you again, Barb

    The regular WWW is a scary place

    This site is much better for information. 

    I found this all to be a roller coaster for emotions, and even after over a year of ending my treatment, there still are times I get afraid.  I cried a lot in the shower and let the tears just wash down the drain with the water.  :) 

    Ask us anything.  You are among friends.

  • StrongerthanIthought
    StrongerthanIthought Member Posts: 55
    #7
    NoTimeForCancer said:

    The regular WWW is a scary place

    This site is much better for information. 

    I found this all to be a roller coaster for emotions, and even after over a year of ending my treatment, there still are times I get afraid.  I cried a lot in the shower and let the tears just wash down the drain with the water.  :) 

    Ask us anything.  You are among friends.

    Crying in the shower works -

    Crying in the shower works - nobody can hear you and you don't have to "be strong" for a while. Thank you for understanding, Barb

  • treezee
    treezee Member Posts: 4
    #8
    take someone with you every

    take someone with you every time you go see your cancer doctor.  I did the first time and not the second.  First time went very well.....  second time he told me carcinomasarcoma....  and really was not responding to me felt like I was ran over by a truck.  Every time after that I have taken someone so if I am overwhelmed then they will say something.  If I kind of know what is going on we also go over a game plan before we go in.  They can be my memory or my voice if need be. 

    Family and friends are so important in this journey.  Treasure every moment.  If you need to cry cry!  I even cried when I told my students what was going on! 

    I came across this sentence........  Cancer is a word and not a sentence! 

    Luckily through the Grace of God..........  as of January 21.............  no cancer and no further treatment just 3 month check up in April! 

    Good luck on your journey and positive prayers to you! 

  • StrongerthanIthought
    StrongerthanIthought Member Posts: 55
    #9
    treezee said:

    take someone with you every

    take someone with you every time you go see your cancer doctor.  I did the first time and not the second.  First time went very well.....  second time he told me carcinomasarcoma....  and really was not responding to me felt like I was ran over by a truck.  Every time after that I have taken someone so if I am overwhelmed then they will say something.  If I kind of know what is going on we also go over a game plan before we go in.  They can be my memory or my voice if need be. 

    Family and friends are so important in this journey.  Treasure every moment.  If you need to cry cry!  I even cried when I told my students what was going on! 

    I came across this sentence........  Cancer is a word and not a sentence! 

    Luckily through the Grace of God..........  as of January 21.............  no cancer and no further treatment just 3 month check up in April! 

    Good luck on your journey and positive prayers to you! 

    My first visit, after

    My first visit, after hysterectomy, is March 3. It is then that I'll be told my stage and treatment plan. Hoping my husband can go with me - but he has his own surgery scheduled 2/28.  He will if he can. Congrats on your great report!  Thank you for the prayers I need all I can get, I know prayers are answered.  

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,488 Member
    #10
    StrongerthanIthought said:

    My first visit, after

    My first visit, after hysterectomy, is March 3. It is then that I'll be told my stage and treatment plan. Hoping my husband can go with me - but he has his own surgery scheduled 2/28.  He will if he can. Congrats on your great report!  Thank you for the prayers I need all I can get, I know prayers are answered.  

    Taking someone with you is worth considering

    I had my BBF with me who sat there and took notes - she is such a wonderful woman she even bought and brought a notebook I still use today.  She wrote things that I never heard so when I went back to read her notes even now I am amazed.  When I had my chemo we took notes on what worked and what didn't.  I use it to keep track of BP, CA125, weight, everything.  When we had went to meet the radiologist he even noted that he wished he had had her for med school since all he saw was her writing what he said. 

    She is also who I would turn to and just hug and cry after we left visits because I needed that.  She never said "it would be ok" or anything.  She was just there.  She always said cancer was "my journey" but I couldn't have made it through without her. 

    As you can imagine, we absolutely heard things differently.  We could talk about what we heard and then I could call and talk to the doctor's office.  I found it very helpful to have someone with me, I know it isn't for everyone.  It would be something to consider.

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