Another Newbie

Welcome LindyLu.  You are going to be able to do this.  There is a wealth of information on these pages and, like Connie, I found this after I had already been in treatment.  

Welcome to the club no one wants to Be a part of.  I am glad you found this place.  There are a great bunch of ladies here to help you out.  The information and encouragement is priceless.  Ask all the question that you want, someone will probably have an answer for you. Nothing is off limits.  If you read through some of the older posts you will see that some very interesting topics have been discussed.  I wish I had found this place at the beginning of my journey.  It would have been easier.  It would have made it easier to have someone to talk to that understood what I was going through.

Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

I'm glad that you finally got up the nerve to join us.  You'll find a ton of support and information here.  There is absolutely no subsitute for being able to talk with others who are going through exactly what you are going through.  The fact that you found us early on will stand you in good stead.  Don't get too far ahead of yourself and take it one step at a time.  You'll be amazed how far you can go that way.

Chris

Hi lindilu, welcome to our wonderful group that has lots of support and answers.  Having cancer is not fun but this group sure helps along the way.

Janae

Welcome Lindylou! This is a great place for support and info! Sorry you had to join the group, but glad you found us:)

Hi LindaLu, I'm sorry you had reason to join us, but welcome nonetheless.

My mom is in a similar situation as you. Like you, she is 65 but was diagnosed with Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma Stage IIIC1, Grade 3 just recently. We are not sure which chemo treatment option she is getting yet, but it's probably the default 6 rounds of carbo/taxol followed by some kind of radiation treatment. We're going to discuss her treatment this Friday.

Was there a reason why the doctor decided to give you the chemo sandwich treatment? What was his reasoning? We are exploring our options and am not sure which way has been proved to be more effective in treating various types of uterine or endometrial cancer.

My prayers are with you. My mom will probably be doing chemo during the time you are going through it also. It would be nice to update each other on the progress.

Love,
Rebecca

DSNYC said:

Similar situation

Hello LindyLU....Im right there with you. Im 44 and had a total hysterctomy 3 weeks ago, it was originally 1B grade 2, but after patholgoy report came back, Im now at stage 3C because of positive lymph nodes, as you are. My oncologist is making me meet with radiation specilaist and then medical (chemo) specialist so the 3 of them can line out a cohesive treatment plan. Did your surgical oncologist recommend the treatment for you on his own without the specialists?

SO far Ive met with the radiation specilast who recommended 28 days, everyday M-F, with light dose of chemo during the same time to prep my body followed by 3 or 4 rounds of strong chemo (this is where the hair loss happens) but not prior. I meet with the medical (chemo) specialst next week, but Im surprised you start with chemo, then radiation, then back to chemo....were your lymph nodes positive somewhere else in your body, like upper body or outside the pelvic, lower abdominal area? Im not trying to debate your doctors recommendation, but I want you to be fully informed from/by each specialsit and have them cohesively decide on your treatment plan.

It stinks any which way and we are all here for you on this journey. Everyone here is ttruly amazing and has so much support, info and expericance to offer.

Diana

Diana, there are lot of women here who have had the chemo/radiation/chemo plan.  It is referred to as the "sandwich" treatment.  It is interesting to hear that others have had their radiation at the end, but I think it is they are still trying to figure out the best course of treatment for women with gyn cancers.  For me it is interesting to hear "light dose of chemo", I have heard of "dense dose" but this is a new term for me.  I am done with my treatment but always interested in learning more.  

I am also so interested when I read about how often women have CT scans, what their follow ups consist of, etc...I know I make my onc crazy when I say what I read on the internet - HOWEVER I was preface it with it is from things I have read in a chat room with women who also have a gyn cancer.  Fortunately, she understands and is always very patient to answer all my questions.  I love having discussions with her.  I want the docs to read the medical journals and patients to educate them on the women who are fighting the disease.

I have read some of the other posts here and would agree that everyone is different and everyone has to make a decision on what treatment is best for them.  

beccabtown said:

One of my doctors explained

One of my doctors explained that the preference for doing the sandwich regimen vs. all chemo and then radiation is partly a matter of the doctor's background. Surgeons and radiologists are concerned about zapping the areas where recurrence is most likely (and opt for the sandwich approach) and medical oncologists are thinking about treating the full system to reduce the chance of metastasis (and are focused on completing the chemo). He claimed there is no solid evidence that one approach or the other is more likely to be effective. There are probably many considerations that point to one or the other for individual patients. In my case, I think it was the aggressiveness of the kind of cancer I have and the extent of lymph node involvement (but no sign of spread outside the pelvis) that tipped the balance for sandwich treatment.

Thanks for answering my question, Becca. Either way, I will ask the medical oncologist this Friday these questions and will see what option would be best for my mom's current diagnosis.

Love,
Rebecca