Lots of new ladies - let's have a roll call

Sandra, Congrats on dancing with NED. I hope that continues forever.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

tattoolydia1953 said:

Roll Call

I'm Lydia. I was diagnosed with stage 3b endometrial (uterine)  cancer. I'm recieving sandwiched chemo/radiation therapy. I am finishing my 3rd round of chemo and radiation is next. Even though chemo had it's moments I'm dreading the radiation. I'm to have external and internal. I too, have neuropathy in my toes and fingers. I was diagnosed with diabetes the day they found my cancer. Fortunately for me it wasn't yet to bad out of control and am controlling it with 5mg of glyburide daily. I also miss my hair, but get to wear alot of different head gear now. I wish you the best and good luck with the ct scan.

Welcome to the club no one wants to belong to.  You have found a great place.  The ladies here have great information to give.  This is,the place,to,come.for comfort, support, information and a place top rant when you need to.  I,was also scared about radiation, but in the long run it has been the,easiest part of this rollercoaster ride.  My biggest problem at the time was holding still.  My appointments were always late afternoon and I taught school most of the day.  I was so afraid that I would fall asleep and roll off the table.  The internal radiation was a piece of cake for me.

Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

TeddyandBears_Mom said:

Welcome Lydia. This is a

Welcome Lydia. This is a great place to get support, comfort, understanding and questions answered. I'm glad you found us and sorry that you had to. I hope you find the radiation tolerable and much easier than you expect it to be. Please come back and let us know how you are doing.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

Feels good to hear back from you girls. Besides my husband and a couple of friends, my support group is very small. I am encouraged by what you tell me. I will check back in and update my progress, as well as see how everyone else is doing. Luv you all, Lydia

Patricia “Trish” Durham in Dallas Texas age 55 at diagnosis of Stage III C1 MMMT (carcinoma sarcoma 1A tumor in Uterus, 2 microscopic cells 1 lymph node) High Grade 3 cancer so upgraded to stage 3c1.  Very brief history, I was post-menopausal in 1992 at age 36. In 2004 started spotting again went to my regular gynecologist Dr. Connie Roberts at UT Southwestern Medical Center performed a D & C and everything was normal and clear.  I had yearly PAP’s and in Sep 2010 had a colonoscopy which was normal. 

March 7, 2011 started bleeding and intense pain. Went to regular gyn Dr. Roberts she performed another D&C with hysteroscopy March 25. The results went to pathology.

April 1, 2011 got the call from Dr Roberts that the pathology report was back and it was cancer.  She scheduled an appointment Monday 4 April with a gynecologic oncologist at the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center on the North Campus of UT Southwestern Medical Center.  Dr. Jayantha Lea is a Gynecological Oncologist doctor and was chosen for me.  She is a God send and remains my doctor today.  She is patient and caring and takes time to explain everything.  On April 8, I had a total abdominal hysterectomy with the uterus, tubes, ovaries, cervix removed including the Omentum.  I started chemotherapy treatment with Carboplatin / Paclitaxel on May 6, for 6 treatments every 21 days at the Cancer Center.  Day 14 after the first treatment I lost my hair in clumps then buzzed it with a #1 electric razor then later used shaving cream and a razor to shave it bald.

The treatments were not that bad except day 4-7 made the joints ache; I did not get nausea from the chemo treatments.  

I went back to work in June and took off on treatment days and then about the 4^th day thru the 7^th day after the chemo treatment when side effects of the treatment kicked in.  Aching joints, fatigue, and feeling like you are coming down with the flu.  Last treatment day was 22 Aug 11. Only side effect was hair loss but it grew back and now I keep it very short. Went to Dr. Lea every 3 months, then every 6 months for checkups and blood work CA 125 was 15 before surgery now down around 11 to 15, so CA is not a good marker for me but the test is still done.

August 2016, I hit the 5 year mark of being No Evidence of Disease (NED).  I start yearly checkups with my Gyn Onc Dr. Lea.

One thing I learned from all of this is to keep a positive attitude.  I went into this journey as OK, I have cancer, let’s take care of it, get it out, get the treatments and move on.  I found out that I was stronger than I thought I was.  Yes I had a few bad days but on the whole it was positive, even Dr Lea has been impressed with my attitude and tells me that every time she sees me.  I have changed some of my diet and exercise more and I do take supplements but mostly I just take every day, one day at a time.  Back at work full time and take off days to spend with my grandson and my friends.

One thing I tell women that ask me questions about what my symptoms were and how did I know something was wrong, the answer is no one knows your body better than you, keep in tune with it.  When something just does not feel right go to your doctor.  If the doctor just says you’re going through the change and you do not like that answer find another doctor that will listen to you and your concerns and actually will run some test to determine if anything is going on.  Do not just take the answer that nothing is wrong.  

To all the new ladies, this is doable and you are stronger than you thought you are.  Prayers to all. Trish.

DawnDoll said:

Hi! I'm Dawn

I am 50 years old and I live in Central, Pa.  I was diagnosed last April with Stage IIIc2 UPSC.  My cancer was diagnosed through a routine PAP smear.  I had a radical hysterectomy 2 weeks later and began 6 chemo treatments (Carboplatin and Taxol) in May.  I had a severe reaction to Taxol, so my oncologist switched it out with Taxotere.  I had several lymph nodes extracted during surgery, but there were too many to get all of the cancer.  On the initial PETScan, it showed that the cancer was still quite active in various lymph nodes and had spread to the lymph nodes in my neck.  My PETScan, after treatments, in October showed that the cancer was resistant to the treatments and had spread to other areas in my lymph system.  I have recently started a new round of treatments incorporating Avastin and Doxol.  I am hoping that this does the trick.  I am excited that my hair is starting to grow back and that I may not lose it this time.  Ths group has been very helpful since April!  Thank you!

Hi Dawn, Welcome to our group. Glad you posted your journey so far. I'm sending loads of positive energy your way that this next round of treatment works for you and you find that wonderful dance partner fondly known as NED.  Please come back and let us know how you are doing. We are here for each other so ask anything. Someone will have an answer for you most likely!

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

Hi Ladies:

  My name is Jane a/k/a Cheerful on the Uterine Board. I am an old timer as I joined the Uterine Board in the spring of 2011.  I am now 65 years old and live in Delaware County, PA.  My oncologist is affiliated with Crozer Chester Medical Center in the Cancer Division in Upland, PA.  

  Initially, I was diagnosed with UPSC Stage 1 in February of 2011. At that time, I was 59.  I had 6 treatments of carboplatin and taxol as well as 3 brachytherapy treatments after I went through chemo.  For the past 5 years, I was with No Evidence of Disease as I did quite well. My radiologist mentioned to me I had an 80 to 90% chance of survival since I had stage 1.

  In August, when it was 5 1/2 years, when I went for my Cat scan and blood work my CA level was elevated so I had another blood test done in September which still showed it to be elevated. In October, I had a Pet Scan done and it was found there was a spot on my spleen and in my pelvic area.  My new oncologist just recently joined the practice as my former oncologist just retired over this past year and my former oncologist works 1 or 2 days a week from this office.  Anyway, I received the devastating diagnosis that my cancer has reoccurred. However, my new oncologist mentioned that I will have a good outcome and good prognosis since it did not hit any of my vital oragns.  I am very grateful and thankful that my cancer has been found early both times. I am now in the process of starting chemo.  Also, I had an 18% chance of the cancer coming back with someone with Stage 1 of UPSC so the chances were very low of a reoccurrence given my early stage, but I always knew there was a chance of it coming back. Well, unfortunately, I am in the 18% of the cancer that it came back on.

  I do have a positive outlook and very good attitude and have a wonderful support system with my family and friends. My husband will take me for all of the chemo treatments which should be every week for 3 weeks and then have a week off.  The chemo should be starting soon.   

  I have done a few postings since I am dealing with a reoccurrence. The ladies on the board are wonderful and have given me great support and comfort.

   I do know of a couple of the women I had sent e-mails to through the Uterine Board and sadly some of them have since passed away like Ro and Jan over the past couple of years. I think of Ro and Jan from time to time.

Hugs,

Jane 

I''m not totally new, however, it's been quite a time since I've been here. Two years ago last month, I was diagnosed with Endometrial cancer. It surprisesd the surgeon since it was a hysterectomy for break through bleeding. This was followed by 25 radiation treatments and 3 brachytherapy treatments. During a PET scan, two nodules were detected on my lung. Therefore, I had VATS surgery to remove one and further thoracic surgery to removed the other one. They were both squamous cell. Six months later, during a CT scan by the thoracic surgeon, a nodule was detected in the lung once again. Upon biopsy, it turned out to be endometrial cancer. So, I now am considered to have endometrial cancer. My oncologist has put me on letrozole and in February will do a thoracic, pelvic, and abdominal scan. The letrozole (after 3 months) is causing some side effects. Most are manageable. However, my hair is thinning dramatically and this is having a bad effect emotionally. This is the last two plus years of my life. To be very honest, I'm not at all hopeful about anything. Although I feel fine physically, I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I even wonder if there any point at all continuing treatment. No one knows about it except my husband. I am estranged from my adult daughter and don't wish my sister and her family (well, no one) to know. I'm not quite sure why, only it's a well kept secret. My husband is supportive, however, not emotionally supportive. He's unable to offer anything emotionally. This doesn't feel like life. I live every day with what feels like the sword of Damocles over my head. I apologize for sounding like a whiner. It's simply that there is nothing at all left for me and I refuse to live in a fool's paradise of any kind of hope. I'll die from this disease and that's that. Thank you for bearing with me.

I related so much to your story of being estranged from your child and not wanting family members to know. I can't explain it either. I however do have wonderful supportive husband. He is emotionally understanding but he does not understand why I don't want family to know. He asks me to rethink this because he says it will be harder for him to deal with at my death, if I don't beat this. I say, lets just wait until all my treatments are complete and what my chances are. At this point he is accepting this. He knows when I'm having a really bad day and tries to comfort me. He will see me about to cry and will try to cheer me up. However, he has never been a man to snuggle and hug, sometimes all I need is a hug. So I tell him, the best thing you can do today is give me a hug and tell me we are going to get through this. But sometimes I just look in the mirror, bald head and all, and tell myself that I am loved. You too are loved, first by yourself and then by all your sisters that are doing this cancer dance with you. You are in my prayers. Luv Lydia

I'm Karen, and my gyno called last night to give me the pathology report results. It came back with grade II uterine cancer. I've been referred to a Gyno/oncol. at Fox Chase Cancer Center. I've been having really bad low back pain for the past few montha which is getting worse. I meet my doctor for a consult next Tuesday. Trying to stay positive, but this back pain is freaking me out. I'm very glad to have found this support group 

Muggles45 said:

Roll Call

I''m not totally new, however, it's been quite a time since I've been here. Two years ago last month, I was diagnosed with Endometrial cancer. It surprisesd the surgeon since it was a hysterectomy for break through bleeding. This was followed by 25 radiation treatments and 3 brachytherapy treatments. During a PET scan, two nodules were detected on my lung. Therefore, I had VATS surgery to remove one and further thoracic surgery to removed the other one. They were both squamous cell. Six months later, during a CT scan by the thoracic surgeon, a nodule was detected in the lung once again. Upon biopsy, it turned out to be endometrial cancer. So, I now am considered to have endometrial cancer. My oncologist has put me on letrozole and in February will do a thoracic, pelvic, and abdominal scan. The letrozole (after 3 months) is causing some side effects. Most are manageable. However, my hair is thinning dramatically and this is having a bad effect emotionally. This is the last two plus years of my life. To be very honest, I'm not at all hopeful about anything. Although I feel fine physically, I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I even wonder if there any point at all continuing treatment. No one knows about it except my husband. I am estranged from my adult daughter and don't wish my sister and her family (well, no one) to know. I'm not quite sure why, only it's a well kept secret. My husband is supportive, however, not emotionally supportive. He's unable to offer anything emotionally. This doesn't feel like life. I live every day with what feels like the sword of Damocles over my head. I apologize for sounding like a whiner. It's simply that there is nothing at all left for me and I refuse to live in a fool's paradise of any kind of hope. I'll die from this disease and that's that. Thank you for bearing with me.

 

Welcome to our band of sisters- you are NOT alone.  So many of us choose to make this journey in different ways and it's ok.  It's what works for you.  I have a wonderful hubby who takes me to the Dr. and makes sure I get some food but other than that he mostly just listens and that's important but I like you miss the hugs- sometimes I just have to ask for one and that's ok too.  I'm so sorry about your daughter and your sister.  It would be nice to have that support but feel free to come here, vent, ask for what you need, get some encouragement and keep moving forward.  You just never know when things will take a turn for the better.  Have you talked with your Dr. about giving you something to help manage depression?  Perhaps that might be something to think about.  Be kind to yourself - treat yourself like you would treat someone you care about.  In the meantime- we are here- sending good thoughts, prayers and (((HUGS)))  Let us know how you are doing