Any UPSC 1a who did observation rather than chemo/radiation

i was just doing diagnosed with serous carcinoma. It was only a 2mm invasion of the myometrium. My gyno oncologist recommends 18 weeks of chemo and 3 weeks of radiation. My breast oncologist, who treated me for breast cancer in 2010 (lumpectomy, 6weeks chemo and 6 weeks radiation) thinks we can observe it because it was so small. I don't know what to do. 

Thanks for your reply. When they say 18 weeks of chemo, does that mean 18 treatments? I'm 54 years old but I don't think my body can handle that. It seems like overkill. How many treatments did you have?

IMMDC,  If they are going to do Carbo/Taxol my guess is they are suggesting a smaller weekly dose for 18 weeks. I started out that way, but had them change it to the "standard" larger dose every 3 weeks after my first 6 doses. I did that because I was not getting enough good days going weekly. While the every 3 week regimine had stronger side effects, it was well worth it for me because I had about 10 - 14 days that were decent out of each 21 day cycle. I finished chemo 12/21/15. While it isn't easy, it is doable. You will be amazed at how strong you are. I was also stage 1A grade 3 and had chemo and brachytherapy. I will turn 60 in about a week and I'm doing great.

There is a thread called 'Ladies Going Through Chemo' that has tons of information from several of us going through chemo. I hope you have time to read it. I think you will gain insight on what to expect.

Please come back and let us know how you are doing.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

Immdc said:

18 weeks of chemotherapy

Thanks for your reply. When they say 18 weeks of chemo, does that mean 18 treatments? I'm 54 years old but I don't think my body can handle that. It seems like overkill. How many treatments did you have?

I think you can see from Lou Ann, Cindi, and Jane that they can vary a little in dosage but I think we have all started out with the same chemo cocktail.  I think you also see that there are a wide range of ages for women who have/are going through this.  

I was 49 when diagnosed and it is frightening.  None of us will deny that, but you can see we have come through to the other side.  You may have other health issues that worry you, and your gyn onc should be able to tell you specifically how often, etc...I had chemo, carboplatin and taxol, every 3 weeks for a total of six rounds.  After the first 3 I did radiation and then had the final 3 chemo treatments. 

We are here for you along the way, but please talk to the gyn onc.  They specialize in these cancers and you want to work with people who handle this kind of thing every day.  

Donna Faye said:

chemo to start

My schedule is set _ 4/6;4/27/5/18; I am getting a PICC line as I do not want to keep a port in after treatment. My schedule starts on a Th. as I hope to be able to tutor on M<T<W. Have been working with a chronically ill child for 5 years and need to be strog for her as well as me. 

Thank you to all of you as I would not have done chemo w/o your reports of your treatment. I am quite robust health wise, so everyone thinks I will do fine with the chemo, but plan to be good to myself and rest, eat well and exercise. Radiation (5) will follow the chemo so by June I will be done with it. Am already looking forward to being back on horses by fall.

May the Force be with us all!!   Faye

Faye - please know we are here for you throughout it all.  

Donna Faye said:

Midnight and awake

OK - first let me say that when I had chemo 20 yrs. ago., it was a small satellite office and I saw the same doc, nurse ,etc. every visit and they became my and still are dear friends. I am now at a renowned  teaching/ research hospital - 6 floors just for cancer patients. However, since my planning visit last Tuesday, my first plan of appt's ( I get them sent to a web page) have changed 3 times. I asked for a PICC line as a port has to stay in for 6 mos. or a year; they said OK but have to have a new one each chemo visit. OK  Now those appt's. have disappeared except for the first one. Also other things changed. I am a control freak and all these changes over the weekend when no one can be reached is scary. So it is midnight Saturday and I am wide awake and worrying - should I delay and get everything so I understand what is going on - relax and trust ( not real good at that) or what????   Have sent 2 emails to my contact nurse and will hear from her Monday, but just wondering if any of you had these same feelings at a big hospital?  I felt so in control before and now not sure that is even possible. I think I may have to take a sleeping pill or watch a movie to get my mind off this.  Hugs and thank you's  - so glad to have a place to vent my fears. 

Faye, I would call the doctor's office first thing and tell them your concerns.  Ask them why all the changes and you need to know the plan.  

I know not all the women have had radiation.  I did opt to have it and I felt as though I was getting jerked around.  In fact, one nurse was so nasty I asked to have the radiologist call me.  You say "control freak" but I think it really just have the INFORMATION and KNOWLEDGE of what is going on.  In any event, I recall clearly telling the radiologist, "This may be what you do everyday, but I assure you it is not for me.  I am ready to cancel this completely because I am not getting information."  Well that got his attention and I was given his personal cell and to call him anytime with questions - I did not use it but it was my 'ace' if I needed it and I was not afraid to use it.

I don't know if it was because it was such a big hospital, in a large metropolitan area I did sometimes see the same chemo nurses sometime, but kept a list of their names who gave me treatment so I could give them all something after I was done. 

Again, I would recommend a call to the gyn onc's office.  Tell them how distressing this is and is not giving you comfort that this is a good plan for you.   

It just might make things easier and more comfortable for you. My opinion about the changes might be those infusion rooms are so busy and they are having new people all the time. And having to change schedules all the time for people who have had complications. I went to a major cancer hospital and despite that I got to know the infusion nurses really well plus I took them homemade muffins every week so they would remember me especially.  Hopefully once you get your first treatment and you are familiar with the setting you will feel better  

i have had one for a long time now and most of the time I don't even notice it. I guess it I wore a really low cut top it would show, but at my age I can't see that happening.  It takes no time to access. Only a pin prick, but some have it numbed before.  It has saved my veins and all the problems that can go with that.  Also they can be used for blood draws and even for the contrast dye the use for CTscans.

i know how you feel about the appointment.  I like to have all my ducks in a row and had a really good infusion/oncologist visit schedule,  now that I had to have 18 radiation sessions it messed that all up.

Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann