Just diagnosed endometrial adenocarcinoma stage 3a

Welcome! I hope you will find here, as I did, a group of supportive and knowledgeable women who've been through it.  I have a similar stage (not with ovary involved or stuck, that's probably unique), and just finished 6 cycles of chemo and brachy at the end of August.

The chemo was very fatiguing, and I did not work.  Symptoms, as you will hear, becaome worse a few days after, and it is important to remain hydrated.  My daughter was kind enough to come and stay with me and really pushed fluids which helped.  Each cycle can be a little worse, and a bit different. Frankly, I don't even remember much about the last two cycles. I was pretty out of it.

The brachytherapy was no problem.  There is some debate about the role of external radiation, and while you don't need to worry about it for a while it may be useful to read on the board about the pros and cons.  I elected not to have external beam radiation at this point.

So two months after chemo and brachy my energy and outlook are perking up. It's good to remember there is light at the end of this tunnel. 

Barnyardgal, Sorry to hear of your diagnosis, mine was slightly similar.  Diagnosed at 54 with Stage IIIC1, Grade 3, Mixed 50/50 Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma and Uterine Serous Carcinoma.  Mine had spread to cervix and lymph nodes.  As far as your ability to work, we all respond differently to treatments.  Some breeze through, while for others it gets harder with each treatment.  How you react may also depend on how they do your chemo/radiation treatment.  Mine for example was concurrent; first day of chemo was also first day of radiation.  I had two rounds of chemo with 28 radiation, followed by another 4 rounds of chemo.  Some do the radiation sandwiched between chemo; 3 rounds chemo, radiation then 3 more rounds.  While others do 6 rounds chemo first, followed by radiation.  In my case I was unable to work, the radiation and chemo together just wore me down and my WBC bottomed out so I couldn't be exposed to germs.  If you are able to work and keep your routine as normal as possible, then great.  But don't be too hard on yourself, take the time off to take care of yourself if you feel you need to.  

I know now it's so overwhelming.  Please ask questions, there is a lot of knowledge on this board and we are all here for you.

Welcome to our group! You will find most support here. I was diagnosed 3C with positive wash, lymphnodes, and both ovaries . That was August 2015 and so far so good after chemo and both types of radiation and of course hysterectomy . I too felt so much better after surgery. I just had another scan for the first time in over a year. Hoping for good results! Like others have said everyone is different as far as ability to work. You will need to see how it goes. For the most part in general I did have at least two good weeks between chemo sessions, but chemo and radiation are cumulative and effects are usually greater as time goes by.

Hi Barnyardgal,

Just wanted to also welcome you to our group and let you know about a thread that you may find very helpful. Please take the time to read 'Ladies going through chemo'.  Several of us documented our during and after journey. I think it will make you feel a lot better about what you will face.  There is light at the end of the tunnel! Please come back with any questions and to let us know how you are doing.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

Hello, I'm new to this site. I'm 49 turning 50 in 3 months! I'm looking for help in understanding my health. Back in July I started heavy bleeding that went on for 3 months when I decided to see a doctor because I realized this was not normal.  I was also having right hip and lower back pain and pelvis pain which never stopped. Now it keeps me up at night and I can't lay on my right side without being in really bad pain. After seeing a Gynogologist she ordered a sonagram which showed a thicking in the linning 11mm.  She did a blind byopsy which came back negative. She put me on birth control pills to stop the bleeding till I could get a D&C and abolsation. The pills were 3 for 3 days 2 for 2 days and then go down to 1 a day. Once I got to one a day I started bleeding again but this time so heavy I could not keep tampons on or pads for more then 1hr.

My husband took me to the hosptial because of the bleeding and pain. They did another songagram and found my lining was still growing even though I was on birth control pills. Which should of thinned the linning my doctor said.   When at the hospital they recommened for me to see a different Gynogolist because my other one never called me back for follow up. The new doctor feels that I could still have uterine cancer for the following reasons.. I was still bleeding on 1 pill a day, the lining is still growing and the lining is heterogeneous which means different shapes and texture which is not normal.  I having surgery on Friday and they plan to go in with a camera and do another byosy as well as D&C. I'm hoping for answers this time.

Would apperciate anyones advise. It's the pain that is really becoming an issue and doctor says take advil every 4 hours.

Thanks in advance.

vquick68 said:

Uterine Cancer Symtoms

Hello, I'm new to this site. I'm 49 turning 50 in 3 months! I'm looking for help in understanding my health. Back in July I started heavy bleeding that went on for 3 months when I decided to see a doctor because I realized this was not normal.  I was also having right hip and lower back pain and pelvis pain which never stopped. Now it keeps me up at night and I can't lay on my right side without being in really bad pain. After seeing a Gynogologist she ordered a sonagram which showed a thicking in the linning 11mm.  She did a blind byopsy which came back negative. She put me on birth control pills to stop the bleeding till I could get a D&C and abolsation. The pills were 3 for 3 days 2 for 2 days and then go down to 1 a day. Once I got to one a day I started bleeding again but this time so heavy I could not keep tampons on or pads for more then 1hr.

My husband took me to the hosptial because of the bleeding and pain. They did another songagram and found my lining was still growing even though I was on birth control pills. Which should of thinned the linning my doctor said.   When at the hospital they recommened for me to see a different Gynogolist because my other one never called me back for follow up. The new doctor feels that I could still have uterine cancer for the following reasons.. I was still bleeding on 1 pill a day, the lining is still growing and the lining is heterogeneous which means different shapes and texture which is not normal.  I having surgery on Friday and they plan to go in with a camera and do another byosy as well as D&C. I'm hoping for answers this time.

 

Would apperciate anyones advise. It's the pain that is really becoming an issue and doctor says take advil every 4 hours.

 

Thanks in advance.

Vquick,
A D&C is the gold standard to detect uterine cancer. 
The normal uterine lining is about 4mm and bleeding is one of the first signs of
uterine cancer.  You'll have an answer this time from the D&C. You'll get a
pathology report from this procedure. 

Best of luck with the surgery. Take things one step at a time.

Takingcontrol58

Dear Brnyardgal,

I was diagnosed with Grade 2, Stage 3a endometrial adenocarcinoma at age 45.   I had chemo and then brachytherapy.   I am now 57 years old.   You must keep a positive attitude and be proactive on your care.   My cancer was in my uterus, my cervix and my left ovary.   It was found on a "routine" hysterectomy.   If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.  I worked for the most part during my chemo and then afterwards full time to this date.

My best to you.

Hugs,

Kathy

barnyardgal said:

This is so encouraging! Thank

This is so encouraging! Thank you!  Did you do hormone therapy at all?

All I did was have 6 months of chemo (Carbo/Gemzar).  I was allergic to Taxol.   Then I had 3 HDR brachytherapy.    Nothing else.  My doctor at the time did not want me to have any type of hormones.   

responded to your post, barnyardgal. It is SO terribly frightening to receive a cancer diagnosis and I wish that wasn’t true for you. Like you and Kathy, I was also diagnosed with stage 3a adenocarcinoma. However , mine was not a grade 2; I was diagnosed with a grade 3 cancer or what is considered a very aggressive cancer. Mine was Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma. Bad, real bad. My gyn oncologist told me to “don’t delay living life to the fullest”. He was telling me that my life was coming to an end. D**n, I took good care of myself, was fit and had normal weight, but a h*ll of a lot of cancer in my family! I felt devastated and angry. Well, it is what it is, and I faced what we all face here. I had 6 rounds of Carbo/Taxol and missed my full time job only on the first 5 chemotherapy rounds. Round 6- my last round- did me in and I missed another day 3 days later. I felt reasonably well thoughout treatment- except for horrendous back pain that led to epidural shots. I hear Claritan may have diminished the pain. Who knew? Like you, my left ovary had a tumor and the ovary was attached, not to my uterus but rather my side wall ( of my parenteneal cavity. I suspect I was born that I way). My wash was positive for cancer. No cancer was found in my lymph nodes or found lymphovascularly. I am cancer free 4 years later. Never give up hope!

Warmly,

Cathy