Recently diagnosed with Stage III Uterine Cancer

hopeful, it is very scary and overwhelming so please try to take a breath. You have found a place of support.

Chemo, while difficult is often described by many of us here as "doable". You'll surprised yourself of what you can do but please do not hesitate to post questions. Many get a port to make it easier rather than get poked every time you go since that can be hard on you and your veins. They will give you hydration and the different chemos (carboplatin and taxol are the most popular so far) and they will monitor you throughout.

I don't tell you this to scare you, you want to get prepared. I think there is a thread pinned at the top of this page that has a lot of good tips from all the women throughout the years.

Please let us know what questions you have.

hopeful, I did not have a port. I thought, "it is only six rounds" and I can tell you I didn't know then what I know now - at all. After my first chemo I told the nurse, "we'll have to remember that site for next time" and she told me know, chemo tends to make your veins hard which makes it hard to find one for subsequent treatments.

The 3rd round was really hard to find, and since I had the sandwich of chemo/radiation/chemo, I think the radiation was enough of a break to give my veins a rest so I ended up not getting one. Again, what I didn't know (and didn't know this wonderful site with the support existed) and know I just got incredibly lucky with my doctors.

Thank you @madieblue for addressing the timing. I wouldn't be surprised if others are along to chime in with their experience.

Keep your questions coming. I remember to this day those feelings of being overwhelmed - it is a lot to get hit with. You are not alone.

You can do it :) You can survive stage III. I am 4 1/2 years out from treatment for stage IIIa.

I had paclitaxel and carboplatin, 6 rounds. I didn't have a port and they always got a vein without missing. However, one time the carboplatin infiltrated a bit at the end of the infusion, and caused a bump and red forearm that took over a month to go away.

But ... although they always got a vein for chemo, my veins ever since have been hard to get, and they always used to be easy. I've had quite a few CTs sinve then, and they always have to try multiple times for the IV :(

Unlike many other women here, I never experienced constipation after surgery, chemo or radiation. But I was plagued with diarrhea throughout my treatments. My oncology nurse gave me specific instructions to follow on taking Imodium (loperamide) at more frequent intervals each time I had diarrhea, until two hours after the last episode of the day. While it didn’t eliminate the episodes, it did end them much sooner each time.

But it’s tricky since you’re having both issues. Ask your doctor or nurse about what they recommend you do after chemo to reduce the diarrhea and constipation effects. Hopefully they’ll have good advice.

I’m sorry to hear that your friend has been diagnosed with cancer. There is an older, but generally still relevant topic noted in the FAQ above about chemotherapy that may be helpful right now. https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/296461/ladies-going-through-chemo-how-are-you-doing-or-those-just-starting-or-curious/p1

You can also search for more recent discussions on women going through chemo as that is a frequent topic here. Your friend will find out more about which chemo the doctor will be recommending at her meeting next week, but Paclitaxel and Carboplatin are typically used when treating uterine cancer.

While not everyone develops neuropathy from chemo, some women here have also tried “icing” to reduce the chance they’ll develop this condition. See https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/322196/icing/p1 for some threads about this process.

Ports are placed below the collar bone. If you search online for “chemo ports” you’ll find pictures that show this placement. The port is usually inserted within a few days of when chemo will start. The chemo start date depends upon how well the patient is doing after surgery, but 4-6 weeks after surgery seems typical here.

If she has been diagnosed with carcinosarcoma, this is one of the rarer forms of uterine cancer. Therefore, doctors usually treat this aggressively, even in women with stage 1A. So when you read other posts from women with the more common form of uterine cancer, they may not have had chemo or later treatment with radiation that are typical for women with carcinosarcoma.

It’s a difficult process for anyone to go through cancer treatment and the support from family and friends is really helpful. I’m sure your friend is glad of your help right now (and will continue to be during the coming months.

I am sorry for ALL of us gif going through this hard time. I had Stage IB endometrial cancer last June. I had a total hysterectomy and 5 brachytherapy . The crap returned this May. I had a debuliking surgery and now doing Carbo+Taxol+Keytruda. It's tough but I want to live and will do anything to see my son getting a family on his own and have children.

my problem now after the second round of chemo is the neuropathy. My oncologist doesn't recommend icing only Glutamine and vitamin B6. It doesn't do nothing for me. Anyone has a tip or advise how to manage the neuropathy?

i appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.