would the women who've had stage 4 uterine cancer tell us more?????

lovingmylife said:

Maggie, I was diagnosed
Maggie, I was diagnosed March 2009 prior to surgery with ovarian cancer after several months of doctors telling me I had different GI problems. On March 5th during surgery they found the large tumor was not from my ovaries but from my uterus. After a few weeks I began a regimen of Taxol/Carbo chemotherapy--6 rounds every 3 weeks. Treatment ended July 2009. Since that time all my bloodwork and scans have been normal. However; I feel the celebration will wait until the 5 year mark,,,almost at year 1.
I have been exercising which includes walking as much as I can and working for my son-in-law one day a week in his landscaping business which has proven to be the best exercise along with some sunshine.
I try to eat more healthy now and take all in moderation. I have read and searched for what foods to eat but you find good and bad in all things so I try to eat a balance. I stopped working to reduce stress and heal. I had a very stressful executive position in healthcare. I have so enjoyed the time gardening and doing a lot of housework. I am ready now to go back to work and am actively looking.
I feel a positive attitude is the number 1 item to be on our list. I feel very fortunate each day I am healthy. I look up at the sky when I walk as not to miss one thing I may see and enjoy each breath so much more. Taking time to look around has helped. I was always too busy to enjoy what I had, and it is the simple things that mean the most. Hard lesson to learn.
Not sure I gave you anything new or useful, just my experience.
God Bless,
Sandra

cathyK said:

would the women who've had stage 4 uterine cancer tell us more??
hello Maggie, well here is my diagnosis and story.
I am reading from my reports,
Metastatic high grade adenocarcinoma
endometrial adenocarcinoma with features of uterine papillary serious and undifferentiated carcinoma
got 6 rounds (every 3 weeks) cisplatin taxol and adriamycin diagnosed in june 09 chemo july 09 to oct 09 and
had my 6 month visit a couple weeks ago. the C T paper work is on my fridge so I can see it again and again
NO evidence of metastatic disease detected
there is a cyst 3 cm 2 cm that they think is lymphocele
all that to say, I am feeling much better after this last visit, still have the 95% recurrance over my head but I am voting for the 5%.
still have abdomen pain from the cutting of the nerves so muscles and nerves are causing pain , being cared for by Phisical therapy,
still trying to get back on my feet and since I was off 1 year the body took its tole , tried to get back exercising and foot pain came up, found it was a progressive problem I have had for years, once that is dealt with I will be back to walking and exercising this 50 lbs added on due to no activity and steroids .
got much healthier in my food intake, and much much more water than soda.
more fruit and vegies. still have problems with remembering to eat regularly and working on that.
keeping a positive attitude, no other alternative medicines or therapies other than P.T. and exercise.
I am thankful that I am being cared for by University of Michigan. lots of people looking at my records
so there ya go, hope this helps and I hope to see many more chirp in that have stage 4 endometrial cancer that have 2, 3 , 4 , and 10 year success stories !!!
so have a fantastic holiday weekend, praying for you and all on this list.
it is horrible that we have to be added to this list but glad that there are so many out there to talk to and ask questions and get great answers, unlike the docs who say, everyone is different. cant give a definite answer.
thanks ladies
Cathyk

janmac35 said:

Stage 4 USPC diagnosed 4 years ago
My heart and prayers go out to all of you. It is a rough road, but if one takes the time to be grateful for the little things, it passes quickly. I am a 4 year survival, having been originally diagnosed with cervical in 2005. I had both kinds of radiation along with cisplatin and did fine until a couple years ago when diagnosis was changed to serious papillary metasisis to my lungs and a new regimen of chemo prescribed--carbo-taxol and (oops-chemo brain loss here). Had a complete remission by June of 2009, but it came back in lungs and tummy by Oct. 2009. Went on gemstar and cisplatin. (Had 2 bouts with clots, lungs and legs both times, so am on blood thinner (lovenox).) Also had a lot of pain in tummy area and bone pain in legs and hips. My last CT scan showed clear lungs but larger tumor in tummy. I was given the choice of more chemo (which would not increase survival time or comfort) or pallative care. I figure I am close to surviving 5 years, beating the odds, so am choosing pallative care unless I learn of something that will increase survival and comfort. I exercised, walked, weights, stationery bike, etc. and tried to watch my diet even while on chemo. However, the bone pain and other later symptoms have taken that away. I think exercise helped especially mentally, and so miss the social aspect. I attribute my strength through all the treatment to diet and exercise, second only to prayers and friends' kind thoughts. Unfortunately, I have continued to expand in spite of smaller appetite. Perhaps from lack of exercise, but more likely, added water and tumor as well as the steroids. Anyway, just want to tell you all 5 years or more is possible and the precious moments in life continue if we take the time to appreciate them. Blessings to you all. Jan

gypsy19522 said:

uterine cancer
I have had cancer for going on 3 years in Aug..Had many kinds of chemo..Had hysterectomy.. more chemo radiation on a tumor in my stomach which was successful.. still have cancer but on a 2 months time off to restore my body. waiting to hear from doc. Have sjogrens syndrom from chemo I guess.. Had infected saliva glands, which took what little taste I had. very frustrating to eat, but have to to stay alive. Was down to 111 lbs am up to 116lbs now. am going on 80 in Aug. so I guess I am lucky to have made it this far.It's a struggle every day, but prayer has helped me to keep going. Am on a low residue diet.. hve lots of trouble with bowels but am doing better at eating the right foods, after trial and error. I wouldn't wish this disease on my worst enemy, but I have lots of support from my children and husband.