My conversation with my gynecologic oncologist

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Abbycat2
Abbycat2 Member Posts: 644 Member
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

I saw my gyne oncologist and he seemed pleased that I am closing in on 1 and 1/2 years since my hysterectomy with no signs of a recurrence. I finished my chemo treatment 1 year ago. That was the end of my treatment . Yah!! But what he told me surprised me . He said that 90% of my treatment was my hysterectomy and oopherectomy. So the clock starts with that date. Of the 10% left over, well 90 % of that is the chemotherapy . I did not have radiation but if I did that would 've been just  1% of my treatment . Interesting bit of information .....

Cathy  

UPSC stage 3a

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  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,368 Member
    #2
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    Thanks, Cathy.  That is very

    Thanks, Cathy.  That is very interesting!  Especially the radiation percentage.

    BTW, speaking of that gift that keeps on giving, radiation, TSA pulled my bag aside last week in the Atlanta airport to question the two items that looked like lollipops.  ha!  I am not ashamed to announce what they were and why.

  • Abbycat2
    Abbycat2 Member Posts: 644 Member
    #3
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    NoTimeForCancer said:

    Thanks, Cathy.  That is very

    Thanks, Cathy.  That is very interesting!  Especially the radiation percentage.

    BTW, speaking of that gift that keeps on giving, radiation, TSA pulled my bag aside last week in the Atlanta airport to question the two items that looked like lollipops.  ha!  I am not ashamed to announce what they were and why.

    Oh, my, No Time!

    Well, TSA had a bit of a surprise, eh?  I hope your trip was for pleasure and not work.  I've noticed that you check out the other boards, too, like I do.  You are always so encouraging to the others who post on these boards.  I remember how terrified I was when I was first diagnosed and I was wondering how long I would live.  The Uterine Board was a life-saver for me.  It gave me the opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings in a safe place with others who understood what I was experiencing.  Kudos to the American Cancer Society for establishing this life-sustaining board!

  • Rjchirp
    Rjchirp Member Posts: 3
    #4
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    So if you had know this prior

    So if you had known this prior to your chemo treatments, would you have still proceeded with chemo?  I am struggling with making this choice right now. 

  • Abbycat2
    Abbycat2 Member Posts: 644 Member
    #5
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    Rjchirp said:

    So if you had know this prior

    So if you had known this prior to your chemo treatments, would you have still proceeded with chemo?  I am struggling with making this choice right now. 

    Absolutely, Rjchirp!!!

    UPSC adenocarcinoma is a bad cancer to get and my chances of having a recurrence (stage 3a ) is about 50/50. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but this cancer has a tendency to go to distant organs, such as the lungs even in stage 1 or 2 with a tiny polyp. It accounts for 50% of all uterine cancer deaths even though only 5 to 10% of all uterine cancer patients are diagnosed with this type of aggressive uterine cancer. Having said this, you bet I was willing to have 6 cycles of carboplatin and taxol. I would do it again in a heart beat. I lost all my hair- that was a bummer- and I had nausea and some vomiting. Towards the end of the 6 cycles I started to feel fatigued. The very worse reaction was severe lower back pain that made it almost impossible to stand long enough to take a shower. I had to constantly sit with my legs raised on a stool. Throughout the 18 weeks I swam long distance  (at least a mile) except when the back pain prevented much activityat all, let alone freestyle swimming!  If my chemo treatment was the tweak I required to prevent a lethal recurrence, I welcome further chemo. I am 62-years-old and darn , I'm just not ready to throw in the towel. I always thought I'd live a long life like my mother and father did (ages 93 and almost 98 respectively). 

     

    Cathy

  • AWK
    AWK Member Posts: 364 Member
    #6
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    Abbycat2 said:

    Absolutely, Rjchirp!!!

    UPSC adenocarcinoma is a bad cancer to get and my chances of having a recurrence (stage 3a ) is about 50/50. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but this cancer has a tendency to go to distant organs, such as the lungs even in stage 1 or 2 with a tiny polyp. It accounts for 50% of all uterine cancer deaths even though only 5 to 10% of all uterine cancer patients are diagnosed with this type of aggressive uterine cancer. Having said this, you bet I was willing to have 6 cycles of carboplatin and taxol. I would do it again in a heart beat. I lost all my hair- that was a bummer- and I had nausea and some vomiting. Towards the end of the 6 cycles I started to feel fatigued. The very worse reaction was severe lower back pain that made it almost impossible to stand long enough to take a shower. I had to constantly sit with my legs raised on a stool. Throughout the 18 weeks I swam long distance  (at least a mile) except when the back pain prevented much activityat all, let alone freestyle swimming!  If my chemo treatment was the tweak I required to prevent a lethal recurrence, I welcome further chemo. I am 62-years-old and darn , I'm just not ready to throw in the towel. I always thought I'd live a long life like my mother and father did (ages 93 and almost 98 respectively). 

     

    Cathy

    I would definitely do it again too!

    Even though I have continued to progress who knows how fast this would've moved without chemo?  And I have had, and continue to have, amazing experiences because of my ongoing journey with Cancer and the wonderful people I have met in the infusion Lounge.  Diagnosed in Feb 2013 stage IIIC or Iv depending on the opinion.  And living life fully as part of my journey.

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    #7
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    AWK said:

    I would definitely do it again too!

    Even though I have continued to progress who knows how fast this would've moved without chemo?  And I have had, and continue to have, amazing experiences because of my ongoing journey with Cancer and the wonderful people I have met in the infusion Lounge.  Diagnosed in Feb 2013 stage IIIC or Iv depending on the opinion.  And living life fully as part of my journey.

    Ditto

    All i can say is ditto me too,  It has been and continues to be a remarkable journey.  Lou Ann

  • Abbycat2
    Abbycat2 Member Posts: 644 Member
    #8
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    Lou Ann M said:

    Ditto

    All i can say is ditto me too,  It has been and continues to be a remarkable journey.  Lou Ann

    Double ditto for me, too

    Anne and Lou Ann,

    I understand what you mean.  This is not a journey I ever wanted to take, but I have gained some insight along the way that I doubt I would have otherwise.  I have learned to live more in the present and to not sweat the small stuff.  And, I have like you, Anne, met some really amazing fellow travelers on this path, including you and Lou Ann.

    Hugs to you,

    Cathy 

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