Clear cell uterine - stage 4

I am 51 years old and just diagnosed with stage 4 clear cell uterine cancer.  They found some cancer cells near my rectum and took it all when they did a radical hysterctomy.  Although they do not see any more cancer, the doctor is concerned cell may have migrated elsewhere.  I am going to Sloan Kettering next week for a 2nd opinion and waiting for a 3rd opinion from MD Anderson in Houston.  They are not too many people who understand or familiar with this disease.  My doctor in VA Beach said most oncologists only see 2-3 cases per year.  I had my surgery about 3 weeks ago and have not yet started treatment.  I actually feel great and look great too.  I am a Christian and am believing for the Lord Jesus Christ to heal me because it is promised in the scriptures.  But that doesn't mean that He may not use medical science to heal me.  So I would appreciate any information that anyone has about this disease and if there are any doctors or institutions that you have had a good experience with...obviously, I am willing to travel.  God bless all the women and their families on this site that are battling this disease. 

BY HIS STRIPES, YOU ARE HEALED!  Isaiah 53.5

I too was diagnoised with stage 4 uterune cancer in Sept. 01. I am 65 this year. I live in Raleigh NC and had my treatment at Duke Cancer care and since I also have home in FL I see doctors and have had treatment in Ft. Meyers.  Initally, .l had total historectmy , 31 rounds of radiation and the strongest chemo drugs they thought I could tolerate. (doxirobsin, cisplatin, taxol) I have had two reoccurances in the past 5 years  in lymph nodes in the para aortic and in clavical, both times I went back into radiation treatment because they are not sure I can take anymore chemo. It left my stomach a mess. The first time my cancer came back my doctor gave me 6 months to live.  It would have been so easy to give up at that time, but I did not.  I went to another doctor and he said I can get rid of this tumor with radiation and he did,  It does not even show up anymore on scans.  Bottom line I'm living with cancer and keeping close watch on various spots that have turned up on cat scans and pet scans.  I feel like I have a good quality of life and credit my Duke doctors with me being able to survive as long as I have..Be viligant and what ever you do don't give up. You have a strong faith and that will help you, however I am a firm believer that God helps those who help themselves so take charge of your own health and learn as much as you can about your cancer.  Even after 6 years I research on computer all the time for new treatments. I try to live the best life I can everyday. I have a very supportive family which helps. I have no idea how I got this cancer. I am youngest of 4 girls and am first one in the family to have cancer. My mom lived until 92 and died of old age.I  did not take hromone drugs(HRT)  I will pray for you and send you positive vibes that you will be ok. Keep in touch. Norma P

I to am a Christian.  Keep your positive attitude, I believe what comes out of your mouth can effect you physically.  Good luck with all your treatments, I'll be starting in the next week or so.

God Bless and keep you in his arms!

Terry

 

On 7/21/2007 Snowmom60 wrote:

I to am a Christian.  Keep your positive attitude, I believe what comes out of your mouth can effect you physically.  Good luck with all your treatments, I'll be starting in the next week or so.

God Bless and keep you in his arms!

Terry

Thanks Terry....what treatment are you starting and for what is it for?

I will pray for you too :)  I also believe in watching what we confess.  I read out loud 40 healing scriptures each day that I got from the internet that Dodie Osteen used daily after she was given weeks to live after being diagosed with metastaic liver cancer.  It is 25 years later and she is healthy and alive (without ANY medical treatment) and sits in the front row at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX each week.  If you search the internet, you will find those scriptures.

 

Thanks

Norma,

 I can't thank you enough for writing!  It has been as though I have been in a black hole all by myself with this diagnosis.  It seems nobody knows much about it and I have found no one with the disease on the internet.  You are the first!  THANK YOU* THANK YOU* THANK YOU!!!!!  It brings tears to my eyes.  I truly believe that God will heal me...whether he uses medical science or a miracle.  It is just so hard for the doctor's to believe that sometimes.  I don't like my doctor in Virginia Beach because he seems negative to me.  I am not far from Duke as I live in VA Beach, VA.  I am going to Sloane Kettering on Monday and trying to get in to WD Anderson in Houston.  I was diagnosed about 6 weeks ago and I feel I got to get started on some treatment and WDA doesn't have an appointment with the only doc that seems to have any real knowledge and experience with this for another month.  Also, my local doc doesn't seem to think radiation is valid.  Apparently, it worked for you.  Can you give me the names of your doctors that you have had a good experience with?  My email is my user name at aol.  Please write!  Love and blesssings, Chris

One more thing, I too, have no cancer in immediate family.  Grandma died of 85 (I think from malpractice), and Mom died at 75 of heart related issues.  I am the oldest of 3 girls and I am the only one who had a child and I can't figure it out either.  Also, don't think my mother took DES.  That is one more reason why your treatment is encouraging to me!

God's richest blessings on you!

Chris

My mom saw Joel's father when he was a preacher when she was teenager.  She was raised in Abilene, TX and he went all over.  I've watched Lakewood Church quite a few times.  Sometimes I feel like the teleevangelist give to much false hope regarding finances and things.  Take 700 club, they make it sound (to someone that doesn't know better) like if you tithe A lot you will be rich.  Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way, not monetarily anyhow.  You will get your money multiplied but you may have to work your but off for it.  We go to an Assembly of God Church and tithe 10% every week plus missions and I can tell you my husband works for it!  I can't even imagine going through this without God and my church family.  Oh yeah you asked what treatment and what for.  I was diagnosed with Stage II rectal cancer (couldn't be a more embarrassing cancer to discuss) July 3rd.  I'm having chemo, then radiation and then surgery and I'll have to have a colostomy permanently.

I will pray for you also!

Terry

If you want to talk more about church and that feel free to PM me.  I think it's alright on here but I'm not sure.  I took this quote from someone that posted it on another message because I really like it, maybe you will too!

 

Psalm 90 "teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom"

It's kind of fitting for our circumstances.

 

Terry,

 Thanks so much for writing back!  But what is PM?  Did you mean IM?  Instant message?  I don't know how you can do that from here, do you?

And don't be silly about being embarassed about your cancer.  Did you know that Farah Fawcett recently had a second bout with rectal cancer?  You should write her and encourage her....I am sure she can use it - can't we all? :)  

I have to get ready...I am going to fly to NY tomorrow to see a doctor at Sloan Kettering.  I live in VA.  Where do you live? 

 Let's keep each other lifted up in prayer and BELIEVE....BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED! 

 

PM, I meant private reply.  I live in Wisconsin.  I sure hope I'm getting the best medical advice.  I live up in the northwoods of Wisconsin and have to go to Green Bay.  My insurance says I have to go to a certain group of hospitals and doctors but I'm an RN so I'm trying to research on my own what others are getting done for treatment.  I'm also writing a doctor I use to work with in Milwaukee and having him check for me.  Good luck on your visit to New York, I hope you get good information.  I'm going to church tomorrow and we're having a church picnic and people are being baptized in the lake tomorrow.  I'm not afraid to die but I still have a lot to live for yet like a 16 year old at home, she'd be devastated.  I'm sure this is all happening for a reason as with you, I'm just not sure what it is yet.  Maybe to meet more christians!

 

By his stripes WE are healed:)

Take care,

Terry

Hi Chris, glad I was able to offer you some encouragement.  My doctor at Duke is Andrew Berchuck (Duke University Med Center, Division of GYN/Oncology.  He was my surgeon and prescribed treatment.  I was part of a clinical trial and I believe this is important as they will follow me the rest of my life. His phone number is 919-684-2471, His nurse Clinician is Charlotte Gilbert and I have been dealing with her since day one of this cancer journey.  She is very good about emailing. Her number is 919-684-3937.  My radiation oncologist is Dr. Laura Jones also at Duke. I also have a radiation oncologist in Naples, FL and he is the absolute best. His name is Dr. Hanus. Radation technology has come so far these day and they can pinpoint the exact point you need so as not to damage other organs. I had the orginal 31 tratments of radiation at Duke, then rested 30 days and then started chemo. You can e-mail me at ndpigott@nc.rr.com

Good luck. The two cancer clinics you mentioned are top notch.