ESS

Hello, I have just recently been diagnosed with ESS low grade, and have just been told I had "extensive lymphovascular permeation". Because of this, my oncologist has recommended radiation treatment, mainly for prophylatic reasons.  Everything I have read says radiation really doesn't help. If the cancer comes back, its coming back,  no matter. Has anyone had radiation treatment that could convince me it's what I need to do? I am probably a little different than most as I my will to live is not so great. However, I have a 14 yr. old son who I believe deserves to have his mom around at least until he graduates, but I have always told myself, if I ever got cancer I would not put my family or myself through all the horrible treatments and leave a huge financial bill behind. I believe God will help me through no matter what happens. I do however feel my desire to do nothing as far as treatment goes is quite selfish, mainly because of my son.  I guess I need some encouragement as to why I should spend thousands of dollars for something that may or may not help. I am also worried about the good cells that will be affected during radiation. My doctor also recommends megase therapy after raditaion, but I am not going to take it. If I take anything, it will be letrizole. I refuse to gain the weight, as well as all the other side affects I have read about,  and am a teacher, so I need all the energy I can muster. Whatever thoughts you could share that would help me become a little more "motivated" would help. Thanks.

bioteach

 

On 8/11/2007 bioteach wrote:

Hello, I have just recently been diagnosed with ESS low grade, and have just been told I had "extensive lymphovascular permeation". Because of this, my oncologist has recommended radiation treatment, mainly for prophylatic reasons.  Everything I have read says radiation really doesn't help. If the cancer comes back, its coming back,  no matter. Has anyone had radiation treatment that could convince me it's what I need to do? I am probably a little different than most as I my will to live is not so great. However, I have a 14 yr. old son who I believe deserves to have his mom around at least until he graduates, but I have always told myself, if I ever got cancer I would not put my family or myself through all the horrible treatments and leave a huge financial bill behind. I believe God will help me through no matter what happens. I do however feel my desire to do nothing as far as treatment goes is quite selfish, mainly because of my son.  I guess I need some encouragement as to why I should spend thousands of dollars for something that may or may not help. I am also worried about the good cells that will be affected during radiation. My doctor also recommends megase therapy after raditaion, but I am not going to take it. If I take anything, it will be letrizole. I refuse to gain the weight, as well as all the other side affects I have read about,  and am a teacher, so I need all the energy I can muster. Whatever thoughts you could share that would help me become a little more "motivated" would help. Thanks.

bioteach

 

I was diagnosed with LGESS in May of 2002.  I had gone in for a routine hysterectomy knowing that I had a fibroid tumor.  My doctor had to do some research to even try to find out what the mess was and determined it to be LGESS.  He had a collegue in Oklahoma City that he referred me to, who had had some experience with this type of cancer.  I had a second operation 7 weeks after the first one to remove one ovary that had not been taken out during the first surgery.  The cancer had spread outside the uterus and had gone into the ureter. My doctor removed everything she could see and feel and did not recommend radiation due to the fact that it had spread and that the area was too broad to radiate.  I have been on Megace ever since, along with Welbutrin and Catapres (a low dose blood pressure medication to help with hot flashes).  I do hate what Megace does to the body, but it's been five years and I have had no reoccurrance.  My weight gain has been about 10 to 15 lbs from what it was before surgery.  I do exercise most days of the week and I'm sure that helps. I still see the doctor every 6 months and have scans once a year.  My doctor has not offerred anything besides Megace because she feels that is the most effective option.  Maybe I've been lucky because I don't feel that I had too hard of a time adjusting to the medication or menopause.