Ec Surgery In Jan, Now A Malignant Lymph Node Found

Hello all!  I am a caregiver that mother was diagnosed in September of 07.  She had chemo and radioation from October through December and responded well with minimal side effects (once we got the meds to minimize them).  My mother had the EC surgery on Jan 29 and she recovered well.  Her oncologist recenly found an enlarged lymph node near her left collar bone and it was removed.  We got news last Thursday that it was malignant and that she has three options.  (1) Do more chemo, (2) Clinical Trial or (3) Do nothing.  A decision must be made by this upcoming Friday (May 31) so I decided to make an appointment for a second opinion.  I am wondering does anyone have experience with the chemo with recurrent EC and how this has worked.  Also, does anyone have experience with the clinical trials?  I just need additional information about these new developments.  Thanks!

So sorry for this setback. I hope you get a response from someone who has had the same experience as your mother by Friday. 

I did not need further chemo, but I definitely would do something.  Don't choose option 3. 

I think if someone had suggested more chemo for me after my surgery I would have cried and wouldn't have thought I could do it, but now after 3+ years of feeling good, I know to keep on fighting is the best choice.  The chemo was miserable, etc. etc., but the side effects go away rather quickly after the treatments are done.  Unlike the surgery, which took several months for me to feel somewhat good again.  She can have a good quality of life again.

On 5/26/2008 doingfine wrote:

So sorry for this setback. I hope you get a response from someone who has had the same experience as your mother by Friday. 

I did not need further chemo, but I definitely would do something.  Don't choose option 3. 

I think if someone had suggested more chemo for me after my surgery I would have cried and wouldn't have thought I could do it, but now after 3+ years of feeling good, I know to keep on fighting is the best choice.  The chemo was miserable, etc. etc., but the side effects go away rather quickly after the treatments are done.  Unlike the surgery, which took several months for me to feel somewhat good again.  She can have a good quality of life again.

My mother is so down right now, I will let her read your message.  I wish you could call and talk with her .  Thank you so much.  I will continue to pray for you.  I pray for eveyone that visit this site.  Thanks again!

I am so sorry for this setback. You and your mom have been through enough. But I agree, please don't choose option 3. She has to do something !! Tell her we are all praying for her. Please let us know what she decides.

         Pat

On 5/26/2008 Patty5 wrote:

I am so sorry for this setback. You and your mom have been through enough. But I agree, please don't choose option 3. She has to do something !! Tell her we are all praying for her. Please let us know what she decides.

         Pat

Thanks Pat.  I will keep everyone updated on her progress.  I appreciate the responses and I will continue searching for all the information I can gather before making a final decision.  I am happy to know that people are reading this message board, it really helps me.  My mother is very depressed now and the physician put her on Lexapro (10 mg).  Does anyone feel that this will work?  How long will it take for the medicine to start working? 

 My mother happens to be depressed about more than just her conditon and I am hoping the medicine is strong enough.  She divorced my father 2 years ago, and that was something that she didn't want to do.  She was pretty much forced into divorce because my father was so disrespectful to her.  She is not over that at all, they live next door to one another still today.  This has been so hard on her and I feel that it is affecting how she is dealing with her health.  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers, I just want to do what I can to support her and not irritate her.  Since the malignant lymph node, she has been really down.  More of a give up spirit, I don't know how to help her with that.  Thanks and have a great day.

I'm so sorry for what your Mom is going thru, but tell her never EVER give up!  I have inoperable and not curable EC stage IV, but just got good results from my first round of chemo.  The side effects were bad, but not horrible, and it could mean the difference between a few months and a few years of life.

Mark

On 5/27/2008 MarkInMaryland wrote:

I'm so sorry for what your Mom is going thru, but tell her never EVER give up!  I have inoperable and not curable EC stage IV, but just got good results from my first round of chemo.  The side effects were bad, but not horrible, and it could mean the difference between a few months and a few years of life.

Mark

Mark,

Thanks so much for you response.  My mother will be so appreciative to know that you took time out of your schedule to leave a message.  I am glad to know that you are doing well.  We had a second opinion visit today and it was encouraging.  It gave her insight on what she should do on Friday.  He was very comforting and made her feel better.  He even gave her a prescription for Megace, because her appetite has decreased since the new developments.  I wish you the best and will keep eveyone posted on what is to come.  She may decide on doing the chemo injections.  The second opinion physician thinks the med may be Texall.  I know it starts with a "T".  She gets the injections once every three weeks, for how long, we will find out Friday.  Again, thanks for you messages, they really help encourage me and my family.  Many blessings to all and stay encouraged.

On 5/28/2008 tongrenhealer wrote:

My husband had lung mets crop up again after surgery, although we had knocked down first metastasis with chemo before the surgery. Did 2 of 3 planned chemo rounds and once he recuperated we had a bout a year break before beginning again yesterday. It is worth the fight. He made our son's college graduation on the weekend...another milestone we fought to reach and made. You and your Mom remain in my prayers.

Your story is so encouraging.  My mom is not always in the mode to read these messages but I am constantly on the site.  I am so glad to hear that things are going well for your husband.  My mom says that she wants to see her grandchildren grow up but her attitude doesn't always suggest that.  She is currently on Lexapro and hopefully that will kick in at some point.  I do expect down days but I also expect her to want to fight this and live.  I don't always see that spirit in her like I am use to seeing.  I wish you and your family all the best.  I want you to continue to update me and others on your husband's condition.  I pray for everyone on the site and I will continue to pray for you and your family.  Continue to post your stories, it is definately making a difference in my life and so many other's.  Be blessed and stay encouraged!

Yes, I am on Lexapro 10 mg.  My surgeon said I didn't have a choice.  She told me that because EC surgery is so extensive (10 hour surgery) and the treatment is so extensive that she would not allow me to go without either psychiatric counsel or a mood enhancer.  I chose the Lexapro.  It takes about 3 weeks to really become effective, but it does work.  Not only did it stop my depression and crying, but I have been rescued from Seasonal Affective Disorder that I suffered with for years.  I am as happy in December now as I am in July. 

If your Mother wants to talk to me, I will be glad to call her.  I had several EC cancer survivors who helped me through.  One lady I reached through the Hope Cancer Network. They put people in contact with each other who have had similar cancers.  She was a 6 year survivor.  I don't know how old your mother is, but certainly she can have a full life ahead.